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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 6.4.19
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Brian Batko
2:00
Bonjour. Do you have any questions, about the Steelers or otherwise? Send them in, Jeromes.
Eric L
2:00
with minimal change on the defensive coaching staff and Butler having additional responsibilities for the outside backers, why should we expect the communications issues that have plagued that side of the ball the past few years to be better (worse?!?) in 2019? Thank you
Brian Batko
2:02
Well Eric, I think it's reasonable to expect the players themselves to be better at that aspect with an extra year under their belts, not only individually but with each other (other than the new guys, obviously).

At least in the secondary, Terrell Edmunds and Sean Davis spent a really long time - 10 or 15 minutes, at least - today after practice talking. Those two being on the same page will be crucial for the back end, for sure, and they're still relatively young safeties in this league.
Paul
2:02
Marcus Allen had a higher draft graft my draft grade over Edmunds by many draft experts. Will he get a real chance to compete or just earn a reserve role?
Brian Batko
2:03
Did you ready Gerry Dulac's story this morning on those two guys specifically? https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/06/03/Terrell-Edmund...

I don't think Allen will compete to be a starter, but that doesn't mean there won't be areas for him to find a niche. Whether that's as a dime linebacker - he's big enough - or in certain subpackage defenses. Edmunds is probably about as entrenched as a second-year guy can be, when you look at how much he played his rookie season, but it's far too early to write off someone like Allen.
John Strange
2:04
Should Big Ben be micro managing what numbers players are assigned?
Brian Batko
2:05
Micro managing, that's an interesting way of phrasing the whole deal with Roethlisberger suggesting rookie TE Zach Gentry might want to switch off of Heath Miller's 83. Tough to truly know how Gentry feels about it, but maybe he sees it as good advice from a veteran. In general, though, I would say no. Let someone pick his own number, if it's available.
Guest
2:06
Brian B. - Thanks for the chat. Anyway, I'm wondering about Mason R. - will he be the #2 this season and could J. Dobbs get cut? Also, has anyone ever told you you look like actor Hugo Weaving? My wife commented on it the other day. Thanks!
Brian Batko
2:07
You're welcome, Guest. I do think Mason Rudolph will ascend to backup QB over Josh Dobbs, who was drafted one year earlier and one round later. Should be a pretty close competition, though. Good thing we have four preseason games to help sort it out.

As for that observation by Mrs. Guest, no, that's a new one. Though I know the name, I'm not even entirely sure who Hugo Weaving is, but...
2:08
Let's put it to a poll
Does Brian Batko look like actor Hugo Weaving?
Yes (52.2% | 24 votes)
 
No (47.8% | 22 votes)
 
Total Votes: 46
Doug from Raleigh
2:09
Gut feeling on Boswell?  If it was physical or mechanical it should have been fixed by season's end.  If he had a case of big money (for a kicker)/big expectations,  will a year of living with that resolve things?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:10
My gut feeling on Chris Boswell is that last season really stunk for him, personally, and that he doesn't really care very much if you or I or anyone else - fans or media - ever know how he dealt with it. I do think he will bounce back, though. Don't think the yips have fully engulfed him, but you never know with that sort of thing.
Lloyd's 3-Count
2:10
Which national sportswriters do you enjoy?
Brian Batko
2:12
I really don't read national stuff as much as I used to, but like most sports fans my age, Bill Simmons was pretty influential and must-read material when I was growing up watching the NFL and NBA. I like reading Gary Parrish on college hoops and Andy Staples on college football. Also have to give a shoutout to fellow Shaler High School alum Sam Vecenie, who covers the NBA draft from wall to wall.
Thomas
2:13
So big IFs still on D, but do you think they are positive IFs, like if Bush is legit, and if Edmunds matures and if the new CB from KC is at least slightly above average....this D should be top 10, or better?
Brian Batko
2:14
Man, Top 10 is tough. Only 10 teams get to be in there. But yeah, if they falter again, it won't be because they're too old, that's for sure. And probably not too slow. Seems to me they're trying to improve the unit in accordance with the way the NFL is trending. Steven Nelson will be key, absolutely.
team PGH
2:14
Hi Batko, I always think you cover baseball because your name has BAT in it. LOL. Anyway, has JT Jones shown anything so far at OTAs? Thank you.
Brian Batko
2:15
Also confusing that a fellow BB, Bill Brink, did cover baseball for us. Haha. He's no JT Thomas, if you ask me. You're welcome.
Bobby
2:15
Does Haden get offered an extension?
Brian Batko
2:17
He just turned 30 and is coming off one of his healthiest seasons in the NFL. Just shook my snow globe and it says "Most likely"
Emmanuel
2:17
Greetings from Mexico. Yesterday I heard a debate in a local ESPN show about whether the Steelers will continue their steady offensive production after loosing AB and LB or they will dramatically decline because of it. Local presenters leaned towards decline. What's your take on it?
Brian Batko
2:18
Thanks for joining from international territory, Emmanuel. I think that's an easy, and logical, take to have. But keep in mind this offense didn't have Le'Veon Bell last year either, and a sleeker James Conner was more than up to the task. The argument to their opinion would be that Ben Roethlisberger can spread the ball around more without worrying about locking into his No. 1, No. 84. I can see both sides of that one, but still think I'd rather have Antonio Brown in my passing attack than not.
Javi
2:19
Hello Brian.  How realistic is it that the Steeler brass will consider firing Tomlin if we fail to make playoffs again?Will he be given a longer leash with Brown and Bell gone and as well as the other changes?
Brian Batko
2:21
Hi, Javi. I think it's certainly possible, especially if that offseason extension doesn't materialize. I don't think those guys leaving affects the leash, considering they essentially caused many of the issues they did under his watch. This town will be on fire if this team misses the playoffs again, man. And I think that's possible, too.
Bobby
2:21
Do you think Adeniyi takes the starting job from Dupree at some point or are the Steelers truely sold on Dupree?
Brian Batko
2:22
If I had to bet, I'd bet against that happening. Partly because they do need to see what they have in Dupree - for the long term - and partly because Anthony Chickillo might be the next OLB in line anyway in the event of injury or lack of production. I do like Ola Adeniyi, though.
TITAN in Charlotte
2:23
First off, congrats to the WPIAL 5A baseball champs!  Can JuJu be cloned and sent to Charlotte? What a great kid, athlete, and Steeler!
Brian Batko
2:24
Oh heck yeah. Shaler baseball's season ended yesterday in the state playoffs, but what a season it was. BIIIIIG ups to the Titans. Don't think science is advanced enough yet, however, to answer your question. It sure does FEEL like JuJu is in multiple places at once, though.
Guest
2:24
If one of the starting cbs gets injured, who would be the primary backup to start?
Brian Batko
2:25
At the time of this writing, I'll still say Artie Burns, but I like what I've seen out of rookie third-rounder Justin Layne. And Cam Sutton still qualifies as a corner, too.
Luigi
2:26
Your thoughts on the browns. Are the steelers going to be 2nd class  citizens?
Brian Batko
2:26
Might be third-class if they fall behind Baltimore, too. But seriously, I do think Cleveland is going to be pretty good. I could see any of those three taking the North.
J
2:28
During off season interview, MT hinted the cleansing is the remedy to steelers' disappointments.  Would cleansing have helped the Jacksonville or NE playoff losses?
Brian Batko
2:28
Cleansing the opposing team from the end zone would've helped.
Rosie Nix 4ever
2:28
Is Sutton Smith gonna make this team as a FB or not at all???
Brian Batko
2:29
No, I wouldn't say that. In fact, I still think he'll be listed as a linebacker first and foremost. But it can't hurt to do more than one thing, and possibly be useful in all three phases of the game. Doesn't mean he will or won't make the 53, but he's trying to make sure he's not expendable, so good on him for that.
Eric L
2:30
Brian, welcome!
Brian Batko
2:30
Thank you, Eric Lindros.
Scott
2:30
Keith Butler was recently quoted saying the dropped interceptions were the difference between 13-3 and 9-6-1. Does ANYBODY on the Steelers coaching staff EVER take ANY responsibility for ANYTHING? What a joke.....
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