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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 11.4.19
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Brian Batko
12:39
For the Steelers? Sure. For the league, Jimmy G probably has that thing on lock.
AllanbTN
12:39
Is there a reason for the lack of production from Vance McDonald this year?  I know he had a nice TD catch yesterday, but he does not seem to break tackles like last year.
Brian Batko
12:40
Yeah it's been a little disappointing year for him. Maybe last year was just an overachieving season from a guy who'd never produced like that over the course of 16 games? Or maybe he and Roethlisberger had a better connection than he's developed with Rudolph thus far. I don't have one definitive answer for ya, Allan.
STEEL72
12:41
Can't complain about being 4-4, but the win didn't sit well. Fumbles, interceptions and not punting out of a sack situation just seems so bad. Do you think this Steelers defense can win out against even stronger competition?
Brian Batko
12:41
If they win out, I'll shave my head bald as a cue ball, STEEL72
Stuckinnj
12:42
Why can't the Steelers do better on kick returns than have Swisher run it to the 20 yard line and fall down?
Brian Batko
12:42
Bad blocking, a returner who's not breaking tackles, and, yeah, that'll do it.
Ryan
12:42
Good afternoon Ray is there any update onRosievolt Nix Switzer or edmunds or will there by one tomorrow from Coach Tomlin
Brian Batko
12:43
I'm not Ray, Bryan
Fact Check
12:43
I've never, in many decades of football watching seen more check down, behind the line or at it, weak plays... Is Finctner calling it or is Rudolph bailing out too much... or both?... It's counterproductive and it's hard to watch.
Brian Batko
12:44
Randy Fichtner is giving him options underneath. He's taking what the defense gives him, obviously not trying to make as many big plays as his predecessor often did. He led the league in picks last year, dontcha know. I don't think it's hard to watch. I started Jaylen Samuels in PPR yesterday.
Jack Splat
12:44
Brian,  I want to think this D is Championship caliber, but again when the game is on the line they cave.  Let's face it Hoyer is not Tom Brady.  Take the win but stop somebody already!  What is your take?  Thank you.
Brian Batko
12:45
I was all ready to write about how they buckled down in a sudden-change situation at the end there yesterday. They, uh, didn't. I'm not ready to say it's championship-caliber. But is it getting there? I think so. The talent is in place. There still seem to be some overall structural/schematic/communication issues at times. The elite, "championship-caliber" units don't have that.
Tomlin's Heros
12:46
For the past two weeks the saying has been something along the lines of the Steelers are beating losing teams.  I even read a line that said the Colts will be a better measure.  Now even Steelers fans are saying the team beat the third QB.  When is a victory this year going to be worth something?
Brian Batko
12:47
There all worth the same amount by my count: One. But yeah, even yesterday, they got a break by having Brian Hoyer come in, who did make some really strong throws, for what it's worth. Still think the Chargers game was their best win of the season, and people did rightly credit the Steelers for that one.
BoKnows
12:48
Hi Brian - forgetting for the moment that the Steelers clearly need to hide the challenge flags from HCMT...what concerned me more on those two plays was our alleged #1 corner being clearly beaten by some guy named Pacha (not to be confused with Jerry Rice).  Is it me or are Nelson and Haden looking a little more susceptible these days?  Thanks, I'll hang up and listen...
Brian Batko
12:49
I still think Steve Nelson played OK yesterday. On a couple of those completions against him, he was in good enough position that Zach Pascal had to turn into Antonio Brown to make those catches, and somehow, some way, he did. Pascal played out of his mind, and honestly, I had no idea he had that in him.
davesdogs
12:49
How do the Steelers sign Minkah to a long term contract with the way he is producing...He is going to ask for the world (and he'll deserve it)..... does he not ?
Brian Batko
12:51
Yeah, he probably does. But he's still in his second year and has three seasons left of control, because of the rookie fifth-year option. Will the Steelers try to negotiate with him early? Maybe. He's been pretty special so far. The only ding I'll give him for yesterday is he seemed to be at fault for the final Colts touchdown to Chester Rogers in the end zone. But even then, Mark Barron and Joe Haden were also right there and no one said "wait a minute, Chester..."
Why not us
12:51
What % chance does your big board put us to make the playoffs ... Pats picked a great week to post a snoozer
Brian Batko
12:51
They picked a bad week for Stillers fans
Turk in MD
12:51
Hi Brian, love the chats!  Looked like the rush was getting to MR.  He missed a few open WRs downfield and in other cases held on to the ball way too long.  How do you assess his performance overall?
Brian Batko
12:53
Thanks, Turk. I think Ray Fittipaldo's C-minus grade was about right. At times, too jumpy. At times, not decisive enough. On the first field goal drive, after Samuels came up short and Edmunds got stuffed, that goofy-looking third-down play where he threw out of bounds, he had a lane to step up and run if he'd have realized it quick enough.
And by C-minus, I meant B-minus
Jack 58
12:54
Boswell has only one miss so far, I believe, that's great but my question is on the great fluctuations in his kick off distance... week to week but also in game... planned or something else?
Brian Batko
12:54
Correct. Not sure about that, but wouldn't surprise me if they're trying to kick a little short to force returns at times, like the Ravens did to them.
TC in Charlotte, NC
12:54
Any updates on Conner and Snell for this upcoming weekend?
Brian Batko
12:55
No, Mike Tomlin will do his weekly presser tomorrow and (hopefully) give updates. I don't think Snell will be back yet, though.
Batko’s 3rd cousin
12:55
Will you be be the bearer of good news on a Thanksgiving cuz? What will our record be? (Make sure your opinion is humble)
Brian Batko
12:56
Just looked into my crystal ball, the one that told me the Steelers would beat Miami by 13 and would beat Indy, 30-26 (OK, a little off on that one) and it tells me the Steelers will be 8-8.
Coach15
12:56
I sure hope Steeler BRASS doesn't think Rudolph is  the long term answer--his accuracy, & either by coaching choice or his lack thereof, no downfield attack(15-25yds)-
Brian Batko
12:56
I'll tell the BRASS
Platitude Decoder
12:57
If they aren't 'living in their/his fears' ... Isn't it time to have Johnson or someone else return kicks/punts, other than Switzer?
Brian Batko
12:57
Probably, yeah
PI
12:57
This can partially be fixed if PI is changed to 15 yard penalties and not spot fouls. Do you agree.
Brian Batko
12:57
No, because then guys will just be tackling receivers running free downfield
SD Stiller
12:58
Do you think JC will be back this week?
Brian Batko
12:58
I do not, but I'm not a medical professional. I don't evaluate shoulder injuries and things of that nature.
Ryan
12:58
Sorry Brian any update on Rosievolt nix Switzer or edmunds or will there be one tomorrow from coach Tomlin
Brian Batko
12:58
Tomorrow, pa
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