JotCast | Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 09.20.21

Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 09.20.21

Brian Batko

2:00

Greetings. Hopefully everyone kept their cool after one loss. I know, I know. It's hard, because last year, you were spoiled by that 11-0 start. Alas, no unbeaten season this year, either. Let's get to it.

Jesse G

2:01

this offense looks exactly like last years as far as scheme is concerned. When is Canada going to put his perspective on scheme? Do you think it’s Matt Canada not calling different plays or Roethlisberger limitations ?

Brian Batko

2:02

I think it's a little unfair to say it looks EXACTLY like last year. That little jet sweep to JuJu for the touchdown was a new wrinkle, right? OK, you got me, that's basically it. It's pretty bad. Pretty reminiscent of 2020, in a bad way. Ben Roethlisberger was asked if they've done enough to change from last year to this year, and he very helpfully answered, "Yes." That was it. Preciate it, Ben.

2:02

How much longer can they play Chuks at RT? He's getting destroyed. Will Banner be ready week 4?

Brian Batko

2:04

Hey, Chuks was their highest-rated lineman this week by Pro Football Focus! We're bringing positive vibes to this chat. But yeah, the one play where Maxx Crosby made him look like a little kid with a bull rush was ... not encouraging. Zach Banner seems to think he'll be ready, but who knows? Can't imagine he'd get knocked down that easily.

Kurt

2:05

Why is it everything seems so hard to accomplish with this offense? If watch the other teams in the league they seem to have no problems scoring points. Is it a scheme problem, personnel, both? So far I don't see any difference between this offense and the crappy one from the end of last season.

Brian Batko

2:06

I said that out loud to someone in the press box yesterday. Think it was Paul Zeise. They make offensive football look so, so difficult. Everything about it. From winning at the line of scrimmage, to getting guys open, to putting the ball where it needs be. Boring answer, I know, but as always, some of both. But I do lean more toward personnel than scheme.

Breaking news mid-chat: Tyson Alualu to IR, as expected, and DL Henry Mondeaux signed off the practice squad to the 53. Welcome back, Hank.

2:08

Are you ready for all the sky is falling, we are doomed rhetoric from Steeler Overreaction Nation?

Brian Batko

2:09

Hasn't been too bad so far. I think last year's disappointing play down the stretch had everyone fairly well prepared for this, even if the Bills game was such a pleasant surprise.

Joe

2:09

With Tyson out, and Tuitt unknown, should they consider bringing in a veteran body from outside?

Brian Batko

2:12

In my opinion, yes. Problem is, they don't have much draft capital left to trade, and the free agent market is not great, as you'd expect going into Week 3 of the regular season. If Geno Atkins or Snacks Harrison have anything left in the tank, might be worth a call.

PghFanCali

2:13

Watching the Steelers offense these past 2 games, Do you feel Ben takes a lot of blame when the Receivers are not getting separation and the O-Line not being able block well for the running game? The Offense is hard to watch but they should be able to create plays to get a yard. The Raiders QB had no issues sneaking every time against the Steelers feared D-Front

Brian Batko

2:15

He certainly took a lot of blame yesterday. That was almost hard to listen to. Only he knows if it's genuine vs. just saying the right thing/trying to be a leader, but either way, there might be something to your point. More so about the receivers not getting open. There were a few times he had ample time to throw and just couldn't make anything happen, with his arm or his legs. I know 39-year-old Ben can't be expected to run much, but geez, watching him try to escape any pressure at all is about as painful as hearing his postgame comments.

Tom in Dallas

2:15

With Tuitt out, we could consider that we were w/o five starters for most of the game. With the offense only scoring 16 and 17 in the first two games, I think we were expecting the defense to 'win' games for us. With all the injuries to the defense, we clearly need the offense to 'win' some games. But they have yet to show they can score enough points to win a game. What do you view are the problems w/ the offense, and what can be adjusted in the course of a week to improve it? I don't see the receivers dropping balls.

Brian Batko

2:17

Well, Eric Ebron probably should've made that catch on that early thid-and-9. I got flamed by a couple people on Twitter for suggesting Chase Claypool needs to come down with that one in the end zone, but I stand by my statement that if he's going to blossom into a true No. 1 receiver, he needs to be able to high-point the ball and make a better offensive play than the corner makes a defensive play. Diontae Johnson has been rock-solid though.

Paul from Sacramento

2:18

Hi Brian, I really appreciate your insight and comments. I'm beginning to wonder about some disconnects with Dionte and Ben. They seem to be off page a bit (allbeit infrequently) and with a offense that is struggling, do you start to go to other recievers until Dionte figures it out? These kind off mishaps seem to not just be a wasted down..but turning into series enders? Thoughts?

Brian Batko

2:22

Yeah it's impossible to know who's at fault for those. Ben was kinda sorta asked about it yesterday, but he didn't shed much light on those miscommunications. Perhaps he can be asked more specifically Wednesday and will be able to lend some insight upon watching the film. For what it's worth, Ben said the communication was fine. The cynical take would be to interpret that as his way of saying the plays/routes were communicated clearly and not executed by the receiver.

ErnHartnerMr305

2:22

Rookie quarterbacks with poor offensive lines are often left off the field to preserve not only their physical wellbeing, but their confidence. Should we not have the same concerns about our rookie running back Najee Harris?

Brian Batko

2:23

Uhhhhhh no. Najee will be fine. I thought he was good, not great, yesterday but he seems to be getting better with each game, maybe each quarter. Confidence? Not a concern at all with him. Think he has just the right amount.

jim

2:24

I know you are going to say its only one game but truthfully with the injuries and lack of offensive line ability ,what reason for optimism do we have? I have always been a big Ben supporter but it truly looks like its over for him. I dread saying that but it looks like the Steelers are headed in a direction i haven't seen since the 60's. Can you give us anything to change my mind?

Brian Batko

2:25

I mean, there's only one (likely) season-ending injury at this point, and it's Alualu. So you can be optimistic about the Groin Guys getting back soon. And you can be optimistic about the offensive line improving each week they get time to play together and jell, especially with two rookies and another newcomer. Ben-wise, not much I can do for ya, jim. But hopefully the first part helped.

D-Ru

2:26

Any word on Devin Bush and Joe Haden yet? Why so many groin injuries? Coincidence or training issue?

Brian Batko

2:27

Nope, not yet. Here's hoping Mike Tomlin will have some concrete info tomorrow, but odds are, they were "let participation be our guide." Also I'd call it coincidence. I don't think they were particularly physical in practice or anything this week.

DinkyDunk

2:27

What Derek Watt And When?

Brian Batko

2:28

Good question.

Shane_in_Colrain_Mass

2:28

I enjoyed watching Big Al get beat constantly on Sunday Night Football. Does anyone want him back now?

Brian Batko

2:31

Al Villanueva had one of the worst pass sets I've ever seen by an offensive lineman on that one play that went viral. But it should be noted the Ravens allowed just one sack and put up 36 points and he was one of the highest-graded linemen by Pro Football Focus this week. Just saying.

Phil McGroin

2:31

I saw a pass chart this morning, Ben has thrown almost no balls in the middle of the field. Would like to start seeing some intermediate length throws over the middle to Juju and Friermuth. Thoughts?

Brian Batko

2:33

Yeah I think I saw the same pass chart. It's ... not pretty. Some of those over-the-middle throws can take a while to develop, which doesn't exactly jibe with this line's struggles in pass pro. That's one possible explanation for it. But I also question whether Ben is still accurate enough to thread the needle on some of those intermediate-to-deeper throws down the seam.

B. Green

2:34

Any word on 18’s injury? I’m generally supportive of HCMT but c’mon…it is impossible to score 9 points in 20 seconds even if the other team leaves the field. Why bother running a play? When they snapped the ball I started screaming “TAKE A KNEE”…instead it appears they injured a fairly valuable knee :-(

Brian Batko

2:35

One of those NFL Network or ESPN news-breakers reported that it's not expected to be serious. I don't really have an issue with running a play there. You instill in your guys to fight until the end.

ChasingPain

2:37

I don’t think the relationship between Ben and Matt is going to good. Your thoughts?

Brian Batko

2:40

I'm not gonna jump to that conclusion just yet. His "you'll have to ask Coach Canada; that's what he's calling" remark yesterday was a little odd. Also kind of odd that it didn't make it into the team's official postgame transcript. Anyway, it was just a question about the Steelers using so much 11 personnel (1 TE, 1 RB, 3 WRs) which is pretty standard across the league. Ben probably could've just said that. It also gets the top 3 wideouts and two rookies on the field together, which is arguably their best five skill players. Ben basically did say that. Just a weird way to answer it.

Guido

2:41

Isn't it time that the Steelers use fullback to open holes and allow Ben time to pass.

Brian Batko

2:43

Normally I'd say that's taking snaps away from other, more dynamic players, but in this case, yeah. I'm with ya. What do you have to lose? Averaging 57 yards on the ground. Three touchdowns in two games, 33 points from the offense. Might as well try getting Derek Watt in there some to see if he can help.

Anabell

2:45

Miss you on the Game Day chat.

Brian Batko

2:45

Thank you, Anabell. I'm sure Zeise is doing a fantastic job.

TfromAltoona

2:47

B. Are we going to see Mason before the end of this season ?

Brian Batko

2:49

T. I'm gonna say no.