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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 11.14.22
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hey folks, time to chat Steelers, coming off a much-needed home win over the Saints. Don't be shy, send over some questions.
Kurt
2:01
HI Brian.  The offense especially the rushing attack looked way better yesterday, but I am scratching my head why Pickens isn't targeted more or more involved in the offense.  He looks so good out there and especially with Claypool gone, seems criminal not to involve him more now.  Is it a scheme issue with Canada, or Pickett just not seeing him open or looking his way during routes?  Its maddening.
Brian Batko
2:02
He's their short-yardage back now, Kurt!
2:03
But in all seriousness, I think it's part of the game flow at this point. Kenny Pickett was playing even more conservative than usual yesterday because they had a lead, and George Pickens is obviously a deep threat. I'm with you in terms of they need to try to get him more involved than just go-routes.
Steeler Joe
2:04
I mean, isn't it possible that the folks who said "this offensive line, which is built mostly from scratch, will need till midseason to round into form" are being proven correct?
Brian Batko
2:05
Yes, that could be part of it. New vets, second-year guys, etc., many of whom have never played together.
STEEL72
2:06
Bats, a win is awesome. Changes the Monday mood, of course. That said, this offensive scheme is still offensive. I can't wait for an adult system that is designed for the NFL. Do you have any say on this or will we continue to "sweep" it under the rug?
Brian Batko
2:07
I have no say. But I do think that yesterday's performance was exactly the recipe Mike Tomlin envisioned for this team. And, to be fair, everywhere Matt Canada has gone, he has never hyped up his system as being overly explosive or high-flying. Just trying to score more than the other team, and vs. the Saints, all they had to do was grind it out on the ground, play keepaway and let the defense do its thing.
Marc from Germany
2:08
Hi B! On the whistled down blitz by 55, he looked perfectly timed and absolutely shot out of a cannon! May blitzing make a comeback for pittsburgh and is 55 actually trending up?
Brian Batko
2:09
Trending up might be a bit of a stretch, but Devin Bush certainly has had some good moments this year. The blitzing has been a positive at times for him in his career. It's all the other stuff that hasn't been so encouraging. Tackling, coverage, filling gaps. Still, no doubt he's been better now that he's further removed from the torn ACL.
Miles McGuire
2:09
Hey Brian,
Full Kevin Dotson question. I feel Dan Moore is the easy scape goat, however, if we upgraded at LG, and C, this line is viable, maybe top 13-10 Oline. Further more, I feel K. Dot really dropped with ball with the macro opportunity he had/has. He could - possibly can - be the fan fav on the oline. His pass pro is horrible, and seems to lack engagement at times. Thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:11
Yeah, he didn't play his best yesterday. The sack he allowed was partially on Kenny Pickett, but he also got whooped 1-on-1 by David Onyemata. Dotson has been up and down this year, kind of what you'd expect from most fourth-round picks. Not ready to write him off yet, though bringing in more depth/competition on the interior should be a priority this offseason.
Alan F
2:12
Was the Jet Sweep handoff to Pickens TD necessary? (Previous play was Najee's 5 yard run) Seems Canada is hell bent on making jet sweeps important in the goal line
Brian Batko
2:13
Does it matter? It worked. Pickett praised Canada for that playcall in particular. He said it's a feel thing and they were able to rush to the line and catch the Saints off-guard. If you've watched any amount of this Steelers offense, you know you can't take anything for granted, not even a 1-yard touchdown.
Timbo
2:14
Now try to sweep cincy and split with Baltimore then let the phantom injuries appear.   No need to play yourself out of a top 10 pick.   The standard (medicore) is the standard (medicore) is past it's shelf life.
Brian Batko
2:15
So you don't want the Steelers to win many more games, except against Baltimore and Cincy? Just to stick it to them?
Lou
2:16
Hi Brian. Let's imagine the Steelers finish 9-8. That's much further down in the draft....do you think they could still get a stud DL or OL there?
Brian Batko
2:18
Too early to say. For all the hand-wringing about not taking linemen the past couple years, go back and look at those drafts and the Steelers' slots. There were no obvious guys who fell to them, which is part of the difficulty of hitting on mid-first round picks.
Brah
2:18
In my view the defense was OUTSTANIDNG, Canada called a great game, wr didnt make any glaring mistakes, ran the ball very well, and Kenny is a bottom 30 qb in the nfl....that's the Steelers in 2022. We're in trouble if Kenny doesn't take the next step...what you sU BB?
Brian Batko
2:20
I thought Pickett played OK. Much better than his last couple games. It's nice that he took care of the ball, but that's overlooking a one or two throws that could've and probably should've been picked off. Most teams are "in trouble" if their QB doesn't develop and play well.
NC
2:21
Are we going to win the superbowl now?
Brian Batko
2:21
Whoa, hey, I'm not gonna go that far. AFC championship appearance seems likely, though.
Big_Bri
2:22
Was of the hardest things in fandom is patience, what if Canada’s offence starts to work? What would it take to keep his job?
Brian Batko
2:22
Better start seeing some 30-plus games from this group. One win does not change the overall downward trajectory of the Steelers' ability to score points under Canada.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
2:23
IF Kenny gets hurt and is forced out of the game, who would you prefer going in to replace him? Mason or Mitch?
Brian Batko
2:23
Mitch Trubisky. Did we forget about the Tampa Bay game already?
Backup Quarterback Mitch Trubisky has been the Steelers' best offensive player this year!
Sammy Baugh
2:25
Brian, watching this Pickett fellow, one thing is clear: he is not likely to ever be described as one who "throws a nice ball". Your thoughts, if any. Gracias.
Brian Batko
2:28
I wouldn't say that. This isn't Tim Tebow we're talking about here. Pickett wasn't really renowned for his arm talent coming out of Pitt anyway. It was more about his processing, accuracy, mobility and the intangibles. I think most QB gurus who studied him would tell you the arm strength was good enough but not elite.
Harvey
2:29
Are birds real
Brian Batko
2:29
The Acrisure Stadium Pigeons are more proof than ever that all birds are government drones.
Ryan
2:30
Good afternoon Brian what did you think about the play of Warren yesterday he looked pretty good considering that he received his normal practice reps
Brian Batko
2:32
Yeah, it seemed that yesterday's 60-40 snap split was good for both Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris. Warren is a better third-down back than I thought he'd be, given his relative lack of usage in the passing game at OK State.
TB
2:32
Just a comment here but I thought the crowd at Sundays game was awesome, they were loud and into the entire game.
Brian Batko
2:33
Agreed, especially with it being the first blast of cold this season. I was miserable walking to my car afterward, so I'm sure it wasn't real fun sitting in that weather for three hours. Then again, I'm pretty soft.
Texan Steeler
2:34
I think the success of this year's team depends on the running game. This would allow Pickett to throw less and also defense to be fresh in the 2nd half. However, this OL cannot seem to figure out both run block and pass block. From yesterday's game, why do you they can run block but cannot pass block?
Brian Batko
2:37
They've had some OK games in pass pro. Yesterday's six sacks weren't all on them. Pickett has to be quicker with some reads, decision-making, escapability. I actually think pocket presence has been a strength of his this year but it deserted him at times vs. the Saints. Overall I'd say the OL had a better pass-blocking day than they did against the Eagles, as they should, given the opponent. Just lost some 1-on-1 matchups.
Jake
2:38
Let’s be real.  NO is a lousy team.  Play a tough game against Cindy and that will show if you are improving.  KP needs to show something to justify a NO 1 pick.  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:40
Sure, the Saints aren't exactly a tough test. But this Steelers team didn't really look capable of beating anyone the way they played in Philly. And the NFL has been exceedingly unpredictable this season. Obviously, Bengals will be a more formidable foe, but hey, the Steelers already beat them once this year.
Scott
2:41
Will DJ ever learn to stop running 5 yds backwards?  Has Tomlin ever addressed this issue publicly? He gave up a clear 1st down again yesterday.
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