If you are wondering who is going to be the starting QB for the Steelers come opening day, all indications at this point look like it will be veteran Byron Leftwich:
At least for the moment, Byron Leftwich is looking as if he will be Pittsburgh’s Week 1 starter, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He apparently has a leg up on Dennis Dixon, who started one game in place of Ben Roethlisberger last season. Whoever is eventually named Pittsburgh’s Week 1 starter will be under-center for at least four games while Roethlisberger serves his suspension.
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DrGeorge
May 4, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Surely, no one is surprised by that. You don’t bring in a veteran player and rework his contract to let him sit. The reasons for the preference are legion. Leftwich plays QB more in the style of Rothlisberger (pocket passer, big arm) than Dixon, who is better suited to a true spread offense. That means the O-line will not need to adjust its schemes, whether Byron or Ben is under center. That is a clear advantage over Dixon, who is more effective as a scrambler. Leftwich knows the Steelers offense and was previously successful as a sub for Big Ben. Above all, Leftwich is a savvy veteran, who is well acquainted with the variety of defensive schemes in the NFL.
I say all this, even though I believe Dixon can be a solid NFL QB in the future, if he gets in the right system. But as a four-game substitute for Big Ben right now, I’d take Leftwich over Dixon, as much not to lose games as to win them. If Tomlin can get Ben back in Week 5 with a team record of 3-1 or even 2-2, he will consider himself lucky, and let Ben carry the team from there. The QB best able to get the Steelers to that point is Leftwich.
willi
May 4, 2010 at 3:50 pm
leftwitch is a good player, that is not involved in things he shuldent be. if a player makes that money he could stand up up to the plate. he thinks he is something but he is snot. (rothlisberger) that is just the way i feel
mark
May 4, 2010 at 4:26 pm
WOW, Willi I wish I understood what the heck you wrote?? Ok, Im on topic now. Leftwich will be the starter on opening day. DrGeorge is correct in his breakdown of why, so no need to repeat them. I have another reason as well though. I think it gives the team a bit of wiggle-room in case Leftwich/the offense struggles. Dixon might just be able to give the team a bit of a spark should they find themselves struggling offensively in the first month. His athleticism along with his new confidence could be a tonic for a struggling team and cause headaches for opposing defenses. If Tomlin can keep the ship afloat before Ben’s return, it will be a huge advantage. 3-1 or 2-2 would also be a fan’s dream. This is still Ben’s team and regardless of any new dedication to running more, Ben under center gives the team an edge that most teams do NOT have!Here is the big question; what happens to Charlie Batch when Ben returns? I think cutting/waiving him would be a real slap-in-the-face and I actually hope that they have talked to Batch about how they will go about dismissing him when Ben returns. Hopefully they will treat a classy, popular and productive person like Batch well, so that he can return to the team in another capacity. I say this because its hard to imagine Leftwich or Dixon being the odd man out after week 5 and I doubt they keep 4 QB’s on the roster. What are everyones thoughts?
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DrGeorge
May 4, 2010 at 5:42 pm
I agree with you, Mark. The Steelers won’t keep four QBs. When Ben comes back, Batch or Dixon will have to go, and like you, I doubt the odd man out will be Dixon. Batch’s age is against him, and football is a business. We all agree Batch has been a good and loyal player and deserves to be treated well in parting. In fact, I suspect he had a conversation with team management on that very topic before returning this year. Charlie knows the score, he is well respected, and I’m sure the Steelers will treat him well.
For the past 4-5 years, he’s served as an ex-officio coach. If he was interested in a coaching career, the Rooneys could open some doors for him, in Pittsburgh or elsewhere. But I’ve never heard Batch express that interest publicly.
Frank In NY
July 27, 2010 at 4:13 pm
I have loved the Steelers since 1971. They have always been a classey team and I’m sure theywill remain that way. Charlie is a great asset to the Steelers and I hope he will remain as a coach!!!!
Fuckthesteelers
May 4, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Fuck the steelers
DrGeorge
May 5, 2010 at 10:47 am
Ahhh, how sweet! Another Steelers groupie sending Ben a word of encouragement. We appreciate your lofty thoughts and amorous support, my dear, but please restrain yourself until Ben retires. Right now, he doesn’t seem to need your help in that regard.
mark
May 5, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Yes, another amorous Steeler fan! The class that is shown on the site is to be proud of!
jay
May 5, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Hey, Fuck the Steelers,
I know how you feel. It’s 6:45 in appalachia and you just got done a shift of turning over other people’s garbage cans into a smelly, city-owned garbage truck; the self-induced toxic fumes a poor man’s substitute for the choicest doctor prescribed setroline or zoloft. But I digress. I understand, pal, your down on your luck because the wife’s blowing the mailman and you just lost your most prized possession….your last tooth. So you target a well respected organization that makes more money than you can count to opossum! Big Ben’s last extravaganza with the horse girl in Nevada was your sister so you’re a little pissed, I understand. You’re mad because Ben has now tainted and exhausted an otherwise perfectly good resource of skanky hoes in a nowheresville hickstown—they coulda all been yours but he ruined it. I feel for ya, brah! I really do! We ALL FEEL FOR YA!
Adam
May 5, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Jay,,,that was classically funny,hahaahhaa, im sure “fuck the steelers” is a pansy ass ben-girls fan still sitting in puddle of piss remembering Carson palmer crying in 05….anyhow I really think its quite possible to come away with 2-2 record or better befor eBen returns. I firmly believe it will only be four games and i know our defense and special teams will be better. I think we shall surprise many of a team. And would it not be classic if by some chance we went 4-0 with punishing sacks and Troy stealing it in the air….I could jsut hear it But but Mr goodell they all their games its not fair blah blah wah wah