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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 8.1.22
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Brian Batko
9:58
Hey everyone, tight schedule today with the Steelers getting back on the field for the first padded practice. But I’ll still bat the ball around with ya for a half hour or so. Let’s get into it.
Jud
9:58
Did you get a chance to meet Peter King when he was at camp?
Brian Batko
9:58
No but I met Kevin Clark from the Ringer, who’s one of my favorite national writers/voices in the sport right now.
TSH
10:00
Hi Brian, thank you for your chats!  How many weeks into camp do you give Trubisky to be comfortable with the playbook & 1's to have a level/even competition with M. Rudolph?  I like what I hear about Mason and not surprised, but Mason's tenure does help him early in the process in all fairness to M. Trubisky.
Brian Batko
10:01
I think now would be a good time to start giving some first team reps to Rudolph. To me, he’s earned it with his play so far, early as it is.
Steelers Fanatic
10:03
Hi Brian,  how do the Steelers expect to develop Pickett when he gets no snaps with the first group?  Given the limited practice time during camp, is it a good idea to spread the snaps equally among the QBs, or should they spend more time developing their first round draft pick?
Brian Batko
10:05
There's still plenty of time. People are getting way too anxious about the Kenny Pickett situation. He's had four camp practices. The Steelers are taking it slow with him, which isn't all that surprising. But there are still 15 training camp practices and one preseason game, and that's just before they leave Latrobe on Aug. 19. Give it some time to play out.
Gene Takovic
10:06
I know that Tomlin will never be on the hot seat with the Rooneys but if the Steelers go 6-11 or worse, will the media and the fans start calling for change?
Brian Batko
10:07
Some will, sure. Some already have/are. That's the nature of the business. But I think ownership believes in him and will give him a decent amount of runway to steer the ship in the post-Ben era.
10:08
Side note: Gene, with all due respect to your Omaha adventures, I'd like to spend a little more time with your former alias the next few weeks, if you don't mind.
Stuck-in-Philly
10:09
Good morning - with the recent deals for DK Metcalf and D Samuel, do you think either the Steelers or D Johnson's positions have changed or will change between now and the start of the season?  While I could see the Steelers ever so modestly adding a little bit more money to the guaranteed part of the contract (but not changing the annual compensation), I think it much more likely that D Johnson requests a trade or sits-out until he would lose a year of service under the current CBA.
Brian Batko
10:11
I do think it helps Diontae Johnson, but no one nationally really views him in the same class as those guys. As for a trade request, that would surprise me. So would a sit-out year under contract. It feels more likely to me now than it did before camp that they hammer out something. But I still think he'll have to take less than Metcalf, Samuel, McLaurin, etc. to get that done with a Steelers organization that already handed out one huge contract this offseason (to Minkah Fitzpatrick).
TSH
10:11
Hi Brian and thank you much for your chats!  D. Watson has been suspended 6 games.  Seems VERY light and I don't think this looks good for the NFL.  Do you think R. Goodell will contest the 6-game suspension or do you think the 6-game suspension is final?  Thanks Much!
Brian Batko
10:13
It's definitely a bad look for the NFL. But I have to operate under the assumption that Judge Sue Robinson is unbiased, objective and more informed than all of us on this case. And I have no idea whether the league will appeal.
Utah Jim
10:14
If Oladokun continues to not get a single snap in practice doesn’t that pretty much guarantee Rudolph won’t be traded?
Brian Batko
10:15
Not necessarily. The No. 3 QB doesn't take practice reps during the season anyway. He usually runs the scout team, which Chris Oladokun could still do if he ends up being the 3. But yes, to your point, it doesn't seem that the Steelers are too interested in getting much of a look at his potential. Though I guess I should take my own advice from earlier and just be a bit more patient with their plan for QB reps.
EastPA Dave
10:16
good morning Bats.  What was the relationship between BB and Rudolph.  Never seemed like it was good to me.
Brian Batko
10:17
Well, we've heard from both sides about Ben reaching out to Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett. Not so much about any parting advice for Rudolph. Think it's safe to say there wasn't much of a relationship there.
Joe
10:18
Do you think Pickett will see the field this year outside of training camp?
Brian Batko
10:18
It's a long season, lots of things can happen over 17 weeks, and he's a first-round pick - so my guess is yes.
fredward
10:19
Did I hear correctly, that players will wear those cushions on their helmets in preseason games? Will this continue next season too?
Brian Batko
10:20
No, I don't think that's right, fred. I believe they must wear them in PRACTICE through the second week of preseason games. And after this year's training camp, I imagine the league will solicit feedback from coaches, players, trainers, etc. to decide whether the Great Gazoo caps are here to stay.
Big Bad
10:21
Devin Bush showed signs of greatness in his rookie season, then he tore his ACL but last year bordered on embarrassing. Do think his injury was that bad? Others have come back to greatness after a torn ACL
Brian Batko
10:23
Ehh I don't know that I saw signs of "greatness" from him as a rookie. Some flashes of very good, no doubt, but greatness might be a tad strong. As far as the exact nature of his injury, you're right that ACL tears are generally more routine to return from than they used to be, so I hesitate to allow too much of a pass for him under that logic. Need to see more from him as a player, not just health-wise. A lot more.
Zburdette34@gmail.com
10:23
How has Devin Bush looked, hopefully more like his rookie year and more sure of himself?
Brian Batko
10:25
I would say so, yes, but have to reserve judgment on some positions until the pads go on - which is today. Bush did pick off a pass on Thursday, but it was a drop by Zach Gentry that just kind of landed in his lap, so not necessarily a stellar defensive play. But so far he's been noticeable at least, which is more than you could say for him much of the time last year.
Ryan
10:26
Brian who is looked good so far at training camp i know Pickens and Miller have looked good anyone else can’t wait for the season to start soon
Brian Batko
10:27
Yeah, definitely those two in the WR room. I also like what I've seen from Robert Spillane, Zach Gentry and, one guy who was way off my radar, Tyler Vaughns. It's noticeable how much deeper the receiver group is than a year ago at this time.
Cinci steeler
10:27
Thoughts on the new look o line?
Brian Batko
10:28
Too early to say. Big fan of James Daniels, and I think Dan Moore will be improved, but not sure what to make of the LG competition and Chuks Okorafor at RT.
Sutton's Magic Crystal
10:28
Interested in if there have been any interesting doings or talk RE Norwood & Buddy Johnson? Either of those players stepping up this season would be primo
Brian Batko
10:30
For sure, but they're both facing a lot of competition, too. Both the secondary and the inside linebacker groups are crowded with experience, youth, talent, etc. I think the Steelers really like Tre Norwood and the versatility he showed as a rookie, and Buddy Johnson was a fourth-rounder just a year ago, but not sure I'd call either one a lock to make the roster.
OK friends, sorry but I'm out of time. Told you it'd be a truncated chat today but I gotta head out to Latrobe here shortly. Enjoy all the reports from practice with pads on. Intensity going up a notch, no question.
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