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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 08.20.19
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Brian Batko
2:23
Howdy, pals. Go ahead and start leaving your questions. The chat will begin at 2:30, a dentist's favorite time.
IsraelSteel43
2:30
Yo, Batts! How long do you anticipate the starters to play this weekend? End of the first? Halftime?
Brian Batko
2:31
Yo, Israel! Last year in Week 3 of the preseason, Ben Roethlisberger got himself three possessions and 26 snaps before giving way to the new face of the XFL, Landry Jones. Or, if you're into game time played, Roethlisberger played about four minutes into the second quarter. So, that seems like a reasonable expectation for Sunday night. Perhaps the OL, skill guys and starting D play even a little longer.
Delton’s Hall
2:32
With Roethlisberger probably only getting 1/2 of a games work in the preseason, do you foresee another slow start for #7?
Brian Batko
2:34
Or, maybe not even half a game's work, as per my last answer. I mean, I'm not sure how much you can fret about that sort of thing - the not getting enough snaps in exhibitions, I mean. To me, keeping 7 healthy and out of harm's way in meaningless games is most significant. He could get off to a slow start in the regular season for other reasons. A good Pats defense in Week 1, in New England. A relatively new receiving corps, and a young one, at that. And after Foxborough, it's Seattle at home, which still has some playmakers on defense.
Jack
2:35
Brian,  Who would be your surprise cut and surprise to make the team?  Thank you.
Brian Batko
2:37
Surprise cut, maybe Chuks Okorafor? Thought by many to be the third tackle, the swing tackle, I don't think he's looked too good in the preseason. If UDFA Fred Johnson proves to the team he can play both guard and tackle, that versatility helps the Steelers turn 53 guys into 60, as Mike Tomlin put it yesterday. Surprise to make it? Maybe Tuzar Skipper, a fun story and interview I wrote about today https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/08/20/Tuzar-Skipper-...
Brooklyn steelers
2:38
I heard in some news that jay z is supposed to be buying a percent of the steelers..
Brian Batko
2:38
I don't know that there's any truth to that. I certainly haven't heard any rumblings. Probably just a rumor. But hey, Jay-Z was in Pittsburgh earlier this year https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2019/01/22/pitt-basketball-du...
Mr. Big Helmet
2:39
JuJu, Washington, _____________ and_________________ are on the field when Steelers go 4 wideouts?
Brian Batko
2:39
DONTE MONCRIEF and DIONTAE JOHNSON
T. Standard
2:40
So now I see that the brass is giving some credit to Bud for TJs success? Trying to justify paying him 9.5M to wave to quarterbacks as the tackle pushes him toward the end zone?
Brian Batko
2:41
Maybe ol' Bud can build off his preseason performance from Saturday. From Mr. Dulac https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/08/20/pittsburgh-ste...
livinthedream
2:41
Brian, Tampa is loaded with TEs. Their current depth chart suggests that Jordan Leggett and Cameron Brate won't make  the cut. Do you think one or both of these guys has no.2 TE talent?
Brian Batko
2:43
Cameron Brate certainly does, and I'm not sure the Bucs will move on from him given the body of work he's put forth in his career, if you will. If they do, he'll get snatched up right quick, I think. With OJ Howard there, the Bucs might use a lot of 12 personnel. Could they keep four TEs? Antony Auclair has been there a few years and is a big in-line blocker. This Tanner Hudson kid is tearing up the preseason. And Leggett is a guy the Steelers reportedly had interest in when the Jets released him.
Ragsy
2:44
How do you feel about the Hodges play ? Get rid of Josh and keep Mason and Hodges - Am I in Fantasy Land ? Could be dangerous with experience and time ! Thoughts ?
Brian Batko
2:45
I like Hodges as much as the next guy, but I think you're in fantasy land there. Dobbs has been good enough to maintain a spot on this roster, in my opinion. He's smart and a good locker room presence, too. Not bad to have as a third QB.
Bird
2:46
Hello Brian, Do they make move before regular season for a backup tight end or stick with what they have?
Brian Batko
2:47
My guess is they make a move, based on the backup TE play and some of Mike Tomlin's comments. "I like Vance McDonald" is pretty much the extent of his praise thus far.
Tomlin did say some nice things about Kevin Rader and Christian Scotland-Williamson here and there, and Zach Gentry was good against Tampa, but all three of them have holes in their games.
livinthedream
2:48
Tampa Bay also has TE Scott Orndoff out of Pitt. Your thoughts on him?
Brian Batko
2:48
Covered him at Pitt. Nice guy, good college player, no one in the NFL has wanted to keep him around on an active roster just yet. But maybe his big break is still to come. Already had his cup of coffee with the local franchise, though,.
river rat
2:48
I'm hearing that Burns is doing great, then on some other chats that he is not doing so great.  What is your assessment?
Brian Batko
2:49
I'm observing what you're hearing. Better than being completely awful this camp/preseason, though. Have to imagine getting his roster bonus out of the way was a weight off his shoulders, even if he won't admit as much.
Bird
2:49
Brian, How would you rate Mike Hilton so far in camp/preseason? Does he keep the nickel job or does Sutton overtake him?
Brian Batko
2:50
He's been up and down, not all that different from the tape he's put out in real games. Good in run defense, good blitzer, occasionally gets beat in coverage. I think he'll keep that pure slot corner job in nickel packages, but they'll find a way to get Sutton in there. He's too versatile and too productive in practice not to get a bigger share of the pie than he has in previous years.
SBJ
2:50
Hi Brian...chances of Spencer making the team?
Brian Batko
2:51
Probably still not too great. Personally, I really like his skill set as a returner, but how much do those abilities still warrant a spot in the *National Football League*? His pure receiving capabilities have pretty clearly been behind the likes of Ryan Switzer and Eli Rogers and maybe even Johnny Holton.
Bird
2:51
Your opinion on the offensive pass interference call against Johnson? How was it not overturned?
Brian Batko
2:52
I mean, I guess there might have been a little subtle push/hand usage in there. But I certainly wouldn't have called it. And it surprised me that it stood up on replay, but that probably tells you how the officials are approaching this new PI replay rule. Hesitant to change.
Guest
2:53
fred
Brian Batko
2:53
smoot
Delton’s Hall
2:53
As of today which CB’s are on the team and which “get on with their lives work”?
Brian Batko
2:54
Last year they kept five coming out of August. If they do the same, my prediction would be Haden, Nelson, Hilton, Sutton, Burns. But Justin Layne was a third-round pick, so he'll stay, too. I'll go with those six. Life's work, such as it is, for Brian Allen, a fifth-rounder in 2017. Not a bad player, though. Has had some decent moments in practice, for sure.
Black and gold
2:55
Can you comment on team chemistry? So much has been made of it due to Brown / Bell situation.  In the end - does it get us a couple more wins or overblown?
Brian Batko
2:55
Probably neither. There's something to be said for chemistry, but also a lot to be said for having talent. The idea for this Steelers team is to have the right balance of both. Locker room seems just peachy to me so far in my four or so months around it.
Mr. Big Helmet
2:56
How much playing time does #25 this year?
Brian Batko
2:56
Won't need him much if Joe Haden and Steve Nelson stay healthy. Those two combined to play all but one game last season for their respective teams.
Bill
2:57
Heard Heath Miller was moving back to Pittsburgh maybe he would be interested in returning to playing. Just wishful thinking. I do believe they need a quality backup. What say you?
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