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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 11.30.20
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Brian Batko
1:59
Hi everyone, let me just start by saying that no, I don't know whether the Steelers and Ravens will actually play each other tomorrow night. No one does. But I'm here to chat about that, and whatever else, just as well. On with the show.
WNY Don
2:00
Next game is 5 days after Ravens game, if played. Do you expect MT to pull as many starters as possible in 2nd half, assuming things go as expected against decimated Ravens?
Brian Batko
2:01
Sure, it would be a good week to do that, but I doubt those conversations/thoughts are even being entertained right now given all that's going on behind the scenes.
Buster
2:02
Brian, what’s the latest they could cancel tomorrow’s game?
Brian Batko
2:04
Not really sure, Buster. The league's other major postponements (Steelers-Titans, Titans-Bills) were done at least a couple days in advance, as I recall. And the Patriots-Chiefs game that got bumped back to MNF was announced the day before.
Jps717
2:05
With Conner, Edmunds and Samuels out, will steelers add another RB for tommorows game?
Brian Batko
2:06
They probably should. I believe they have until 4 p.m. today to elevate a player from the practice squad, and the only RB there at this point is Wendell Smallwood. All things considered, not a bad guy to have in reserve. NFL experience with Eagles/Washington, pass-catching ability, special teams acumen. Helps to have those veteran exceptions this year.
Tampa Too
2:06
Brian. In your opinion which year is the best coaching year of Tomlin. Eight and eight last year without their star quarterback or 10 and 0 this year with their star quarterback
Brian Batko
2:09
Good question, and it gives me a chance to plug my Tomlin story from Friday morning: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/11/27/Mike-Tomlin-co...

I've got to give the slight edge to this year, albeit unfinished, because 10-0 is 10-0 and this is an especially uncertain season. But I know many who are very plugged in think what he did in 2019 was even more impressive. I mean, just look at teams like the Cowboys (lost franchise QB to injury) and Bears/Patriots (good defenses, shaky offenses) and how they're limping around in 2020.
Nick from VA
2:10
I'm sure I'm the first to ask this, but will this game be played tomorrow night?
Brian Batko
2:11
I guess it can't hurt for me to hazard a guess. And my guess is yes, by hook or by crook, the Ravens find a way to get in some sort of practice and travel here without more positive tests that put the kibosh on this one. But I also have Chase Claypool and JuJu on one each of my fantasy teams, and I did NOT feel confident enough to start either one.
Dick
2:13
Based on 10 games, do you expect James Conner to have his contract renewed after this year?
Brian Batko
2:14
Nope, and I didn't need 10 games to make that call, Dick. It simply won't work out from a financial standpoint, unless James Conner tells the Steelers he'll play pro-bono. I doubt he'll cash in for big money on the free-agent market, but surely someone will give him more than the Steelers can afford to pay at the game's most devalued position.
Wicked Tango
2:15
What are the chances they kickoff on Tuesday night? I say better than 50%.
Brian Batko
2:16
I suppose based on my previous answer I can't cop out at 50-50, so yeah, I'll side with you and say 59-41.
574Fan
2:16
Hi Brian.  Do you have a sense of either Faneca or Ward's chances for ever making the HOF? Seems like most folks don't think there's a great chance for either of them this year.
Brian Batko
2:18
Anytime these questions come up in the chat, I just have to be honest and say I really don't study these things as much as others. That said, I do get the sense that Alan Faneca will get much closer than Hines Ward. Just not sure either one gets over the hump. Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson are safe bets to be first ballot, I believe.
MikeinMD
2:19
Brian, as always appreciate the chats.  What's the latest status of Tuesday's game with the Ravens?
Brian Batko
2:21
Latest that I've seen is that the Ravens were all set to practice today, for the first time in more than a week, but the NFL said no to that. So now they're in wait-and-see mode to find out if they can get some work in this evening, I guess, and then if they can travel here tonight. The Steelers had their usual day-before-game walkthrough today, though.
Turk in MD
2:22
Happy Thanksgiving Brian!   Tomlin stated he is confident Snell can be the feature back tomorrow.  Fumbles caused Snell to get less carries earlier this season.  No doubt that was warranted.  Have fumbles been a consistent concern in Snell’s career or did he just have a bad streak of poor ball security this year?
Brian Batko
2:25
Same to you. With this sleepy Monday in wait-and-see mode, it almost feels like leftovers from a long weekend. Anyway, Benny Snell had six fumbles in three years at Kentucky, based on what I could find without scouring every single play-by-play. Wish colleges kept better track of that but, ya know, doesn't help to highlight what your players are doing wrong.
TPhunter
2:25
Hi Brian. Many seem to be taking the Washington game Sunday for granted as an easy win. Washington played well in Dallas last week, Alex Smith is a good QB and it will have a lot of extra rest. Dangerous game?
Brian Batko
2:26
Yes, I actually think that's one of the lesser-talked about side effects of this whole Ravens mess. Getting a shorter week to prepare for a WFT team coming off an extra long week makes what should've been a slam-dunk win just a litttttle bit trickier, and sometimes that's all it takes to lose a game you shouldn't in the NFL.
Bill
2:27
The Steelers were always considered to be a bad weather team because they could run the bad so well. Now that they can't run so well how do you see that working out for them?
Brian Batko
2:28
Certainly wouldn't call them a bad weather team, Bill. Ravens' identity and, especially now, personnel make them much better suited to muck it up in rain, sleet, hail, snow.
Alan in Nashville
2:29
Good morning. I was one of the most vocal from the beginning that life and sports needed to push through the COVID-19 issues, but carefully. At this point, I’m starting to question the whole thing. College teams missing 17 players, coaches not coaching, NFL teams not knowing if they’re getting on a plane in a couple of hours and an NFL playing without a QB. I’m starting to think that integrity is being compromised over money and it doesn’t feel right. What do you think?
Brian Batko
2:31
Ron Cook wrote about that this morning if you want to check it out: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/ron-cook/2020/11/30/NFL-can-t-be-d...

As for me, I'm less worried about the integrity of the game and much more worried about the safety concerns for players/coaches/staffers/families, not to mention the example this all sets. Regular people can't get rapid COVID test results like NFL employees. None of this is normal, and it's feeling weirder and weirder to press on with all of it at this point, but hey, here we are, 12 weeks in, right?
Francis
2:32
Great chat as always, Brian. I'm wondering about the two safeties, do they pick up both options? Clearly Minkah is in line for a bigger payday, will that create animus between the two 2018 first round picks?
Brian Batko
2:34
Obviously, it's a no-brainer on Minkah Fitzpatrick. Only way they don't pick up his option is if they can find a way to extend him long-term before that's even a decision. As for Terrell Edmunds, I'm actually leaning yes at this point. Ideally, the salary cap will rise again in time to pay him $7 million, give or take, in 2022. Edmunds hasn't always been productive, and I've criticized his play often, but he seems to be much more solid in coverage this year and is now coming off a couple takeaways he badly needed on his resume.
Watt tf
2:35
I fear that the season may not be completed, in what could possibly be the greatest Steeler season of all time. Wouldn't the thought of what could have been be terrible
Brian Batko
2:35
Watt if the season is completed, but Steelers-Ravens never gets played? Is it still an unbeaten season if they go 15-0? Is there an asterisk to anything they accomplish in the playoffs? Questions abound.
Gene
2:36
Is Kevin Dotson still in quarantine?
Brian Batko
2:37
As far as I know, yes. Perhaps he'll be activated off the COVID list today or tomorrow, but at this moment, there's been no movement on him for more than two weeks now. Matt Feiler did tell us a while ago that Dotson was feeling well, so that's encouraging.
Igor Larionov is Back Baaabeee
2:38
Im calling for a national night of Pound The Pigeons at the mustard bowl. I really hope the Steelers beat them 63-6.  Now that would be a great game. Watt and budley should eat all night. Real good real good
Brian Batko
2:38
Budley should be in for a field day.
Dick
2:38
Why is running back the most devalued position? I assume you are referring to the terrific receivers that we have (both wide and TE) and the Steelers relying on short passes rather than running
Brian Batko
2:39
It's devalued across the league because of how dependent it is on other factors (schemes, OL blocking, passing game to open it up). Plus, injuries are so prevalent at that spot given the beatings those guys take that you're often unwise to sink a large percentage of your payroll into a running back. They get a lot of glory, but they aren't getting a ton of cash lately, aside from a few special players.
Paul
2:40
As much as I want the Steelers to play this week so they don't have to play a "Week 18" game and with the Ravens so depleted, I can't actually decide if it is a good idea.  I am not worried about the Ravens; I would just hate for the Steelers locker room to get hit as hard if the Raven's come to Pittsburgh without everything under control.  Any concerns from the players or those within the organization about the same?
Brian Batko
2:42
Deep down, there might be concerns. But everything they've said publicly, even going back to the Titans situation, is that if the NFL deems it safe for them to play, they'll put their faith in that. Now, I'm far from an infectious disease expert, but from what I've read, there's been no evidence of transmission on-field during football games. So, that's a good thing.
pdxJaxon
2:43
Morning Bats. Hope you had a great TGiving.  I keep worrying about the inevitable "let down game".   With so many Ravens Missing tomorrow nights game, are we ripe for a let down?
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