JotCast | Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 5.21.19

Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 5.21.19

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Brian Batko

2:00

Well, hello. The chat has begun, dovetailing nicely with the start of Steelers OTAs. Fire away, friends.

Silly in Philly

2:01

Yo Bats. Ben “apologizes” 6+ months later for calling AB out after games- day late and buck short, right?

Brian Batko

2:02

Sup. Yes and no. I think his goal was probably to clear the air, so to speak, before OTAs and minicamp ramp up here, and then eventually training camp, but Ben still had a media throng around him today after practice. HOWEVER with the way he has answered questions about this today in-person and yesterday on KDKA, the record will reflect that he took the high road in the end.

Is it just me?

2:02

I asked this question in a prior chat and got a smart reply in return. Serious question. Why is seemingly nobody concerned about our offensive line. We were something like 30th in the league in rushing and a couple late losses in which our D collapsed masked the fact that if we were able to move the chains in the 4th q might have been victories. Lost a starter and the "guru" coach and nothing in the draft in return. Why is nobody concerned?

Brian Batko

2:04

A smart reply? Hopefully it wasn't me. I would never do such a thing. But anyway, maybe it is just you. I can't say I personally have too many concerns about that particular unit. Had Ramon Foster left, they'd be short one more veteran. The right tackle spot is still somewhat of a question mark, with Matt Feiler most likely having the inside track but a relatively small sample size of success there. It's often hard for rookies to make an impact there right away anyway, so the draft thing doesn't bother me. I still think they'll be solid, especially in protecting No. 7.

Guest

2:04

From what you’ve seen so far, which WR will be playing opposite JuJu when the games count?

Brian Batko

2:05

I'll say James Washington, and if not him, then Donte Moncrief. But that doesn't mean rookie Diontae Johnson can't close the gap between now and then with the way he might perform in training camp/preseason.

pdxJaxon

2:05

Hey Brian, aside from his boneheaded play late in the season, is Grimble a viable TE #2 this year if we need to stick with him?

Brian Batko

2:06

What's going on? I think a lot of folks are gonna have trouble forgetting that prime opportunity that Grimble bungled. Doesn't mean he can't still cement himself in that spot. I'm sure the Steelers would love it if he does. Probably a better chance of him doing so than the rookie Zach Gentry.

The Line

2:06

Can Gerald McCoy be a DE in a 3-4 base? Should the Steelers be interested?

Brian Batko

2:07

Probably, and probably not. He wouldn't come cheap, right?

Silly in Philly

2:08

High road, eh? Ben calls teammates out, kicks people under the bus and lots of times takes shots AND NOW all of a sudden he takes the high road- is that media speak??

Brian Batko

2:08

What else would you call how he handled his interviews today and yesterday? I won't pretend to know if he's always done the right things, but he is saying the right things lately.

Pompeani v. Nutting

2:09

Brian Allen is now listed at safety. He's got a few years under his belt, how does the team now feel about his development and what are his chances this year to see the field? He seems like a perfect fit size/speed-wise to fill some of the roles in the multiple DB sets.

Brian Batko

2:11

On the roster passed out to media this morning at the facility, Brian Allen is listed at CB. I think he's more on the fringe of fighting to make the team than fighting for gameday reps, but hey, one step at a time. He is long.

The Mirror Has Two Cases

2:11

Speaking of... Isn't AB starring in his own, perpetual, Snickers commercial?

Candy... Oh

2:11

If AB had a Snickers would he turn into.... AB?

Brian Batko

2:11

Not entirely sure what's going on here, but I do know it's going way over my head. Seems like he'd be more of a PayDay guy, though. Maybe Nutrageous.

Vince

2:12

Hi Brian ...welcome aboard! who were you most impressed by of the rookies at the minicamp; and which rookie free agent impresssed you the most

Brian Batko

2:14

Thank you, Vince. You're a nice man. It's not really a setting for them to do anything particularly impressive, but certainly Devin Bush's ball skills as an inside linebacker are plainly evident, as is the compact build and quickness of Sutton Smith. As for UDFAs, Samford QB Devlin Hodges is small but I can see why the Steelers kept him around after his tryout.

MIKE

2:15

We need to sign Tre Boston asap to be our 3rd Safety

Brian Batko

2:15

OK.

Marlon

2:15

Since Sensabaugh beat out Burns last year, why do the Steelers continue to bring Burns back? Even as a backup he has less value then Sensabaugh.

Brian Batko

2:17

Well, Sensabaugh is a free agent now, and certainly Steven Nelson should be an upgrade. It's tough to cut ties with a former first-rounder. Steelers did at least move closer to cutting their losses though by not picking up his option.

Hickster

2:17

Thoughts on Edmunds liking AB’s post calling Ben 2 faced? More Drama still on the team!

Brian Batko

2:18

I mean, I'm certainly not going to read too much into a "like" on Twitter, but probably not a great look. He's a young guy, but ought to be cognizant of how things like that can be perceived.

Bigbirdssack

2:18

Jesse James was a liability as a blocker but had soft hands. Gentry seems to possess neither. Can you actually coach up a TE catching skills?

Brian Batko

2:19

I wouldn't jump to that conclusion just yet about Gentry's hands. But putting a guy in front of a jugs machine for a while should coach him up a bit.

Eric

2:19

Any word on progress by Mason Rudolph?

Brian Batko

2:19

Not at this time. I'm sure we'll talk to No. 2 at some point during OTAs.

I should be the agent

2:20

How about a ornery Lama wearing the Queen of the Norths new crown... Eats a Snickers... turns into Sansa/Sophie Turner with AB as the Queens hand saying "Drama Queen... better ending than GoT & Steelers 2018!

Brian Batko

2:20

You should be ... something.

Ryan

2:20

Any of the rookies stand out during this first OTA?

Brian Batko

2:21

Devin Bush was loud and proud in the middle of the defense today on his reps, so that was impressive. The others weren't really seen nor heard from much, working behind veterans and the like. We'll have a story from Sarah Spencer on Bush that should be online shortly.

DouglasD44

2:22

Do you see the defense taking a step forward this year?also can we change the game plan when we play the Patriots? Seems like have same scheme and we just hope we get the ball at the end of the game.

Brian Batko

2:23

I do ... if Steven Nelson shores up the corner spot opposite Joe Haden. No guarantees, but they paid him pretty handsomely to do so. I also like Mark Barron and Devin Bush additions in the middle, for sure. Dudes who were brought in to be able to adapt to any and every scheme the Steelers will see.

2:23

Has anyone told Mark Barron that he won't be playing much this year? Going back to Blount all their problems seem to stem from them refusing to play backups, but not being upfront with them.

Brian Batko

2:23

Can't imagine he's been informed of that, no.

Tom

2:23

What if the Steelers and media just ignore social media? Nobody takes it seriously and it is just an outlet for people to say stupid stuff.

Brian Batko

2:24

The Steelers absolutely can, and should. But us? We can't really do that, because we have an audience to serve. People care about it.

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