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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 12.12.22
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Brian Batko
12:46
Well, they have made changes. They've changed QBs (sure sounds like Ben Roethlisberger would've been willing to come back). They've changed OCs (Randy Fichtner wasn't cutting it). But I suppose they haven't made the change you want.
Ed in Carrick
12:47
Is Austin on the hot seat after that defensive effort yesterday?
Brian Batko
12:48
That's a bit of a stretch for me. Yes, the Ravens imposed their will on the Steelers, and the game-plan didn't seem to have any answers for it. But they still allowed just 16 points. We've seen the bend-but-don't-break approach work for their defense plenty of times. Yesterday, they broke one too many times given the situation, obviously. If he's on the hot seat, I'd say it's a season-long issue rather than just because of not being able to stop the best rushing attack in the league. Scheming around TJ Watt's absence left a lot to be desired, just generally not getting the most out of the $108 million unit, etc.
Joseph
12:50
The difference between the Steelers o-line and the Ravens o-line is night and day. Can the Steelers just copy what the Ravens are doing on the o-line? Is fixing the o-line that easy?
Brian Batko
12:52
Ha, well I guess they could copy it in the sense of using their first-round pick on a center next year, but they can't go back in time and use a first on a left tackle, too. Fixing the O-line isn't easy, but it's easier when you invest draft capital in it, especially high picks. You also need to properly evaluate and develop those picks, though. Keep in mind the Ravens did all that work on the ground without veteran RG Kevin Zeitler, who was replaced by both Trystan Colon (UDFA in 2020) and Ben Cleveland (3rd-rounder last year).
Dr Bobby
12:53
Wow, where do you start, so bad on both ends it seems our best option is lose out and get a top 10 draft pick, fire some coordinators and try next year, thoughts.
Brian Batko
12:54
I'd be surprised if they lose out, and I assume that's not the M.O., but obviously bottoming out and rebuilding is better than looming in NFL purgatory. Surely there are smart people in the organization who know that. The Chase Claypool trade certainly signaled an eye toward the future, much more than we typically see from the Steelers.
MD
12:55
Brian:  It is easy to think that if Pickett didn't get hurt, we would have won that game with 2-3 fewer interceptions.  However, Trubisky was moving the team by throwing downfield and scrambling to throw.  Pickett has shown no ability to do either of these things.  What do you think the final score of the game would have been if Pickett didn't get hurt?
Brian Batko
12:56
Well, my prediction was Steelers 20, Ravens 15 so I'll stick with that, I guess. Pickett's injury at least gives me plausible deniability for being wrong.
Tom M.
12:56
I appreciate you posting the snap counts. I always find that interesting. Any idea why     Freiermuth didn’t play more than the 31 snaps?
Also, any idea why Wallace played less than half the snap counts? I can’t believe they would pull him for another safety.
Brian Batko
12:59
Thanks, Tom. I do my best. As for Pat Freiermuth, it's worth asking about his involvement or lack thereof. Seems like the Steelers were really keen on 3-WR sets yesterday for whatever reason. Or maybe he got banged-up mid-game. That would make the most sense. As for Levi Wallace playing so sparingly, they had to get out of their usual mode of defense to counter what the Ravens were doing. By my rough count, there were 23 snaps neither Wallace nor James Pierre was on the field. The Steelers weren't too concerned with the passing game on those downs.
TV
12:59
Serious question - how is it possible for a professional punter to only kick the ball 17 yards?  I know it probably traveled about 25 yards and bounced backwards, but even a 25 yard punt is atrocious!
Brian Batko
1:00
Oh, that was awful for Pressley Harvin. But I'll end the chat on this: TV, do yourself a favor and watch Giants punter Jamie Gillan's mishap from yesterday, if you haven't seen it. It'll make Harvin's 17-yarder look like something from Ray Guy.
1:01
OK folks, all out of time now. Gonna be heading to the locker room shortly for whatever the opposite of a Victory Monday is. So stay tuned to the website for updates. Have a nice night.
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