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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 5.9.22
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Brian Batko
2:22
Maybe Jarvis Landry if he's a bargain, if only to get a reliable slot receiver and veteran presence in the WR room. But again, I wouldn't pay much for him.
Emilio
2:23
What does Pickett lack to be considered a prime QB? What skills would have needed to be different for Pickett to be considere a top 5 pick?
Brian Batko
2:23
He has everything, but having everything a little more is what moves QBs up from that mid-first round tier to top five. So in his case, a bit more size, a bit more mobility, a bit stronger arm. There ya go.
Jon
2:25
Do coach salaries count against the cap?  If he were willing to stay, could the Steelers offer Brian Flores an exceptionally high salary his second year, in order to entice him to do so?Under the Rooney Rule, that would result in extra compensation picks later. Right?
Brian Batko
2:26
They do not. So yes, they could, if they want to do that. And indeed they would get a comp pick if Flores is hired by another organization as head coach straight from Pittsburgh
Guest
2:26
It seems to me if Tuitt doesn’t show up at OTAs they should seriously consider cutting him. It just seems like his heart isn’t in it. I understand he is a huge upgrade from the backups but is he really going to be that much better considering his availability over the past few years?
Brian Batko
2:27
It's still a delicate situation, obviously. Mike Tomlin said on draft weekend there's no timetable for his return, so if you buy that, his presence at OTAs won't matter one way or the other. As for his performance, I don't think missing one season would give me too much pessimism in that regard. Players miss one year due to injuries all the time.
Al Slinsky
2:28
Brian- Interesting to see Doug Whaley got a 2nd GM interview after claiming Mike Tomlin might go to LSU a few months ago. Any idea where the two in house candidates stand? I’m hoping for an out of the organization hire.
Brian Batko
2:30
Not sure, but I imagine Brandon Hunt and Omar Khan still have a chance. But there are very qualified candidates from other franchises, too. How could you not be intrigued by someone who's been with a place as successful as, say, Tampa Bay?
RunOnUs
2:31
Do you think M. Tomlin will let the defensive coaches coach defense so we don't have to watch a repeat of 2021?
Brian Batko
2:31
I don't think he'll suddenly no longer be involved in the defense, but sure, perhaps having a new mind in the mix such as Brian Flores can help them not repeat that feat.
Scott
2:32
We all know the Steelers don't fire coaches, BUT if you owned the team how many more years would Tomlin last without winning a playoff game? He has already gone 5 in a row and 9 of the last 11. How patient is owner Brian Batko?
Brian Batko
2:33
I'm a pretty patient guy. Not always with my 2-year-old, but in general, I do think sports teams should err more on the side of stability than changing course too early. But I feel like you have to give him a bit of runway now in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era. How much? That depends on plenty of mitigating factors, but I'd say not winning a playoff game in the next few years would have me growing impatient.
Steeltown
2:34
BB, I think I like the Structure of this team now, defense should be more than adequate and I think the offense has made some nice gains between free agents and the draft. Maybe I’m seeing things through rose colored glasses but I think we will contend in the division. What say you?
Brian Batko
2:35
Looks like they're seeing the same. A team that can  lean on its defense and do enough on offense to win games. Whether that formula is still viable in today's NFL is a matter of opinion, but that's probably what the Steelers will need to be, at least this year. And I'm not gonna predict a losing season for the Steelers until I see it, even as I take stock of a grueling AFC.
Javi
2:37
Hey Bats. The Defense gets a lot of praise but Burrow and Mahomes just lit up secondary in regular season and postseason. Are you baffled they didnt pick up at least a CB to add depth at least in draft?how high are they on Wallace?
Brian Batko
2:38
They've got a lot of bodies at CB, even with Joe Haden gone. Levi Wallace is his replacement, essentially. I did think they'd take a chance on a toolsy corner with a lot of upside late in the draft, but hey, maybe they have something else in mind. Giants just had to cut James Bradberry due to salary cap issues, and he's a legit No. 1.
Steeler fan 1987
2:38
Hi Brian do you think a Fitzpatrick deal will be done by training camp or sooner
Brian Batko
2:38
Neither
Buster
2:39
Now that the Steelers are heading back to SVC do you know if they are planning to renew the Friday Night Lights even at Latrobe HS ?
Brian Batko
2:39
Not sure, but I don't see why not
Dee Fence
2:39
Brian, will the Steelers regret not trading up for Travis Jones and settling for DeMarvin Leal? Seems like adding a 5th rounder this year or a 4th next year would be a small price to pay for getting a D-lineman they could start this year, rather than another project to "coach up."
Brian Batko
2:40
Jones would've been nice, but I'm not sure I felt strongly enough about him to trade up. It's pretty clear they don't have the same desire to add a traditional, two-gapping nose tackle. And in this day and age of sub-package football, perhaps that's logical.
NC Steeler Fan
2:41
Just curious, haven’t noticed anyone in the locker room endorsing M. Rudolph.  Is he not very well thought of?  Bad teammate?
Brian Batko
2:41
Not that I'm aware, but you're right that teammates haven't exactly gone out of their way to back him as Ben's successor, even dating to before the Trubisky signing. Sort of odd, but hey, they're watching the same games/practices as you all out there.
ev
2:43
Hi Brian, and the new GM is,,...??
Brian Batko
2:44
I don't know. But if you're forcing me to make a prediction, Brandon hunt.
BostonArt
2:45
Brian, thank you for the chat.  Still having difficulty reconciling taking Pickett at 20.  They must think he has franchise QB potential and offers more than MT or MR have the ability to offer.  Don't agree but they know more than I have faith in their evaluation.  What I can't understand is why, knowing KC was looking to move up they didn't make a deal to drop back and get at least a 3rd and 4th pick.  How could they possibly be that concerned someone would spend the capital to jump back into round 1 to take him.
Brian Batko
2:47
Well, it's not as if the other teams are out there telling the Steelers what they're thinking and who they want. No one knew what to make of this QB class and the interest in them, or, as it turned out, lack thereof.
ENTMD
2:47
Hi Brian, thanks for the chats. RE Kenny Pickett selection, it would seem that with the player in the building for almost 5 years PITTSBURGH had the ultimate evaluation of him.  Is it fair to say that while the other GM’s may not have rated him as highly they were not privy to the same information PITTSBURGH was? Ultimately the success of first round picks I believe is somewhere around 50% depending on your definition but do you feel this additional information may explain the selection at 20 vs all other qbs similarly graded that didn’t go until rd 3?
Brian Batko
2:49
Yeah, and the Steelers haven't run from that, they've embraced it in explaining their selection. That does open them to some degree of criticism. Is Kenny Pickett their guy if he had played at Mississippi or Liberty? Well, Mike Tomlin is fond of saying he doesn't deal in hypotheticals, and Pickett didn't go there. He went to Pitt right next door. One thing for sure is that they feel extremely comfortable with Pickett's mentality and love his work ethic, his leadership, things of that nature.
YinzerinVA
2:49
Why have we written off Trubisky?  I hope he is given a fair shot to start at QB this year.
Brian Batko
2:50
Picking a QB in the first round ain't exactly a vote of confidence, but hey, I'm not writing him off. And I think he'll get a shot. But it's pretty clear based on the Pickett move that they aren't looking at Trubisky as their long-term starter.
Bama Steve
2:51
Do you think it’s better for rookie qb to learn by playing and having some rough times of sitting out rookie year?
Brian Batko
2:52
I lean toward the latter, but again, I'm a patient guy.
Teddo
2:52
With the Giants releasing CB, James Bradberry, is there any chance they bring him in for a discussion.  Seems like a young guy who did well in Carolina, and might be worth a look?
Brian Batko
2:53
Could be. Would remind me of when they scooped up Haden back in 2017, although that was much later, in August.
Ryan
2:53
goodafternoon Brian who will you be watching at rookie camp i am interested to see what you think about Pickett and the other qb go Steelers
Brian Batko
2:54
Pickett, of course. But sure, Oladokun will be interesting to see as well. Same with the two wideouts George Pickens and Calvin Austin. Most of the other positions don't lend themselves well to "football in shorts"
Guest
2:54
Mike from Maryland:  Brian do you see the Steelers adding a free Agent DT to help shore up the run defense?  Are there any out there or do you anticipate any ones being cut for Cap Casulty?
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