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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 4.30.19
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Brian Batko
2:00
Oh, hi. Didn't see you there. I'm Brian Batko, the Post-Gazette's newest Steelers beat reporter. Let's use this chat as a chance for you all to get to me know a bit better, shall we? Thanks for joining.
steelers
2:01
Will you be covering the Steelers this season? If so, can you share a little with us about your background, interests, etc? It is nice to get a feel for what you PG writers are like - THanks and welcome!
Brian Batko
2:02
Yes, Steelers, unless I do something to get myself fired within the next four months. I was born and raised here, never lived or worked anywhere else. From Shaler, shoutout to Shaler, attended Pitt and have worked at the P-G since 2012. First on the sports copy desk, writing headlines, editing stories, etc. Always knew I wanted to move over to the writing side, so I got my start on high schools, small colleges and Duquesne. Then, I took over the Pitt football beat, which I covered for the past two years and change. Your warm welcome is much appreciated.
Keisel
2:03
Is Gerry Dulac your boss now? How does that work now that Ed is gone. Welcome to the Post Gazette!!
Brian Batko
2:04
Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo are my beat partners on Steelers. I look forward to learning a lot from them about covering this organization. It's a next-man-up mentality.
Victor E. Huskie
2:04
Sutton Smith dominated THE MAC here at N.I.U. I expect everyone to be super surprised when he gets on the field. Could me ever be a Safety? He did everything in college. Say HI to Steely McBeam for me!
Brian Batko
2:05
I don't think so. If anything, the possibilities for Sutton Smith's position at the NFL level are probably very undersized OLB or slightly less undersized ILB. I'll give Steely your best.
DW
2:06
I was thrilled overall with the draft, but feel the TE position is still a concern.  McDonald is a beast when healthy, but he's obviously injury prone.  Do you think the Steelers are satisfied with Grimble and now seemingly Gentry behind him? Seems this is a position they may want to address after final cut downs this summer.
Brian Batko
2:08
DW I'm with you in that I figured the Steelers would address the tight end spot earlier in the draft, and Zach Gentry certainly wasn't a name on my radar for when they did. Not sure if that says more about their confidence in Grimble, or about how often they'll be using two tight ends this season. But I agree that depth is a significant concern behind the Vancimal.
music
2:08
Hi Brian, welcome to the Post Gazette! Do you have any favorite bands, etc?
Brian Batko
2:09
I like all types of music, really, other than heavy metal. Also not real big on gospel or christian rock, does that make me a heathen? But for the most part, I'm a guy who has a time and place for everything.
Dave B
2:10
Will Snell be starting if Conner keeps fumbling ?
Brian Batko
2:10
Based on a literal interpretation of this question, yes.
SD Stiller
2:10
Who asks a Steelers beat writer about their favorite bands?
Brian Batko
2:11
Someone who's trying to find out if I'd be fun to hang with.
Pearl
2:11
Who do you see ultimately being the 2nd and 3rd wr on the team?
Brian Batko
2:13
I think you have three guys fighting for those two spots now in James Washington, Donte Moncrief and Diontae Johnson. Like a lot of rookies, there might be some rawness to Johnson's game, but go watch his film against Miami. That was his best game of last season (6 catches for 119 and two TDs) and he was playing against a secondary that had three guys drafted.
This Guy
2:13
I am generally happy with the draft but a little underwhelmed by the CB they took.  Thought they could do better at addressing their need for a slot corner.  What say you?
Brian Batko
2:15
Yeah, it'll be interesting to see the development of Justin Layne. He projects as a pure outside corner, so maybe if he turns out to be really good, you could slide your big free agent Steven Nelson inside at times. Nelson did both in Kansas City.
Mason
2:15
Between Eli Rogers and Ryan Swtizer, do both or one make the roster with the acquisition of Diontae Johnson?
Brian Batko
2:15
It says here only one
Doyle37
2:15
With the Steelers moving to smaller, faster linebackers would it behoove the Steelers' D-linemen to revert to two gap play rather than one gap to fortify the run defense ?
Brian Batko
2:17
I'll avoid trying to feign expertise in defensive football, but I will bring up this point: As NFL defenses, Steelers included, continue to get hip to the idea of becoming smaller and faster to match up with up-tempo offenses, when will more offenses begin to swing their pendulum back the other direction by using more tight ends, fullbacks, H-backs, what have you. That's another reason I thought it would've behooved the Steelers to use a higher pick on a tight end, and potentially a more pro-ready one.
Bill
2:18
Hi, Brian.  Any word on Steelers UFA signing?  Did they bring in more tight end competition?
Brian Batko
2:20
Not really, Bill. The only tight end they signed as a UDFA was Trevor Wood from Texas A&M, and he wasn't particularly productive in college. He's also listed as a long-snapper, so methinks that's also a big reason why he got the call.
Larry in KY
2:21
Would you agree that NE is dictating the shift to route-running WR's instead of the deep threat burners?
Brian Batko
2:22
Let's give the Steelers some credit for embracing this concept, too. Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and maybe now Diontae Johnson. It's funny, though, how route-running can depend on the eye of the beholder. I saw some scouting reports call that a weakness of Johnson, but others raved about it, and so did Steelers WRs coach Darryl Drake the other night.
JK
2:23
If Dupree fizzles on the outside, do you think that they could move Barron outside and insert Williams back in the middle? I like the LB corp with Bush and Williams in the middle with Barron and Watt on the outside.
Brian Batko
2:25
I wouldn't think Mark Barron, the free agent who came over from the Rams, would be an OLB candidate. He's a safety by nature, and only 6-2, 230. The intrigue with Barron probably is if/how much he plays alongside Devin Bush inside.
YinzerAnonymous
2:25
What's one player from your college reporting days you wish that the Steelers would draft, just for the pleasure of covering him longer?
Brian Batko
2:27
Great question. I'll stick with Pitt, since I enjoyed getting to know those guys over the past two seasons, and pick one from each phase of the game. On offense, center Jimmy Morrissey. He's like the mayor everywhere he goes. On defense, lineman Amir Watts is always a hilarious interview. And on special teams, well, they're all fun to talk to, but Australian punter Kirk Christodoulou — who happens to be mates with Jordan Berry — is the man.
Big Ben Francis
2:28
Of those on the defense in their last contract year, who do you expect to be extended before the season (Haden, Davis, Dupree, Hargrave)?
Brian Batko
2:29
Admittedly, I haven't been around the Steelers long enough to bring much institutional knowledge here, but Joe Haden seems like the best candidate of that bunch.
YinzerAnonymous
2:29
Who is taller? Devin Bush or Tino Sunseri
Brian Batko
2:29
Tough one, but I'll say Devin Bush
GSK
2:29
Welcome Brian and good luck! TE Kyle Rudolph looks like he may be available for trade from the Vikings, do you think the Steelers should inquire?
Brian Batko
2:30
Nah, I'm not a huge Kyle Randolph guy, in general. Plus, I like Vance McDonald. Need more of a backup type. If you're gonna upgrade at TE, it's probably there.
Santa Monica Steeler
2:30
Who is the strongest Steeler now that Harrison retired?
Brian Batko
2:30
They're all stronger than me, that's for sure.
Krugerrand
2:31
I hope you've been practicing snarky replies!
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