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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 5.7.19
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Brian Batko
2:00
Praise you all for coming here. You could be anywhere in the world, but you're chatting with me. Steelers rookie camp begins Friday, so let's commence with the questions.
Emilio
2:00
Who is more hyped Bush or the Cleveland Browns?
Brian Batko
2:00
Devin Bush is but a man, so my vote is for the Cleveland Browns
FloridaSteelers
2:01
Brian, do you think the Steelers did enough in the draft to offset Brown & Bell & improve the defense?
Brian Batko
2:03
In the draft itself, I would say not necessarily. But the draft combined with free agency? Possibly. I thought the Donte Moncrief signing was fine, and I like the pick of Benny Snell. But replacing those guys you mention will be more about developing players already on the roster (the Jameses and Jaylen).

As for the defense, yeah, it might have to do more heavy lifting now with Brown and Bell gone, at least in the early going. But I think the outlook for this roster is still bright on paper.
Mike
2:03
When does Rookie camp start?
Brian Batko
2:04
Friday, ends Sunday. Workouts are open to the media Friday and Saturday, so we'll see what we'll see.
Heath Miller Fan
2:04
Brian, does DC Butler now have all the pieces to put a respectable on the field without the 4th quarter meltdowns?  And does anyone know exactly what Tomlin actually brings to the defense?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:05
As I said above, I liked the Steelers FA signings this offseason. Mark Barron is an interesting piece at inside linebacker, and Steven Nelson should be an upgrade at corner. However, I can't guarantee you that fourth-quarter meltdowns are a thing of the past.
SteelerInIowa
2:06
Will Mike Tomlin get an extension before the 2019 regular season kicks off?
Brian Batko
2:06
I'm saying ... yes.
Guest
2:07
Hi Brian, As it stands today all things being equal and as we all know the 'greatest' player in Steelers history is Mr. Greene. Who would you rate as the 2nd? I think he's on the team currently going into year 16. What say you?
Brian Batko
2:08
You won't get much of an argument there from me. Though I think No. 12 is still in that discussion, long as we're talking about QBs who led this franchise to Super Bowls, plural.
Paul from Louisville
2:08
What is your general feeling about how the lockeroom or Coach Tomlin will be like after all the drama from Bell and Brown during the off-season?
Brian Batko
2:11
In general, I think "The Room" will be considerably more placid. Would have to be, right? I wasn't in there last year with Gerry and Ray, but from what I understand, Antonio Brown spoke with the media once a week and it was usually quite the scene. Not only are those two (very talented) distractions in new cities, but Joey Porter is no longer on the coaching staff, and he had some off-field stuff that players had to answer about in recent years as well.
Kris
2:11
With the addition of Devin Bush, a true 3-down linebacker in modern day's NFL, do you see Williams being the backer opposite on 1st and 2nd downs and Barron on 3rd downs and/or passing downs?
Brian Batko
2:13
That could happen, but it's too early to say for sure. When Mark Barron signed, he made it a point to say that he'll be a three-down linebacker for this team. But he also said he'll do whatever's asked of him, and that was before the Steelers traded a second-round pick to move up 10 spots and draft another similar ILB at No. 10 overall. A lot of flexibility there now in the linebacker corps, and that's probably the most important thing.
MD
2:14
I was surprised by the seeming lack of fan reaction to Ben's mega deal.  Given the short duration of the deal, this is a very expensive contract.  Russell Wilson's deal can at least be averaged out over time and an increasing cap.  Did you expect Ben to offer at least some type of hometown discount?
Brian Batko
2:15
You know, I kind of did, but can't blame a guy for not doing so. Especially a quarterback, when the market at that position pretty much increases every year. I think there was a decent amount of fan reaction - I've heard people having conversations in public about whether it was a waste of money - but then again, it wasn't much of a surprise that they were going to get a deal done. Hard for any of us to know all the dynamics of those negotiations from the outside.
Chris
2:17
Were you surprised as much as I on Steelers 3rd round pick with Hakeem butler still on the board.
Brian Batko
2:18
I thought they might pull the trigger on Butler, the 6-6 guy from Iowa State, but hey, no one else picked him in the third either. It's clear now that the Steelers thought Diontae Johnson was a better fit for their offense, and a better player overall.
Rocky
2:19
Hi Brian, nice chat.  Why do the Steelers always overlook the punting problem.  I believe it could have easily been fixed had they drafted one in the 5th or 6th round.  What is your opinion on the punting situation?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:20
Thanks, Rock. I don't think anyone can blame the Steelers if they had bigger concerns this offseason after missing the playoffs with that much talent, but sure, I'll say that Jordan Berry doesn't inspire the utmost confidence. Then again, while you would've been pleased with getting a punter in the draft, many others would've been up in arms about using a pick on a special teams player.
BatkoBrokeMyHeart
2:21
You stabbed me in the back
Brian Batko
2:21
I would never.
Stiller Fan
2:21
In your opinion if Tomlin was so high on Sills, why is he not on the team?  Is he still available?
Brian Batko
2:22
David Sills, the former quarterback who played wideout at West Virginia? Uh, I don't know, because they were higher on Diontae Johnson, I reckon. Sills went undrafted and signed with Buffalo. Talkin' proud.
Ralph LA
2:23
Is there any more insight that you can give in Artie Burns’ problems? I thought that he did well as a rookie. What went wrong after that?
Brian Batko
2:23
Publicly, the powers that be openly admit Artie Burns has confidence issues at this point. Can be tough to come back from that, in any walk of life.
Bob
2:24
They got a punter as a UDFA.   Better than wasting a draft pick.
Brian Batko
2:24
There ya go, Rocky.
One Time Walk-on
2:24
Would signing former back-up Pitt long snapper who caught the TD pass vs. V-Tech solve the Steelers punting problem?
Brian Batko
2:24
Signing Nathan Bossory, Pitt legend, would help solve the punting problems, the tight end depth and give the Steelers a reliable backup quarterback. I'm on record here.
Gary
2:25
After signing their draft choices, will the Steelers have enough money left to sign a veteran Safety or TE that will be released in the next couple of weeks or will they wait until final training camp cuts?
Brian Batko
2:26
I don't think they'll be in any hurry. At those spots, it might be helpful to wait and see what other guys around the league get cut due to number crunches at their positions, salary concerns, etc. Antonio Gates is available.
Desert steeler
2:27
Run pass ratio this year?
Brian Batko
2:27
Last year was 67 pass, 33 run. Not sure how sustainable that is. I'll say 66-34.
Dave From CA
2:28
Patriots and Jags will run right at us with their bigs and their power running game to exploit our smaller faster LB’s. Is Belichek one step ahead again ?
Brian Batko
2:28
He's five steps ahead!
Truth
2:28
I struggle with the Steelers coaches high opinion of Bud Dupree, as evidenced by their exercising his 5th year option at 9.2mm.  At best he is a one-trick pony; line up outside, attempt to beat the tackle on the edge, get pushed easily out of the play, and repeat.  It's like clockwork.  What are they seeing I am missing?
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