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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 12.18.23
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Brian Batko
1:59
Hi there. Well, newsy day for the Steelers, eh? A QB change. Kenny Pickett questionable. Minkah Fitzpatrick out. Mike Tomlin's back-against-the-wall presser. And now Damontae Kazee suspended for the rest of the season. Let's get into it.
Plaxiglas
1:59
Has Broderick Jones regressed?  He looked terrible on Saturday in pass protection.  Is it really possible that the last 1st pick in the draft that was a hit was TJ Watt in 2017?  If he isn't better than Dan Moore and has to play on the right, then it has to be a miss!  I know, I have to wait.  Why don't other teams have to wait on their 1st picks?
Brian Batko
2:00
He may have regressed a bit since his first couple starts, sure, but progress isn't always linear for players, especially rookies. I'm not worried about Broderick Jones. Still think it was a good pick, the right pick, and he'll be helpful here for years to come, be it at LT or RT.
Tom
2:01
you have a WR with 4.32 speed.  wouldn't you run him deep at least 5-6 times a game just to keep the safeties honest?  maybe it would open up some underneath routes and maybe hit a long ball once a game?
Brian Batko
2:02
Yeah, the lack of involvement for Calvin Austin, even in the way you suggest, is one of many head-scratchers for this offense. He played 9 snaps yesterday, while Allen Robinson played 36. Maybe when they get a new OC, a more forward-thinking OC, they'll be able to make better use of Austin's speed, with or without the ball in his hands.
Ken
2:03
We had lost 2 in a row to poor teams & expected a better showing. I am not political and don't normally care what Tomlin wears. But, in what was arguably the most important game, why would he wear a political shirt? Why not a motivational shirt?  All of the players were watching him many times throughout the course of the game. What not something written with motivation to the players? This shows me that he isn't focused as he should be and doesn't have a real handle on his players motivations.  Was that even asked of him during the press conference?
Brian Batko
2:08
The shirt Mike Tomlin was wearing, which included the words opportunity, freedom, equality and justice, was a league-wide initiative this week. Pretty sure he wasn't the only coach wearing it.
29342ss
2:09
Any idea why MT wasn't asked about his coaching future in Pittsburgh during the press conference today? Dereliction of duty if you ask me.
Brian Batko
2:10
There are three games left. Not saying it can't or shouldn't be asked, but it's not like this was Week 18. My guess is he would've said he's focused on the Bengals and not going to discuss the big picture at this juncture.
Jim
2:10
Is there any reason we shouldn't move on from Tomlin, hasn't he run out of chances to right the ship?
Brian Batko
2:12
Maybe he has. Perhaps it'd be worth telling him he must overhaul his coaching staff and seeing if that would help matters, but if you don't trust your head coach when it comes to the hiring process, why should that person be your head coach? I suppose the devil's advocate argument here would be: Mike Tomlin's winning percentage speaks for itself. It's easier to try to fix the tangible ills around him, such as OC, QB, etc., than finding another head coach who will be that successful. Not saying that's my take. Just an opposing argument.
Dave
2:14
I'm not a neanderthal, but doesn't a WR (and their QB) bear SOME responsibility for their own safety?  Pittman completely sold himself out diving for that bad pass (Minshew hung him out to dry).  Kazee didn't lead with his helmet or anything; he simply made a big hit to prevent the catch.  What am I missing?
Brian Batko
2:16
I hear you, Dave. That seems to be the consensus from ex-players I've seen, but then again, the man who issued the suspension is Jon Runyan, also a former player. Could it be the league erring on the side of player safety, or going "soft"? Sure, but maybe that's not the worst thing. If they're trying to legislate plays like that out of the game, then the deterrent has to be discipline like Damontae Kazee just got.
Jay Daven
2:18
Brian, who is the cause of this inept offense the most: Canada's playbook, quarterback play (and coach), offensive line play (and coach), locker room issues, or Tomlin?
Brian Batko
2:20
Always a tough question to break down, but I'd rank your choices as:

QB play
playbook/scheme
Tomlin's philosophy
OL play
locker room chemistry
Insanity
2:22
It would be insane to keep Tomlin and keep getting the same results.  He was gifted a Super Bowl team full of talent and leaders.  He was handed a top notch coaching staff.  He has weakened everything since then.  The skill, the coaching staff, the discipline, the heart, the playoff wins, clock management, preparation.  He stands on the sidelines looking clueless and admitted after the game he doesn't know what to do anymore.  His players quit on him often.  Can you think of any good reasons to keep him after these last 3 games?
Brian Batko
2:25
What if they win all three and make the playoffs? Not saying they will, but that might be a good reason. And I don't know that I'd say Mike Tomlin has weakened the skill. Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell, TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick have been pretty damn good players under his watch.
HB
2:26
Not sure why we are wasting practice squad or roster spots on guys like Martinez or Jack. Older players that really don’t want to play or may not be good enough to play and are not being used. Shouldn’t we be developing younger players that could be around for a while?
Brian Batko
2:27
It's good to have a mix of both, because the more experienced players theoretically give you a better chance to play assignment-sound defense. The younger ones have more upside. Mark Robinson is a second-year guy who appeared to be out of place a lot Saturday in extended action.
elcid97
2:27
Over the years, sports writers and commentators would always dismiss the trope from fans "Tomlin won with Cowher's players." I wonder at this point whether the real issue was more "Tomlin won with Cowher's culture." It seems like Tomlin was saddled with Dick LeBeau for awhile - who had very significant part of the culture from what he hear from the players of that era - and then with Haley. It's like the more authority he got in creating his own staff, the more the culture was lost. Fair? Or is it more a product of the changing nature of athletes in the age of social media?
Brian Batko
2:31
Could be some of both. I never really bought the "won with Cowher's players" thing because if it was so easy to do, why did Cowher go 8-8 the next year with those same players who helped hoist the Lombardi? Why did he only win one, same as Tomlin? And if not for Mike Vanderjagt missing and Nick Harper cutting back and Matt Hasselbeck getting stopped short, we aren't even having this conversation. That said, it's entirely fair to point out that the coaching staff has gotten progressively worse around Tomlin. Dick LeBeau and Bruce Arians were holdovers. He needs to make a strong OC hire this offseason if he's still around.
Steel Russel
2:32
Any chance Tomlin and ownership could look at Andy Reid and Philly and realize a win-win can come from changing things up?  Both benefited because things had gotten stale in Philly, just like here.
Brian Batko
2:35
Yes, I think there's a chance. If we all stipulate that the Steelers are a franchise built on tradition that moves in a certain way and values how things have always been done, neither Chuck Noll nor Bill Cowher was fired, so I don't see that happening outright from the Rooney family. But there may be some hard conversations that have to happen behind closed doors that lead to a mutual parting of ways for two sides that have to be a bit beaten down by this stretch of games and even seasons.
Alan F
2:36
If you were the decision maker, who are your Top 3-5 candidates for the Offensive Coordinator job to interview?
Brian Batko
2:38
Tough to say without knowing who will be available when the season ends, but if I can make some assumptions, I'd say Eric Bieniemy (if Washington coaches are all out), Frank Smith (if he wants to leave Miami as Mike McDaniel's OC and be the play-caller), Kevin Patullo from Philly and Kellen Moore (if Chargers clean house).
LSU Nate
2:39
I'm 35, other than the 2003 Steelers, I can't remember a team that has looked this dysfunctional. What positives can we take from this season?
Brian Batko
2:40
I'm still high on the rookie class. Broderick Jones, Joey Porter Jr., Keeanu Benton, even Nick Herbig as a No. 3 edge rusher. The positive might be waking up the organization to the idea that they're falling behind in a lot of areas. Offensive scheme, overall coaching staff (both quality/quantity), analytics, you name it.
Jim_Bow_Dean
2:41
Outside of maybe RB, every other position group on offense has regressed this season. Will they replace every coach with a new OC? They need to.
Brian Batko
2:43
Probably, yeah. Offense hasn't done enough post-Matt Canada to make me think it's worth retaining assistants as opposed to letting the new OC bring in his own crew. I'm not as down on OL coach Pat Meyer as many of you, though. He's one I'd consider, in addition to Eddie Faulkner, who's seemingly done wonders with Jaylen Warren.
MT
2:45
BB, as I sit here today, should I have at least several plausible answers to the fusillade of probing questions which are heading my way?
Brian Batko
2:45
Yes. If not having answers continues to be a postgame trend for Mike Tomlin, and if this slide extends to 4, 5 or even 6 straight games, then it gets to a point where the question becomes more about what that means for his future as the head coach here. Because it's kind of important to have answers.
Gene
2:46
Do you think Tomlin has lost the locker room?
Brian Batko
2:48
I think that can be an overused phrase, because sometimes you see bad teams playing hard out of human nature and a desire to improve their own individual lots in life. So, to that extent, the head coach's feel for the team only matters so much. But this pattern of guys quitting on plays, mental lapses, penalties, etc., it's a terrible look. And that's why this is the closest I've come to thinking he's "lost the locker room."
Mr. Rooney
2:49
Are these past two games basically the end of Mitch in PGH?  Nice guy but definitely not Charlie Batch...
Brian Batko
2:50
Have to be. If not from the Steelers' end, then certainly from Mitch Trubisky's end. I know, I know, he's under contract, it pays him well and he has no choice, but I can't imagine why either side would want this to continue. His confidence must be absolutely shot with this team and vice versa. Move on...
Rock Bottom
2:52
Is it going to get worse Bats? I hope Mason does well, but there are a lot of people that have been clamoring for him that saw him: Look a statue in the pocket, lose his job to a Duck, and fail to beat a terrible Detroit team because he just couldn't do anything...I hope these people are correct, but if they are it's pure dumb luck...what do you think of those screaming for Rudolph well before the holiday season was even here?
Brian Batko
2:53
We've gone over it before in the chat and mailbag and podcast. The jury's in on Mason Rudolph, both here and around the league. But Mitch Trubisky's two games were so bad that Mike Tomlin has no other choice but to go to a guy whom all 32 teams didn't want to even be their No. 2 QB, let alone a starter. Now he's starting. Hooray!
John
2:54
How differently would we look at Coach Tomlin if not for James Harrison's miracle Super Bowl winning pick-6?
Brian Batko
2:55
How differently would we look at Bill Cowher if not for Mike Vanderjagt's "miracle" miss? How differently would we look at Bill Belichick or Andy Reid if they never drafted Tom Brady or Pat Mahomes? We can go on and on with hypotheticals like these.
Yates
2:55
Brian- During your time covering the Steelers would you agree that coaching across the board has been the most suspect this year?
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