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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 07.20.20
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Brian Batko
12:00
You have questions about whether NFL training camps, let alone the season, will start on time. I don't have those answers, and neither does the league or its players. But we can chat and speculate on it all the same. Welcome!
pdxJaxon
12:01
Morning Bats - Im starting to really think this season is going to be compromised.
The players dont seem too convinced that the NFL is really prepared with a plan.
I know you're not Nostradamus, but any changing consensus with the chances of Season being put on hold?
Brian Batko
12:02
Good afternoon, now. The season may well be compromised in some way, shape or form, but that doesn't mean it'll be scuttled completely. I actually think the NFL does have a fairly thorough plan, just not one that has satisfied its most significant party to this point: the players. But then again, this is how bargaining works. The league starts out way over here, the NFLPA way over there, and perhaps they're slowly working their way towards the middle, despite how little time they have left.
Buster
12:03
Is it more likely that established stars with plenty of money in the bank will opt out this season?
Brian Batko
12:04
It's probably more likely than middle-of-the-pack guys or back-of-the-roster types who need the money, yes. But I still don't think it's particularly likely. I'm not too doom and gloom on the odds of football happening just yet. Too much money at stake for everyone.
John D
12:05
Where is Gerry Dulac?   Haven't seen anything from him in a few weeks,
Brian Batko
12:06
Gerry is in a highly classified, undisclosed location preparing for the upcoming 2020 season. If I tell you more, I'll have black helicopters flying over my house.

OR Gerry is just on vacation and was covering golf last week before that. That's all I can say.
SoCalSteelers
12:07
Hi Brian, thanks for doing these chats, I look forward to them weekly. Did you happen to see some of the Steelers madden ratings? I'm not usually one to comment on these types of things but TJ Watt ranked at 86, Minkah ranked at 87, and Bud at 80 seems insane to me while JJ Watt maintains his 98 and Von Miller 97...Thoughts?
and if you care, these are the players above Fitz, this one is a real shocker, not sure I'd trade Mikah for any of these guys on the list
  • Harrison Smith, Vikings: 95
  • Tyrann Mathieu, Chiefs: 93
  • Jamal Adams, Jets: 92
  • Devin McCourty, Patriots: 92
  • Kevin Byard, Titans: 91
  • Justin Simmons, Broncos: 90
  • Derwin James, Chargers: 89
  • Eddie Jackson, Bears: 89
  • Earl Thomas, Ravens: 89
Brian Batko
12:09
To be honest, I haven't even purchased a new gaming console since Playstation 2, let alone kept up with Madden in that time. But yeah, it does seem to me that the Steelers didn't get much love this year in the game's ratings, which is surprising given how well the defense played collectively last year and allt he individual accolades that came along with that.
Also, I don't have to be a video game expert to agree with all of those who think it's bizarre that Rob Gronkowski is rated a 95 in his comeback season.
livinthedream
12:10
Brian, I think I have the perfect name and logo for the team formerly known as the Redskins. How about the Washington Swamp Creatures and their logo will be a running lobbyist holding proposed legislation in one hand and a wad of cash in the other?
Brian Batko
12:11
If teams really want nicknames/mascots that strike fear into people, why not the Washington Politicians? That's downright scary. Let's Go Pols!
Jimmie
12:13
With the signing of the pass-catching TE, is McDonald's expensive contract now a liability?
Brian Batko
12:14
Yeah this could very well be his last year as a Steeler, especially if Eric Ebron and/or Zach Gentry show something in their roles. Salary cap issues would seem to indicate one of McDonald or Ebron will be a cap casualty.
Chris
12:16
Hey Brian...do you think Zach Banner has a chance to start this season?
Brian Batko
12:17
Nope, no chance. He shouldn't even show up for camp. Of course, I'm joking. Banner has a great chance to win the right tackle job. He's one of those players that you look at him, and his sheer size, if he can just fine-tune a few technique things and get himself in great physical shape - he says he spent his offseason doing just that - he can be a monster.
Sunner in the sunshine
12:18
Hi Brian thanks for the chats! I have not heard about a bubble type scenario for the NFL players when the season starts. Do you know why there has been no announcement or are they actually going to permit the players to go home and go out etc..? I think they are asking for trouble if they don't have a bubble like the NBA or the MLS.
Brian Batko
12:19
As far as I know, it's going to be on the players to take those precautions off the field. And if you put yourself at risk and test positive, then you're only hurting yourself and your teammates.
Walt
12:21
With the news that Pirates broadcaster Bob Walk is recovering from the virus, have you heard if Steelers broadcaster Bill Hillgrove will be calling games since his age is risk factor?  Thank you.
Brian Batko
12:22
No, Walt, I have not. For what it's worth, when Hillgrove had to miss the last two games of last season due to back surgery, it was Rob King who filled in.
John Strange
12:24
Which is more grounded in reality? Talking about the 2020 NFL season or talking about the different shapes of clouds in the sky? Bonus points if one of the clouds is shaped like a fullback.
Brian Batko
12:24
Pretty sure Ron Nimbus was an absolute stud for some of those old Green Bay teams.
Charlotte Steelers Fan
12:25
Brian - thank you for doing these chats and entertaining us fans who are just begging for some football.  That being said, was watching the top 10 games played in 2019 over the weekend, and for the most part saw a really disturbing trend in these games.  Just how bad the officiating is (for the most part) and the absolute refusal of New York to get the call right on the field.  Seems that all could change by adding a sky judge and just reviewing the plays, adding some cameras and just using technology to quickly get these calls right.  Do you ever think we will get there or still going to be subjected to worse officiating year over year?
Brian Batko
12:27
You're quite welcome, CSF. I've been fairly consistent over the years in that concerns over officiating are overblown. But maybe that's just the sporting nihilist in me, the one who says that at the end of the day these games and their results are not life and death or even close to it. Is it frustrating when a call gets missed? Absolutely. Can it affect people's job status and legacies? It can. But officiating is a difficult job, and overcomplicating the aspect of human error in sports isn't something that's a no-brainer solution in my eyes.
rman
12:29
Is it worse for an NFL player to be pro American flag or anti semitic?
Brian Batko
12:29
*rolls eyes* Wow rman, that's a real toughy there. But I'm gonna have to go with Anti-Semitic. Thanks for the insightful question.
fredward
12:30
Have any Steelers indicated they may not report to camp, like Demarcus Lawrence is considering for Dallas?
Brian Batko
12:30
Not that I've seen.
That doesn't mean some aren't at least considering it, though.
Jay Davern
12:31
Do you think the Steelers start slow this year as in the past or will it be even slower because of the lack of practice?
Brian Batko
12:32
Well, as Mike Tomlin would say, the lack of practice is a global issue. As for the Steelers, specifically, if anything they should start fast. Just basing that on their first two opponents, a Giants team with a new coach and young core, then a Broncos team with a second-year coach and a second-year QB. If they aren't 2-0, I'll be worried for them.
marty v
12:33
Don't you think it's time we erect a statue of the Emperor Chuck Noll outside Heinz Field ?
Brian Batko
12:34
Nah, let's take whatever it would cost to erect said statue and donate it to a good cause. I don't think Chuck would mind.
Bubby_Blister
12:35
What is the probability that Ben leads the Steelers to another Super Bowl win?
Brian Batko
12:36
My six-month-old is sitting on my lap as we do this chat, so I asked him to run the odds real quick. He came back with 6.5%.
Don't ask me what he did. He had a calculator and some charts and stuff. Way over my head.
Steeler in Virginia
12:38
If teams hold off on signing rookies because they think there may not be a season, is there a point where the drafted rookies are let out of their commitment to a team and become free agents? It seems like if you don't sign me to a contract for months and aren't showing interest in doing so, I should be able to go find another team that will pay me.
Brian Batko
12:39
There's not much rookies and their agents can negotiate in their contracts. The process of agreeing to/signing them is basically a formality at this point. But to the crux of your question, 2020 could be different than any other NFL season we've seen, so who knows if some wonky stuff might happen. I just don't think it's worth worrying about any issues with rookie deals.
Gene
12:40
Hi Brian do the players have access to the Rooney Complex all year to work out?
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