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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 12.20.21
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hey everyone, happy holidays. Hope you're hardly working instead of working hard this week. Steelers continue to hover around .500 as a fringe playoff team. Your questions, please.
Yates
2:01
Brian-  In retrospect was it not a huge huge red flag w/r/t Canada’s limitations when Ben revealed the limited catalogue of no huddle plays installed A few weeks into the season this year versus prior years?  Canada got elevated from QB coach.  A brand new external hire would not have taken such a approach.  What odds would you put on Canada being one and done Brian?
Brian Batko
2:03
The odds are going higher just about every week, in my view. I thought there were some real head-scratchers offensively yesterday, stuff that goes beyond having an overmatched OL and aging QB. Still think he'll be back but I'm wavering.
CD in SC
2:03
BB - there has to be a better punter than Harvin on this planet somewhere, correct? His punts have not even been JV…more like Pee Wee.
Brian Batko
2:05
He's definitely going through it right now. Clearly he's frustrated, and so are teammates/coaches. It's not just the shanks, but he also outkicked his coverage on that 55-yard return for the Titans in the first half. When he comes off the field, you can see veteran special teamers trying to pick him up, and for his sake, I hope Harvin can get right. But he's running out of time in a bottom-line business, no doubt. This last handful of games will be crucial for his Pittsburgh future.
C Roy
2:06
Would it help to add another defensive lineman to stop the bleeding and plug up holes with bigger bodies?
Brian Batko
2:08
I don't think so. The Steelers have used the 3-4 defense for ages, and plenty of past teams have been able to stop the run just fine with three down linemen (and even two, when they go to nickel). The guys who are in there just need to play better and do their job, from the D-linemen to the inside backers to even the outside backers. Alex Highsmith has been noticeably absent setting the edge on some of these outside runs.
Steeler in Virginia
2:09
After Ben's double sneak, Harris immediately turned and walked off the field while every other player gathered to celebrate with Ben. Then on the final drive TV showed a shot that looked like Harris sulking on the bench. Cause for concern or just a tough season for the rookie?
Brian Batko
2:11
Didn't notice that from Najee after the sneak, but you're right. Not the best look for him. He's a competitor, one who does wear his heart on his sleeve a lot, which I suppose is common for a rookie. Sometimes that leads to some bad body language on the sideline and even on the field when he's frustrated. But not overly worrisome for me. Just a rookie who's already mature beyond his years in a lot of ways, and that's one that will come with time. I don't see him as a diva or anything like that.
Buster
2:12
I thought Tomlin put someone in place last year to help him with clock management during games. Does he just not listen him or is that guy as bad as he is? Even Bill Cowher was critical of the way the end of the first half was handled.
Brian Batko
2:14
Ha, I can't tell you what's going on in the headsets during those situations. But yeah, there's no way around it, it was bad. To be honest, I think the Steelers as an organization have lagged behind in some of those more sophisticated strategic points of coaching, and it's an aspect they should examine this offseason. The end of the first half yesterday can be Exhibit A for why they need to improve.
The Defensive Coordinator?
2:15
Hey Brian, the Defense looked much better yesterday. Do you think Tomlin relinquished the play calling back to Keith Butler? Looked like the Defense of old.
Brian Batko
2:16
I doubt they did anything different with the division of labor, if you will.
Hendershot210
2:16
When Joe Hadden is on the field he is always making plays. Are we really going to let him walk after this season?
Brian Batko
2:18
The more he plays like this, the more I think there's a chance they find a way to keep him. I'm sure Joe Haden feels at least somewhat slighted by not getting an extension before the season, and for that reason might want to maximize his worth on the open market, but he also really seems to like it here. Has a beautiful custom-built house up in the North Hills. If the price is right...
Jerry
2:20
Why haven’t the draft picks we have gotten over the years have developed into good players?
Brian Batko
2:21
Well, Jerry, that's certainly painting with a broad brush. I think you have to like TJ Watt's development, or Cam Heyward's, or Diontae Johnson's. Even Cam Sutton has been a classic case of player development, increasing his role every year, and that's at a position where the Steelers have been miserable in the draft.
Daniel11
2:21
When MT didn't call a timeout on TEN's last 1st half drive, I was really surprised. Then I thought the Steelers' defense was on a roll (sort of), so I thought it was a good idea to just let the defense play with a momentum and without an interruption. I know MT is being criticized but I am with MT on this move as sometimes you go with your gut feeling. I don't think we would be on a winning side if TEN scored a touchdown instead of a FG and started a 3rd quarter with a bigger lead. It worked out right?
Brian Batko
2:23
Sure, it worked out in the sense that they held the Titans to 3 and eventually won the game by 6. But that's just outcome bias. It absolutely did NOT work out when you consider Chris Boswell was like a yard or two short, and thus a play or two short, on that 56-yard field goal attempt.
Gene
2:23
Who is the best team in the AFC now and who do you think will represent the AFC in the super bowl?
Brian Batko
2:25
Chiefs and Chiefs. So we're basically back to where we started from, after brief cameos made by the Bills, Ravens and Patriots.
FC
2:25
Please tell me the ONLY reason this punter is still on the roster is because they don't want to change holder's during the season for Boswell?  That is the only reason I can think of as why he's still here??  This punter is atrocious!
Brian Batko
2:26
Yeah that could be part of it. But there's no doubt he's costing them dearly in the field position game, something Mike Tomlin went out of his way to mention last night.
Utah Jim
2:28
Have the Steelers scored a defensive touchdown this season? I don’t recall one. Have they ever gone an entire season without scoring one?
Brian Batko
2:30
No, but they do have the punt block touchdown. Not sure about that second part. I'll have to look that stat up.
Zbudah
2:30
How many points do we need to give up before starting to let Ben loose or run the no huddle? How many 3-and-out do we need to give up? Is it just after half time? Why not give the 'plan' about 2 opportunities then say 'lets go - time to win'? Very frustrating!
Brian Batko
2:32
Tomlin's explanation last week was that sometimes the early part of the game on offense is used to feel out the defense, set things up for their offense, etc. Not saying I agree with that, or even buy that, but that's been his answer on why they aren't opening with more tempo/pace/no-huddle/whatever you wanna call it.
David
2:33
What is wrong with our punter? I know he at least is a damn good holder, but his tendency to shank is just too much. Why not give the job to that Ohio St. punter we signed briefly?
Brian Batko
2:35
The Steelers had a chance to draft that Ohio State punter but they went with Harvin instead, so clearly there's something they like better about the guy they have, in general. But it wouldn't surprise me if the Steelers made a move. Have to imagine patience is wearing thin.
2:36
As for what's wrong with him, I don't know. Sometimes these guys are going through a lot of stuff behind the scenes, and the punting/kicking positions might be even more prone to mental lapses than others. Harvin has been posting on social media about some significant medical challenges for his father, so keep their family in your thoughts all the same.
Rungame0
2:37
Brian, doesn’t it seem every year the home field advantage lies with an AFC East or AFC West team?  Where in the NFC it is more fluctuating?
Brian Batko
2:39
I'd say that's just a factor of the Chiefs and Patriots being more or less back-to-back dynasties of sorts. The NFC certainly has had more parity of late.
Guest
2:40
Do you or anyone other than the actual coaches and Ben know exactly who is calling or audibling which play? It seems to me that, when a play fails (more often than not), it was Canada's call. When one succeeds (rarely), it was Ben audibling or improvising.
Brian Batko
2:42
They aren't really audibling very often, Guest. But sure, in general, Matt Canada is calling the plays and on occasion there might be an opportunity for Ben to check at the line of scrimmage. Can't tell you exactly the percentage of successful plays in thoat situations.
Jake
2:43
What could the Steelers realistically do at QB next year that makes them better at that position then this year?
Brian Batko
2:45
With the way Ben has played, I think there's no shortage of avenues that could provide a better option there, or at least a better fit for what Matt Canada and the Steelers want to do stylistically on offense. A draft pick will be an option, as will a relatively underwhelming free-agent class, and as this offseason showed, you never know what might happen in the trade market.
Baghdad_Ben
2:46
Do you have any feel that the Steelers org (AR, KC, MT) realize how bad this team looks or will the “not losers!” record blind them and let them believe that there are no fundamental problems? As a fan I want to believe. We are ten years down the road of less believability.
Brian Batko
2:48
How bad do they look? They're 7-6-1 even with a few major injuries and an offseason of upheaval with retirements, lowered salary cap, etc. There are fundamental problems, for sure. Lack of QB mobility is pretty limiting in this day and age. The run defense is just a schematic train wreck. But I don't think this season has been bad enough to lead to any of the seismic changes you seem to be advocating for.
Cali Steelers Fan for Life
2:49
how insanely great is TJ Watt? he was held by two players and still got to the QB. and how in the world was not holding not called???
Brian Batko
2:49
I should pull up some old chats from the summer when people thought the Steelers shouldn't make him the highest-paid defensive player in football.
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