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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 10.11.21
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hi everyone. The chat-thru line is open. What'll ya have?
Krugerrand
2:01
Brian, I made my Super Bowl plans.  I cancelled my Super Bowl plans.  Should I make my plans again, or wait another week?
Brian Batko
2:02
Better re-book before those PIT-LAX flights skyrocket and Steeler Nation swarms all the hotels in the Southern California area.
Buster
2:02
How on earth did the Steelers beat the Bills?
Brian Batko
2:03
Josh Allen missed some throws that day and he isn't missing them anymore, apparently. Also the Steelers defense was relatively healthy, and is still an elite unit when healthy. Most of the time.
Mrbig
2:03
Is denver and their 3-1 record overrated?
Brian Batko
2:05
Yep. Now they're 3-2. Next time someone says you are what your record says you are, point to that team and this game. The Broncos got better late, but from the very beginning, it was clear that it wasn't your typical 3-1 vs. 1-3 matchup.
daniel1111
2:05
Where was TJ Watt during yesterday game's 2nd half? I guess three headed monster of Watt, Highsmith, Ingram is just a hype.
Brian Batko
2:07
He sounded frustrated after the game when answering a question about how often he's getting double-teamed. But just because he's not putting up big numbers doesn't mean he didn't impact a game. You don't think Denver scheming for him didn't help open things up for guys like Devin Bush and Henry Mondeaux to get sacks? I also thought the Watt-Highsmith-Ingram package was effective, at least in terms of the Broncos needing to recognize and counter it.
artie bridge
2:08
Brian, Two observations for you to comment on: 1. The drop-off from Najee to the back-up rb's is like falling off Everest.  Surely there are better reserves out there than Snell and Ballage?  2.  I'm underwhelmed by what I'm seeing from Highsmith.  Your take?
Brian Batko
2:10
Yeah, the Alex Highsmith hype probably got a little overblown in camp/preseason, especially given the competition. But I'm not particularly concerned. That was a good O-line they just played, and last week, he faced one of the all-time QB greats with the pocket presence to show for it. As for the running backs ... well, shouldn't be hard to find a spot for Anthony McFarland. Although one minor detail is that both Ballage and Snell have been playing special teams, and I'm not sure a veteran street free agent would sign up for that.
STEEL72
2:11
Bats, obviously elated we pulled out a win. It was excruciating watching what could potentially have been another Denver shiv to the back. Did you feel we were on the verge of another tragic end? I certainly felt it coming. So, again, I'm very happy.
Brian Batko
2:12
Actually, no. It was very reminiscent of how I felt last year in Week 2, also at home, also against Denver. On that day it was Terrell Edmunds who came in for the game-sealing sack. Yesterday I had much the same feeling, that this defense would stand up and get the job done. I was like 80% sure. Probably says just as much about the guys who were playing QB for the Broncos in those two games, not to mention that organization in general lately.
The Truth
2:13
Serial Ben Roethlisberger excuse-maker Bob Labriola named Ben the 'player of the game' or whatever on the Steelers website. It was CLEARLY Najee Harris, right? Ben managed the game very well, which is what he should have done.
Brian Batko
2:15
I chose Najee in my postgame analysis. But you could've gone any number of ways. Ben. Claypool. James Pierre? Chuks Okorafor?
Guest
2:16
Brian is Steeler Nation prepared for another letdown as Tomlin blows the upcoming  very winnable game against the Seahawks because he's not prepared ... again?
Brian Batko
2:16
Guess you just asked them...
Steeler in Virginia
2:16
Think the team goes out and gets another WR with some experience as depth, or do they roll with who they had in camp/practice squad since they know the playbook?
Brian Batko
2:17
Leaning toward the latter. But there are a lot of talented receivers on practice squads around the league. And man, I'm not sure if he has an ounce of gas left in the tank, or if he even wants to play again anywhere let alone here, but wouldn't Larry Fitzgerald be an intriguing story?
J$Money
2:18
In the MLB, after a rain delay the pitcher is usually replaced due to fear of tightness and injury. While watching last nights NFL game, is there any similar concern for injury after a lengthy weather delay?
Brian Batko
2:18
Yeah I think there's always concern, but not to the point of making a significant lineup change. Too few games in the NFL, too few chances to get a much-needed victory.
Jud
2:18
Glad we beat the Broncos, but this doesn't necessarily mean that we're "back" correct?
Brian Batko
2:19
Correct. I had this game marked down as a win the moment the schedule came out and nothing I saw in the first four weeks, from either team, changed my mind on that by Sunday at 1 p.m.
lamberto55
2:20
when will carlos davis be ready to play, they need a big body in the middle of that defense
Brian Batko
2:21
I gotta assume he'll be ready soon. He's already missed four games, so they could've given themselves an extra roster spot by putting him on IR. Makes me think this wasn't viewed as a long-term injury.
AtlantaDan
2:21
Now that he has been seen in public working out after not even being seen at the Steelers facility after the season started, any estimates on when Tuitt may be able to return to the lineup?
Brian Batko
2:23
Still don't know, Dan. Good sign that he was back out in the open, doing some conditioning, but too early to tell.
Joe Snarky
2:23
Juju: Easy to replace, because his production has been so anemic? Or hard to replace, because his anemic production was caused by extra safety attention, opening things up for Chase and Dionte? I love his hands and his fight, but his production suggests he's a number 3 guy at best.
Brian Batko
2:26
Yeah, I really feel for JuJu. Dude has a thankless job in this offense. But, as you said, I think others can do it. I lean toward not a huge loss.
Tampa Too
2:26
As always Brian thanks for the chat. Why doesn’t Ray Ray just take a knee when he is 1 to 2 yards deep in the end zone? Whenever he tries to run it out he very rarely gets to the 25 yard line but more importantly there’s usually a holding call which pins the Steelers back even further.
Brian Batko
2:27
I mean, he can't control the holding stuff. His blockers need to be better with that. But Ray-Ray McCloud has the second-highest kick return average in the NFL. He's doing just fine.
putinbatch
2:28
just wanted to say I feel bad for Juju. it seems like our offensive plan / deployment of him was inevitably going to get him seriously injured. I'm surprised it took this long. Sure he may act immature at times, but he seems to 'get' the Steeler Way since he chose to stay here (even while he could have much better stats with a more functional offense + coaching staff). Any thoughts? Thanks for the chat and for letting me vent :)
Brian Batko
2:30
Couldn't have said it better myself. He plays hard, always, and never complained. At least not publicly.
JB
2:31
With game day inactives it seems like we announce way earlier than need be. Don’t you think it would help a tiny bit to wait till last second to announce like in the case of Cam Sutton? Why not wait till the deadline as opposed to announcing Friday or early Saturday?
Brian Batko
2:32
Eh, not really. He was ruled out on Friday afternoon. It's not as if the Broncos were suddenly gonna change a whole bunch of stuff within 48 hours because of that.
david
2:32
Do you think OLB Highsmith is having a sophomore slump as he seems lost out there? What is going on with him?
Brian Batko
2:33
He's also been dealing with a groin. Might not be 100%. But yes, I thought he'd have a sack by now.
Ak
2:33
Why is it that Steelers fans think there are better players on the street than ones who are already on rosters?  Seems to me they’re unsigned for a reason!
Brian Batko
2:34
Well, sometimes there are, and they're just unsigned because they're waiting for a good fit/desperate team. But yes, by and large, you don't often see a huge influx of veteran talent mid-season across the league. We'll see how Richard Sherman does for the Bucs, as he's a good example.
McLovin
2:35
Hi Brian, do you think we should make a trade for a wide receiver with Juju going down for the year?
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