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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 12.28.20
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Brian Batko
2:35
That's the $20 million question that will loom over the rest of the season and going into next. I just don't know. Right when his arm looked shot, he started making some of his best throws of the season. Confounding.
Happily Wrong
2:36
Good afternoon. I must admit I was wrong about Ben. He has been a great quarterback for Steeler Nation but I thought he was done. There is some life in that old arm and we have always known he was a competitor. Do you think the second half was a fluke, or is Ben Back?
Brian Batko
2:37
I'm somewhere in between. Those previous four games happened. We can't just forget how bad he looked in those weeks. But the touchdown throw to Diontae Johnson was big time. The touchdown to JuJu was, too. I'm not sure it's very cogent analysis to simply swing back and forth between "Ben is done" and "Ben is back" based on how he plays week to week, but hey, here we are.
Ben
2:39
What do you think of the theory that roethlisberger looked around at halftime, saw that this might be his last game at Heinz field, and said, if that’s the case, I’m not going out throwing 2 yard passes. I think he was the one having the least fun and his pep talk could likely have been aimed at himself.
Brian Batko
2:40
Makes as much sense as anything else about that second half.
Pull My Fichtner
2:40
Clearly, all things considered, Fichtner & his definition of insanity game planning/play calling is the weak link... Ben mentioned Canada in his post game... what's that tell you?
Brian Batko
2:42
I wouldn't read too much into that. He also mentioned Mason Rudolph and Josh Dobbs as guys who contributed to the offensive brainstorming.
jc
2:43
what is wrong with snell? I have not seen him bounce outside when there is nothing inside.
Brian Batko
2:43
Not really is game, but if that's the case, he's not going to be a starting back in this league.
TPhunter
2:43
Never short of TP in this place Brian, especially during football season! But, you broke the code, congratulations!
Brian Batko
2:44
Good to know.
Joe
2:44
I think their first 4 picks should be. T, G, C, RB. It doesn't seem to matter who the RB is behind our line.
Brian Batko
2:44
Yeahhh you might be right on that one, Joe. How about a new tight end? One who can catch and block. Assuming they still make those.
Jacque Strap
2:45
Speaking of screen names, Pull My Fichtner has to be one of the best. Gets my vote.
Brian Batko
2:45
Huh, can't imagine why you'd be a fan of that sophomoric humor, Jacque.
Jacque Strap
2:45
Personally, I'm hoping for the Mason Bowl next week, so he can take his helmet off after a passing play and whack Myles Garrett. That'd be fun.
Brian Batko
2:46
But yes, that would be a fun subplot if Ben rests vs. Browns. Myles Garrett and a defense going full bore vs. Rudolph and an offense just trying to get out of stadium healthy. I can't imagine that would turn out well for the Steelers.
Steeler Joe
2:47
I’m all in on my theory: The Ben we all recognize returned in the second half IMMEDIATELY after he took a good, solid hit after making a throw. Ben has talked before about needing contact to really get his head in the game. The short passing offense has reduced the hits he takes. Maybe the line needs to let a guy through in the first quarter once in a while? Or is that too risky for a 38-year-old QB? I’m only half kidding here.
Brian Batko
2:47
I do remember during the one scrimmage at Heinz Field during camp he asked TJ Watt to hit him and TJ obliged. That might've been his first QB hit of the year. But uh, I don't think you have to ask this line to allow any free rushes. It happens organically from time to time.
Steeler in Virginia
2:48
Any other important Steelers possibly returning for the playoffs other than Spillane?
Brian Batko
2:49
Matt Feiler, but the OL was OK without him yesterday. Kevin Dotson is very good. Also getting Chris Boswell back seems important.
Pull My Fichtner
2:49
I defer to the 'Strap'
Henry
2:50
Why isnt Shaler high-school ranked as high on lists as North Hills, Hampton etc.
Brian Batko
2:50
Those lists are culturally biased and the value of a Shaler education can't be adequately measured by test scores and things of that nature.
Turk in MD
2:51
Draft priority has to be OL, maybe even double dip at the position. How many of the starters on OL return next year?
Brian Batko
2:52
I mean, are there any definites at this point? If you're being completely honest, there shouldn't be. Not the way Pouncey and DeCastro have played. Not with Villanueva, Feiler and Banner in the last year of their contracts. So really, perhaps Chuks Okorafor is the most likely to return, and of course Dotson if you count him. That doesn't mean they'll move on from some or all of those vets, though. You know Ben is comfortable with them.
Southside Jimmy
2:53
It seems Washington is playing well, but not getting as much playing time as his fellow receivers.  Is this just happenstance or a deliberate plan going into games?  Thanks Brian.
Brian Batko
2:54
Seems they deliberately plan to use the other three more, and you see why given some of the plays JuJu, Johnson and Claypool made yesterday. Washington has been the odd man out since Claypool's emergence early in the season, and that's what I figured would happen after the draft. He could be more involved next year if JuJu leaves.
NC Steel
2:55
Am thinking the team must sign a really good OL in free agency and then use one of the first two picks on an O-Lineman in the draft--thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:56
Steelers have tended to build through the draft, especially at OL, and there won't be much money available to spend on a good FA lineman. Going heavy on it in the draft would make more sense, as much as I like this running back class coming in. But hey, look at the Jaguars guy. Undrafted and will lead all rookies in rushing. You can find your man later.
Gene
2:57
Is Avery Williamson still starting if Spillane does come back?
Brian Batko
2:58
Depends on Spillane's overall health/readiness, but if he's good to go on that front, I think he gets his job back. Problem is you're about to be in a win-or-go-home situation where you don't have much margin for error to kick the tires. Williamson looked solid to me yesterday. Williams seemed like the one who was more of a liability, so playing him 100% of the snaps could get dicey. Thought Rivers had mismatches on Williams once or twice and didn't attack him enough.
Westchester Fan
2:58
Brian- thanks for doing these chats. Really appreciate your insights.  This team has me thoroughly confused.  Not surprisingly, it seems that the offense opened up when Ben was finally able to throw a few accurate balls deep.  I just don’t understand why they were able to do this in the 2nd half.  It’s not like ever fan and analyst hasn’t been saying this for 4 week.  What is your view of the reason Ben was able to flip the switch and connect on these deep throws: A/ better protection from the line / more time for receivers to get down the field; B/ Ben deciding to stand in the pocket and take a hit if necessary; or C/ Ben just ripping a few / not overthinking things.
Brian Batko
3:00
I'm as confused as you are. Quite simply, it looked like Ben didn't have it anymore. Even those first three throws yesterday, they could've been caught, but they were also off the mark and, really, pretty useless considering the third-and-10 pass was like 5 yards short of the sticks at least. Most of all, I just attribute it to a mentality change for him, as much as he wants to say it's just guys making more plays. I'm no football genius, but he seemed to be looking to take more deep shots and hey, would you look at that, it worked.
3:01
OK friends, we're out of time. Thanks for chatting. Ray Fittipaldo will be back tomorrow afternoon following Mike Tomlin's presser. As for me, I'll talk to you Sunday for Steelers-Browns.
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