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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 01.16.23
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hi everyone, if last week was our season wrap-up chat, I guess we can call this our first true offseason chat. Great games over the weekend, all quiet on the Steeler front, but let's get to it.
DoylestwnDewy
2:01
Yo Bats! Can I complain here? It bothers the crap out of me when so called Steeler think that 16 non losing seasons is not a big deal. Go ask the lions, browns, dolphins, jets, raiders etc. etc. fans feel…me, personally I love that I wake up on Sundays in the fall knowing my team has a chance to win and compete for a Suber Bowl year in and year out. Call it spoiled, call it rich peoples problems, call it what u will … the 6 time Super Bowl Champs call it the Standard! And I’ll take that all day every day while I proudly chant …HERE WE GO STEELERS! HERE WE GO!
Brian Batko
2:02
OK, Dewy, thank you for that.
Boiler G Dog
2:03
Do you see either of the Edmunds brothers being with the Steelers next season? Tremaine would be a great addition.
Brian Batko
2:05
I could see both being here. It certainly would make sense for the Steelers' defense position-wise, and I assume those two would love to play together again. Just would be a matter of making it work financially, and I think Omar Khan could if he decides to prioritize ILB in free agency and use the draft to shore up other spots. Actually I really like the idea a lot.
YinzerInBoston
2:06
What will it take to make a change at OC if not two years of utter futility? Have you ever asked MT about offensive rankings under MC while pointing out they have persisted over two years, three starting QBs ranging from an HOFer to a rookie, excellent WR corps, two different lines, and a 1st round RB: 26th in points, 27th in yards per play, 28th in TDs per game in 2022? How schematically poor does this O need to be for a change to be made? Two thoughts: 1) if two great plays aren't made against LV and BAL are we even having this conversation - the offense was putrid in those games too: 2) Nice post on this site suggesting MC's schemes were rarely successful among during his journeyman CFB career and some very quick exits: https://www.reddit.com/r/steelers/comments/xhvx53/has_canadas_offense_...
Brian Batko
2:08
No, I haven't had a chance to sit down with Mike Tomlin and sift through the various statistical data points that call into question Matt Canada's job performance. But Tomlin was asked several times about Canada specifically, staff changes generally and the offensive trajectory last week. He essentially responded that he was encouraged by the growth throughout the season. Whether you agree with it or not, there is some truth to that, and we know the Steelers value stability/continuity on their staff. Just saying.
Tampa Too
2:08
Brian, who would you rather have is your quarterback for the next 5 to 8 years? Lamar, Jackson, or Kenny Pickett?
Brian Batko
2:08
Lamar, Jackson
Steve
2:10
Good morning Brian. After watching the Wildcard Playoffs and the way the teams executed on Offense, please tell me the Steelers will move on from Matt Canada.
Brian Batko
2:11
I don't know if they will, Steve. But I'll say this much: It's been a week and a day since the end of the season. Given that, it seems safe to assume Canada will be back. However, let's keep in mind what Tomlin said publicly. He can be, uh, less than truthful at times, but other times he's very intentional about his word choice, what he says and why he says it. Tomlin made it a point to mention they'll be methodical about their evaluation and any potential changes, that they won't worry about keeping up with the Joneses as far as acting quickly.
Paul from Sacramento
2:12
Hi Brian, Love your chats and insight,,  I read an article the other day about how a coach (like Shannahan at SF) can really help a rookie QB (Brock Purdy). With that in mind, do you think Canada is up to the challenge?  I was always under the impression that a good OC is to scheme ways to get the ball into the play-makers hands and that (to me) Friermuth and Pickens would go silent for quarters at a time.. that would ultimately help the QB. I just didn't see Canada adjust much - maybe I'm wrong..  whatcha think?
Brian Batko
2:14
Thanks, Paul. As far as helping a rookie QB, Canada had the opportunity to do that this year. From this point, it will be helping a young QB who now has some experience under his belt. I can't speak to specific adjustments from him for Pickett, but I can think of some times where it appeared that play-calls schemed guys open. The Pickens TDs against Raiders and Browns off the top of my head. Those gave Pickett windows to hit, and to his credit, he hit them with strong throws.
Kyle
2:15
What does the results the Shanahan is getting out of Brock Purdy say about our offensive scheme and coaches?
Brian Batko
2:17
Shouldn't you be preparing for the Bucs and Cowboys instead of pumping up yourself in a Steelers chat, Kyle? But I'll humor you. What it says is that the Steelers' offensive coaches aren't as good at this as Kyle Shanahan. It's quite possible that no one is in the NFL, though.
Jana
2:17
Just being realistic, looking at the games this past weekend do you see that the Steelers would have had a chance against any of these teams? By the way this is not to say I didn’t think the Steelers made significant progress the 2nd half of this season !! Thanks
Brian Batko
2:20
Sure they would've. It's the NFL, where parity was at an all-time high this season and the Dolphins went from barely beating the Jets by scoring 9 points to nearly upsetting the Bills with 31. The Steelers could've beaten some of those teams if they'd have played well, which was far from a consistent safe bet.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
2:21
What I saw this weekend was 2 qb's who were not very good last year with Lawrence and Jones and how they blossomed with good coaching with Peterson and Dabol bringing out their best. Canada will not do that for Pickett IMO. But, I think the Steelers are bringing back Canada which is a mistake for Pickett's development. What say you?
Brian Batko
2:22
I don't know that I'd call it a mistake for Pickett's development. Because I don't think Canada's presence will actively impede a guy like Pickett, who's going to put in the work and study defenses and all that good stuff. But I think it could hinder the offense overall, which is why I've written/said many times I'd make a change.
Charcuterie
2:24
Hi Brian, do you feel confident in the Steelers current ilb situation, or do you think they'll need to draft one fairly high?
Brian Batko
2:27
Hi Charcuterie. You must be pretty bored. Do I feel confident in a position group that generated 1 sack, 0 forced fumbles, 0 fumble recoveries and 0 interceptions? No, no I do not. I don't know that I'd want to go the first-round route again. If the Devin Bush Era taught me anything, it's that projecting ILBs from college to the NFL might be a challenge. But Round 2 or 3? I could probably be convinced. That Tremaine Edmunds idea would be my Plan A, though.
Ed in Carrick
2:28
Why have no coaches been fired yet (and I’m lookin at you Danny Smith)
Brian Batko
2:29
Mike Tomlin may have decided he doesn't want to fire any coaches, Ed!
Steeler Joe
2:30
Chances that Larry Ogunjobi stays a Steeler in 2023?
Brian Batko
2:30
Obviously the answer to that is 46%
Jay_In_Indy
2:31
Should we still on the fence about Pickett until we see him beat the likes of: Burrow, Allen, Mahomes, Hurts, etc...?
Brian Batko
2:33
No, I think reasonable minds can believe in Kenny Pickett based on what they've seen regardless of results against those guys. There's a lot that goes into deciding NFL games beyond QBs, even if that is the No. 1 factor (it is in my mind). Mitch Trubisky "beat" Joe Burrow in Week 1. Josh Allen has never beaten Tom Brady.
Yates
2:35
Hi Brian -  which of these QBs will start for an NFL team next year-  Lance- Jimmy G - Justin Fields?
Brian Batko
2:36
Is it a hot take if I say only Fields? I'm 50-50 on Trey Lance just based on everything that could happen in San Fran with Brock Purdy, Tom Brady, et al.
Tom
2:37
I don't understand why people list what we need to draft, such as...OL, DL, ILB. Then say "in that order." Doesn't that mean you just want random people even though they might not even be good or as talented as others you players that could actually make a difference?
Brian Batko
2:39
That's a good point, Tom. People probably get too bogged down in positional priorities this time of year. The Steelers can go best player available to an extent, and they often do. Right now, pending their free agency moves, I'd say they should take the best CB, DL or maybe OL if someone really stands out.
GB in SC
2:41
How sad it was to lose Franco, particular as he was to be honored with his number being retired.  Do you think Art II should consider speeding up the retirement of: 12, 47, 58, and 59 to ensure they can participate in the ceremony?
Brian Batko
2:43
I don't know that they will do more of those ceremonies. Obviously, the Steelers have been very selective about whose jersey gets officially retired. As far as franchise legends go, Joe Greene and Franco Harris are particularly special. Certainly you can say the same about Terry Bradshaw, Mel Blount and the Jacks, but then where does it end? Ben? Troy? Iron Mike? Pickens?
Jack
2:44
Hi Brian - I was impressed with the Giants offensive scheme and play calling. Do you think that MT, MC or KP watched that  game?
Brian Batko
2:44
Probably, yeah. Sunday afternoon, not much else to do, significant personal investment in the happenings of pro football, what have you.
Karen
2:46
The passing offense was kinda meh this year. One thing they need to work on is taking more deep shots down the middle of the field. What do you think?
Brian Batko
2:48
When the time is right, sure. But that's what every NFL QB, OC and offense in general tries to do, is walk that line between being aggressive and foolish. Deep shots down the middle can lead to bad, bad things. I saw someone on Twitter criticizing the Bills offense for being too reckless yesterday with the way Allen can sling the ball downfield.
Ryan
2:48
Brian what free agents come back I’m thinking Sutton edmunds kazee Boykin and gentry
Brian Batko
2:50
Not sure about Miles Boykin and both of Edmunds/Kazee. That might be a one or the other scenario. But Cam Sutton and Zach Gentry seem like good bets. While money is always a consideration, both seem relatively content in their roles.
Bubba
2:52
Just curious why Pickett wears a sleeve on his left arm, he did this at Pitt also, do you know why?
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