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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 09.23.24
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Brian Batko
11:00
Hi everyone, thanks for spending some time with us today talking Steelers. The 3-0 Steelers. Let's get to it.
Tom
11:01
Not that Fields is All Pro yet, but isn't it saying something about how much talent gets wasted when guys go to Cleveland, Chicago, or the Jets. It is impossible that at least 10 of the best college qbs all became busts overnight, right? I like the draft, but is this a problem for the NFL?
Brian Batko
11:02
Yes, and it's not just on display here in Pittsburgh through three weeks. Look at Malik Willis in Green Bay, the coaching he's getting from Matt LaFleur. Environment matters, fit matters, confidence matters. You can just see the confidence Justin Fields is playing with. It jumps off the field/screen.
artie bridge
11:03
Brian, does Calvin Austin's performance end, or at least, lessen, the talk of finding a #2 receiver, or is that premature?
Brian Batko
11:05
I always thought that chatter was a bit overblown, but I'm also not going too crazy over yesterday. It was good work by both Austin and Scotty Miller. Need to stack those, though.
PTBNL
11:06
Considering the Vikings beat the Texans, Giants beat the Browns, Broncos beat the Bucs, and the Rams beat the 49ers; if we lose to the Colts or the team in Washington, is it safe to say that our fan base will call for Tomlin to be fired because we lost a game in which we were favored to win?  I expect nothing less. :-)
Brian Batko
11:07
Colts aren't looking real impressive thus far, but I'll say this much, I think Shane Steichen is a head coach who can be a difference-maker. We saw last year in Indy how they beat the Steelers with Gardner Minshew under center making them look silly.
KJ
11:08
Good morning, Brian. I would be many Steelers fans, me included, feel a whole lot better about our team than we did on Friday.  The Defense was awesome against the Chargers! Did I hear right? LA only got -5 yards in the second half? Chief concern is the severity of Alex Highsmith's groin injury - any update on him?
Brian Batko
11:08
Morning, KJ. I'm with you that yesterday felt different. Was by far their most encouraging win of the young season. No word on Alex Highsmith yet, but the locker room is open to media at 1, so we'll see what we can find out there.
Ryan
11:10
It seems like good things have happened when they have allowed Fields to target the middle of the field.  Only problem is that didn’t happen in the first game, only a couple times in the second game and that did expand to something like four times yesterday.  It just makes sense you have to defend more on the field has a defense. I understand that’s where a lot of interceptions happen, but he’s looked really good when allowed.  The one interception yesterday was a fluke.  Do you think they will open up the playbook and allow him to fully target the middle of the field more moving forward?
Brian Batko
11:11
I'm not sure what people expect an NFL quarterback's passing chart to look like. The distribution of targets yesterday for Fields was pretty impressive. You're still gonna want to give George Pickens opportunities to win 50-50 balls down the sideline, catch-and-run opportunities for your backs in the flats, etc.
TVC15
11:12
Will they extend Najee after this season?  He plays hard.
Brian Batko
11:13
He does, but I still don't think so. The Steelers knew how hard he runs when they declined his fifth-year option. This isn't something new we're seeing from him. He's been tough as nails, no doubt, it's just that they clearly don't value that at second contract kind of money.
Jeff
11:14
Thanks for the chats Bats.  I really hope one long reception doesn't stop us from looking for a number 2 receiver before the trade deadline.  Whereas Austin is fast he has to have a clear path for yards after the catch because it takes a stiff wind to tackle him.  What are your thoughts and have you heard anything on a trade?  Got awfully quiet after Auiyuk fell through
Brian Batko
11:16
Yeah, as I alluded to earlier, I still think they need some more variation in their receiving corps. I was a big believer in Van Jefferson coming out of camp but it just hasn't been there through three games, albeit not much of a chance yesterday because he got poked in the eye early. Austin, Miller and Roman Wilson once he's healthy are all nice pieces, but fairly overlapping skill sets. Perhaps a Brandon Johnson, Quez Watkins or Jaray Jenkins will get a look from the practice squad at some point.
Russ Shall Not Cook
11:16
3-0 start, Fields is starting to spread the ball around a bit, we scored 20 points...everything seems to be pointing toward Justin Fields being the starter indefinitely, right?  Will Russ be a good soldier and be QB2?
Brian Batko
11:18
Yes, I think so. It'd be tough for him to endure a lost season at age 35, soon to be 36, but if he's not right physically then it's not worth going out there and damaging his future even more by playing bad football. Not to get ahead of ourselves, but because you asked, if Russell Wilson doesn't ever play this year and it's the Fields show and he looks great, Wilson can easily spin that as bad timing and he still has a lot left in the tank. It's just that the Steelers weren't gonna bench a young, promising Fields. He could still rebound.
Turk in MD
11:18
Thanks for the chats, Brian.  That was a beautiful football game. Tomlin has earned past criticism. Let’s give him and his staff the praise this morning.  Thoughts?
Brian Batko
11:20
Two claps for you, Mike Tomlin. You go, Mike Tomlin. But yes, in all seriousness, they've had good plans. Not sure about the OL rotating, though.
PQ
11:20
BB, is it fair to say that I finally delivered the game that your average yinzer has been pining for, in consideration of my financial situation?
Brian Batko
11:21
Patrick Queen was playing fast, aggressive and hitting hard, although that INT did hit you in the hands, pal. It was a fastball from Justin Herbert no doubt, but you're getting paid the big bucks.
Arthur not Art
11:22
Good morning, Brian.  So, have they started scanning the waiver wire for kickers yet?  Unacceptable that Boz missed that 62 yarder. On a serious note, bad news about Fautanu. Does Anderson become the next man up once Seumalo is healthy or do they think Cook is capable of playing that role for the remainder of the season?
Brian Batko
11:24
Good morning, Arthur. I wonder if Chris Boswell was more frustrated he missed a kick or that he didn't make a 62-yarder, if that makes sense. I'm not sure if the swing tackle will be Spencer Anderson, John Leglue or Broderick Jones. And by that, I mean Anderson might have the most confidence from the coaches if they would need someone to step in at RT. But if Dan Moore would go down, I think you'd see Jones slide over there still. We'll see when Dylan Cook gets healthy but he's not even practicing yet.
FC
11:25
Good morning Brian, and thanks for the chats! I have been really impressed with Frazier and McCormick. I think McCormick needs to start, pretty sure he hasn't given up any pressures in the passing game. Can they find a spot for him when Seumalo comes back?  Also, when is Seumalo expected back?
Brian Batko
11:27
No, Isaac Seumalo will slide back in I would think but I agree with you that if he does have to miss a fourth game in Indy, Mason McCormick over Spencer Anderson wouldn't be a bad call. Not that Anderson's been bad, but let's just be honest, they jumped at the chance to take McCormick in the fourth round.
Munkeefist
11:28
Any word on Warren? I'm starting to forget he's on the team and I'm wearing his jersey!!
Brian Batko
11:28
And as a Jaylen Warren haver in fantasy, I too am a bit nonplussed. Cordarrelle Patterson really stepped up yesterday, though. Give him credit.
Mark in Buffalo
11:29
With the improvements Fields has shown from Chi-Pgh and now game-to-game, and with Allen seemingly a competent backup QB (ref: preseason), how reasonable or likely is a Russell Wilson trade to MIA as we sit here now? (we’d get a pick for him, MIA is desperate, Front Office avoids the messy end-of-season problem of what to do with contracts for 2 potential QB1’s, and Wilson as insurance that Fields is a bust is looking more-and-more unnecessary; for RW’s point-of-view, he’d be going to a playoff-caliber roster).
Brian Batko
11:30
That's juicy, for sure. But I'm not sure the long-term status of Tua Tagovailoa beyond the reports that he wants to keep playing. The Fins did sign Tyler Huntley. They should turn over that stone before they go trading for Russell Wilson or anyone else.
the real guest
11:31
Brian, Is it time to announce that the Steelers have a full blown QB CON TRO VERSY underway? Or as MT might say, the process has created a significant pebble in the collective's shoe.
Brian Batko
11:33
There's always been a QB controversy. The definition of controversy is disagreement, particularly strong viewpoints on differing sides. Hasn't that been the case from the moment we knew the Steelers were going into the season with the Wilson-Fields setup? Reasonable football minds could see it differently based on how those two guys have played the past few seasons, though obviously only a few opinions matter in Pittsburgh when it comes to choosing the starter.
Fieldsallquestions
11:34
Hey Brian - The coaching staff seems to really be focusing on Fields development as a passer, less designed runs and using his athletic ability to escape.  Did they learn lessons from the Kenny 2 Gloves experiment?
Brian Batko
11:36
Yeah that was a low-key impressive aspect of his play yesterday. He did most of his damage throwing, either resisting the instinct to run or just being really confident in what he was seeing in the passing game. Anticipatory throws, reading the field, all that stuff was kind of the big picture that eluded him in Chicago from what I've heard/seed and yet it was on display Sunday. I'd call that a very heartening development.
Tank
11:38
What's your thoughts on the special teams? I think they have done very well especially Boz and the new punter.
Brian Batko
11:38
They have indeed. And I was a bit pessimistic about that unit yesterday given all the turnover due to injury last week. James Pierre, Rodney Williams and others did their jobs. Corliss Waitman has been really good, too, replacing Cam Johnston.
Jim_Bow_Dean
11:40
Before the draft, Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated reported that Fautanu was “flagged” for a knee issue. Is that accurate? Is it the same knee?
Brian Batko
11:41
Troy Fautanu did have a legitimate injury history, a torn ACL and Lisfranc issue, but those both were early in his college career. I'm not sure off the top of my head of the specifics/which leg/etc.
Tall Guy
11:43
Why isnt Patterson returning kicks?
Brian Batko
11:43
Because kickers can just blast the ball out of the end zone.
Martian
11:44
BB - thanks for the chats. What do you think after the chargers game, Justin fields job to lose?
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