JotCast | Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 5.21.19

Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 5.21.19

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Stiller fan

2:24

Have you learned to speak Tomlin yet? We'll need interpretations soon with all his euphemisms.

Brian Batko

2:25

I've learned that anytime you can use a larger word for a smaller one, you should do it. I like that about Tomlin.

NH Steelers Fan

2:25

Does Terrell Edmund’s like of AB’s tweet indicate that the issues of the team are so much more far reaching than the dismissals of Art II, Colbert, and Tomlin that blamed Bell and Brown—rightfully so—and that minimized how deeply Tomlin’s miscalculations harmed team dynamics? Should Tomlin be publicly placed on notice so that the remaining players don’t have to covertly bring attention to his poor decisions?

Brian Batko

2:25

That's quite an extrapolation from a Twitter "like." I remember when they used to be "favs."

Israel

2:26

I'd like your opinion on this. Do you think it was a good idea for Ben to air out his side of the story about Brown? Or should he had just said "no comment" and completely ignored it?

Brian Batko

2:26

I don't have a problem with him telling his side, especially since everything he said was pretty milquetoast. Does that count as "speaking Tomlin"?

CourtneyWest

2:27

Brian, do you think the Steelers will use a backfield by committee approach?? Like using Benny Snell as James Connor’s backup then using Jaylen Samuels as the third down back/H-Back?? I’m really interested in how they’ll go about using them. They need to find a way to maximize all three of them. Like New England would do.🤬

Brian Batko

2:28

Wouldn't surprise me if James Conner's workload is lightened a bit now with Benny Snell in the house. And Jaylen Samuels is particularly interesting because of his versatility. So yeah, I could see more of a "committee" approach, but Conner is the best all-around back they've got. Don't limit his action if it's not in an effort to make him more fresh and effective when he's in there.

Steeltowntim@aol.com

2:29

Brian, Artie Burns has all the physical tools o be above average if not great. I have seen how stupid he looks but if we just put him in man coverage wouldn't that take some of the thinking out of it.

Brian Batko

2:29

Ehhhh...

Mike's Platitudes Calendar 2019

2:30

When the "minutiae" is the elephant in the room, is it minutiae?

Brian Batko

2:30

Yes

OK, halftime chat plug for my Steelers mailbag: We'll roll that out again later in the week, so feel free to send me questions on Twitter or to my email at bbatko@post-gazette.com

2:31

In a mailbag, you'll generally get a little longer, deeper answer to something than you'd get in one of these chats. All right now, back to the madness.

Mudd

2:31

Brian, do you think Ben's apologies were sincere, or that he was just saying things best for his image?

Brian Batko

2:32

Why not both? Simply as a human, I have a hard time believing he still considers AB a friend. How could you? But in Ben's position, saying something like that would only stoke the flames even more.

Andy

2:32

HI Brain. Thanks for your time. I've read and listened with interest about defenses evolving to deal with the ever changing offenses. The Steelers very much seem to buy into this conversation. That being said, what about the times we have heard : We try and make the opposing offense 1 dimensional. Stop the run and make them pass. It seems now we see teams trying to have every conceivable defensive package to stop what the offense is doing instead of trying to force them to do what we want them to do. Your thoughts?

Brian Batko

2:33

No need to call me "Brain." I'm not that smart. But yeah, offenses aren't stupid. They'll have counters. Sometimes, though, an offense can have one really effective dimension, even when you are geared up to stop it. Look at the Patriots dinking and dunking their way up the field. Now, what did they do more of a year ago? Power run game with Sony Michel. I'd say it worked out pretty well for them.

trag91146

2:33

Why have you blocked me?

Brian Batko

2:33

I have?

Mfinn

2:33

Last year Ben came to camp in specially good physical condition. Is there anyone this year that stands out like that?

Brian Batko

2:34

Not really, but kind of hard for me to say since I wasn't in this chair last season. I wouldn't really notice any remarkable physical developments, if there were any. Ryan Switzer didn't get taller or anything like that though.

2:34

Why don’t we go after Rudolph?We need a 1A. Grimble has had his chances and we could line up in some 2 TE sets and get back to Steeler Football. Play some smash mouth but also be able to throw out of it.

Brian Batko

2:35

Kyle Rudolph, the Vikings TE? Maybe the financials wouldn't work out or maybe Rudolph wouldn't want to go someplace where there's a clear-cut No. 1.

Silly in Philly

2:35

What are you most looking forward to with you new gig covering the Steelers?

Brian Batko

2:36

Looking forward to the road trips with Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo. Also, seeing more of Joe Starkey. He's one of the more unique people I know.

StuckinDC

2:36

So, break the tension, 55 line up with the starters?

Brian Batko

2:36

Read this while sitting in traffic on the Beltway https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/05/21/devin-bush-ste...

kevin in Punxsy

2:37

Brian, at what position, on both offense and defense, do you consider the Steelers a little lacking?

Brian Batko

2:38

On offense, TE for sure. On defense, safety. They need more of a playmaker back deep, and if Sean Davis isn't that this year, he might not be long for Pittsburgh.

'Burgher in Warren, Pa.

2:38

If Sutton Smith proves he should play over Bud (very long shot, I realize), is it realistic to believe MT / Butler and Butler would sit their $9m man?

Brian Batko

2:38

I mean, sure, if Sutton Smith somehow does something that's more conducive to winning football games.

Ryno

2:39

How much rope will Boz get?

Brian Batko

2:40

He's shown he can make kicks in high-pressure situations before. He may very well get a chance to bury last year's struggles. But as plenty of NFL teams have shown, life in the kicker world can be here today and gone tomorrow.

Stiller fan

2:40

With the suspension and probably a cheaper price. If you were Gm would you make an offer for Az CB Peterson?

Brian Batko

2:40

Nah. You gave Steven Nelson a big deal and used a third-round pick on Justin Layne. Ride with them.

Simplify the simplicity

2:41

Now is the time to install a season plan for no huddle scripts, say a weekly rotation of 5 calls Ben can just yell out & go and to make sure these guys never slack with their pre/during/post hydration... If only.

Brian Batko

2:41

Hydration is definitely important, you'll get no argument from me there.

If I was a Carpenter

2:41

Is someone slotted to replace Ernie to Gerry's, Burt for pre/post video reports?

Brian Batko

2:41

Gerry and Ray will be handling most of the postgame and post-practice videos, but I'm sure I'll weasel my way into some, as well.

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