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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 06.15.21
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hi everybody, welcome to the chat. Coming to you live from the press box at Heinz Field, where the Steelers are on the lawn for minicamp practice. Let's get to your queries.
pdxJaxon
2:01
Morning Bats,
A few years ago, the DBs were terrible on take aways \ Interceptions so during offseason they were all required to hit the jugs machine every day.
Any indication or discussion of such measures for our current Receiving Core or has the issue of Drops gone basically undiscussed.....?
Brian Batko
2:02
There hasn't been a ton of discussion about that. Surely it will come up the next time we talk to WRs coach Ike Hilliard. Or Diontae Johnson/Eric Ebron.
marc, from ile verte, canada
2:02
Txs for your chat. Out of 100 Steelers offensive plays, approximately how many are called by QB, HC and offensive coordonator. Thank you.
Brian Batko
2:03
Hi Marc. I don't think anyone could give you that breakdown other than those on the Steelers coaching staff or in the QB room.
Uncle Larry
2:04
Is smash mouth offensive football coming back to the Steelers? Four yards and a cloud of dust?
Brian Batko
2:05
Hey, if you do that every time, no one will ever stop you. But in all seriousness, Matt Canada spoke this morning and came back to Art Rooney II issuing a directive to Kevin Colbert, Mike Tomlin and everyone else in the organization that the running game must improve. Canada also noted though that the main objective is winning, and however they manage to do that, the rest doesn't matter.
Yuri
2:06
Hello Brian.  Do you know if anyone has been interviewed for Tunch’s position?  Many of us continue to pray for him and wish him well.  A shoutout to him and Craig Wolfley for their charitable works.  Thank you Brian.
Brian Batko
2:07
No, I'm not sure who will replace Tunch Ilkin, if anyone. But the Steelers do have no shortage of former players who have gone into the media business and could be valuable members of the broadcast team.
TominPunta Gorda
2:08
Hi Brian, best to wear # 91 for the Steelerd?
Brian Batko
2:08
Gotta be Kevin Greene, right Tom?
Tom in Dallas
2:10
With Bell and Brown both long gone now, the team seams to be somewhat nut free.  The two most likely current Steelers to create some bad press are???  (possibly JuJu and Claypool?)
Brian Batko
2:12
Well, you never know who might "create some bad press." Justin Layne did that this offseason. Last year it was a practice squad guy who got in trouble during the off week. But if the question is who could become a malcontent of some sort on the field, I've written a couple times in the last week or so that the Steelers have a lot of mouths to feed among the pass-catchers. Eric Ebron is never shy about voicing his opinion. JuJu hopes to play outside more. Chase Claypool likely wants a bigger piece of the pie in Year 2. And all three have spoken out of turn, if you will, at times.
Ricky
2:13
Are the Browns as good as Travis Kielce recently stated or was he just being kind since he was at Landry’s event?
Brian Batko
2:15
I think a lot of pundits are high on the Browns, and rightfully so when you look at what they have coming back on paper. Things seem to be trending in the right direction, and the biggest questions - QB play and coaching - were positives last season.
GM
2:16
The daily FA question, When can we expect to add Adrian Peterson or Richard Sherman to the team?  This week?  Preseason?
Brian Batko
2:17
Now, now, GM. You forgot about Malik Hooker. How could you?
Steel Town D
2:18
With Nelson and Dupree gone, do you see the defense blitzing less and playing more zone coverage...playing a more bend but don't break defense?  Which drives me crazy.
Brian Batko
2:20
Not necessarily. Of course it depends gameplan-wise on the opposing offense, but I don't think the Steelers are going to change their whole defensive philosophy because they lost a few good players. They'll expect Alex Highsmith to be the next man up to replace Bud Dupree, and Cam Sutton to replace Steve Nelson, etc. And Vince Williams is back, arguably their best blitzer.
Scuba Steve
2:21
Double B: I've seen questions about Pressley Harvin III's ability to hold for PATs and field goals. Regardless of his big leg..will the Steelers feel comfortable giving him a roster spot if he can't adequately hold for Boswell during the season?
Brian Batko
2:23
I have not seen such questions. He held at Georgia Tech, as far as I know. And when I talked to his kicking coach last month, he told me about how he and Harvin went through Chris Boswell's film to see what he likes and doesn't like as far as ball placement https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2021/05/24/pressley-harvi...
Jud
2:24
Due to Watt's explosive play, he's likely to get injured.  Would you say our D can overcome that scenario and still hold teams enough for us to win?
Brian Batko
2:26
Likely? He's been durable so far in his career, knock on wood, following an injury-plagued run at Wisconsin. But I would say that he's such a dominant player, it's tough to imagine this defense not dropping off in a major way if they lose him. Today Keith Butler seemed to single out Cassius Marsh as the No. 3 outside linebacker, ahead of rookie sixth-rounder Quincy Roche, for what it's worth here in mid-June.
Egocentric Molecules- JLP
2:27
Wanted to compliment you & Ray on your "Take it to the Bank" - "Takin' it Back" segment(s) of the North Shore Podcast... You guys are respectful but willing to call out some... stuff... appreciate you!
Brian Batko
2:28
Thanks, we appreciate you listening, too. Trying to spice up OTAs content someway, somehow.
Krugerrand
2:29
Brian, let's say you have a team that can score a lot of points and your playing another power-offense team. Lets say your defense uses a bend-but-don't-break philosophy. And finally, your special teams have been known to give up yards. At what point does it become worth while to onside-kick every time (at least 1st 3 quarters)? That would keep your defense fresh for the end of the game. Plus, you may even get an extra possession or 2. Receiving teams never run back onside kicks.
Brian Batko
2:30
Uhhhh, ummmm, I was told there'd be no math in this, my chosen profession.
GM
2:31
By now we've all heard the reports of 22's work ethic, anyone matching him though?
Brian Batko
2:32
Funny you should ask, because RBs coach Eddie Faulkner just told us this morning that Najee Harris is working very hard but that Anthony McFarland is, too. That's all well and good, but next time one of these Steelers coaches or players pinpoints someone who's not working his tail off, let me know
Jud
2:33
any hints from minicamp about #1 RB?  Assume it's Snell until camp?
Brian Batko
2:33
No, don't assume that at all. They drafted a running back with their No. 1 pick, 24th overall, who's the leading rusher in Alabama history. You should assume he's the RB1.
Utah Jim
2:35
Odds Najee breaks Franco’s rookie rushing record? Assuming he stays healthy I’d say it be a disappointment if doesn’t given the lack of competition for carries and a 17-game schedule.
Brian Batko
2:36
Odds of Najee surpassing 1,055 yards? I'd say I like his chances, given the factors you mentioned as well as the Steelers seemingly being committed to the run game. But he'll have to stay healthy and they'll have to stick with that stated goal of running it better.
Tom in Dallas
2:38
How do you reporters keep busy in the off season when weeks go by with so little to report?
Brian Batko
2:40
Use vacation days. Keep up with headlines around the league. Do research. Rewatch games. Look for other angles. Write 3,000-word stories on the offensive coordinator. Things of that nature https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2021/06/14/matt-canada-st...
Krugerrand
2:41
All football receivers allowed spider tack on their gloves?
Brian Batko
2:43
Doubt it, but have you read anything about the gloves most of these guys wear? They already have a whole lot of sticky stuff on those that allows for one-handed grabs and things of the such.
rman
2:44
Has it been determined if camp will be held at St Vincent this year?
Brian Batko
2:45
Nothing official but Art Rooney II has said he's optimistic that they'll be back in Latrobe for camp, with fans attending, too. And at this point it's barely a month away.
Egocentric Molecules- JLP
2:46
Pretty generous of the company to help Devin Bush sell his 1/2 million $, 3 story, 4 bedroom townhouse but... It says he needs more room? Hopefully not for more giant murals of himself... sigh
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