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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 05.11.20
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Brian Batko
12:00
Howdy, folks. Let's begin the chat. The chat has begun. I have thoughts on the Steelers, of course, but also plenty on The Last Dance. Maybe you aren't watching, but hey, it's basically what passes for "sports" right now.
TX Steeler
12:00
Odds three teams from AFC North make playoffs? Of course we are assuming a monumental shift in Cleveland culture, but on paper, and with the additional spot this year, it seems like 50/50 is at least a conservative guess, right?
Brian Batko
12:02
Actually not bad, in my estimation. In fact, I'm calling it now that the AFC North is going to be the best division in the conference and maybe the whole league. I don't know Kevin Stefanski from Kevin Stevens, but the Browns roster looks good. The Steelers roster looks good. The Ravens are almost a lock to be good. We're on the same page, my Texas friend.
paullochrane@yahoo.com
12:03
are you one of those beat writers that kiss ben's azz?  or do you think ben is vastly over rated, no playoffs the last 2 years, no playoff win in 4 years, and the lowest qb rating of all time for a winning qb of 22.8 in a super bowl !!! he's only in this for the money, worst contract of all time for a steeler, he'll never be a team guy, never was, its all about him!!!
Brian Batko
12:04
Ah crap, I didn't realize I have to be on one of those two islands. Gonna need to take the rest of the day to think about this one because it's a big choice.
Carltto Brigante
12:04
Hey Brian, give us the inside scoop, Steelers victories 9 1/2, Over or Under? Got my guy on speedial.
Brian Batko
12:05
I'm thinking under as of now, but I wouldn't take it to Vegas. Here's the real scoop: I don't know how many games they're going to win.
Retire21
12:05
Seems teams with returning HCs and coordinators might have an advantage this season?
Brian Batko
12:05
That's a logical assumption, but I still tend to think the teams with the best collection of talent will have the advantage. Just hoping we actually get to find out.
jay
12:06
Morning Brian.  Still many people in quarantine and not much else to do.  Any suggestions besides rewatching old games??
Brian Batko
12:08
From a strictly football perspective? You could watch college games of the draft picks. Or start boning up on the 2021 prospects. Or listen to the Post-Gazette's North Shore Drive podcast with me and Ray Fittipaldo, but I hope you already do that: https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/the-north-shore-drive-sports-...
Richard
12:10
Scientists predict the virus will rise again in the fall. So I'm thinking the most relevant question about the NFL is not about who will play what position, but instead what will the NFL do when players have had close contact with teammates and opponents and then test positive? The rules for the general public would dictate everyone who had had contact should be quarantined for two weeks.
Brian Batko
12:11
Certainly, Richard, that is the biggest question right now. That's essentially reason No. 1 why the other leagues shut down when they did. I imagine highly paid people within the NFL are trying to hatch plans for this type of scenario as we speak. Wish I had an answer for you, but I don't.
Mo Nongahela
12:11
I'm a Tomlin supporter, but I know there are those out there that are not.  Under what circumstances do you think MT's job would be in jeopardy?
Brian Batko
12:13
Tough to say, but if I were to guess, it'd take a pretty miserable performance for his seat to seriously heat up. Remember, he has one more year left on his deal after 2020, as of now. That gives some flexibility in terms of not needing to do anything with his contract this offseason, but hey, he did some of his best work last season in my opinion. I'd think they'd have to not only miss the playoffs this year but be very far from the postseason picture for him to be in question.
The 4th Watt brother!
12:14
Awesome article on the Watt family! It was very cool to hear how they are all back in Wisconsin together training.  Do you think Derek will take his game to a higher level this year being on the same team with his brother? It definitely seems as though these guys push each other immensely! And by higher level I mean better offensive play than he had a chance to show in SD....
Brian Batko
12:18
Thanks, I definitely enjoyed talking with their parents and writing the piece. I'm an only child, so I can only imagine the sibling dynamics, but I do think there's something to Derek Watt deriving some motivation from not wanting to just be "T.J.'s brother" in Pittsburgh. Then again, I think he's had that driving him really his whole NFL career to this point. It'll just be a different situation for him here in this locker room.
Andy Russell 4HOF
12:19
Hi Brian...your thoughts on the Friday night Bradshaw interview with KDKA ‘s Bob P. and Rich W. if you saw it?
Brian Batko
12:19
Did not see it, but my grandma told me it was pretty good.
Indy
12:20
I know people wanted us to take Hurts, but do you think this team would be any better in 2020 with him?
Brian Batko
12:20
Jalen Hurts might improve this team, but not as much as Chase Claypool. That's how I see it.
Steelknight
12:21
I'm curious as to how strong Davis is. To be an effective NT in our 34 you need to be short (6'1-6'2), big (320+), mobile and very strong ala Big Snack. Davis sounds like he has everything but strength. Thoughts? Thanks.
Brian Batko
12:23
Carlos Davis' weakness isn't strength, it's length. He put up 21 reps on the bench press, which ranked 11th among D-linemen at the combine. But he had some of the shortest arms there for guys at his position. That's probably one of the main reasons he was considered a fringe prospect.
Doyle37
12:24
I noticed that the nfl released a schedule for exhibition games ...about when is the play or no play deadline for the HOF Steelers/Cowboys game ?
Brian Batko
12:24
Not sure about that, but it doesn't seem as if the NFL is in any rush to decide on much.
Indy
12:25
From everything I read Derek was the most athletic of the Watt brothers, do you think we got a deal in signing him? He could turn out to be a fantastic FB if used right!!
Brian Batko
12:26
Well, he was the most athletic in high school, to a degree. Or at least the most accomplished. I do think he has more upside than Roosevelt Nix, given his size, strength and pass-catching ability.
Mo Nongahela
12:27
By mid-season, which 3 WR's get the most playing time:  Juju, Johnson and ?
Brian Batko
12:29
I think James Washington will still be seeing the third-most snaps at that point, but I'll say that Chase Claypool is making more of an impact in his playing time by then. Just a thought.
Celtics fan
12:31
Hey Brian...in regards to the Last Dance series, I don’t think Pippen looks good at all.  Could you imagine Franco telling Coach Noll he wasn’t going into a playoff game for the last play?  In that scenario, Franco would have started his career with Seattle a lot sooner!
Brian Batko
12:33
I had no idea about that incident. But my favorite part of last night was MJ not even having Steve Kerr's phone number when he wanted to call and apologize.
Rob
12:34
Hearing rumors Pat McAfee is planning a possible comeback. Any chance he returns home and sends the long over due Jordan Berry packing?
Brian Batko
12:36
That'd be the most intriguing punter story line we could hope for in 2020. Second most would be Steelers legacy Dustin Colquitt coming in. Third would be left footed Belgium born 2019 practice punter Corliss Waitman winning the gig as a UDFA. You know what, maybe that's No. 1.
Jacob
12:38
I understand that Ben Roethlisberger has made some missteps in the past, but why is it that the entire sports world has collectively dumped on him over the past 18 months or so? From blindly accepting the narrative of 2 malcontents in AB & Leveon to Jay Glazer most recently, it's seemingly in vogue to put the guy down who seems to be a fine teammate and a good husband and father. Can you elaborate on that at all?
Brian Batko
12:38
Elaborate on that? That's a pretty high bar to clear for elaboration, Jacob.
ZO
12:39
Which of the Steelers 2020 Draft Class do you see as being the biggest contributor as a rookie despite the COVID-19 hardships in play such as virtual rookie camp?
Brian Batko
12:39
Chaypool
Chris
12:39
Do you think it’s too early to predict how the Steelers will do until we see Ben play?  A number of people think the Steelers will win at least 10 games.  I think it’s premature to make such a prediction.  Thanks Brian.
Brian Batko
12:40
Pretty much, yeah, but our industry is all about predictions anymore, especially premature ones.
Donna
12:41
Good morning Brian. Do you think the Steelers had and continue to have in mind, playing JuJu in the slot with the drafting of Claypool?
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