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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 11.30.20
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Brian Batko
2:45
My man Jax, good to hear from you. Had a nice dinner at home with wife and baby, who got unbelievably messy eating his mashed potatoes and corn.

I don't share your concerns about a letdown tomorrow, honestly. The Ravens are just too depleted, I think. Too many holes up and down the roster, and one big one with no Lamar Jackson. But Cam Heyward very bluntly described RGIII as: "He got the last win against us." In case you were worried about them taking this one lightly.
Adam
2:47
Should the NFL take two weeks off and create a bubble?
Brian Batko
2:48
That'd be nice, in theory, but the NFLPA seemed pretty adamant back in the offseason that a bubble was not gonna happen. If anything, maybe the players and league can come up with something in time for the playoffs, but that's still a whole lot of people who would need to be sequestered. Players, coaches, staffers, refs, etc. etc.
Tx Steeler
2:49
After this season, I'm not sure I ever want to hear the words "player safety" or "integrity of the game" come out of Goodell's mouth. It's an absolute shame the Broncos game was not postponed.
Brian Batko
2:50
How about "competitive balance/fairness"? I actually don't have an issue with the Broncos game being played Sunday. Their own players violated protocols, and those players were removed from the equation, per the protocols. Not the NFL or Saints' fault that they all happened to be from the same position group.
Jeff
2:51
Thanks for the chats B.  What are your thoughts about taking 2 weeks for all teams to lockdown and get this under control?  Move playoffs and superbowl out 2 weeks?
Brian Batko
2:52
I'd be all for it if you could guarantee me it'll actually get under control. Pretty sure there's no way to ensure that, short of the bubble concept already discussed. I keep seeing the NFL medical experts saying that many of these cases are due to "community spread" rather than transmission within locker rooms and whatnot. So, it's not like the country is going to have the virus under control in two weeks either.
Bruce A
2:54
How many more shots do you think I can take at TB before I’m looking for my next gig?  And I was right about AB, I should have never caved.
Brian Batko
2:55
Don't know, but I love it. Keep 'em coming, Bruce. And hopefully Antonio stays out of trouble during the off week.
Leo Lee
2:56
I wonder if the organization realizes that they need to apologize to Troy for how they treated him
Brian Batko
2:57
Not really a question, Leo.
Yates
2:57
HI Brian - How do you see snap distribution between 24 and 26 for Ravens game?  From you days covering Pitt, what could Smallwood add to the mix?  THanks
Brian Batko
2:58
Sup, Yates? Mike Tomlin specifically mentioned Benny Snell as a guy he has confidence in being the bell cow. Kind of interesting that he framed it that way rather than tempering his expectations, setting us up for more of a RBBC, what have you. So, I'll say Snell plays maybe twice as many snaps as Anthony McFarland? Smallwood can add a lot, although he's never played with the Steelers, so not much experience in that sense.
Steeler in Virginia
2:59
Why is the Super Bowl date so sacred? Surely it could be moved back to create a bye if needed. It's unlikely many fans will be allowed in the stadium anyway. It's the Super Bowl - moving it back could be accommodated by advertisers, the host city, etc.
Brian Batko
2:59
It's not. They can move it back. League has already said that, if I'm not mistaken.
Tom
2:59
Hi Brian - thanks for the chats, I truly enjoy reading them each week.  One question - will we be playing some football tomorrow night?
Brian Batko
3:00
You're welcome, Tom. Glad you like them, and thanks for reading. My answer - no, you and I definitely will NOT be playing football tomorrow night. Well, maybe you will. But there's a 100% chance I'll be on my couch. Only question is whether I'm watching Steelers-Ravens or college basketball.
3:01
OK we'll end on that note. If there's a game, we'll have our usual live chat starting around 7:30 tomorrow night. See you there - maybe.
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