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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 12.23.19
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Brian Batko
12:00
Good afternoon, everyone, and happy holidays. It's also my mom's birthday, so special happy birthday to her. I know, I know, yesterday was a brutal one for Steelers fans, but let's chat through it, shall we?
JuJu 2017
12:01
Good Morning Brian, is it me or did the Team, especially the Defense look a little flat in the 1st half yesterday?
Brian Batko
12:02
Or maybe the Jets just came out hungry? They were running the ball well early, but that's been an issue for the Steelers in other weeks, too. A rare mistake by Minkah Fitzpatrick, too, and it's probably not a stretch to say that if he picks off that pass instead of getting called for DPI, that whole game plays out differently.
Jw
12:02
Are we not able to throw the quick crossers? ESP when they blitz and vacate that area?
Brian Batko
12:04
It has been a struggle for the Steelers to use the middle of the field this season, especially for Devlin Hodges. You saw Mason Rudolph have a little more success with that when he came in.
Tampa Too
12:04
If Duck plays lights out against Baltimore and wins the game do you think we can trade him to Cincinnati for the number one draft pick? Merry Christmas!
Brian Batko
12:05
That would be a Christmas miracle, my dear friend. The Bengals fans are all set for hometown-ish kid Joe Burrow to come back home and be the franchise QB. I don't know how it will affect my boss Tyler Batiste if the Steelers have to face an LSU legend twice a year for the next umpteen seasons.
Lou
12:06
If the Steelers add an offensive skill player via free agency, who do you think it could be?
Brian Batko
12:08
More than anything, I think they could use a more dynamic, field-stretching, pass-catching tight end. Not that those grow on trees or anything, but assuming Nick Vannett becomes a FA, the 2020 class isn't particularly intriguing. Eric Ebron will be on the market, but he's injury prone. Same goes for Hunter Henry of the Chargers.
In search of 7
12:08
Hi Brian. My brother and I have different views of the Steelers' potential next season. I think they have enough pieces, with a healthy Ben, to be a serious SB contender. He thinks most the offense needs to be rebuilt and that 2020 will be another lost year. What do you think?
Brian Batko
12:10
I'm on your side. Partly because of my belief in said pieces, but also because I don't think it's realistic to try to rebuild this offense on the fly. The Steelers' future without Ben Roethlisberger is the great unknown, so you can't really afford any more "lost years" with him still in the fold and this defense the way it's been playing.
Realist
12:11
Yes, it’s the NFL, and I know...on any given week...but after witnessing the QB and overall offensive (word is intentional) performance the past few weeks, does anyone truly want to see this team in the playoffs?  It may set a new level of ineptitude that could be unprecedented.
Brian Batko
12:12
I don't understand this sentiment. Of course you still want to see the Steelers make the playoffs if you're a fan. This is like when fans of a mediocre college basketball team say they'd rather win the NIT than make the NCAA tournament. No. That's dumb. The goal every year is to get in the dance, partly because anything can happen once you're in, but also for legacies and what it says about your organization overall. Plus, in this case, the Steelers don't have a first-round pick anyway, so there's nothing to play for - or lose for - on that front.
Guest
12:13
Any word on who the QB will be Sunday?
Brian Batko
12:13
No, sir. The locker room will be open here on the South Side shortly - no "Victory Monday" for these guys - and it's highly unlikely anyone will spill the beans in there. If Mike Tomlin follows his same pattern, he'll inform us of his plans tomorrow at his press conference.
Utah Jim
12:14
Should Tomlin have challenged the DPI on Fitzpatrick?  Looked to me like he was standing still and the receiver ran into him.  What about challenging Haden’s interception?
Brian Batko
12:15
I don't think so on the DPI. Looked like a good call to me. The Joe Haden play, maybe. It very well may have been a catch and then down by contact. But hey, with the way the NFL rules are anymore, I can't blame a guy for not wanting to go down the road of what is or isn't a catch.
Gravel
12:16
Hi Brian-  No doubt QB position has alot to do with offensive ineptitude.  But there appears to be no plan on usage of RBs.  O-Line  has been source of a number of miscues.  Both positions have new coaches this year.  RB position is young and O-Line is old.  Has the QB woes blinded fans to other issues that have contributed to paltry scoring?
Brian Batko
12:17
Seemed like the plan yesterday was for a lot more work on James Conner's plate, but then he got hurt. All of that factors into the offensive ineptitude, but I do still think the QB play is the biggest issue.
Marty
12:17
What's so disappointing is the decline in performance Duck/Mason each week. Tomlin needs to think & get a QB coach for them. The OC can't do both QB coach & run the offense. Plus our play calling is terrible. We run on 1st down with less then 2 minutes left & we have to go 70 yds for TD to win.
Brian Batko
12:18
Indeed, it might be time. They do have an offensive assistant who works with them, but a full-time staffer at that spot would be a simple move to make this offseason.
Dr. Mike
12:19
What is BIG BEN currently weighing?
Brian Batko
12:19
Heavy on the minds of those who thought this offense could keep producing without him
Steeler in Virginia
12:20
As much as I want to see this team make the playoffs to reward this great defense, the difference between 8-8 and 9-7 could be huge when it comes to draft order with nine teams right now all around the same spot. I know we don't have a first-round pick, but a good draft could make this a Super Bowl team next year. Would you be tempted to tank?
Brian Batko
12:21
That's a fair point, but still, no. Would be a pretty bad message to send to this locker room that has kept the train moving and the team in contention during an injury-ravaged season.
Tom
12:21
Brian,  Watched the Eagles game and they have had as many or more injures and somehow won a big game.  Having a NFL caliber QB helps.  Like it has been written if Mason cannot go why not throw Paxton out there.  Whether they lose by 1 or 50 what does it matter at this point? What are your thoughts?  Thank you.
Brian Batko
12:23
It certainly does. But I still think there's more comfort in starting a QB (Duck) who has been in game situations with this offense this year as opposed to a guy who has done nothing but run the scout team in practice (Lynch). If Lynch had been impressing in that arena, the Duck Tale probably never gets its start at home against Baltimore or in LA.
Realist
12:24
Mobility seems to be more important than ever in today’s NFL.  For every Tom Brady, there are 2-3 emerging stars like Jackson, Mahomes, Allen, who illustrate the advantages of mobility.  Ben, back in the day, had great mobility to at least extend plays, as do the Brees, Garropolo’s and seemingly all other playoff team’s QB’s.   Ben will be a yr older and legs that much heavier,  Rudolph has not shown this ability, and Duck doesn’t matter as he simply doesn’t have an NFL arm.   Without a 1st Rounder, it will be difficult to get this breed of QB “off the shelf”.  So Stillers will need to develop one.  Do you see them drafting a project (and not addressing other needs, then), or finding one in FA?  Or does the Stiller way dictate we ignore this trend and ride Ben “‘til the wheels fall off”, as sadly, that is happening now and we have no viable QB solution waiting in the wings.
Brian Batko
12:26
I would guess they'll hold off on drafting another QB next year, unless it's a true project in the late late rounds. The position is indeed changing, but you still have a Hall of Famer at that spot, albeit an aging one. To me, the way to go is just what a lot of teams are doing. Bottom out when your time comes, use a high pick on your next franchise QB, hope he's the real deal.
rman
12:26
The Steeler offense as far as the skill positions looks like something we would see in the last few minutes of a pre-season game.  Not to besmirch these guys because they've done some good things but it's not like the QB can recognize a defense and nod at the wide receiver and change a play.  There hasn't been any continuity due to injuries.  My question is this---why take the time to try to assign blame?  After all, we are heading into the last week of the season with a chance to stumble into the playoffs.  Merry Christmas to all !!!!
Brian Batko
12:27
I like it, rman. But I have a feeling we have a lot more questions assigning blame before this chat is over.
BringBackWeegie
12:28
Were you surprised Vince Williams did not play much yesterday, especially with the need to shutdown the Jets running game? Jets ran just enough to beat us.
Brian Batko
12:29
As a matter of fact, I was. After two games in a row with more than 50 percent of the snaps, he had just a 38 percent share yesterday.
Jay
12:29
The OC should be gone after this season.  I know he lost Ben but he has shown no creativity in working with what he has.  Why call plays that Duck cannot execute because of this limited arm strength?  A good coach figures these things out.  I do not see any teams bringing him on as  an OC.  How do you see his future with the Steelers?  Thank you.
Brian Batko
12:31
Everyone always wants to fire one of the coordinators. Last year it was Keith Butler, this year Randy Fichtner. I personally don't think he's  been doing a great job, but if one of his best attributes is his chemistry with Roethlisberger, it might not be wise to fire him before those two get a chance to work together again.
BringBackWeegie
12:31
Who gives the Steelers a better chance to win next week - Lynch or Duck, assuming MR cannot go?
Brian Batko
12:31
Still think it's Duck
SteelersfanSLC
12:32
I see people saying we "played down" to our competition. When you look at the offensive talent we had available plus the talent that left sue to injuries can you really say we "played down"?
Brian Batko
12:33
No, not really. The Jets were at home and have at least a little bit of talent, anyway. It's not like they lost to the Bengals or Dolphins.
TomnBloomfield
12:33
Any idea how severe Rudolph’s injury?
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