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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 12.30.19
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John
3:34
beside Bud Dupree, which other starting players will be UFA?
Brian Batko
Gene
3:35
Do you think any of the 3 backup QB’S are on the 2020 roster?
Brian Batko
3:35
At least one of them, for sure.
DG
3:35
Regardless of the QB, the offensive play calling has been atrocious this year. That would be a good "exit" interview.
Brian Batko
3:36
OK, next time I talk to Randy Fichtner, I'll be sure to ask him why all his good calls worked and why the bad ones didn't.
MikeM
3:37
When an NFL team designates a player for a draft round tender and the player signs with another team, is that other team's slot in the draft given up or is it at the end of the round?
Brian Batko
3:37
It's that team's draft slot, not an end-of-round comp pick
Steeler fan In California
3:38
As far as the QB situation goes how does Paxton Lynch fit into the 2020 equation?
Brian Batko
3:38
Not well
bummed in Canton
3:38
How many draft picks do we have in 2020 and what rounds are they?
Brian Batko
3:40
They currently have five picks, one in the 2nd, two in the 4th, a 6th and a 7th. But they'll likely receive a comp pick, at the end of the third round, for parting with Donte Moncrief.
Wales Yinzer
3:40
Where do you think the team will go with the QB position? Stay put? Add in the 2nd round?? other?
Brian Batko
3:41
I think they'll stay put. Mason Rudolph likely helped himself with the way he came in and performed when needed against the Jets. It was a rebound of sorts that a lot of people needed to see. I absolutely can't see them drafting one with their first pick.
WeegieT
3:42
Time to bring in a veteran QB? And Possibly a QB coach for Mason who seems to have the stronger arm?
Brian Batko
3:43
Rudolph and the others get plenty of tutelage from Randy Fichtner and offensive assistant Matt Symmes, but with no limit on NFL staffs, to me it never hurts to bring another cook in the kitchen.
Seriously?
3:43
I love how all the PGH media and Steelers apologists are so convinced an out of shape 38 year old with a bum elbow is going to make a huge difference on this horrendous offense. It's almost like they forget how bad the offense looked in the first game against the Pats and against the Seahawks before injury. What logically makes you think this offense isn't in need of a full rebuild??
Brian Batko
3:45
Logically, Roethlisberger might've already been dealing with that elbow injury in one game against what proved to be a(nother) fantastic Patriots defense and two quarters against a Seahawks unit that was good enough to make the playoffs at 11-5. I'm not saying Ben's gonna be his old self or anything close - because I would never want an anonymous chat participant to call me a Steelers apologist - but if we're to believe he's made a full recovery, well, to quote the man, the standard is the standard.
Big Ben
3:45
it is pretty evident that the quarterback makes the wide receiver and not the other way around. so why have a 18 million dollar wide receiver? I think juju is a great person and a good player, but what is he really worth in your opinion?
Brian Batko
3:46
I do think that's a good point. Sometimes it can be the other way around, but yes, you can get by with less-than-stellar receivers if you have someone who can throw them open and put the ball where it needs to be. Then again, this offense looked pretty solid with a handsomely paid man named Antonio for a good while, and I think a team like the Saints are pleased with their return on investment for Michael Thomas.
NickFromVA
3:47
Does the duck mania finally go away? I mean it was a nice story, but there is no way Duck Hodges was going to be the answer going forward
Brian Batko
3:48
Yeah, probably. But give him credit for how he's handled the ups and downs. Once again today he took any and all questions about another rotten performance and overall disappointing finish to a once-promising rookie of the year. I figure he'd be happy to stick around and be a backup/insurance policy type guy for as long as they'd have him.
Two Bricks Shy
3:48
Time for changes in special teams... new coach... new punter.  We made strides forward this year (in kicking and even in the return game)... but that’s more on Bos + Diontae vs. coaching.  Do you see this as the most likely coaching move?
Brian Batko
3:49
No, the most likely move is replacing interim wide receivers coach Ray Sherman. But yes, there needs to be some honest evaluation of the punt and kickoff units.
Kgkftz
3:50
Clearly QB played a role... but is Juju an elite #1 in your POV...  do you feel that Diontae will push him for the #1 spot next year, and do you believe Diontae has greater upside longer term?
Brian Batko
3:51
Greater upside than JuJu? I don't think so. But with him plus Johnson plus Washington, I think you have a solid and firmly entrenched top three next year. Which is why I wouldn't necessarily draft one, at least not early.
Bill in SF
3:51
I know that Fichner is Ben's personal OC and the injuries this season were tough to overcome, but do you think that should be enough for the Steelers front office to ignore the historically inept offense he rolled out there all season and retain him?
Brian Batko
3:52
Yes, Bill, I do. Hesitate to say he gets a "pass" for this year, because that's not right, but the Steelers probably understand that he hasn't really had a fair shake of it this season, only his second on the job.
DaquidoBazzini
3:52
Has Stephon Tuitt been around since he got injured (out for the year) earlier this season?
Brian Batko
3:52
Yeah he was just in the locker room today actually.
Seven’s Coming
3:52
Hi Brian- the season didn’t end the way we wanted but I’m still proud of the Steelers for never quitting! If they draft a running back, how do you see Benny Snell fitting in next season? Do they go one-two punch or is Snell back to a smaller role? I liked  his aggressive style and would love to see more of him next year.
Brian Batko
3:53
If they do upgrade, or find a guy who's like a diamond in the rough type, I could see Snell's role being reduced. Same goes for if James Conner can get healthy and stay healthy. But yes, I'm with you, he makes sense as a short-yardage hammer or goal line guy. Of course, that was basically supposed to be the extent of his usage this year, I believe.
rman
3:54
Yesterday  Harbaugh and the Ravens showed the Steelers what can be done when a team of 2nd and 3rd teamers are COMMITED to a run game.  RG3's stats were similar to the Ducks stats.  Do you think any lessons were learned by the Steeler coaches?
Brian Batko
3:54
Yep: play the backups. They're hungrier.
NC Yinzer
3:55
Another week of obvious offensive play calling, running on every first down play (even one when we needed 2 scores with 4 minutes left).  Hodges, reportedly, is somewhat limited with arm strength, so after it’s clear TN was going to win, why not see what Lynch has?  Wasn’t he a former first rounder?
Brian Batko
3:55
The Tennessee thing is meaningless. Steelers weren't really following that game on the sideline. They were trying to handle their own business. And Mike Tomlin said Tuesday they weren't comfortable enough with Paxton Lynch to use him in game action. He wasn't lying.
MrCJJr
3:56
Hello Brian, thanks for the chat. First, kudos to the Steelers for remaining competitive in the midst of all the trials this season. Most teams would've folded. Moving forward, the outcry has been to fire Fichner. I'm on the fence about it...while his play-calling is suspect, however wouldn't an experienced veteran QB (Ben, someone other than Rudolph or Hodges) been able to audible/check out of said play with confidence to make it work? And (if Fichner is fired) how will Ben do with having to learn a new system at age 38 and 15+ yrs experience?
Brian Batko
3:57
Can't imagine he'd really want to. I think you make a lot of good points about the whole situation. So, kudos to you, MrCJJr.
Brian in CA
3:57
Some thought Tomlin should be gone early in the season, others thought he should be Coach of the year after they went to 8-5, then they collapsed.  Seems like he is above average, but not as exceptional as some... what do you think?
Brian Batko
3:57
I think a lot of franchises would love to have him and often times you must be careful about what's behind Door No. 2, if that makes sense.
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