A Recap of the Charlie Batch Fan Forum Interview Call with Jeffrey Burton
On our inaugural edition of ‘In the Blitz’, the Pittsburgh Blitz’s exclusive interview segment, we talked to retired 11 year veteran Quarterback Charlie Batch, who is the arguably the best backup QB in Steelers’ history. Charlie along with former Nose Tackle Chris Hoke will be the new announcing team for KDKA-TV’s Steelers Preseason broadcasts beginning in 2015.
A Pittsburgh native, Charlie spoke in glowing terms of his experience with the Steelers organization first giving praise to and citing Jerome Bettis as one of the players he admired most before and during his tenure with the organization. Batch said, ‘My favorite player was Jerome Bettis’, and went of to say he felt he embodied class and how it reflected in the way ‘he carried himself’ as a Steeler.
When asked on what his expectations were for the offense this coming season, Charlie was clear, ‘We’re going to be solid… (Wide receivers) Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton are going to be special.” and “with the addition of Sammie Coates this receiving corps will be exciting.” Prompted for his opinion on the receiving depth chart, “Antonio Brown is the clear cut 1# …Bryant and Wheaton will be fighting it out for #2” He expects big things to come from Coates. He pulled short of mentioning a #5 as that would fall to Heath Miller, where he pointed out the valuable roll the veteran Tight End plays on the team as “the ‘go to’ receiver when things go bad”. He rounded out his analysis by mentioning Le’Veon Bell’s 800 yard plus season coming out of the backfield. “You can’t forget Le’Veon’s contribution.”
Talking about Heath being closer to the end of his career, “They selected Jesse James. He’s 6′-7″ and didn’t really get thrown to a lot at Penn State” He said James’ work with longtime TE coach, James Daniel will be the best thing that could happen to the rookie to develop as an NFL Tight End, saying, “maybe Jesse can develop into an eventual successor (to Heath).”
On his thoughts of a possible coaching future, perhaps as Quarterback coach, his heart remained in Pittsburgh. ‘Well, I’ve thought about it but the Steelers already have a great Quarterback coach in Randy Fitchner.” Charlie gave praise to Fitchner and the role he has played in the Steelers’ offensive success, ending with, “Randy is long overdue for an Offensive Coordinator’s opportunity”. (Hear that, Todd?, p-b)
The subject turned to the current backup QB situation going into training camp. Batch had good things to say about veteran, Bruce Gradkowski and elaborated about the difference in camp between now and his tenure as a Steeler. ‘When I was playing the team never gave Ben a snap off. So, I would have to work out with the second team… Now, Ben is established and so Bruce has time to throw to and develop timing with the first team receivers.”
Asked about the #3 QB slot, Charlie said, ‘This is Landry Jones year to take the next step. He’s coming into his third year and that’s when the coaches expect to see something from you”. The college standout, Tajih Boyd came up, “I haven’t seen much on Tajih, yet but he’s was a great college player” He expects, ‘Jones and Boyd, will fight it out in pre-season” ending by saying the job wasn’t a lock for either player but he ‘wouldn’t be surprised to see Tajih win out.”
In closing Charlie talked in glowing terms about his tenure with the Steelers. “Kevin Colbert had drafted me in Detroit. Then he came to the Steelers. I signed for a year and one year became two and two became eleven… It was a dream come true to be a Steeler. I actually couldn’t believe it until I put the jersey on.”
(The 2015 preseason will mark Batch’s first year as the network’s preseason color analyst, replacing former Steelers defensive lineman Edmund Nelson who has decided to retire from his duties at KDKA-TV. Batch joins veteran play-by-play caller Bob Pompeani in the TV booth. Batch spent 11 years (2002-12) as a Steelers’ quarterback after his first four seasons in the NFL with the Detroit Lions (1998-2001). In his NFL career, the Eastern Michigan product started 55-of-81 games played and threw for 11,085 yards with 61 touchdowns and 52 interceptions.)
You can keep in the loop with all things Charlie at: www.charliebatch.com
