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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 06.25.19
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Brian Batko
2:00
Why hello there, and welcome to the room! As always, the headline says "Steelers chat" and football is the impetus for it, but really, feel free to ask me about whatever you'd like. Especially in this relatively barren period of the NFL calendar. Go.
Nittany Lyin’
2:01
Better chance: Roethlisberger leading the league in Touchdowns or Interceptions?
Brian Batko
2:03
Considering he did so last year, I'll go with interceptions. Not that I think either option is particularly likely, but Antonio Brown took 15 TD catches with him out the door. As a bonus, my prediction for the player who will lead the NFL in TD passes is Aaron Rodgers, provided he stays healthy.
Rocky
2:03
Will there be any punter competition this year?  Love your chats.
Brian Batko
2:04
Thank you, Rock. I believe there will be. Competing with Jordan Berry will give Ian Berryman the chance to be the man. He looked good to my eye, which is untrained for evaluating punters, this spring. Berry hasn't exactly been lighting the world on fire when it counts, so I certainly think there's a chance Berryman beats him out.
NC Yinzer
2:05
Hearing a lot of talk about Artie Burns being released before camp.  Any possibility of trading him for a late round pick or is he just damaged goods?
Brian Batko
2:06
I don't think so. You have to imagine if you're hearing that talk, other teams around the NFL are aware of it, too. They'd be giving the Steelers a gift to trade them anything in exchange for a guy who could end up on the street.
Ryan
2:06
in your honest opinion last season, was the difference the infighting in the locker room or boswells missed game winners over the course of the season? The 13-3 season was filled with clutch setups by the offense that boswell nailed through the uprights.
Brian Batko
2:08
Plenty of factors contributed - defensive failings, giveaways, lack of takeaways, etc. - but between those two, I'll always go with the more tangible reason. Not to say chemistry is overrated, but it's always a more convenient scapegoat when you aren't getting the job done. Boswell's misses aren't solely to blame, but obviously, there were two that had direct results on the win-loss column in a vacuum.
Kool-Aid
2:08
What is your favorite Tomlin quote?
Brian Batko
2:08
"Obviously"
Brian in CA
2:09
Why not have two bye weeks?  NFL could sell another weeks worth of TV and players could get more rest and recovery during the long grind of the season.
Brian Batko
2:11
If you ask me, there's no reason not to. I think it'd be great. The NFL's reasoning for avoiding it might be concerns about ratings when your schedule is technically a bit watered-down each week. But here's the thing: In 2019, with fantasy football, sports betting and just the overall appetite for the NFL, I don't think that would be a huge complication. Just about every team gives people reason to watch, even if the Miami Dolphins are significant less interesting than, say, the Steelers.
Unknowing
2:11
since we usually don’t have the events in front of us to ask a lot of questions. So instead; what is the most interesting or intriguing thing you have seen or heard so far this year
Brian Batko
2:13
Hmmm. I'd say the most interesting story line to me is JuJu Smith-Schuster filling the shoes of Antonio Brown. There's an on-field and off-field aspect to it, for sure. Not sure if that totally answers your question. Feel free to respond, if not.
If You Will
2:14
With all the new and diverse weaponry, I think more pressure is on Ben this year than on any coach. You?
Brian Batko
2:14
There's always going to be pressure on Seven, regardless of the myriad weaponry or what have you.
FRITZ
2:15
Will the rookie QB Hodges? be tried as a punter, also--he did kick in college
Brian Batko
2:17
Good afternoon, Fritz. You don't see too many people named "Fritz" these days. But the answer to your question is no. Sure would make a guy an extra valuable punter, though, wouldn't it?
Utah Jim
2:18
Does Sutton Smith practicing at FB mean the Steelers are considering moving on from Nix?  Or perhaps they plan to use a FB more often this season and need a backup in case of injury to Nix?
Brian Batko
2:19
I'm not sure either one of those is the case, to be honest. My read on it is simply that Smith has an interesting skill set and athletic profile, so why not see how much you can squeeze out of a willing and able sixth-round pick? If it helps him secure a roster spot and it helps you shore up some depth, it's a win-win for both sides.
Retire21
2:20
With all the new guys Ben will be playing with at TE< RB and WR, is there a chance we might see more of him preseason?  First 6 games as slated could make or break season.
Brian Batko
2:22
It's definitely a difficult start to the schedule, at Pats, vs. Seahawks, at Niners, vs. Bengals, vs. Ravens, at Chargers. That could be particularly precarious for a team integrating so many new pieces on both sides of the ball. But I don't think that means you'll see more of Ben Roethlisberger in the preseason. Even with some new faces in the mix, why risk it? That's what practice is for. He isn't getting any younger.
GhostOfIvanToncic
2:23
Who wins in a no-DQ fight, Sanserino or Batiste? Please explain your answer. Also, same question, but for Collier and Cook.
Brian Batko
2:25
Sanserino has been working out a lot and really reshaping his body, so even at a height disadvantage, he might have a shot. But of course I'm going with my current boss over the old one. As for a battle of the longtime P-G sports columnists, I can't imagine the two ever would fight (notice I didn't say that about the first duo) but Cook seems to have more of a mean streak in him. Gene is one of the more calm, cool and laid-back people I've met.
livinthedream
2:27
Brian, Lot of talk and concern about the run/pass balance. I think the pass/pass balance on third and short is a bigger concern.  Ben's seems to be totally opposed to the high% 1 or 2 second dunk pass on third and short. Instead he holds the ball 5,6,7 seconds to set up the deep throw. This leads to 1 or 2 nice plays and a lot of possession ending plays. Your thoughts.
Brian Batko
2:29
According to Sharp Football Stats, the Steelers had the fifth-highest pass percentage on third down last season. But they also had a 41 percent success rate on an average of 7 yards per attempt, which was well above the league average of 36 percent. The only teams that were better: Kansas City, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Tampa Bay and Atlanta. Pretty good company.
2:30
Oh, by the way, I found that information here: https://www.sharpfootballstats.com/situational-run-pass-ratios--off-.h...
Jack M
2:31
Hi Brian! Do you expect Eli Rogers and Ryan Switzer to compete for one spot over the summer? Or would you envision the team possibly keeping both?
Brian Batko
2:33
Could go either way. I mean, you probably don't NEED to keep six receivers, and those two guys have similar skill sets. But if the powers that be determine there's enough differentiation between what they bring to the table - for instance, Switzer on kick returns, Rogers on punt returns, Switzer out of the backfield - then maybe both can stay. Not sure I would do it, though. If I were making the call, i'd probably just keep Switzer. It's a decision that's way above my pay grade, though.
powerman410
2:34
Why Tomlin hasnt been fired?
Brian Batko
2:34
How does this chat not have a sponsor yet?
Los Angeles Rob
2:35
Is there anyone in the NFL who believes Bud DuPree is a starting caliber outside linebacker besides Mike Tomlin and Keith Butler? Keeping him on the team, let alone starting him, seems like a high price to pay to justify Kevin Colbert's wasted #1 draft pick a few years ago.
Brian Batko
2:37
Bud Dupree probably believes it. And yeah, maybe they are giving him a longer rope because he was a first-rounder, but doesn't that kind of make sense? Not only is it a natural inclination to try to hit on someone you invested a lot in, but it also stands to reason that the same traits that attracted you to that player in the first place still intrigue you. Similar to the Artie Burns situation in some ways.
2:39
Breaking news out of the AFC North: Bengals first-round pick Jonah Williams, who was projected by many to be a Day 1 starter, is likely out for the season with a shoulder injury. Cincy might be really bad, folks.
iowasteelersfan
2:40
How do the green "dots" for defensive play callers on the field work?  Not everyone can have a headset in their helmet if someone gets injured, and people have different size heads - so not everyone can share one.  How does that work?
Brian Batko
2:41
I don't know, but I have to imagine they have contingency plans for injury, etc. Maybe I'll add "green dots" to my list of story ideas.
Marley
2:42
Who’s on a hotter seat this year, Smith or Butler?
Brian Batko
2:45
The special teams coach is always in a weird spot. I mean, how much control do you really have over a scuffling kicker? As for Keith Butler, Mike Tomlin still very much has a hand in the defense, and I'm not sure if that makes his seat more or less hot. Picking one coach or the other would just be mere speculation, but if the Steelers miss the playoffs for a second year in a row, you'll almost certainly see some changes.
Cole from NY
2:46
What do you think the Wide Receiver order will be after Juju
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