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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 10.31.22
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Brian Batko
10:00
Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Rough one again yesterday for the Steeles, who took it on the chin in Philly, as they've done 10 times in a row. Gerry Dulac is driving the P-G car and I'm in the backseat ready to talk.
10:01
Ray Fittipaldo is here, too. Don't wanna leave him out.
Steeler in Virginia
10:01
I know the Kenny fans may send me death threats, but the rookie's decision-making and accuracy seems to be lacking. Time to sit him down and put Mitch back in with the defense hopefully getting healthy over the bye?
Brian Batko
10:02
Nope, I don't think so. As I wrote in my instant analysis after the game, I think that was his worst performance yet. But at this point you have to stick with him, live with the ups and downs, do what you can to help him progress as a rookie QB who was thrown into the fire. That's just my 2 cents.
Donald J. Football
10:02
Hey Double B, thanks for the chats. If you were to evaluate Pickett through 16 quarters, how much of his struggles would you put on his shoulders, versus what's going on (or not going on) around him? Thanks.
Brian Batko
10:04
Certainly the circumstances haven't been ideal. He stepped into an already disjointed offense to be "a spark" - as I said back then, weird way to handle your first-round pick/future franchise QB, but OK - and facing some really good defenses off the bat. The Steelers' OL remains limited, and there's not much of a run game to support him. But there's also something to be said for elevating the players around you, and he's not doing that. In fact, the last five or six quarters he's been hurting the cause with his own struggles.
Jud
10:06
Hey Bats, going to be a scary chat today!  If a coaching change were going to be made, has to be today correct?  You think Canada or Austin or both?
Brian Batko
10:07
Very frightening, and not just because it's Halloween. I don't think the Steelers will make a coaching change, but yes, if it were to happen it would likely happen today. The Steelers practice tomorrow and Wednesday before enjoying their off week.
RJT
10:09
It’s silly to give up on Najee completely this early in his career but he doesn’t have it this year. Warren looks quicker. Why can everyone buy Mike T see this?  What is the rationale for keeping Najee as RB1?
Brian Batko
10:11
Probably somewhat similar to sticking with Pickett. You believe in the talent, you invested in the person, and you're willing to let him work through the rough patches. Plus, he's supposedly fully healthy now and not at all limited by the foot, which he wasn't earlier in the season.
Hi Brian
10:12
HCMT will come out today and say he's "accountable," and the "standard is the standard" do you even know what that means anymore?  If there is accountability and a standard of excellence, it has been years since we've seen it.  No?
Brian Batko
10:13
No he won't. Because he's not talking today. And given the off week, you might not hear from him until next Tuesday, to preview the Saints - who just shut out the Raiders, 24-0, by the way.
Johnny U
10:13
The Steelers FO has to change their ways about hiring asst coaches.  This hiring within has been a failure. Other than Arians who they fired who has gone on to success?  Is MT that insecure about bringing in someone with fresh ideas?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
10:15
Apparently Adrian Klemm is doing a great job at Oregon!
Cliff
10:15
Could have gotten Quinn for the DL, but did not.  WHY?    If Quinn is too old, why keep anyone over 30?   Are Steelers rebuilding or patching holes?
Brian Batko
10:15
Where exactly do you think this team is headed this year, Cliff?
Johnny
10:16
Have we reached the “Sum of all Fears” yet?
Brian Batko
10:16
Isn't that a movie?
artie bridge
10:16
Ok Bats, we all hear the cries for Canada to go.  Are there ANY sensible reasons to keep him, at least through this season?
Brian Batko
10:17
Tricky goal line plays!
10:18
But in all seriousness, to me the main reason is simply continuity for a rookie QB, which might be more valuable than any sort of intangible to making a change at this point. If you fire Matt Canada, you have to promote Mike Sullivan, taking his time away from working individually with Pickett. Plus, what offense is Sullivan going to run? Canada's offense that was installed all year.
Mark
10:18
Hi Brian, If the Steelers get a high draft pick and an elite QB prospect is available, any chance the Steelers draft one?
Brian Batko
10:20
Hi, Mark. Never say never, though I'd be shocked. It could depend on Pickett's performance the rest of the way, and it's not as if it's unprecedented in the NFL, but it doesn't strike me as something the Steelers would do. Sure, there's a new regime, but Omar Khan is also an extension of the old regime and Tomlin is Tomlin. Not "blowing in the wind" and things of that nature.
Jerry
10:21
We have a new GM. Why don’t they just get a new coach? The league has caught onto Tomlins scheme and he’s doesn’t know what to do about it
Brian Batko
10:22
Did the Bengals catch onto his scheme? Did the Bucs? Maybe "the league" just largely has better players right now than the Steelers.
abogado JFW
10:23
Hey Bri, you saw that screen to Najee where he danced, seems like he has no identity as a back and am starting to question whether he might be a bust...
Brian Batko
10:25
I'm not ready to say that just yet, but absolutely, that play was brutal to watch. And you're right in the sense that if you ask me right now what he does well as a running back, I'm not sure what I'd tell you. Maybe the ability to make guys miss in the open field here and there, but to your point, you can't get caught up in trying to do that too often.
Lou
10:26
Brian! This team is dead in the water and the trade deadline is here….are we going to see a fire sale and if not, WHY? They need youth and new everything. Just stock up on draft picks for Xmas!!
Brian Batko
10:28
Oh, I'm sure they'd be happy to sell off some spare parts and recoup resources for the future. But it takes two to tango and I'm not sure what kind of market there will be for the backup QBs, the vets in the last year of their deal, et al. Chase Claypool is the most intriguing one to me. I think he could fetch a decent return, say a Day 2 pick, but are the Steelres ready to give up on him? We shall see, but I lean toward no.
Alan from Indy
10:29
Brian, me (along with Steeler fans) watching Kenny P seems like I’m watching my grandson play high school football, he can do no wrong. Are we losing our objectivity?
Brian Batko
10:30
Ha, I don't know about that Alan but it did make me chuckle. There's probably a natural inclination to give him the benefit of the doubt for a lot of people here, especially diehard Pitt fans. But I've seen plenty of folks criticizing him, too.
J$Money
10:31
It seems to me that Mike Tomlin has 2 standards, one for players and a different one for coaches. He didn’t waste any time benching Trubisky and yesterday benched Witherspoon before the first half was over, but Canada is still on the staff after failing miserably for a season and a half. It’s time to hold everyone accountable. That will show the players that no one  is above accountability and may actually motivate everyone to work harder and be their own worst critic.
Brian Batko
10:32
Well, sure, I think inherently you can't treat coaches the same as players. You don't have backup coaches. And in your apples-to-oranges comparison, you're suggesting that the Steelers outright cut Trubisky, Witherspoon, etc., which they obviously did not.
TC in CLT
10:33
Hi Brian.  Steelers football is un-watchable.  I was resigned that this team was going to take time to develop, but e pecting to see improvement over the year as most Tomlin teams do.  But there is no signs of improvement anywhere.  Do you think they do anything different in the upcoming off-season?  Trade back for more picks/depth, bring in coaches from outside, etc?
Brian Batko
10:34
New offensive coordinator, outside hire, fresh ideas and outlook on how to scheme things up for this group.
Justin
10:34
Bats, thanks for taking my question.  I have long been a Tomlin supporter, but it is now fair to ask - has his message gone stale with this group?  For the fans it certainly has but from your interviews with players do you get the feeling they feel that way too?
Brian Batko
10:37
You're welcome. That's an interesting notion. My sense is he's still a revered coach, both here and around the league, and his energy doesn't waver. But plenty of teams in plenty of sports have made coaching changes over the years because of a need for a new message, or a new culture. Everything seems better than it is when you're winning, worse than it is when you're losing. It's not in Tomlin's nature to do anything too drastic, and he prides himself on the consistent approach that players appreciate, but this season is going down the drain.
Uncle Floyd
10:38
In your opinion, What is the biggest decision Steeler management has made to be where they are now?  Do you think, with a lighter schedule moving forward, the ship can be righted to at least be competitive?  Enjoy the work all of you in the car, be safe!
Brian Batko
10:39
Thanks, Floyd. It's never as simple as one decision, but obviously the Canada experience has not gone as planned. Now, hiring a different OC two years ago doesn't make Ben Roethlisberger more mobile or Mason Rudolph more accurate, but he simply hasn't found a way to mesh with this offense and squeeze any production out of them.
ev
10:40
Good Moring Brian, I am curious to know if there will be any changes in the immediate week following the shellacking the Steelers endured yesterday?  I can't give any benefit of the doubt to a team which is "loaded with talent" but when the opponent scores 17 points I know the game is over.
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