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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 12.23.19
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Brian Batko
12:33
Not yet
jack
12:33
Who do you think was the biggest loss in the off-season. AB or Mike Munchak?
Brian Batko
12:34
From a pure production standpoint, Antonio Brown, hands down.
SteelyDan
12:34
The Texans are pretty banged up and will be resting their starters.  Even if the Steelers can score more than ten points in Baltimore the will need a festivus miracle to get into the playoofs.
Brian Batko
12:35
Correct, I don't expect Houston to beat a Tennessee team that has been a fun story and is trying to get to the playoffs for just the second time since 2008.
Krut
12:35
With missing the Play-offs again this year, we now qualify for the Hard Knocks Jinx and HBO/NFL will surely pick the Steelers.  Is there anyway we can refuse being on that show?
Brian Batko
12:36
I don't believe so, but they could make themselves ineligible ... by firing Mike Tomlin. (That's not gonna happen.)
Doug from Raleigh
12:36
With Ben being at some level a ? for next year,  do you think the club will retain Rudolph for another looksee and development, but go out and get an actual experienced backup in case Ben can't rebound?  Quarterback OJT with this roster seems like a bad idea.
Brian Batko
12:37
Sure, they could. I do think Mason Rudolph will be on the team next year. Duck Hodges is probably the bigger question mark at this point. Oh, how much things can change in just a couple weeks.
Steve o
12:37
And if Lynch is worse than both Rudolph and Hodges then he must be awful and probably is wasting a spot
Brian Batko
12:38
I mean, let's not act like there's no gray area between "No. 3 QB" and "NFL-capable starter"
TomnBloomfield
12:39
Is playoff money to players counted in the salary cap?
Brian Batko
12:40
I believe those are pure bonuses. Otherwise you'd be penalizing teams for making the postseason.
Jack
12:40
Do you really think JUJU is a No 1 receiver?  I just do not see it.  Good slot receiver seems to me.
Brian Batko
12:40
Can I say the jury's still out? It doesn't look like it from this season, but he's had mediocre QB play, injuries and not a great supporting cast to draw double teams away from him.
Scooter
12:41
Has to be one of the worse showings from the O Line is quite one time? Missed assignments, letting LBs and tackles have free run at the QB on more than occasion? It seems we have gone from 3 pro bowlers last year to now a concern - agree?
Brian Batko
12:41
Agreed. The front office will have some tough decisions to make there, it seems.
Mr Medium Chest
12:42
Was at the game yesterday and the difference in arm strength between MR & Duck is extreme. Duck INT in the endzone was so bad i think the defender called for a fair catch. I’m not sure you can run him out there with that arm, the league is on to him. Would you start Lynch if MR cant go? Thank you and Merry Christmas
Daniel from Ohio
12:42
How long do we have to watch these vanilla play calls?  Randy F. seems like he has 4 play calls and we run on first down 90% of the time...the game plan doesn’t seem to be innovative at all...what are your thoughts?
Brian Batko
12:43
Let's pair these questions together, shall we? If we're acknowledging Duck's physical limitations, that doesn't exactly make life easy on the guy trying to call plays to work around those limitations. Now, have I seen much creativity in play design and whatnot? No. But even then, when he has tried to think outside the box, at least with the Wildcat, things have gone terribly wrong.
Mark
12:44
Terrel Edmunds could cover a book...he is terrible!
Brian Batko
12:44
He's gotta make some kind of play on that Robby Anderson touchdown. Didn't manage to break it up or try to knock the ball loose. That was bad.
Sydney Beagle
12:44
Perhaps, just perhaps if the highly paid offensive line was less offensive, the QB would have a moment to complete a pass or the RB could gain more yards. Pouncey's wild snaps replaced by Finney's big feet and bad snaps compounded the QB woes. Neither QB had much support from their mates catching the ball either. What a mess! I know it won't happen but the offensive coordinator (Friend Of Ben Fitchner) and o-line coach need to go. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
12:46
Shaun Sarrett is in his first year as the OL coach, but had been in the organization working under Mike Munchak for years. Actually, he predates Munchak, so obviously they like him to a certain extent and have for a while now.
Timmy Colorado Springs
12:47
Do you think the Steelers play the Cowboys on Thanksgiving next year?
Brian Batko
12:48
Hadn't really thought about it. But I hope not. Steelers-Cowboys will be in Dallas, regardless. Or in Arlington, if you're a stickler.
Pitt Panther in NC
12:48
What’s next, B-man? Paxton? Btw, how well can you throw a football? Ray can block and Gerry punt. The BFD line! Hehe.
Brian Batko
12:49
Not particularly well. Although I am pretty much equally adept at throwing with either hand, for some reason.
Chotty
12:49
How does one even begin to evaluate Connor's market value at a free agent? How does one attempt to do the same with JuJu? Is JuJu a #1 WR? Never mind the drops, he cannot get open...
Brian Batko
12:50
Yeah, it's gonna be tough, Chotty. I think smart organizations aren't spending big money on running backs these days, unless you have a clear no-brainer big-time talent like a Christian McCaffrey. JuJu will be an even harder decision to make. I'm not sure you can pay him big bucks this offseason if you're the Steelers. And going into this year, I figured it would be a slam dunk.
Franco
12:51
I am an overweight 31 yr old who sits at home and drinks beer while watching the Steelers so i guess I shouldn't be criticizing too much. With that being said- If it was Masons non throwing shoulder do you think that given his particular circumstance he should have gutted it out and continued playing. He looked good out there when he got his chance.  Do you feel like players would lose respect for him for not giving playing through the pain in a must win season deciding game?
Brian Batko
12:52
Ha, maybe cut back on the beer and increase the exercise as a New Year's resolution, my guy. But to your question, no, I think it was pretty clear how big of a hit Rudolph took on that one. He has everything to gain right now by proving himself as better than the player he was last time we saw him in game action.
dsf
12:52
what do you make of lev bells entrance wardobe?  signaling regret?
Brian Batko
12:53
Nah, I think Le'Veon Bell is pretty good at trolling and knew that wearing Steelers colors to the Steelers game would get people talking.
Stephen
12:53
Happy Holidays Brian and Happy Birthday to your mother.  May God Grant Her Many Years.   Could you explain the apparent bad blood between Hines and the Steelers, particularly Ben.  Thanks
Brian Batko
12:55
Thank you, Stephen. "Bad blood" might be a strong word, but Hines Ward joined the chorus of former players questioning Roethlisberger's leadership abilities this offseason when all the AB stuff was going haywire. I believe his exact words were that Ben "needs to do more" as a leader.
rfredward
12:55
Could Lynch be much worse than what we saw Sunday?
Brian Batko
12:55
Marshawn? He's reportedly re-signing with the Seahawks!
Jim From Venetia
12:56
Is James Conner worth keeping around if he can’t stay healthy?  He’s a great guy but isn’t very productive over the course of a season.
Brian Batko
12:56
I mean, no one's worth keeping around if they can't stay healthy. At a position that's already devalued, that could be bad news for his future with the Steelers.
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