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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 5.9.22
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Brian Batko
1:57
Hey everyone, Steelers have rookie camp this weekend and I'll be on the South Side to watch football in shorts. Let's get to your questions about the draft, the roster, HBO's "Winning Time" or whatever else is top of mind
SteelersFanInPatriotsNation
1:57
What are the odds Joe Haden resigns with the Steelers? Rich Strike-like odds, or something less dramatic?
Brian Batko
1:58
Not that long, but I don't see it
ralph
1:58
do you think Devin Bush ever watched film of ryan Shazier? He should . That is how  he supposed to play.
Brian Batko
1:59
I don't know how much film Bush watched, but I believe Ryan Shazier was around the team here and there in 2019, Bush's rookie year.
Tom in Dallas
2:00
Is it safe to assume that if the Steelers knew they were going to Pickett, they would have never have signed Mitch T?
Brian Batko
2:00
No
Dill
2:00
How can the so called experts predict a ceiling or floor for players?   I think its bs.  Its all about the players desire to be great or not.
Brian Batko
2:01
How can the so called experts predict anything? Obviously, it's all a range of educated guesses and pure speculation. Of course the teams are trying to figure out the exact same thing with these prospects.
obxandy
2:01
Could Kenny Pickett be the "Rich Strike" for Steelers?
Brian Batko
2:01
Wow, lots of Rich Strike references today. That horse is a star! Although wouldn't Chris Oladokun be the better comparison there?
Guest
2:02
Brian, Excellent job on the "way-too-early" roster projection. Gives a realistic perspective on the coming preseason. We fans like to get all excited about 40 different faces that may make the team but barring injury I am willing to bet at least 49 to 50 of your projections are correct. So in truth, excluding draft picks and the Big Sauce (LOL), 43 guys are fighting for 2 or 3 jobs.
Brian Batko
2:03
Thanks, Guest. It's a good exercise to try to figure out which needs were and weren't addressed in the draft, so I might as well put it on paper for others to read. We'll see plenty of changes between now and then, I'm sure. Steelers weren't shy about hitting the free-agent market last summer with Trai Turner and Melvin Ingram, although the Turner move was really a necessity due to Dave DeCastro's situation.
Kris
2:04
Good Day Sir!
Thank you for your time
I am really excited to see if Trubisky can develop into the star that was expected as the former #2 overall pick and maybe the 7th rounder, Oladokun, can develop into our very own TB12 without the insufferability quotient….
I guess we can be glad the team found it’s new backup QB, though the 1st round may have been a bit high, so the MR project can be relegated to the dustbin of history…, right?
Brian Batko
2:04
Um...right...
DoylestownDewy
2:05
Bats your my boy! (In my Frank the Tank voice) Just an observation here. I feel like there’s two ways to think of the last two draft classes: Option 1: Man! What are the Steelers thinking drafting a rb round 1? Really? A TE over a C! Now a G trying to be a C! A LT that will never play! Wow! A small hand QB, I’m done! A WR with issues and a WR that I’m taller then! Option 2: Dude! We literally just drafted our starting QB, RB, TE, 2WR, LT and C for the next decade or so! Thank God I’m a Steelers fan!!! So with that, I choose option 2 while I sit here with my half full bottle of Iron City beer and proudly chant. HERE WE GO STEELERS! HERE WE GO!
Brian Batko
2:05
Exactly, Dewy. Today might be a short chat...
Y-Town JZ
2:06
B-Man.....thank you for the great chats!  In your honest opinion, does Tuitt play this year?  If so, do you feel his presence along with the returning core of the D, that we will get back to the run stuffing defense that we are accustomed to?
Brian Batko
2:07
My honest guess is no. I'm just in "believe when I see" mode at this point with Stephon Tuitt, unfortunately. The run defense will be better, mainly because it's hard to imagine it being any worse.
Steeler in Virginia
2:08
If for some reason Tuitt doesn't come back, would you consider tossing some money at Suh for a one-year deal?
Brian Batko
2:08
Nah. It appears to me that this roster already is being built as if Tuitt may or may not be back.
Jim
2:08
The draft is over, do we still need to add FA's at CB, ILB and OT? Seem a little thin there.
Brian Batko
2:09
OT is the one I would look at. Because an upgrade there could not only challenge Joe Haeg for the swing tackle spot, but maybe even Dan Moore Jr. for the starting LT job. Depth there is indeed thin. I think they're OK at CB and ILB.
Guest
2:10
Has Mason had any time with the PG sportswriters since the draft? Can’t believe he will be going to camp happy and will he be traded for a 6th or 7th?
Brian Batko
2:11
He has not, but neither have any other returning players. Will be interesting to talk to both him and Mitch Trubisky about that in OTAs/mandatory minicamp (Trubisky has a baby on the way any day now, so I wouldn't blame him if he's not at all the voluntary stuff)
Tampa too
2:11
Starting quarterback week one, starting quarterback week five, starting quarterback week nine. Your thoughts
Brian Batko
2:11
Trubisky, Trubisky, Pickett
LambertFan
2:12
Hello Brian, I feel the OL could be much improved in 2022 due to free agent signings and hopefully growth from Green and a move to guard. Does he have a legitimate chance of beating out Dotson? Thank you.
Brian Batko
2:13
Sure, I think so. Might be a more comfortable position for him and allow him to play stronger/faster at the NFL level. Kevin Dotson didn't exactly take a leap in Year 2.
Tom M.
2:14
I’m confused about the rules for picking up the 5th year option. If a team picks it up, does that immediately fully guarantee that amount to the player for that 5th year? If not, when does it become guaranteed?  Can the team release the player at some point to get out from under that contract?
Brian Batko
2:14
Yes, it's guaranteed at signing. They can release that player, but they're on the hook for the fifth-year salary. Dead money.
MD
2:14
Brian:  Your thought on Doug Whaley being in the mix for GM?  He didn't have a real good tenure at Buffalo and has not been hired by another team for 5 years. Hasn't even done that well in media say like Louis Riddick.  Yikes.
Brian Batko
2:15
He has familiarity with the organization and the city, which goes a long way with the Steelers. Exhibit A, Kenny Pickett. Must've made some sort of impression on them if they're bringing him back for a second interview.
Danny
2:17
Will any of the veterans participate this weekend even though it’s not required? Is it against NFL rules or up to the each team and individual player?
Brian Batko
2:18
I don't believe the NFLPA allows someone like, say, Diontae Johnson to go catch balls from Kenny Pickett this weekend, no. But occasionally you'll see veteran free agents show up at rookie camps, trying to get a job. Former Packers wideout Geronimo Allison was at Ravens rookie camp last week. I wonder if he skydived in.
Mute
2:19
Mister Brian, at the draft the chiefs traded 29, 94 (3rd)and 121 (4th) picks to the cheaters for the 21st pick, great for the cheaters I think, obviously the chiefs were looking for a trade up, why we didn’t bite on it, at least we could have had that or a little More and most likely still got Pickett at 29.. I would have done it if I was GM.. how about you? Thanks
Brian Batko
2:19
Yes, I would have. But if the Steelers were enamored with Pickett, as they say, and thrilled/surprised he fell to 20, as they say, then the trade back doesn't make as much sense.
Jud
2:20
Do you think Colbert's draft had a higher risk/reward profile due to his departure?
Brian Batko
2:20
Nope
Wayward
2:20
Brian, thanks for the chats.  Any F/A's still out there that make sense at the right price or are the Steelers done til closer to training camp?
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