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Brian Batko

7:31

Hi everyone, thanks for joining us to kick off the preseason.

7:32

As a programming note, if you joined us for a lot of our gameday live chats last Steelers season, things will be a bit different. Basically, I won't be posting as many comments/questions from readers. You're all too effusive. So much so that I couldn't keep up with them all. But we'll still have some discussions pregame, commercials, things of that nature. Such as...

Joe

7:33

Excited to see the beginning of the season start! Am I crazy for feeling the run game is going to be great this year? Not just because of Najee but for 2 reasons. I feel these guys on the Oline are going to fight and battle hard unlike the past 2 years with the HOF pro bowl linemen that for whatever reason, age or lack of effort, just didn't get it done. And if they can limit Ben from the run to pass audible 80% of the time. I just got a good feeling.

Brian Batko

7:34

Not crazy, but I would label you as "optimistic," Joe. Najee Harris should be dynamic, but the offensive line is a total crapshoot. Steelers are taking a leap of faith on these guys without much to go on in terms of experience, production, pedigree, etc.

7:35

Who scores Steelers' first TD of the (pre)season?

Najee Harris (33.3% | 8 votes)

Anthony McFarland (8.3% | 2 votes)

Kalen Ballage (8.3% | 2 votes)

Jaylen Samuels (4.2% | 1 vote)

Derek Watt (4.2% | 1 vote)

Diontae Johnson (8.3% | 2 votes)

Chase Claypool (20.8% | 5 votes)

JuJu Smith-Schuster (4.2% | 1 vote)

James Washington (8.3% | 2 votes)

Other (0% | 0 votes)

Total Votes: 24

7:36

For the record, I'm picking Chase Claypool to score first tonight. But watch it be someone not on this list, such as Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins running it in. Maybe a defense or special teams score?

Steeltown

7:36

I’m sure Matt Canada won’t show much tonight, but I’m hoping to see some mis-direction and pre-snap motion. Can we expect a small sample?

Brian Batko

7:37

I think you will see plenty of that, just because it's what's being installed for this team in 2021. But overall, scheme should be fairly vanilla. Save the really creative stuff for the regular season.

By the way, I am NOT in Canton tonight. Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo made the trip.

7:40

Bill Cowher and Troy Polamalu await JuJu's autograph in Canton.

SMF

7:41

Hi Brain: Thanks for the chats. Simple question. Does Harvin punt the football higher, longer and with more hang time than J Berry? I know there are issues of directional punting, but does Harvin have a “bigger” leg? Is it obvious by now?

Brian Batko

7:42

Eh, I wouldn't say it's particularly noticeable in person. Will be interesting to see how Pressley Harvin handles the relative pressure of punting in the preseason. If anything, I think inconsistency would be what keeps him from winning the job.

Howie

7:44

Over/under 0.5 sacks for Alex Highsmith tonight?

Brian Batko

7:45

I'll go under, considering we don't even know how much he'll play. One guy I'd like to see flash something is another edge-rusher, Quincy Roche. He's been pretty quiet in camp, even playing behind UDFA Jamir Jones.

7:46

Isaac Bruce! Really liked him back in the day. The Greatest Show on Turf team was so fun to watch in my formative years, so I became a Rams/Kurt Warner fan a little bit.

7:47

Pretty loud cheer for Bill Cowher as he's introduced from all the Steelers fans in attendance at the Hall.

Steeltown

7:50

Can we expect to see Derek Watt being used as an offensive weapon tonight…shades of the future?

Brian Batko

7:51

Maybe a little bit. But if he really is heavily in the plans for this season, better not risk an injury tonight. Trey Edmunds is the backup fullback.

7:59

Anyone wild enough to wager on this one? I like the Steelers -2.

8:04

Steelers won the toss and deferred until the second half. The Cowboys will get the ball to open the game.

8:08

So much for reports of the Steelers deferring. Anthony McFarland is back to return the opening kick, per my TV.

8:09

No return, as McFarland kneels it in the end zone. Man this game is boring!

BJ Finney starting at left guard, Rashaad Coward at right guard, and Mason Rudolph hooks up with Diontae Johnson for 7 yards to start us off.

The Dude

8:09

could be worse - Pirates are down 7 in the 2nd inning

Steeltown

8:12

Many Steelers fans won't be happy until Mike Tomlin is gone.

Brian Batko

8:14

Aaand that's the first gaffe of the Matt Canada Era for the Steelers offense. Mason Rudolph screws up the handoff to Chase Claypool on the fly sweep. Cowboys recover.

The Dude

8:15

Mason's fault?

Brian Batko

8:16

I think so. Bit the timing was off for sure, so maybe both to blame.

nysteeler

8:17

looked pretty weird to me. like Claypool wasn't expecting that play

Adam

8:17

In the stadium did they announce Troy as an inductee? It didn’t make it to the broadcast. I know he has Covid, and so he’s not there, but did he get a shout out from the announcers?

Brian Batko

8:17

Yes, they showed him on the scoreboard (I think) and the TV broadcast discussed him. First third-down coming up for the D...

The Dude

8:18

I have an idea - let's cover the tight end this year

Brian Batko

8:18

Spillane had it, but Cowboys convert by going at James Pierre on the outside.

8:20

Spillane, Sutton and Highsmith are the only defensive starters playing tonight.

And maybe Antoine Brooks, if he wins the slot corner job.

8:21

Welp, I should've taken the over on 0.5 Alex Highsmith sacks. Sorry!

Tom

8:22

Spillane is getting smoked

Brian Batko

8:23

Not the best drive for him in coverage, but rookie 7th-rounder Tre Norwood makes a nice play at the end to hold the Cowboys on third down.

Bubby_Blister

8:24

Should’ve been an INT

Brian Batko

8:24

That's what I thought initially but the WR was all over him to break it up.

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