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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 02.01.21
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Brian Batko
2:02
Let's get started, shall we? It's officially Super Bowl week. A huge trade happened. Hit me with your questions.
Steeler Fan in GA
2:03
There was some chatter about a knee injury to Ben in the second half of the season, has any news come out about this?  He is not as mobile as he once was, but he was a statute towards the end of the season.  He even looked like he was laboring when he dropped back to hand off.  If this was injury related MAYBE things could get better.
Brian Batko
2:04
Nope, that's a good question, but now is usually the time you'd hear a leak about a player having surgery for something that wasn't reported during the season. No indication that his late-season fade was a health issue.
david77
2:04
Hi Brian, any update on Banner's injury rehab? How would you assess his plays before he got injured?
Brian Batko
2:06
Zach Banner seems to be in good spirits, but isn't that always the case with him? Seems like he's back to running and should be ready in the normal time frame for a torn ACL. Tough to evaluate his play in less than a game of action, but he does seem to be somewhat of a forgotten man. Many are convinced the Steelers need to draft a tackle in the first round, but last offseason they were frank about their belief in both Chuks Okorafor and Banner as starter-capable players.
Buzzard Bill
2:08
Hi Brian,  the Steelers situation seems quite dire at this point in time.  No reasonable person can believe that the Steelers will compete next year for the Super Bowl.  Wouldn't it smart for Tomlin to push to start a rebuild program to preserve his career, rather than falling short of the playoffs again?   If they finish below .500 with mostly the current roster, wouldn't it likely get him fired?
Brian Batko
2:10
I really don't think Mike Tomlin is wired that way, Bill. He's surely thinking about the big picture at all times, as any coach does, but he's almost certainly more worried about the here and now. It might not be reasonable to us, but when the only approach you've known is to compete for a Super Bowl every year, that's how you operate. As for a sub-.500 finish getting him fired, I don't know. Could see it going either way, really, but my guess would be no.
daniel
2:11
I don't who it is but someone in the draft room seems to be attached to players from 757 area code and now Maryland. I think this person needs to get away from this trend and just draft best possible players. Can KC stop this trend or is he part of this trend?
Brian Batko
2:13
The two Maryland guys in the same draft last year was indeed kind of a weird thing. But it's not as if the Steelers truly only trend toward that. If anything, just look back two drafts ago when the four of the first five picks came from Michigan, Toledo, Michigan State and Michigan again. You could draw a pretty tight circle around a small area of the country. Sometimes it's just happenstance, but then again, Tomlin is on record as saying the Steelers love their MAC football (and good bloodlines).
Pamela
2:15
Hi Brian, I enjoy your chats.  I have heard the crop of this year’s quarterbacks coming out in the draft is stronger compared to next year.  Have you heard anything about this?  Thank you.
Brian Batko
2:16
Thank you. Anecdotally, it does seem like it's a strong QB year, with possibly six guys who could earn first-round grades. Still a lot of time for things to shake out in the pre-draft process, but a bit reminiscent of a few years ago when five went in the first round and the Steelers liked Mason Rudolph in the third. Kind of tough to stack it up with next year, though. I mean, did people really have Zach Wilson and Kyle Trask on their radar this time last year?
Krugerrand
2:17
Granted Colbert deserves a great deal of the credit for the Steelers' roster.  However, as much as Tomlin gets criticized for not doing enough with the talent on the roster, it seems like he does not get enough credit for the talent on the roster.  Do you think Tomlin could make a good GM?  And, could you see the Steelers going in that route depending on when that spot opens up?
Brian Batko
2:18
Yes, I do think he could. And I think if he and the Steelers were ever to part ways, he might be a prime candidate to be one of those coaches who gets hired by a new team that also entrusts him with more power, like Washington did with Ron Rivera last year (and several other coaches before him). As for the Steelers doing it, I'll say no, because that's just not how they've done things. Whomever replaces Kevin Colbert likely will continue to have Tomlin's ear and vice versa, or any other coach who might succeed Tomlin.
booradley
2:19
While there's plenty of talk about Tomlin's contract status, it's always about him wanting to stay. Maybe he steps away from this approaching train wreck for a fresh start somewhere else? He will get offers.
Brian Batko
2:22
Maybe he will. I don't get that sense, but you never know. Because I am in the camp that believes if the Steelers wanted him out, he would not be a coaching free agent for very long at all. And while it's always attractive to be the head coach for a franchise that changes them about as often as once a generation, you're right that the roster itself is no longer all that favorable for the future.
This Guy
2:22
Do people honestly believe a 1st round RB is going to fix the run game?  Derek Henry wouldn't have had 1,000 yards on this team, let alone 2,000.  I'm of the belief that the running game is about 75% O-Line, and 25% RB.  Upgrade the line, and commit to a new gameplan.  Mediocre RB's have proven they can succeed in the NFL.
Brian Batko
2:23
Derek Henry appears to be a professional disc golf player, so yeah, I don't like his odds https://www.pdga.com/player/23032
ALB
2:24
Brian, AR II says if he had his druthers he’d have the 2020 roster back again next season. How telling is that about the organization’s current contentment with having a winning record, rather than it’s purported never ending quest for SB trophies? Also, what the heck are druthers?
Brian Batko
2:26
Druthers remind me of Werther's. Anyway, he has a point when you consider that the lower salary cap floor across the league is likely going to result in several rosters being gutted to some degree. I don't agree with you that the organization is just content with winning more than it loses,  but yes, that comment is one that raised my eyebrows. And it might've just been a diplomatic answer.
Max
2:27
For a team that don't like to rebuild, don't you think it's more likely that they draft a QB high this year, opposed to waiting until Ben is gone next year? If the Steelers truly believe in Mason, why haven't they extended yet.
Brian Batko
2:28
Even if they do want to see Mason Rudolph back in 2022, possibly as the starter, what's the rush? Their own self-imposed deadline is the start of the regular season. Might as well give yourself more of a sample size with training camp, preseason, etc. As for drafting a QB high this year, that would have to be the first round most likely, and that just takes away a piece that can - or at least should - make an immediate impact. So I can't see that happening.
Ticco
2:29
Good afternoon, Mr. Batko, and greetings from Boston! While this may not be a popular view, I feel that the Steelers would be better served trading JuJu or letting him walk, and re-signing James Washington. From watching the games, Washington made the most of his chances, didn't drop the ball much, and just works and tries to contribute as best he can, given the limited opportunities. He avoids the allure of social media, and just tries to put the work in. He could be a Hines Ward-type receiver, in my opinion. What's your take on that? Thank you!
Brian Batko
2:31
Indeed, Ticco, you might be the first I've seen advocating for keeping James Washington long term. I do think the team, and the quarterback, likes his no-nonsense approach. But the production leaves you wanting. This could be a big year for him if JuJu does indeed land elsewhere. I don't think letting JuJu walk is an unpopular view at all, though.
Super Bowling League
2:33
Hi Brian, do you think the Steelers window to win a super bowl anytime soon is closed?
Brian Batko
2:34
Pretty much, yes. Unless they happen upon a new QB who can do it. You can point to a guy like Jimmy Garoppolo getting to a Super Bowl last year and nearly having his team in position to win it, but uh, he didn't win it.
ENTMD
2:35
Hi Brian! Any news on O-line coaches?
Brian Batko
2:36
Saw a report out of Houston this morning that outgoing Texans OL coach Mike Devlin was requested for an interview with the Steelers, but did not. Unclear whether that means he wasn't interested in the job or if the Steelers moved on. James Campen appears to be the leader in the clubhouse, but hey, Ike Hilliard kind of came in out of nowhere last year to be the WRs coach. Should have it wrapped up pretty soon though.
BB
2:38
Brian - are we really only two bad plays away from Haskins??
Brian Batko
2:39
Depends on how the Steelers build their QB room this offseason. Art Rooney II said last week they'll likely add to that position in addition to Dwayne Haskins, but I suppose Josh Dobbs could come back, too. Hey, I'll be honest, I'm kind of intrigued by Haskins. More so than Rudolph, at least. I could be wrong, but he was a first-round pick for a reason.
Guest
2:40
Hi Brian, why  would Qb not be Heavily considered in the draft, if this is most likely Ben last year. Regardless of the needs wouldn't it be dumb to wait until he's gone to get one? For a team that hates to rebuild, I can't see no other way.
Brian Batko
2:42
Because I think guys like Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert this year, or Kyler Murray last year, are showing that QBs can come in and have success right away as rookies. I don't think it's dumb to wait. As the Rams just showed over the weekend, there are also other avenues you can take to get your franchise QB, although we'll see how that block-buster trade for Matthew Stafford works out.
Joe
2:43
What would be the lowest cap hit that both parties could live with to put a competitive unit around Ben if he returns? $10m in 2021?  They would not want to create a massive amount of dead money in 22&23.
Brian Batko
2:45
I really don't know. Only Ben, his agent and the Steelers know that. The situation I keep comparing it to is Drew Brees this past year, and he had a cap hit of 23.65 million in 2020, one that balloons to 36.15 million next season. But if he retires, which it's been reported he will, he and the Saints can make that go way down.
Ghollywoodg
2:46
Brian, anything through the grapevine about Steeler players retiring other than Pouncey?
Brian Batko
2:48
No, but I don't think I'd be overly surprised if someone like Al Villanueva or even David DeCastro walked away at any time. Two pretty thoughtful guys who I'm sure would love to reach the pinnacle of the sport by winning a Super Bowl, but also have a lot more to their lives at this point than football. They're both older than Vance McDonald.
Dave
2:49
Hi Brian,  Do you think the Steelers will cut Ben or work out a deal to spread his $19 million out over a few years.  Ben says the money doesn’t matter (ha) but his agent who would lose $570,000 (3% of $19 million) wants to spread out the money?   I’m in favor of cutting him as they have other players to sign and could pick up some free agents for other needs.
Brian Batko
2:50
I don't think they're going to cut him, Dave. But working out a new deal definitely seems like it's on the horizon. For better or worse, looks like there's going to be one last ride, but we've basically known that would be the case in 2021 since this deal was signed. Granted, there were times early last season when it looked like he found the fountain of youth, but...
TPHunter
2:50
Brian, are we in a parallel universe? The hapless Pirates management is smart enough to blow it up and rebuild while the supposedly elite Steelers (and Penguins) hierarchy can't let go of the past.
Brian Batko
2:50
We're in one of Neal Huntington's 10,000 simulations
Javi
2:51
Hello Bats. Was the signing of Haskins a low key message to Rudolph that he really has to step it up this year?wasnt exactly a ringing endorsement from Rooney when he talked of Mason being starter for Steelers when Ben leaves was it?
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