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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 12.28.20
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Brian Batko
1:57
Hey there. We'll get started a bit early. Steelers are AFC North champs and locked into the 2 or 3 seed for the playoffs, opposite side of the Chiefs in the bracket.
Steeler Fan in GA
1:58
Brian it seems sitting key players against Cleveland is a no brainer, at least to my half a brain.  What do you say?
Brian Batko
2:00
I actually think they should play, for a couple reasons. One, to keep up the momentum from that sizzling second half. Two, to try to secure two home games in the playoffs, not just one. I know Heinz Field won't be full, might even be empty, so homefield advantage isn't the same. But it'd still be better to be in Pittsburgh than Buffalo, if that's how it all plays out.
Vickie
2:00
I don't see Smith-Schuster or Connors returning next year. What are your thoughts.
Brian Batko
2:01
At this point I'd probably agree with you on both, Vickie. Less sure on JuJu. But I keep coming back to this idea that he might need/want a fresh start elsewhere, so unless the Steelers franchise tag him, that will be up to him.
DaquidoBazzini
2:01
Any insight how Mike Tomlin will handle this weeks finale in Cleveland? I'm all for sitting Roethlisberger, Watt and a host of others. This team hasn't had a bye week since the first month or so of the season, and they've been hit with a lot of injuries.
Brian Batko
2:03
That's a fair point. I don't fault anyone for thinking that way. And I actually do think Tomlin will do that. At least he did in 2017 in a similar situation.
Joe
2:05
From what I saw, once the Colts got up 24-7, they started playing a soft zone. Should we credit the Colts for primarily egging the Steelers offense back to life? If they had continued to play more aggressively would the Steelers have lost?
Brian Batko
2:07
It also didn't help the Colts that they lost starting strong safety Khari Willis to injury in the second half. He'd been an impact player for them this season and in that game. For what it's worth, Colts coach Frank Reich said they did NOT go prevent.
Buster
2:08
If they do plan to rest players do you expect MT to announce that soon? Who would sit other than Ben and maybe a couple of the old guys on both lines and maybe the starting corners? They don’t have a whole lot of depth.
Brian Batko
2:10
No, I don't necessarily anticipate him coming out and telling the whole word what his approach will be when he has his weekly news conference Tuesday. But the way they work at practice Wednesday-Friday will give us an idea. In 2017 he said he was undecided on Tuesday. So, I expect to hear that again tomorrow.
TPhunter
2:11
Thanks for the chat Brian. Satisfying win over the Colts, but it looks like there's a very good chance that the Ravens will be the first playoff opponent. Did the Steelers lose by winning?
Brian Batko
2:12
I never subscribe to that. Especially the way this team needed to get some swagger back. By the way, I've been wondering about your chat name all year: are you constantly hunting for toilet paper during the pandemic or is your name Thomas Patrick Hunter or something like that? Please advise.
Kevin
2:13
Hi Brian,Did Tomlin say anything after the game about not making any effort to get points at the end of the first half ?   Living in his fears ?
Brian Batko
2:13
No, that didn't come up. Maybe it will Tuesday. Really was not one of his finest moments as a coach. Why not take the timeouts earlier on defense? Why not take a shot to the end zone with two seconds left? Although perhaps in retrospect he knew the Steelers needed to just get to the locker room and regroup. Imagine if they'd been more aggressive and set up the Colts with a short field and more points at the end of the half.
Jud
2:14
Good Chats Bats!  His play spoke for itself in the 4 week run, but do you think there's a scenario where Tomlin pulls Ben in the midst of a loss?  Us armchair coaches I think would have done it.
Brian Batko
2:15
Only if the game is out of reach. Even then, Ben rarely wants to come out. The calls for Mason Rudolph were getting loud last week and in the first half yesterday. Obviously, that would've been a mistake.
Brad C.
2:16
The Steelers have some of the worst receiver separation in the league (Washington: 1.02 yards, JuJu: 1.13 yards, Johnson: 1.18 yards, Claypool: 1.23 yards).  

This is largely because Ben's average time to release is a record-breaking 2.14 seconds.

This is limiting the number of "big plays" but is keeping Ben healthy (lowest # of sacks in the league).

That said: do you think Ben needs to hold on to the ball a bit longer to help open the field up for big plays?
Brian Batko
2:17
Yes, I think that's part of it. OL needs to protect, receivers need to get open and Ben needs to feel the pocket, step up and drive the ball downfield. All elements of the offense that were missing in action for a month or so, but magically came back against the Colts. You'd almost think they were sandbagging or something.
VA Greg
2:19
Play the starters at CLE solely to increase chance of getting 2 seed and then likely not facing BAL in 1st round? Thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:19
I'm on board, Greg.
Sunner in Orlando
2:20
Hi Brian! Great live chat during the game! How do the Steelers handle the Brown's game? Do they completely rest starters, play it like a preseason game and have everyone play a half or play to win? Tough call but I would play no one with any lingering bumps and bruises and I would definitely not play Ben or TJ.
Brian Batko
2:21
Thanks. Would certainly be interesting if the Steelers do that, let the Browns in, and then Cleveland does some damage.
mrbig
2:21
is it as simple as Randy F stinks, in the 2nd half, let Ben run no huddle? Why not let Ben open with no huddle?
Brian Batko
2:22
I would say Fichtner hasn't looked great this season. But Eric Ebron said today that the second half resurgence was Ben calling plays that they practice all the time, so perhaps some of that dichotomy is overblown a bit. Randy has said before that Ben usually needs some time to feel out the opposing defense and get into that rhythm.
Denver Pirate
2:23
I have to admit I wrote this season off, now I don’t know what to think, Is Spillane close to returning? He brings some toughness and I think he covers the crossing routes a little closer
Brian Batko
2:24
He should be. Haven't heard much about him lately. Maybe Tomlin has an update tomorrow. Even if he comes back, we'll then have to see if he's playing at the same level as he was pre-injury. But it's nice that the depth is showing itself there now with Vince Williams back healthy and Avery Williamson getting up to speed. Even Marcus Allen got some valuable playing time.
T Speaker
2:25
Would Ben be able to overcome his coldstarts due to the need to feel out opponents by spending more time studying film?
Brian Batko
2:26
I don't think that has much to do with it. I'm sure he watches plenty of film. But you never know exactly how a defense is going to play you until the game begins and they start doing it. Especially come playoff time when opponents might have some new wrinkles in store.
Paul
2:27
I enjoyed your live chat yesterday, they are good times. Why didn't Tomlin call a time out prior to half.
Brian Batko
2:28
Thank you, Paul. The Colts may have fooled Tomlin by looking like they were going to snap the ball, then waiting and running more time off the clock. It's one of those little standoff situations at the end of a half where you don't want to help out the offense with more time, but you also want to try to get the ball back.
HudsonValley
2:29
lets all drink the kool-aid and sleep in our won not done's; really, lets have fun???  shoulda had fun 3 weeks ago..  still hoping for the rope-a-dope..  How they gonna fix the run game,,  cant punch it in from 1 again..  Thoughts o'prescient one??
Brian Batko
2:30
Yeah, the run game is still looking like a fatal flaw come January. The blocking was better, there were some large holes, but when was the last time you can remember James Conner really finishing a run? He just, like, crumples. Maybe his beast will come back out for the postseason.
armchaircoach
2:30
I am telling the following guys to take the week off -> Ben, Watt, Pouncy, DeCastro, Haden, Heyworth and Tuitt.  Let the chips fall where they may.  We need this crew healthy for a Super Bowl run.
Brian Batko
2:32
Fair enough, coach. Which Watt though?
Henry
2:32
Do you think the Steelers bring back Bud Dupree?  How do you grade the play of Highsmith?
Brian Batko
2:33
No, I don't think Dupree will be back. I'd give Highsmith a B+. Certainly not playing at Dupree's level, but as Cam Heyward said yesterday, they can't ask him or any rookie to do that. I still think he's been solid though.
Jake
2:33
I like #49 small sample of work yesterday. What says you?
Brian Batko
2:34
I'm on the Cassius Marsh bandwagon. He brought some energy and passion in his limited action, vaulted past Jayrone Elliott into the No. 3 OLB role. I think you'll see him on the roster for playoffs.
ectcyberhipaa
2:34
If Ben could throw like that in the second half, why not the first?
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