Brian Batko: Nice of you to join me today, amigos. I'm back for a quick chat in between a couple of vacations, so nothing but the best questions, please. Just when you thought nothing weird was happening with the Steelers, the random tandem of Ryan Switzer and DeAngelo Williams appear to be having some sort of falling-out in real time on Twitter? Anyway, away we go...
John Strange: Writing off another Super Bowl win as a pipe dream --- as in 0.000% chance of happening --- will the Steelers even win another playoff game in the Big Ben/Mike Tomlin era? Those playoff pick-sixes are killers.
Brian Batko: John, I award you the badge of honor for being the least most subtle Ben Roethlisberger troll who faithfully reads the chats. But that obligatory dig aside, to answer your question, I'll say yes. And I wouldn't write them off as Super Bowl contenders at all. It won't be easy to even make the postseason given the schedule, but if they get in the dance, they have a shot.
Jonathan : Hey Brian. In your opinion, what is one player that has been flying under the radar this off-season that you think will play an important part in the success that the 2019 Steelers will have? Thank you!
Brian Batko: Hmmm I'll go with right tackle Matt Feiler. He's in a competition to even be a starter there, but I think he'll win the job and pick up where he left off last season after finishing it out as a starter. I'll call him my under-the-radar pick just because it's possible he won't even beat out Chukwuma Okorafor for the spot.
As an aside, as someone who used to cover Kenechukwu Chukwuka on the Pitt men's basketball team, it's gonna be really hard for me to get Chukwuma right. As such, like most others, I shall call him Chuks.
TC in Big D: Switzer or Rogers? Who makes it? For me it's a no brainer, I go with Switzer.
Brian Batko: That's tough. Both seem to have a pretty good rapport with Ben Roethlisberger and both seem to be well respected in that locker room, though Switzer could probably stand to do a little less responding to perceived slights on social media (though that's neither here nor there when it comes to making the team).
I think there's a wide range of possible outcomes for these guys though. If Diontae Johnson starts slow as a rookie, could one or both be a bigger cog in the passing game than him? On the flip side, what if Diontae Spencer, another shifty 5-8 speedster, continues standing out in training camp after a solid spring? The wideout competition(s) is intriguing, indeed.
John Strange: BTW --- You could have just written "least subtle" instead of the nonsensical "least most subtle."
Brian Batko: But I think you try to make it subtle, so I wanted to give you a modicum of credit for that.
Luigi: With Bush, Nelson and 2nd year Edmunds on defense AND Moncriet, Washington, Johnson and our 3 RBs, I see the underrated steelers going far this year. Seems like the front office did their job. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko: It certainly looks like a complete group on paper, Luigi. When the holes that most people bring up are backup tight end and third safety, those are pretty close to nitpicky issues, and you're probably in good shape. That said, the roster on paper doesn't mean anything. Lots of front offices in the NFL did their job this year, the Browns especially. I think it was ESPN who named them the only team that had an "elite" offseason, with the Steelers among some others in the next tier.
Heath: Hello Brian
Brian Batko: Hi Heath
Jimmy: Hi Brian
Brian Batko: Hello Jimmy
Heath: Steelers mgmt isn’t dumb. What do you think they know about the apparent lack of tight end depth that no one else knows ?
Brian Batko: They did reportedly try to add Jordan Leggett off waivers when he was released from the Jets, so I think they're aware that they could stand to upgrade at that position. But internally, perhaps they're figuring that they'll be using a lot more formations that include only Vance McDonald. Now, it's one thing to have depth behind him given his injury history, but maybe they know that OC Randy Fichtner plans on getting creative with the usage of Jaylen Samuels, or Roosevelt Nix, or just the other wide receivers behind JuJu.
John Strange: What is you prediction for the opener against the Pats? Will the Steelers be losing in a blowout by halftime? Say it ain't so!
Brian Batko: I think New England will win, but no, I don't think it will be a laugher by the half. There, I said it ain't so!
Larry from Punxy: What are you most looking forward to covering during training camp?
Brian Batko: Great question, Larry. Thanks for thinking of ME and MY feelings. You Punxy people are all right. But I'll say my fellow rookie, Devin Bush. The expectations are sky-high, and monitoring how, when, or if he'll live up to those is near the top of my list of story lines, for sure.
Eric L: Hi Brian, thanks for the chat! What are you looking forward to the most as your first year covering the Steelers in Latrobe?
Brian Batko: Oh, my bad Eric, I just saw that you asked this, as well. So many people CARE ABOUT ME. Sorry, things are tough at home right now.
Anyway, beyond Devin Bush, JuJu Smith-Schuster is always interesting. Always something with him. How will he show up to report day before camp begins? Obviously, I missed the days of AB rolling up in his Double-R and helicopter. So, yeah, I guess I'm looking forward to that whole spectacle, too. And will it even be a spectacle?
'Double Divot Dewey": I know we lost AB - and I know he is one of the most talented athletes in the NFL...........but, somehow I feel with the addition of wide receivers in both free agency and the draft........we are more talented at that position this year.......am I in a deep sleep? What you say?
Brian Batko: Hmmm, more talented? Yeah, you might be passed out after a long night of Dewar's, Dewey. Considering the swaps are essentially Donte Moncrief and Dionate Johnson for Antonio Brown and Darrius Heyward-Bey, I'm gonna have to say that the talent level did take a hit, overall. But that doesn't mean there can't be some degree of addition by subtraction. Such as...
Gene: Hi Brian do you think Ben throws fewer interceptions this year since he won’t be forcing the ball to AB ?
Brian Batko: A lot of readers have been throwing this out there, Gene. And actually, I think it's a little overblown, just as a hypothesis in general. The way I see it, Ben is still going to take his shots. He's going to take his chances. He's going to, uh, sling his gun, so to speak? Kind of a weird term when you think about it. But anyway, yeah, maybe that number goes down a little - it should, considering it was higher than any other player in 2018 - and maybe it will be because of AB in some respects, but let's not pretend he's gonna turn into a checkdown guy now that he has Donte Moncrief instead of AB.
Jimmy: Any chance of the Steelers signing a f.a. named Bell,Brown, Staley,Parker, or should I garage sale my jerseys ?
Brian Batko: Jimmy, my guy, it's the perfect time of year for you to make some bank off those bad boys in the front yard. I'd probably give you a dollar for Duce.
GSMP: How much better in camp do Wright and Berryman have to be in order to beat out Boswell and Berry?
Brian Batko: At kicker, I think it's more about Boswell vs. Boswell than Boswell vs. Matthew Wright. If the Steelers decide to part ways with him, I imagine there'd be a scrap heap full of potential kickers to assess. As for punter, I don't know, what do they owe to Jordan Berry? If Ian Berryman is better, and you're OK with judging him off a relatively small NFL sample size compared to Berry, carry him as your punter instead.
Hombre: I’ve heard rumors JJSS may be getting a little ‘big headed’ with all the media attention, should steeler nation be concerned?
Brian Batko: No, I don't think so. Listening to him on Adam Schefter's podcast the other day was pretty interesting. He was pretty candid about his work-life balancing act, juggling his dedication to football, building his brand, giving back to the community and, his other love, video games. Honestly, though, he seemed to have a pretty mature way of looking at it. Get what you need to get done when you're at work, do what you need to do to enjoy life away from it (within reason). He said he doesn't gamble or go out and party, so that's probably a plus if true.
JerseySteel: Hi Brian - do the Steelers have their traditional slow start to the season again this year?
Brian Batko: Starting with at New England, home to Seattle and at San Fran? Yeah, I could see that. Can't really imagine losing to Cincinnati at home in Week 4, though. That should go a long way in helping to avoid an 0-4 or 1-3 start.
Mago: If Ola shows his hunger and potential in training camp, would the brass have enuf cojones to actually start him over dupree, who we know what he brings and fails to bring, and also perhaps dupree would be better served to watch, observe and come off the bench...ur thoughs brutha
Brian Batko: Nah, that seems unlikely. Ola Adeniyi may very well have a great camp, but I think it's Bud Dupree's job to lose once the season begins. Too much invested in him at this point to not see if he rises to the occasion when it's gut-check time. He's had his time to watch and learn.
Bored Today: I just saw video of Ryan Clark talking about opposing defenses trying to stop two #1 WRs (Odell & Landry), stud TE (Njokeyou), angry talented RB (Hunt) on Browns and got me thinking. Will Steelers D be good enough to stop that?
Brian Batko: Appreciate the chat name, Bored Today. Keeps me grounded. But yeah, will any D be good enough to stop that? The hype around the Browns isn't just coming out of thin air. These are legitimate dudes, now. You didn't even mention Nick Chubb. And Duke Johnson is a guy who can create mismatches too, if he gets his situation there figured out. I also believe Baker Mayfield is legit.
Gary: What are your thoughts on the CSW, the former rugby player turned TE. Does he have a legit shot of being the #3 TE?
Brian Batko: Love his story, love how he looks in the airport, if you will, but I don't see it. I think the rookie, Zach Gentry, can probably help you more at this point. But it would be really cool if Christian Scotland-Williamson could make the team.
Brian Batko: I just realized I'm not listening to any music while doing this chat. Need to crank some tunes for the final 15-minute stretch.
Steeler fanfrom Ohio: The Browns have accumulated a lot of talent, but seem to have a lot of volatility especially with a rookie head coach. We’re still better right ?
Brian Batko: It remains to be seen if Cleveland grabs the crown from the S̵t̵e̵e̵l̵e̵r̵s̵ Ravens in the AFC North, but they already have grabbed the championship belt when it comes to drama. Odell in general, Duke Johnson trade request, Baker Mayfield giving a damn when it probably wasn't his turn to give a damn, now Kareem Hunt getting questioned by police again earlier this month? They're turning into one of those "it's always something" teams quickly, but the Steelers could still play some pretty good ball when that was them.
Krugerrand: If the Steelers miss the playoffs after 2019 they'd be eligible to be on Hard Knocks in 2020. That changes if they have a new head coach. Could the Hard Knocks possibility impact any head coaching decisions?
Brian Batko: I mean, interesting though, but that would have to be throwing out the baby with the bathwater right? Or missing the forest for the trees? Or cutting off your nose to spite your face? Or
John Strange: What is you take on the backup qb battle? Is Rudolph head and shoulders above Dobbs? And if not why was he drafted?
Brian Batko: From what we saw in the spring, it's more neck-and-neck than head-and-shoulders either way. But then again, that's just OTAs and minicamp. We'll really start to gather some insight on that competition once the bright light of Latrobe is shining on it, not to mention preseason. But as you allude to, have to imagine the powers that be are ready to see Rudolph in that role, given the draft capital that went into picking him.
Jack Lambert's tooth: How do the Steelers get some room under their salary cap? Only around 900k right now.
Brian Batko: That's way above my pay grade, but I'd say it's probably not worth worrying about all that much. There's not much wiggle room, but this is also a franchise whose window is clearly open now.
Jack Lamberts birthday cake: Hi Brian, if you could pick 1 player from any team that you felt could help the steelers the most over the next 3-5 years, who would it be?
Brian Batko: I suppose Aaron Donald is the obvious answer, but I'll say Julio Jones. If I really want to troll: Tom Brady!
Brian Batko: Hey, is Jack Lambert's jock strap out there anywhere?
Larry from Punxy: They say you lose more games than you win. That being said, I think we are able to seriously contend for the Super Bowl this season. Last season, we were only 1 or 2 plays away from making the playoffs, and in the offseason we made some key additions to positions of concern. I think the only thing standing in our way is ourselves. What say you?
Brian Batko: They definitely say that about me.
GSMP: Is Mike Hilton overvaluing himself? It seemed to me that he was somewhat exposed in coverage last year.
Brian Batko: Possibly, but who else do you see playing slot corner on this roster? Maybe Cam Sutton? Justin Layne is an outside guy. Steven Nelson, perhaps, but he'll be one of your top two on the outside. Hilton knows it's an important position in today's NFL, and probably realizes there isn't much else there on the roster, at least not in terms of guys who are ready yet.
Jimmy: How bout my Tommy Maddox Jersey ?
Brian Batko: I'll give you $1.25 for that one.
Shifty: Hey Brian, what player from another sport do you think could have been a solid pro football player? I always thought Russell Westbrook would have made a dynamite safety
Brian Batko: Pele could've been a dynamite kicker/punter, right? Has to be true. Just has to be.
JerseySteel: Hi Brian - do you think that the new OL coach will be able to develop the young OL on the roster as well as Munchak did?
John Strange: How much will Munch be missed? A steep decline in OL line play or the continuity of veteran leadership and Shaun Sarrett being promoted from within minimalize it?
Brian Batko: Coupla OL/Mike Munchak/Shaun Sarrett questions. I think it was an ideal situation for any new OL coach to walk into. Yes, on one hand, you're replacing a Hall of Famer. But you're getting a bunch of veterans who know what they're doing and have been doing it together for such a long time. To JerseySteel's point, we'll know more about Sarrett's work once the Ramon Fosters and Maurkice Pounceys of the world move on.
zeusdog: Hey Brian.....favorite sport/sports out of football?
Brian Batko: Basketball, by far. Especially college. But I've also been known to attend random high school games from time to time. I like baseball/the Pirates just fine. Other than that, honestly, don't even watch sports that much anymore.
John Strange: If Mike Tomlin were to be fired is it still the widespread belief that he would get another head coaching job in 10 minutes?
Brian Batko: I can't speak for the rest of those who make up the spread, but in my mind, yes.
Larry from Punxy: What is your major concern going into the season? Mine is having the added players making significant contributions. We can't afford another Artie Burns, Jon Bostic, or Morgan Burnett...
Brian Batko: I'll end the chat here, and do so by agreeing with you. Yes, plugging Devin Bush, Mark Barron and Steven Nelson into the defense looks great from 10,000 feet. But each of those guys have question marks. Same goes for Donte Moncrief and Diontae Johnson on the offensive side. Everyone's great until they drop a pass or M an A. Then it's fire them!
Brian Batko: OK, that's all the time for today. Thanks for stopping on by the ol' chat room. I'll be in New Orleans this time next week. Back after that, and we'll reconvene right before camp begins. Enjoy the rest of y'all's weeks.
First Published: July 9, 2019, 4:42 p.m.