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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 12.05.22
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hey everyone, welcome to the chat. Let's talk about Steelers-Falcons, Steelers-Ravens and whatever else is on your mind.
ev
2:01
Brian, Playoffs? Did (someone) say Playoffs??
Brian Batko
2:01
Take it easy, Jim Mora. Let's just see if the Steelers can continue to unleash hell in December.
Jim Bow Dean
2:01
Is Tomlin finally over “running the wheels off” his bell cow?
Brian Batko
2:03
Not sure about that, but the RBBC approach was an interesting development yesterday. It seemed to keep Najee Harris fresh late. Jaylen Warren and Benny Snell were solid in small doses. Might have just been a situational thing because Harris was limited this week and Warren was coming off an injury of his own, but I say ride that wave until you have reason not to.
ChiTown Rob
2:03
2 more critical drops and almost a fumble for DJ.  Did we trade the wrong guy to the Bears?  The Steelers clearly overpaid for DJ.  GP has every right to be upset.  What say you?
Brian Batko
2:05
No, but they may have misspent that money. It wasn't a humongous deal for Diontae Johnson, given the exploding WR market, but they probably overpaid.
Retire21
2:06
Usually Coach T's preview of the coming opponent is the boring part of Tuesday's. But he emphasized the special teams prep needed. Did Danny Smith get a game ball?
Brian Batko
2:06
I doubt it. But special teams was definitely much improved, and it needed to be, given how close that game was. If anyone from that unit gets a game ball, it's Pressley Harvin for making a football do what it did on the 2-yard line to help seal that win.
Coach15
2:07
Talk about crushing a player's confidence--What's with #14 getting two lousy targets yesterday, one catch, 2 yards--?  What he has shown with his ability, no reason, under any circumstances that he should not get a minimum 5-6 per game--& WHY do they continue to feed DROPSY-FUMBLER #18, other than he's highly priced, & 3 times in last 2 games he's targeted with jump balls in the end zone--What am I not understanding?
Brian Batko
2:10
A big part of it was the Falcons' top corner AJ Terrell playing a lot of man-to-man on Pickens, from what I could tell. Advanced stats all season have indicated that Pickens really doesn't get open all that well, certainly not on Johnson's level of separation, but I'm generally with you that he's a guy who's open even when he's covered. That's how good his ball skills are. Then again, it's not a great look to act that way when you're a rookie who hasn't done all that much to this point in the league.
MD
2:11
Brian:  I had a chance to focus in on Alualu a bit during his extended playing time on those long Falcons drives.  Have you zeroed in on his play at all?  Wow, is he terrible.   Was pancaked or blocked way out the play every time.  How can Loudermilk not be getting a helmet?  Is that another wasted 4th round pick?
Brian Batko
2:12
No, to be honest, I haven't. But Mike Tomlin made it clear early in the year they weren't getting enough out of Tyson Alualu. He's playing and working hard, but pretty obviously on his last legs in the NFL. The reason he's active over Isaiahh Loudermilk is one's a nose tackle and the other isn't. I don't expect that to change against another run-heavy team this week in the Ravens.
AK
2:13
For the “fans” who want the Steelers to lose, this is the Steelers, not the Browns, Jags, or Lions.
Brian Batko
2:14
AK has spoken! (Lions are 5-7, 2.5 games out of a roster spot and just put up 40 on the Jags.)
booradley
2:16
I'm always curious when I see a football player badly injured, but he insists on walking off the field and even walking to the locker room. I get it's a pride thing. But these guys are being paid millions. And all that walking could exacerbate an injury, particularly a lower-body one. Cart them off and don't make it worse?
Brian Batko
2:16
As Mason Rudolph can attest, carts don't always work.
Kenny in San Diego
2:18
Hey Brian! Another win down and onto the next week. We'll see how the week turns out for Lamar Jackson, but Tyler Huntley may end up starting for the Ravens when they visit Acrisure Stadium. What do you expect to see from the Ravens
Brian Batko
2:19
Same game-plan, maybe a bit more focus on the run, but of course a lower ceiling with Huntley instead of Lamar. The Steelers have had their number lately, regardless of the QB.
artie bridge
2:21
Brian, what do you think accounts for Najee's resurgence these past 4 games or so: improved ol play? recovery from his foot problem? reaction to criticism?  In any case, it's good to see him hitting stride.
Brian Batko
2:23
A few things. Health, first and foremost. But also running style, which might go hand-in-hand with that improved health. He's running angry like we saw last year, and the other factor is the O-line jelling too.
Tom
2:24
Steelers win out....yay or nay?
Brian Batko
2:24
Um...nay.
TV
2:25
I wasn't necessarily watching Pickens to see if he was getting open and just wasn't getting the ball - did you notice?  Although the outburst on the sideline caught by TV cameras was not a good look, I'm sure it happens on every team in just about every game, but for Pickens, was it justifiable that he was upset about not getting the ball or is it a concern and he has some growing up to do?
Brian Batko
2:26
Yeah I'd have to go back and watch the all-22 film to give a great answer on that. It does happen a lot, and much worse has gone on with other teams around the league - even rookies - when you look at Garrett Wilson's outburst recently with the Jets. And yet, that was a bit different given how things had gone south with his QB, Zach Wilson. The Steelers are playing better. Winning should cure all. You hope it's just a blip and not an omen for Pickens.
IdahoSteeler
2:28
Minkah put the team first rather than stat padding by running out of bounds on that interception.

That's the kind of guy and decision-making that helps teams win.  Putting the team first.
Brian Batko
2:29
Indeed, his football IQ was on display there. First pick for him since Week 4, too.
Virgil
2:30
Do you think that its part of the Steelers offensive strategy that when they get into the red zone, someone commits a penalty on the very first play? They are a middle of the pack penalty team overall. Those red zone penalties are killer to a rookie QB. How do they clean something like that up?
Brian Batko
2:31
Hard to say. You could make the case that falls on coaching, both position coaches or the OC. Or you chalk it up to a lack of discipline among the players. It's not just the Steelers, though. Did you see what the Falcons did to shoot themselves in the foot? These two teams are under .500 for a reason.
Ryan
2:32
14 is not the next coming of 84 is he?  Very talented but seems to be more concerned with himself than the team.
Brian Batko
2:33
Way too early for that, but there were whispers about character concerns coming out of college, beyond just the two or three on-field outbursts. But this is where coaching and leadership comes in. Might just be a young guy who needs some of that.
LA PG Subscriber
2:34
Has Matt Canada gotten a reprieve?
Brian Batko
2:36
Yeah, I'd say he called a pretty good game yesterday, right? There remain some overarching issues that are troubling (and might cost him his job) - inability to consistently get 14 and 18 involved, penalties, etc. - but he's doing what it takes to win right now. Other than that high-flying season at Pitt, his M.O. as an OC has been more about the run game, controlling the ball, occasional explosive play and get out of there with a win.
Alan in Alabama
2:37
Hi there. We were at the game in Atlanta. What a black n' gold crowd! My question. This teams improvements are fun to watch but again, ONE touchdown. What's the one thing that you would change to improve that? Many people are talking about Canada earning another year. If anything, I think the lack of TD's will be his downfall in the end.
Brian Batko
2:39
That's another problem, lack of finishing drives. To me, the easy answer is more explosiveness in the offense. But the jury is out on whether Pickett can be that kind of QB at this level.
Paul
2:39
Please Santa Brian....can I have one or two of those Michigan offensive linemen for Christmas?
Brian Batko
2:41
Let's see if those Michigan offensive linemen can move Georgia (assuming that matchup happens in the title game).
Vegas Steeler
2:42
Are the grumbles and discontent from the receivers more akin to a normal situation of hungry receivers or do you see that more of too many prima donna personalities emerging in this unit?
Brian Batko
2:43
I lean toward the former. But what's been a theme here is just overall dysfunction in the offense, and lack of production naturally breeds unhappiness.
Jeff
2:43
Im a huge MT fan but if we move on or he decides to go elsewhere, isn't it time we go for a offensive minded coach to help our young talent on offense. Juju stated how much he's learned from having an offensive minded head coach.
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