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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 12.06.21
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Brian Batko
2:00
Well, can't say I predicted that game in last week's chat, but I did caution against counting out the likes of Cam Heyward, TJ Watt and Mike Tomlin. Things got worse before they got better with two of those three, but in the end, it worked out for a Ravens win Questions...
PAMMY WHAMMY
2:01
What's your take on the failed 2 point conversion? A play Baltimore should have made or a pass altered because of TJ Watt's position and 7 previous sacks in the back of Jackson's head?
Brian Batko
2:02
One they should've made. Certainly TJ Watt disrupted it, and Lamar Jackson admitted as much, but both he and Mark Andrews also said they need to make that play. Hey, isn't there a phrase that goes, "better lucky than good"?
Jim
2:02
So, how did the Oline finally figure out how to run block in the fourth quarter of game 12? Or is Le Glue a great difference making lineman!
Brian Batko
2:03
Maybe he's just a Leglue guy.
Paul
2:03
what are the chances our punter will be back
Brian Batko
2:03
Next year or next game?
Kyle
2:03
Is it time to forget about forcing the run and Canada's offense and let Big Ben play backyard ball in order to win?
Brian Batko
2:05
No, not entirely. Committing to the run and sticking with it actually paid off a few times in that game yesterday. I mean, shoot, even Benny Snell Football got involved with a couple good ones. But I did ask Mike Tomlin today if they can use the no-huddle more regularly and if it's something that could help sustain consistency on offense. He demurred.
DJ
2:05
Will Bush see a more limited role for the remaining games?
Brian Batko
2:06
Depends on the health of Robert Spillane, who was just activated from the COVID list about an hour ago, and on how Bush plays the rest of the way.
Guest
2:06
R E S P E C T they earned it. Leglue plays T,G and C. Do you think he has found a home?
Brian Batko
2:07
Too early to say. But the Matt Feiler blueprint is a great one to follow in this organization for a versatile former UDFA on the O-line.
TC
2:07
I don't usually agree with Romo, but on the broadcast yesterday, he said the Steelers were last in play action pass.  Then he pointed out the success the Steelers had when they did use it.  Will we see more of it the rest of the year.
Brian Batko
2:09
Wouldn't hold my breath, because they've been among the bottom of the league in play-action for many years now.
Greg
2:09
Doesn't 17 points in Q4 show us that BR is better at calling plays in the no-huddle that Canada is at calling plays at all? Switch to BR calling more of his own plays at the line of scrimmage?
Brian Batko
2:11
Well, maybe, but the biggest play of the game was the play-action TD throw to Diontae Johnson, which Ben Roethlisberger said himself postgame was a great call by Matt Canada. Is it possible that Ben calling his own plays is more effective than Canada calling plays for him? Now that could be. But we've been asking that all along, whether those two offensive minds would mesh. It's been touch-and-go, to say the least.
SW Steel
2:12
Please tell me that Steelers brass won't entertain signing 'Carlton' next year...
Brian Batko
2:12
I'm gonna need a little more on that one, SW Steel...
Matt Mexico
2:12
Can we now admit Harvin isn't good?
Brian Batko
2:12
He's not punting well.
MD
2:13
I think a key component to the rest of the season is figuring out how many young players are part of the future.  What is your current thinking on Moore, Dotson, and Green?
Brian Batko
2:15
Need to see more, and that's a bit vague, considering the future could be two years, four years or six years. I'll narrow it to 2022, and assume they're trying to be competitive, because they always do. Moore, yes. Dotson, yes. Green, probably ... but I'm iffy on that one.
Scooter
2:15
Does Ben need permission before audibling? Case in point, 3rd and 1 on the last play of 3rd qtr and Claypool is out the left all by himself with Jimmy Smith playing 11 yards off of him. First downs are a premium with this offense and Ben let's the clock run down to the 4th qtr?
Brian Batko
2:16
I believe that when we did this song-and-dance earlier this season with regard to those baffling 4th-down calls, the explanation from Mike Tomlin was that generally "in those weighty moments" Ben is limited with what he can do. Take that for what you will.
Daniel77
2:18
Is Boz capable of kicking the kickoff to the endzone every time? It just didn't make sense to kick to Baltimore's KR who is one of league's top returners. What was Danny Smith thinking?
Brian Batko
2:18
In the past yes he's essentially said that when you see him kick it short, it's by design. As for why, perhaps they were trying to create some splash on special teams.
Chris
2:19
Hello Brian,   Watching Ben last night, it appears he physically can still make most if not all the throws needed for a successful NFL Starter.  I'm thinking perhaps some of the issue with his poor performances might have been mental(?).  I'm thinking of when he appears to be rushing through his reads, throwing way short of the first down marker on 3rd and 4th down, etc.   If he can play somewhere near the level he played last night, My vote would be for him to come back next year.  What do you think?
Brian Batko
2:20
No, he should not come back for an age-40 season.  I would not vote for that if I were you or if I were in the Steelers front office.
YinzerinVa
2:21
58,000 and change.  That was the attendance yesterday.  How concerned should the Rooneys be?  This is definitely the 2nd game I have been to this season over 10,000 no-shows.  There are probably more games with the same numbers.
Brian Batko
2:22
Yeah, I was actually surprised to see that this wasn't the lowest attendance number of the season. Tickets were as low as $40 to get in yesterday. Ownership should be concerned, but so should the other 31. It's a global trend, and at some point, teams will probably need to realize that admission prices are starting to exceed demand for the in-person product.
HitmanErnie412->305
2:24
Brian, I understand the focus on the Steelers' play from the Pittsburgh fanbase and media, but can you share your thoughts on Lamar Jackson? He looks absolutely awful - his mechanics, his decision making and his coachability. I don't know if you are old enough to remember Kordell Steward, but do you not think he would be a more effect wide receiver in the NFL?
Brian Batko
2:26
No, I think he's just in a slump right now, playing without his All-Pro left tackle and adjusting to some new receivers. Not trying to make excuses for him, but the guy isn't even 25 yet and has already won the MVP. I think brighter days are ahead ... at quarterback.
MG
2:26
Ahkello Witherspoon made some big plays, kind of what you expect of a guy you traded a draft pick for. So the obvious question is: Why has he been inactive pretty much all season?
Brian Batko
2:28
Tomlin's diplomatic answer today is that Witherspoon was learning the defense after coming in so late during the preseason process. But I have to imagine a big part was getting burned by Henry Ruggs in Week 2. To be fair, there hadn't been a ton of opportunities for him when Cam Sutton and Joe Haden both were healthy, but since then, Tomlin has chosen to "de-emphasize" James Pierre in favor of "Spoon."
Yates
2:29
Brian. -  is claypool’s toe or head the main reason for his decline?   JW only seems to contribute with penalties. Time to give Miller or Simms more PT?
Brian Batko
2:30
I don't get the sense that Chase Claypool is being hampered by an injury, but you never know. These guys don't like to use that as a reason for playing poorly. I'd be curious to see more of Anthony Miller, but he can't even get on the active roster over Cody White, who's been playing special teams and has a bigger body for WR blocking.
Len from Orlando
2:32
BB, more of a comment than a question: I never need to hear another question about Mike Tomlin's coaching ability ever again.  (Or at least through the end of this season.)  It wasn't pretty, but he got the win.
Brian Batko
2:32
Yeah, it's weird, haven't gotten any questions yet today about whether it's time for him to go.
Buster
2:32
Could Leglue be what holds LeSteelers’ offensive line together?
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