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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 5.28.19
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Brian Batko
2:00
Great afternoon. Hope you all did enjoy your long weekend and will enjoy your short week. But not even a holiday can stop us from our weekly Steelers chat ... lol ... fire away!
Guest
2:00
If you had to bet a million dollars either way .... will or won't the Steelers win a playoff game this year?
Brian Batko
2:02
Wow, Guest coming in hot, making me place a wager I most certainly couldn't cover on a newspaper salary. But I would say WON'T on that one, my friend. Considering only, what, four teams are guaranteed to win one each season? And, at most, that number would be eight? Yeah, I'll pass. (Please let me know if my math is wrong)
ALB
2:03
Who will have the best year in 2019:  Ben, Bell or Brown?
Brian Batko
2:04
Ohhh that's a good one. Hard to quantify, but I think, relative to their position, I'll say Ben Roethlisberger. I think he'll finish higher in terms of passing yards than either of those two will in rushing or receiving yards. With JuJu Smith-Schuster, he likely has a better No. 1 WR than AB has a No. 1 QB in Derek Carr. Bell plays a position where it's difficult to stay healthy for 16 games. Very close between Ben and AB, but I'll say No. 7, all things considered.

His team also has the best chance of making the postseason, and that much probably isn't close.
Danny
2:05
Who are some of the smallest NFL all time great players? Who’s the best little guy in Steelers history? Can Sutton Smith be great?
Brian Batko
2:07
Sutton Smith is certainly small for his position if he turns out to be an OLB, and Devin Bush is undersized too. But they're still relatively big dudes. I'm sure there have been some wideouts, RBs and DBs who were small even among the human race. Darren Sproles, Tarik Cohen and MJD come to mind right away. Smallest Steeler? I don't know, but Amos Zeroueu was 5-8.
iowasteelersfan
2:08
What would you put the odds at - for the International TE on our practice squad last year to someday become a productive NFL TE?
Brian Batko
2:09
Christian Scotland-Williamson wears 49, and I'd put the odds much lower than that. I actually think he'd have a better chance as a tackle. Dude is listed at 6-9, 274.
will
2:10
How much do you think the Steelers will use Jaylen Samuels this year?
Brian Batko
2:12
I could see him being tough to keep off the field. Was a versatile pass-catcher in college, so we knew he could probably do that at the NFL level, but he looked better as a pure runner than I thought he would as a rookie. It might take some creative packages to get him involved, but why not try it?
Mountain Gus
2:13
Should Tomlin go hands-off with the defense and let Keith Butler sink or swim?
Brian Batko
2:14
In order to make some kind of judgment on Butler long-term? I don't necessarily think that'd be wise. I think Tomlin should help the defense, if he thinks he can help the defense.
Chris
2:14
Any chance we bring in a vet tight end or ride with what we got?
Brian Batko
2:15
There's definitely a chance, considering the Steelers reportedly put in a waiver claim for Jets castoff Jordan Leggett. But the Bucs got him instead.
Steel in MS
2:16
Would you rather play the Patriots in the opener or on week 10?  I love that we get them early.
Brian Batko
2:17
Week 10. The home field advantage in NE should be even stronger coming off a Super Bowl season, all that pregame pomp and circumstance, etc. The Steelers played them Week 15 the last two years, one game that they won and one they likely should've won, if not for the Jesse James overturned touchdown catch.
Antonio brown
2:18
Could you swing by and mow my grass?
Brian Batko
2:18
I don't even enjoy mowing my own lawn, so no.
jake
2:18
cmon Brian, how does Barry Sanders not come to mind?
Brian Batko
2:19
I was only 7 when Barry Sanders played his last down. But yeah, he was a good small player, too.
Mark
2:20
Hi Brian.  I didn't understand Joey Porter's criticism of Big Ben.  Did Porter long for the days of Kordell and Maddox?  What do you think?
Brian Batko
2:22
Yeah, that was a strange one, but I guess if it's something he felt and wanted to get off his chest for a long time, now's the offseason to pile on. From what I understand, those two have a bit of a history, so he might not have been the most surprising voice on that subject.
Chuck_in_DC
2:23
Sir... How long a leash on Dud Dupree this year.  If he doesn't show any progress, which week will we see a change?  Thanks sir...
Brian Batko
2:24
There are a lot of factors, probably too many, in that equation to really say for sure. What counts as a lack of progress, is it just sack numbers? Is anyone else making a push behind him? Is the defense as a whole playing well? I'll say he starts more games than he doesn't, put it that way.
soCal Steely Dan
2:25
Watching the Vegas gambler bet big on Jeopardy made me think NFL teams should go for two after every TD. IF a team scored more than 50% of their attempts then they would have more points than just kicking... I think the Steelers could make 70% or more of their 2pt. conversations and revolutionize the whole thing? Possible?
Brian Batko
2:26
Didn't the Steelers try to be pioneers on that idea not too long ago, when the NFL pushed back the distance on extra points? Maybe the Steelers should just hire Jeopardy James, though I think I read that he's more of a baseball guy.
Who’sReffingWho?
2:26
Which are the biggest rules changes for the upcoming season? In other words, how will the Shield try to keep the Steelers down? JK.
Brian Batko
2:28
The big one, of course, is that they're expanding replay on a trial basis for this year. Per NFL bylaws, that includes "pass interference, called or not called on the field." So, basically, the Saints Rule. Most people will call it that because of the way Saints-Rams ended in the NFC championship, but Steelers fans can call it that because of Joe Haden.
Rambis
2:28
Beyond the obvious (Bush), which rookie's development is most important to this season?
Brian Batko
2:30
Diontae Johnson, for sure. Even if James Washington breaks out and Donte Moncrief fits in great, you can always use more weapons on offense. And they didn't spend a high third-roudn pick on him to just sit around and wait for his turn in the receiving corps. He could be useful in the return game, as well.
Kurt
2:30
Hi Brian.  How did Isiaah Buggs look in the rookie mini camp and OTAs?  Also did Layne sign his contract yet?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:32
He's big, but watching D tackles in individual drills doesn't really tell a whole lot. I could tell you he makes vicious movements on the blocking sled and whatnot, but I'll refrain.

No, you haven't missed anything on Justin Layne. It'll get done eventually.
Wisconsin Winters
2:33
Troy P is up for HOF consideration at the end of the 2019 season. Is that when we can expect to see him in again? Why the hiding, is he bitter?
Brian Batko
2:34
I don't know Polamalu, never spoken to him, but he always had a reputation of being pretty quiet and introverted, if I'm not mistaken. I get the sense he's not real fond of being in the spotlight, despite his massive popularity over the years
iowasteelersfan
2:35
I was in Vegas a couple of weeks ago and put money on the Over for the Steelers win total to be 9 games.  Safe bet in your opinion?
Brian Batko
2:37
Not sure I'd call it safe, but certainly not crazy either.
Scott
2:37
If the Defense falters again who will be the scapegoat?
Brian Batko
2:37
Me!
Mark
2:38
Brian, when the team travels to away games do certain players get preferred treatment?  i.e. their own hotel rooms, vs. having to share, better seats on the plane, etc?  I imagine rookies have to pay their dues, but what about vets?  Wondering as it relates to the perception of preferential treatment, or "coach's mentality".
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