JotCast | Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 01.06.20

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Brian Batko

2:34

Ha, thank you. To be honest, I didn't spend a lot of time noticing or considering the sideline fashion of Fichtner or any other Steelers coaches. There might be a loose policy for what they wear, but Bill Belichick has long been known for his hoodies with cutoff sleeves and whatnot.

D from Chi-Town

2:34

Everyone rightfully so is talking about the end of the New England dynasty and the dominance of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick over the past 20 years. One thing that stands out is the 17 division titles in 20 years. It seems many people overlook how the pathetic AFC east helped set the Patriots up with a first round bye on so many occasions. How many division titles would the Patriots have won if they were in any other division (such as the NFC East or AFC North), let alone have a first round bye so often - which set them up nicely for their 9 Superbowl runs?

Brian Batko

2:35

Bills Mafia is on the rise!

Steeler in Virginia

2:35

Is it fair to say it's much easier to get a top TE, OL, RB or WR in the second round as opposed to an OLB? Does that play a big role in franchising Dupree now so you can replace him with a first rounder in 2021 if you can't work out a deal?

Brian Batko

2:37

Yeah, I think it's fair to say guys at those positions generally can come in and make more of an impact immediately. But hey, with all the attention Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt draw on the interior, and of course the double teams awaiting TJ Watt on the other side, perhaps you can afford to slide in a lesser player, or younger player, or free-agent acquisition to replace Dupree. It's really tough to argue or overlook Bud's production in his contract year, but it's something to think about - find a guy who might not be as good, but is capable of winning his share of of 1-on-1s.

iowasteelerfan

2:37

If we decide to not resign Finney - who is our backup center for next year?

Brian Batko

2:38

Currently it would be JC Hassenauer, Alabama second-year guy who was with the Steelers all through camp, then got back on the practice squad midseason, then came up to the 53 for Week 17 with Maurkice Pouncey out.

Jds317

2:38

Should Steelers be revamping offense to highlight run? Ben is a question mark and receivers aren't great. Move out foster and Big Al and bring in a quality back. Your thoughts?

Brian Batko

2:40

I don't know about revamping the offense just yet. Let's see what Ben has left in the tank before we go that far. And I think releasing Foster would be a prudent move, good as he is in the locker room, but I don't know about moving on from Al Villanueva at this point. He has one year left on his contract, and while he had some struggles this season, breaking in a new left tackle seems risky to me.

Mr. Big Chest

2:40

I gotta whole lotta money.

Brian Batko

2:40

That's what I'm hearing

GSMP

2:41

What rookie or first year player that played sparingly this year may be poised for an expanded role next year? Layne? Skipper? Spillane? Someone else?

Brian Batko

2:42

Justin Layne basically redshirted this year, other than his special teams work. I'm not sure where he'd fit in unless there's an injury to outside corners Joe Haden and Steven Nelson, or if they try to move him to a slot corner role. But that's not really his game. Tuzar Skipper would almost certainly get a crack at starting on the edge IF for some reason they don't tag Bud Dupree. I do kind of like what I saw out of Deon Cain. Not a rookie, but a guy who was in his first year here.

Jimmie

2:43

With the loss of Big Chest and the disappointing McDonald season, shouldn't the #2 draft choice go for a pass catching tight end as first priority for the pass-first offense under #7?

Brian Batko

2:44

If Bud is back, I think the Steelers are in a position where they can go best available player, within reason. Identify your favorite RB, TE, OL or maybe even ILB that's still on the board when you pick in the second round and pull the trigger.

2:45

I see that it’s not unusual for guards to play center and vice versa. Is it easier to switch from G to C or the other way around?

Brian Batko

2:46

Probably from C to G. You're asked to do a lot more with communication and, obviously, snapping the ball when you move to center.

Bill in SF

2:46

I know the Steelers don't like to "live in their fears," but do you suppose they have a solid plan B in place for if Ben's February 1 rehab update is not good news?

Brian Batko

2:47

If that update goes poorly, they'll probably have to take a step back and assess this offseason in a different light. But at this point, I still think Mason Rudolph is the Plan B for 2020.

Seven’s Coming

2:47

Hey Brian- thanks for the chats. I look forward to them! Watching the playoffs this week made me realize how much our offense missed having a big body, solid hands type TE. I wonder how much a guy like that could have made check downs easier on a young QB. Do you see anyone in the draft who could fill that void for the Steelers?

Brian Batko

2:49

Thanks for looking forward to the chats. I'm with you, and that idea played out perfectly against Seattle in Week 2 when Mason Rudolph stepped right in and found Vance McDonald for two TDs. And then McDonald more or less disappeared. Whether Mason or Duck, they just didn't use the middle of the field all that often. Nick Vannett was never much of a pass-catcher in Seattle, so his acquisition was more about the blocking aspect of his position.

Sydney Beagle

2:49

Any chance that the Steelers take LeVeon back? The Jets may be to make a deal and eat part of the contract.

Brian Batko

2:50

That would be rather outlandish, Sydney. He's good, but not good enough to invite that headache/distraction/etc. all over again.

Steelers22

2:50

Do you think both Polamalu and Faneca make the 2020 Hall of Fame class or just the former?

Brian Batko

2:50

Just the former, my dear Steelers22

Ryno

2:51

Tomlin commented that Dupree is a priority. Do you take that to mean they will bring him back one way or the other (longterm deal or tag)?

Brian Batko

2:51

Yes, that is how I took it, and I'm thinking tag

Paul from Sacramento

2:52

Hi Brian, Happy New Year!! Love your chats and insight. Do you think there is any chance that the Steelers would draft a QB in the 2nd round? Seeing that Ben is now (my estimation) a bigger question mark coming off Tommy John (he's a year older - and that the deep throws really put a strain on that ol elbow) and that we're beginning to see teams move to more mobile QB's (ala: Wilson, Jackson, Mahones and to a lesser extent Tannehill). Mason doesn't seem to move around much in the pocket and can't seem to extend the plays much...

Brian Batko

2:54

Same to you, Paul! For the record, Ben did not have Tommy john as far as we know, but you've got a great point. I do think that's a route the Steelers could take in looking for their NEXT franchise quarterback. I've already said here today that I don't think that's Rudolph. Not that that's some hot take or anything. But I also don't believe you have to find that guy in this upcoming draft. With Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray, we're seeing running QBs be able to come into the league and play pretty well right from the jump.

Koopla

2:54

All the naysayers talking about D. Bush and Edmunds performance but, they led the Steelers in tackles... #1 and #2. Check the stats...

Brian Batko

2:54

Uh, tackles are kind of an empty stat sometimes, Koopla. Especially for a safety.

Titan in Charlotte

2:55

Fictional question. Without worrying about salary, or if the player is actually available, what one current NFL player you would choose to be a 2020 Steeler?

Brian Batko

2:57

Man, that's a great question. Unsurprising coming from a Shaler grad. Part of me says Travis Kelce because of how much he could help this offense. Part of me says Michael Thomas because he's the best receiver in the world. And part of me says Lamar Jackson because he's just absurd. I'll say Thomas. You add him to this offense and you're probably giving Ben the best WR corps in the league.

Greenwood

2:57

Over the years I've heard the reason LC Greenwood was not voted to the HoF is because too many voters thought too many Steelers from the 70's were in. Of course, the HoF should be on individual merit and have nothing to do with how many others are in or not. With the 10 seniors going in this year, the only reason I could think LC was on on the list is perhaps because he's passed away. Shell should, of course, also already be in, and hopefully will this year. Do you think if Shell goes in, that will seal the cap on Steelers from that era?

Brian Batko

2:59

I would think so, just because as time goes on, you have more and more great players end their NFL careers and it gets tougher and tougher to make that final ballot.

Avoid Lloyd

2:59

Don't spend the dollars on Bud, replace with Ola/Skipper (plenty of talent at defense to make up for it) Use the savings to bring in FA at TE/OL/WR. Crazy or crazy like a fox?

Brian Batko

3:00

You might be crazy like a fox. But Ola Adeniyi didn't get a ton of opportunities this year, so i wonder how much the powers that be really believe in his ability. Same for Tuzar Skipper. And given how they've operated in the past, the Steelers have always tended to lean more toward stability rather than splashy signings. I'd say it's been working, for the most part.

3:01

OK buds, that's all the time we have for today. Thanks for all the great questions and participation in an early-January chat. Our final edition of the Skinny Post newsletter will hit email inboxes on Wednesday, and will be sort of a season-in-review type deal. Please subscribe here if you haven't already. It is free, and you made a resolution to try new things this year. https://my.post-gazette.com/newsletters/

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