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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.22.21
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Brian Batko
2:00
It's a beautiful day here in Pittsburgh, and if you're choosing to be here chatting with me, I have to recommend going outside instead if that's an option. But if it's not, I'll try to make the next hour or so enjoyable nonetheless.
lamberto55
2:01
can you see any reasoning behind keeping juju and letting nelson go????
Brian Batko
2:03
Well, they haven't officially let Steven Nelson go yet. But it sure seems to be headed that way. The reasoning for that is pretty simple: Money. Instead of paying $8.25 million for his services in 2021, they'd rather take that cash and spread it on others, the first of whom seems to be JuJu. And as for their logic in keeping him, well, they think he's good at football. Their quarterback loves him. They got him cheap. Those are three big boxes checked.
FoolBack
2:04
Brian, do you expect post-draft free agency to be busier this year?  It seems like with the cap pinch, more guys will be looking for work, even after the draft concludes.
Brian Batko
2:05
Yeah I think so. Steelers already went out and signed a de facto UDFA today in Tyler Simmons, who went undrafted out of Georgia last year: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2021/03/22/tyler-simmons-...

As for the bigger-name veterans with real NFL experience who are still out there, will a lot of them wait and see what the landscape is post-draft? That would make sense to me. Maybe you don't get a lot of money, but you can have a better chance of picking your spot and roster situation for a one-year deal to set yourself up again in 2022.
Boiler G Dog
2:06
Brian, thank you for the chat.
Brian Batko
2:06
You're welcome, Boiler G Dog
I'm also watching Iowa get throttled by Oregon in the background. Not a huge Ducks fan, but the Hawkeyes and their coach and star player aren't particularly likable, so I'm cool with this result.
Tampa Too
2:07
Brian. I really enjoyed Ray’s grading of the 2015 draft last week. I think it’s rather hilarious that draft grades are given the day after the draft when in fact it takes 3 to 4 years to determine whether a class has been effective or not. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:10
Yes, good piece by Mr. Fittipaldo, which you can read here: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2021/03/16/pittsburgh-ste...

As for post-draft grades, free agency grades, things of that nature, I'm totally with you. And that doesn't mean we can't opine on how we think a player will pan out, or whether a guy got overpaid, but the mechanism of dishing out grades like that has become so overdone. Of course, that's what people like to read, more often than not, so I get it. But it's definitely a bit silly. The Steelers have the sixth-to-last pick in this year's draft. What would constitute an A+, Trevor Lawrence falling to them? What would be an F, drafting a literal ax murderer?
Dan
2:11
One writer says the Steelers don't listen to Roethlisberger, another says they bow to his wishes, and one stays non-committal... What's your take and who's right?
Brian Batko
2:13
Is this like a "three guys walk into a bar" joke? Honestly, I don't know how much sway Ben has. There's probably levels to that, too, and it might be a much more fluid/abstract influence than Kevin Colbert calling him up and saying "Hey Ben, one year $8 mil for JuJu next season, what do you think?"
Guest
2:14
Really surprised the Steelers haven't signed a Center in FA when there were some good ones.  are they really going to start the season with JC and BJ at Center - 2 backups?
Brian Batko
2:14
If they don't sign a center in free agency - and you're right, the options have dwindled - to me it signals prioritizing that spot in the draft. BJ Finney being Plan A would surprise me.
Dan
2:16
That was a pretty darn good answer.
Brian Batko
2:16
Thank you, Dan.
Yuri
2:18
Hello Brian.  With Steve Nelson’s apparent imminent departure, have you heard it is due to JuJu’s signing or has Nelson asked to be released or traded?  Thank you Brian.
Brian Batko
2:18
As I said above, I don't think it was a 1-for-1 swap. JuJu's 2021 cap hit indicates that it wasn't. As for the trade request, it seems clear now that the team is doing him (and themselves) a solid by informing him he'll be released if they can't find a trade partner.
Alaska Steeler
2:19
If Nelson leaves, does Cam move to his spot?  Who starts in the slot?  FA or draft pick, or someone already on the roster?
Brian Batko
2:21
That's a tough one. And the million dollar question right now for this secondary. As we sit here on March 22, my prediction is that Cam Sutton plays Mike Hilton's slot role and someone else gets the nod at outside corner. Justin Layne? James Pierre? A free agent? Hopefully, for the Steelers' sake, they can afford one of the vets still on the market. Gerry Dulac will be analyzing the cornerback position on the website Friday, so keep an eye out for his thoughts, too.
Turk in MD
2:22
Hi Brian.  Thanks for the chats.  Alualu is not built like a prototypical NT, but he excelled at the position last year. Why was that, and does that give us an indication how the team will backfill him?
Brian Batko
2:24
To hear the coaches and players tell it, it was mainly due to his veteran savvy, his knowledge of the game and chemistry with Stephon Tuitt/Cam Heyward. But I'd also point out that while he might not have been Casey Hampton-sized, Alualu was a top-10 pick way back when for a reason. He's big enough, and strong as an ox. As for what that tell us about how they'll approach the nose guard position, nothing stands out to me, other than that they don't seem as enthralled with Hampton/Dan McCullers types as they once were.
Stinger
2:25
What an odd year to have your HOF but aging and soon to retire QB coming back, no ? There was no way they were going to keep this group together with the new cap and expiring contracts, never mind adding talent to make a final run. What am I missing?
Brian Batko
2:27
In my view, yes. But in their view, they can still win a SB with Ben as QB. They didn't keep him in that role at all costs, like they've done in past years, but I still don't think he'll be able to get the job done in 2021. I used to see it as "as long as you have Ben, you have a chance," but the stretch run last year soured me on that.
Stinger
2:27
Follow up to my previous question, does having BB back for a single year impact your draft selection or do you simply go as if you did not have him?
Brian Batko
2:28
Definitely impacts it. If you're gonna go for this thing, go all-in. Draft instant-impact guys, not a QB of the future, not a developmental LT, etc.
SteelerFanatic
2:29
Brian, why tell Nelson he can seek a trade as opposed to the team seeking a trade?  Seems like leverage is lost.
Brian Batko
2:30
That's a good question, because I agree. Maybe they didn't want that to leak. Or maybe they think that can spark a market for him, if teams know he's available? But yeah, it seems to me that when stuff like that gets made public, the player ends up on the street because teams know they can get him for no compensation in return. Perhaps someone will really want to grab him and send the Steelers a pick in return.
Raya
2:31
With all the changes on defense, do you think the Steelers may draft a defensive player in the first or second round?  Thanks Brian?
Brian Batko
2:33
I suppose it's more possible now than it was a week ago, but I still don't see it, at least not in the first round. The needs are too great at RB/OL/C. Even TE is weaker/thinner than just about every defensive position. But I'll say this much: in large part, the Steelers constructed their elite defense by sinking valuable draft resources into it. So, we know how they like to build.
JerseySteel
2:34
Hi Brian - do you think the Steelers might have a verbal agreement with a FA CB on the market which led to the news on Steven Nelson?
Brian Batko
2:35
Not to my knowledge. Still some good options out there, though. Richard Sherman, Adoree Jackson, AJ Boueye as outside corners. Brian Poole, K'Waun Williams, Mackensie Alexander as slot corners.
Mr. Pitt
2:36
Hi Brian, what's your best guess as the Steelers 2022 starting Qb. Ben comes back again, they extend Mason and he starts, Haskins takes the job, Steelers draft a Qb this year for next year, or they wait until next year to draft a Qb?
Brian Batko
2:37
I just spun the wheel of fortune and came back with Mason Rudolph starting on a short-term deal.
Javi
2:37
Hello Bats. With Juju signing and a couple players added to oline to the Steelers dare go CB in first round? Historically we're not great drafting corners but it is such a key position now with Nelson leaving. The D is taking big losses so far in FA Im little worried on that side of the ball.
Brian Batko
2:39
Hi, Javi. Yeah, a bit similar to Raya's question. If you want to really take a step back and assess what are the most valuable positions in the NFL to use high picks, RB, WR, OL and even TE wouldn't be near the top. Cornerbacks are hard to find, for sure.
Jeff
2:42
Thanks for the chats B.  Admittedly I am a little concerned with some of the decisions we are making.  We need a top ILB and Center/lineman.  Instead we sign Juju when a) we have a good receiving core without him and b) arent we going to run the ball more?  In order to do that you need people who can block.  I get the Nelson decision but then why not keep hilton so we are so depleted at CB?  Many head scratchers.  Our offense is pretty much the same and our defense got worse.  we are really putting a lot pressure on the draft
Brian Batko
2:44
That's the biggest head-scratcher to me with the JuJu move. What have we talked about today in the chat? The Steelers are good at drafting/developing some positions much more than others. They need to try to hit on impact players right away in this draft to help Ben. And wideout is consistently one of the deeper positions these days for college prospects. Made all the sense in the world to let JuJu walk and replace him with a rookie. But, alas.
Bubba Gnush
2:44
Our defense went from being our strength to one with several holes.  There is no way they can draft the remaining pieces of the puzzle (CB, ILB, OLB, DL depth) with 8 picks, correct?  At best, we might have 2-3 draft picks contribute next season
Brian Batko
2:46
I interpret the defensive purge as the Steelers being pretty confident that their success there is due more to the core than the strength in numbers. As in, as long as you have a nucleus of T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Devin Bush and Joe Haden, you'll be good. And they might be right about that! Especially if Alex Highsmith is ready to roll and guys like Cam Sutton/Rob Spillane take the next step.
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