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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 12.11.23
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Brian Batko
1:01
Hi everyone, big big big week for the Steelers. Are you one of those who thinks it's meaningless because it's so bad or are you still pumped for 7-6 Steelers vs. 7-6 Colts for AFC playoff positioning?
Stairway to seventh seed
1:01
Brian:  in the 2nd half, it appeared that the Steelers used Minkah instead of Walker to cover Henry, played more press-man on the Pats WRs to take away the easy throws to open zones, and brought some pressure on Zappe.  Wouldn't most defensive coordinators have thought of this plan to start the game?
Brian Batko
1:03
If we're being honest, I don't think they expected Bailey Zappe to make some of those throws he did in the first half. I certainly didn't. He made more than just easy throws, that's for sure.
DJ
1:04
I saw a lot of "bad" teams playing this weekend who looked far better prepared and like they were playing with far higher effort than the Steelers.  What does that say about this coaching staff's ability to prepare and motivate the team?  (Yes pros shouldn't require extra motivation but clearly this bunch does)
Brian Batko
1:05
Probably says there was quite a hangover from that Cardinals loss. One of those bad teams that looked to be playing harder was the team on the other side of the line of scrimmage Thursday night, though I acknowledge that sometimes these things seem worse and are low-hanging fruit when you don't win. In fairness to the Steelers, they nearly came back to win that game, so did they play harder than the Patriots in the second half?
Alan from Indy
1:08
Brian, if the last 4 games are anything like we’ve seen the last 2 weeks do you see the Steelers cleaning house with players and coaches for a major rebuild?
Brian Batko
1:09
Sure think it'd be more likely. That would probably mean a 7-10 season, with losses to Gardner Minshew, Jake Browning, Drew Lock(?) among them. Major discussions about major changes would be needed, probably beyond a new OC.
Rob
1:11
Please give me 3 reasons why I shouldn't give up my season tickets of 30 plus years? This team isn't going anywhere. Hasn't for 10 plus years and won't go anywhere as long as mediocre Mike is calling the shots. I'm.just one of many season ticket holders who have spent 10's of thousands of dollars on this embarrassment of a football team.
Brian Batko
1:12
I don't really care what you do with your tickets, Rob. If you enjoy the experience of a sporting event, being around like-minded people and the potential for shared elation over a common interest such as football, keep the faith. If you'd rather be home on the couch where it only costs you your electric and heating bill, plus the groceries in your fridge, I wouldn't blame you.
Jake
1:13
I’d hope front office is forecasting for 2024, while team and coaches try to remain focused on 2023.
Brian Batko
1:15
That's their job. Omar Khan and Andy Weidl are evaluating for the present and future. You have to be forward-thinking. I'd say they've done a good job of that when you consider trading away Chase Claypool at the deadline last year and trading up a few spots for Broderick Jones, with whom I've been very impressed. But as they start getting more into draft prep, they've gotta take into account issues such as Cole Holcomb's long-term health coming off a significant injury, the O-line play, etc.
Hammer
1:16
If Rooney renews Mike Tomlin's contract, all Steeler Nation should go on strike and both stop watching and stop attending.   Mike Tomlin is not about winning any more, he's about his pay check.
Brian Batko
1:17
OK, just don't stop chatting, reading, watching and listening
the real guest
1:18
Good Morning Brian, Well it's December and once again Steeler Nation is torn between asking Santa for meaningless wins or draft pick position. I suspect the difference between 7&10 and 8&9 could be as much as 9th overall verses 17th. If your are looking for a franchise QB or a stud DL me thinks that could be important. So Mr Batko should Steeler Nation ask Santa for a black & gold "tank" this Christmas? Ho Ho Ho
Brian Batko
1:19
If that's your cup of tea! If you're like Rob up above, I assume you don't wanna sit in the December cold and watch them lost again at home to the Bengals. But hey, I understand the line of thinking that treading water in the middle of the NFL standings is not a good place to be. Arguably, the worst place to be. Only place worse would be a cellar-dwelling team that has incompetent people in place calling the shots, because then there's just no hope amid all the losing.
Ed
1:21
It’s 4th and 3. You need a TD to win. No time outs and clock has about 2 minutes 20 seconds. Tell me why you throw a long pass with little chance for completion into double coverage? When I saw it,I couldn’t believe it. Did any coach explain this?
Brian Batko
1:24
I'm not someone who second-guesses play calls all the time, unless I feel like it's a blatantly flawed premise as far as personnel, formation, what have you. In that scenario, obviously, the most likely play is a short throw to try to gain at least 3 (it was actually 4th-and-2). The Patriots knew that, too. So, they took a shot. Trubisky took a chance. Probably not the right read and clearly not a good enough throw, but we'll see what Eddie Faulkner says about it Wednesday. Ironically, he's not the man who called the play, but that's where we're at with the offensive staff at this point.
Jason
1:25
You can’t possibly give Tomlin an extension after this season. That being said, why even bother bringing him back next year ? We’re going to need a new OC and potentially a new DC. Why would anyone want those jobs with a chance of Tomlin leaving after 2024
Brian Batko
1:26
Because there are only 32 of each position in the highest level of football. Because they might believe in Mike Tomlin's ability (and, inherently, their own ability) to right the ship.
Jim Bob
1:27
Given the fact that Joe Flacco is now leading the Browns to victories, is there any doubt the Steelers would be more successful if Big Ben would have been under center this season? Obviously not as mobile but much more accurate, would not miss seeing open receivers and would audible out of a play that was doomed. This even being a conversation shows how poor the quarterback play has been.
Brian Batko
1:28
I have doubt, yes.
Cosmo K in Jax
1:29
I recall during a past period of "it's time for Tomlin to go" that Mike McCarthy was a popular choice to become head coach. His PA roots were a popular quality, and maybe his offensive knowledge would have potentially made a difference at this time. Will the powers that be ever make a bold move (coaching stability aside) to setup the Steelers for the next 10 years or so? There seems to be universal local acceptance that the current coaching structure isn't a fit for future success...
Brian Batko
1:31
Maybe. Every ignominious loss like these past two make me think it's more likely for the unthinkable to happen. But we always have to keep in mind that there's no way to know for sure whether you're setting up your franchise for 10 years of success when you make a coaching move. You could be setting it up for 10 years of disgrace. That doesn't mean you should never make a chance. Just saying don't trick yourself into thinking it can't be worse.
Carl in Carriick
1:32
Hey Brian, what rule changes would you like to see next season? Thanks.
Brian Batko
1:34
1. If you only get one foot down in bounds on a catch, you get half the yardage.

2. Fumble though end zone should not be a touchback. Ball on the 50 maybe?

3. Regular-season OT rules same as playoff OT rules.
epiballo
1:36
Hi Brian - thanks for the chats! Given that the Steelers are still in a playoff position, however unlikely it seems they can hold on, what are the chances they name Rudolph as the starter? He can't be worse than Trubisky.
Brian Batko
1:37
After today's Mike Tomlin presser, I suppose I'd say 2%. And again with the "can't be worse" stuff. Let's stop exaggerating. The Steelers are 7-6, scored a couple touchdowns in the second half last week. I know it was bad, but of course it can be worse!
LYM
1:38
Mr Bats, thank you for the time and the chat. While this team is still in the playoff hunt, it’s clear they aren’t a playoff caliber team. What’s most likely this offseason - assistant coaches being shown the door and ARIi being more involved in dictating their successors, with Tomlin resigning if he doesn’t like that power being stripped from him or ARII looking for a new HC?
Brian Batko
1:40
I'd assume the former, but the former could also lead to the latter. If you're suggesting stripping Mike Tomlin of power and making him some sort of figurehead coach, that strikes me as an untenable situation and a good way to push him out. But Rooney knows that finding a fourth Super Bowl-winning head coach won't be easy. Tomlin knows Rooney signs his checks and is ultimately in charge. Let's see how the rest of this season goes, but I'll be very curious how the team president responds when it's over about how he'd evaluate the head coach.
LSU Nate
1:40
Brian, I have been a Tomlin supporter for a long while, but its starting to become an issue with me as I have seen him make personnel, coaching hire , and multiple game management mistakes. I don't want to say he needs to go, but with all the advancements in stats and info, I feel he and the organization are living in the past. What say you? What fixes should/would you make?
Brian Batko
1:42
Wrote a couple years ago about the Steelers and whether they're falling behind the rest of the league as far as analytics/analytical thinking. If you'd like to read: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2021/09/25/steelers-analy...
Kurt
1:43
Have you heard anything about Watt's concussion?  It was clearly obvious he was concussed on that first place and somehow came back in and played the rest of the game.  The worst part was they put a black visor on him because if the lights / brightness etc.  Clear as day concussion.  How was he allowed back in the game and continued to play the rest of it?  When Highsmith got hurt he pretty much was ruled out immediately.  The player safety stuff has been a long running joke with the league but I am still wondering how Watt was able to play that whole game concussed.
Brian Batko
1:46
Mike Tomlin said today that all he knows about the process and how it went down was that the people in charge of that gave him the OK that TJ Watt was good to return. It's rarely "clearly obvious" that someone is concussed. There are hits that look terrible and don't turn out to be head injuries. There are those that don't look bad at all, but do indeed result in concussions. That's the entire reason there's a protocol in place. But for Tomlin to say he didn't realize Watt put on that black visor is bizarre to me. And, frankly, the head coach needs to be aware of those things, which is often something Tomlin either shrugs off or downplays publicly (if not outright lies about publicly).
Adam
1:47
I actually liked that the Steelers were trying to be creative with the trick play by the goal line, but why have one of our least talented players try and throw a pass there?
Brian Batko
1:49
Are you suggesting that Pat Freiermuth or Darnell Washington should've gotten the play call there instead of Connor Heyward?
Buffy
1:49
To answer your original question, I am NOT pumped at all about playoff positioning. The league wants middling teams to hang around to keep fans engaged instead of checking out for the rest of the season. The Steelers are a poor team despite their record. They simply can't hang with the really good teams and getting to the playoffs is a low bar now.
Brian Batko
1:49
Forgot I asked that, so thank you, Buffy.
Bill from Va
1:50
Think it was Ryan Clark who said the players coming in feel that by wearing Black and Gold they are entitled hence do not believe that they have to work for it. Do they get that from the Head Coach?  Seems lately after a mediocre yeat MT says he has to change. Where is it? Have not seen much change for the better. He has to set THE STANDARD and walk the walk then the players will too. Great chats!
Brian Batko
1:52
Thanks, Bill. Minkah Fitzpatrick also told our pal Brooke Pryor of ESPN something similar after the game in the locker room, so clearly he wanted to get that off his chest, too. I don't doubt that Mike Tomlin knows what it takes. He's been here 17 years. But is it possible he's lost his ability to connect with those who need to learn what it takes? Sure. Is it possible the Steelers brought in some players who might be resistant to that? I find that more likely.
Sherry
1:54
In hindsight should the Steelers have signed Joe Flacco? I can't imagine Flacco losing to two win teams back to back, he's looking pretty good with the Browns.
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