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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 10.28.19
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Brian Batko
12:01
Hi, everyone. Hopefully you didn't fall into a sinkhole this morning. A little abbreviated chat today since the Steelers play tonight and we've now had three of these things without a game in between to talk about, but we'll still go for a half hour. Let 'em fly!
Jaxon
12:01
Brian,  tonight is the classic setup for our annual "Let down" game.
any indications to you that the Steelers are "looking past" tonights game?
Brian Batko
12:02
No, everyone was saying all the right things this week, on both sides of the ball. Javon Hargrave noted that sometimes, the winless team is one of the hungriest ones on the schedule. David DeCastro said the Dolphins defensive front is playing well together and better than their record would indicate. So, at least outwardly, no signs of underestimating these guys. Probably helps that the Steelers are 2-4 themselves.
The Optimistic One
12:03
The schedule gives this team a chance to really get back in this playoff race. Two questions:
1) What's the more likely route, division or wild card?
2) What record do you predict will get a team in the playoffs?
Brian Batko
12:05
1) I think wild card at this point, especially with the Bills losing at home yesterday to a reeling Philly team. Buffalo's 5-2 record might be fraudulent.
2) Depends just how toothless some of these AFC resumes are. I like the Texans at 5-3, but after that? It's a bit of a wasteland. Bills. Jags. Titans. Raiders. Chargers. And then, the Steelers. It's not difficult to imagine a scenario in which 8-8 does the trick, right?
Mountain Gus
12:05
There is no chance the Steelers could play down to the Dolphin's pitiful level of competition............could they?
Brian Batko
12:06
There's a chance they could "play down" but it's really tough to imagine them losing. What would that even look like? Ryan Fitzpatrick hits some big plays, Mason Rudolph struggles and the Steelers run game gets bogged down? Even then, this Steelers defense seems much more complete and less likely to bust than some of the units that have blown games against lousy teams in past years.
Jay
12:07
Hey Brian.  In your brief appearances on the radio, you been excellent and already top 2 or 3 in Pittsburgh.  Any interest in your own radio show or in the works???
Brian Batko
12:07
Thanks, Jay. Nothing in the works, but I'm available for the right opportunity. Call your local radio station and don't ask, but DEMAND that they have their people call my people.
12:08
And of course, listen to myself and Ray Fittipaldo on the Post-Gazette's North Shore Drive podcast https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/the-north-shore-drive-sports-...
Alan in Nashville
12:08
Hi Brian. Do you have any inside info on how the Steelers
plan to utilize the D-line tonight? I’m ok with Alualu but I’m nervous that if they rotate as much as usual, that’ll get Big Dan on the field too much. That’s never a good thing in my view. I’d rather see what Buggs has got. Thanks.
Brian Batko
12:10
I'm not really buying the idea of an expanded role for Dan McCullers. As for Isaiah Buggs, we have to see if he even gets a helmet first. He and recently re-acquired vet LT Walton are a "Two dogs for one bone" situation tonight on the DL to see who's active and who's not. More than anything, I think you'll see some different defensive looks from the Steelers to get their linebackers involved in the pass rush. Mike Tomlin said himself he can't expect any of the other DL to provide a Stephon Tuitt-like impct.
LovieSmith
12:10
Brian, a lot of talk about opening up the offense for Mason against the Dolphins. Should we have any faith in our WR'S against any team ?.
Brian Batko
12:11
It's not a real encouraging group at the moment. If James Washington doesn't start making some plays soon, his stock will continue to drop. My bold prediction is that one of the backups - Donte Moncrief (if active), Ryan Switzer or Johnny Holton - catches a TD tonight. I don't know why.
JB
12:11
Why not sign someone like Crabtree who is a veteran receiver but can also return punts
Brian Batko
12:12
Michael Crabtree has never returned a punt in his 11-year career. Are you maybe confusing him with someone else?
One is Worth Two In The Bush
12:12
Devin has proved the trade was worth it up to this point. The true Fitzmagic has been a great addition...do you see the teams trade/draft philosophy change to more bold moves like these moving forward?
Brian Batko
12:14
Possibly. Those two moves are aging well so far. When you look back on the 2019 draft, and granted, it's still early, but you can't ask for much better execution from the Steelers than what they did in the first round.
Scott
12:14
With Samuels healthy would you move Trey Edmunds back to the PS and sign another OLB (maybe Skipper) to the 53? Elliott  does nothing for me.
Brian Batko
12:15
Tuzar Skipper is back with the Giants and the Steelers had a chance to claim him, but apparently weren't that interested. Jay Elliott had that big play in the preseason and has some NFL experience. He's just depth at this point and is probably fine for that role. I don't know what will happen with Edmunds. He might get caught in the numbers game here soon.
Tampa Too
12:15
Is Eli Rogers still available?  Any chance the Steeler's cut Moncrief and bring back Eli?  Your thoughts?  Thanks
Brian Batko
12:16
He is available, but I think the Steelers would've made that move already if they had designs on re-signing him. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them move on from Donte Moncrief within the next couple weeks in order to most likely recoup a compensatory draft pick.
Bubba
12:16
Brian,  Mason struggles does the Duck go in?
Brian Batko
12:17
I don't think so, but if the Steelers wanted to do something like that tonight, this would be the week to do it. Just because you could spin it as Rudolph being rusty coming off the concussion and the long layoff.
Vince
12:17
The patriots use pick plays all the time but are  rarely called for the penalty? Why is that?
Brian Batko
12:18
They're good at doing them and making it seem within the rules. Other teams run them too, including the Steelers.
Michael Dunn
12:19
Best Sports writer in USA
Brian Batko
12:19
Thanks buddy, check is in the mail!
Silly in PHILLY
12:19
Sup Bats?  It’s been a minute.  Best guess, does Moncrief get the axe so as to recoup a potential 3rd Rd?
Brian Batko
12:20
I think so. They still don't seem to trust him or have much desire to use him in the offense. He might even be inactive again tonight with James Washington healthy.
James
12:20
Hi Brian...I’m interested in Ben’ s relationship with Mason.  It supposedly got off to a rocky start.  Now that Ben is out for the season, does he have any input as to Mason’s development?  Do they get along on a personal basis?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
12:21
Not sure I'd say he has any input in his development. And he probably shouldn't. That's a coach's role. Those two do seem to get along, though. Rudolph joked a few weeks ago that Roethlisberger is usually good for sarcastic comments when watching film, and that he missed having that this season.
Kent
12:21
Wild card
Brian Batko
12:21
Noted, Kent
odb
12:21
when will shaler win a playoff game?
Brian Batko
12:22
My Shaler Titans have won plenty of playoff games in recent seasons. But if you're talking football, here's hoping they can spring a first-round upset Friday night. Tough sledding against the top of Class 5A though.
Brian
12:22
Any chance that the Steelers trade for veteran olb before Deadline  ?
Brian Batko
12:23
I don't think so. IF they really wanted to shore up that position, there are some intriguing names on the free-agent market and on other teams' practice squads.
This Guy
12:23
Hey, how about Pittsburgh's other "football" team the Riverhounds getting a big 7-0 playoff win and heading to the semi-finals.  Can we give the boys some love on here?
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