Steelers Sign Leftwich AND Culpepper

by SCSteeler on Aug 10, 2008 6:02 AM EDT

Sporting News is reporting the the Steelers have actually signed both Byron Leftwich and Daunte Culpepper. Which depending on how you look at it could mean a nice preseason duel to see which of these guys they'll keep onboard for the 2nd string QB, or in an admittedly remote possibility....Dixon goes to practice squad and we keep both of these guys. Could they be that cheap?

I can't imagine that they would think about keeping both of these guys, but I suppose that having the other preseason games left to play is a good chance to judge their performance pick the best one. I worry that this competition could have negative impact on working out Dixon during the preseason, but then again - they may not even be counting him in the equation.

As if we didn't already have enough questions over the lineup during preseason...still I suppose it gives us something else to fret about.

Still wondering what occurs when Charlie comes back early in the season. Signing one of these guys is going to cost some position an extra roster spot. Where do you guys think they will trim off a little to make room for this move?

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-additional info-

Don’t know how much of a difference this will make, but Ken Anderson was Leftwhich’s QB coach for part of the time he was in Jacksonville, also he and Ben are friends….

by SCSteeler on Aug 10, 2008 6:38 AM EDT reply actions

Sweet

Peps and Leftwhich niiice…It’s gonna be odd though, if both do well what happens to Charlie and Dixon? I like both as backups, considering both were once premiere starting Quarterbacks…

To the tune of the classic children's song "This Old Man" (the part with nick nack patty whack)

Big Snack, Silverback, take the Dawg Pound's Bone, the Black and Gold sent the Brownies crying home.

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 10, 2008 10:24 AM EDT reply actions

batch

this makes me think his injury is more serious than they are letting on

by schnifin on Aug 10, 2008 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

Good Point

Yeah that might be the case…

To the tune of the classic children's song "This Old Man" (the part with nick nack patty whack)

Big Snack, Silverback, take the Dawg Pound's Bone, the Black and Gold sent the Brownies crying home.

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 10, 2008 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Charlies future.

what do you think the chances are of seeing charlie retire?after all he was a free agent after this season right?he is a little long in the tooth.i would hate to see him go out like this,but he does have a ring.

by zenhas12strings on Aug 10, 2008 10:54 AM EDT reply actions

No idea, but...

There are a few opinions out there that this could be it for him. It would be a sad state of affairs, but it might be the real state of affairs. I hope not. Whatever the case, in the discussion about whether we re-sign Charlie this year, this could be the clencher that sends him on his way after the season is over regardless….

by SCSteeler on Aug 10, 2008 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Really, I hope leftwich wins outright. Culpepper has never been a good locker room guy (unlike Leftwich who has always been popular with his teammates), and it seems like it would hurt the development of Dixon to have a selfish Number 2 to learn from – as opposed to Charlie’s upmost professionalism.

If Charlie is only out a month or two and can come back feeling good I think he’s got another year at least in him. However, and this may be a real possibility given how seriously the organization seems to be taking this process to find a backup, if Charlie is out for several months or the whole season this really could be the end for it.

It would be a real shame to go out trying to scramble on a broken play like that.

by BluegrassSteeler on Aug 10, 2008 1:30 PM EDT reply actions

and in the

preseason no less. Batch is a great guy, and it would truly be a shame. You gotta have respect for a guy who stays loyal to a team as long as Batch has, never complaining about his role, never trying to get more money. He has been a solid backup and I hope he recovers and makes it back. I’m sorry, but Culpepper and Leftwich were not signed for a reason.

by steelerark on Aug 10, 2008 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

Read a good article today on the Steelers bringing in Leftwich for a tryout, he sounded very excited at the chance to be a Steeler. He would welcome a backup role to Ben because he wants to be a part of the Steelers rich tradition of quality football. Sounds like a great attitude to me. Plus it said he lost 25 lbs and is now down to 225 lbs, which is good to hear.

by iBleedBlack&Gold on Aug 10, 2008 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

According to the trib

The Steelers did NOT sign both, they are bringing both in for physicals and will sign only one.

link

by schnifin on Aug 10, 2008 2:32 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

That sounds better for Charlie and Dixon

Hope the Trib is right and the others jumped the gun. Still maybe the team is still playing around with the possibilities…. If they sign both of those guys I worry about roster spots and what’s gonna happen to Charlie and Dixon, but just one….I suppose there’s room.

Saw that article with Leftwich iBB&G, agree his attitude was pretty good…haven’t seen anything out of Culpepper…has anyone?

by SCSteeler on Aug 10, 2008 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Steelers sign Leftwich

also picked up another punter

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_582138.html

by schnifin on Aug 10, 2008 6:05 PM EDT reply actions

QB situation

i think they should release batch, keep dixon, and keep only 1 of the two they signed…....i like batch, but i think its his time 2 go…....although i hate his number, i think dixon has the right potential to become a starter, but i think he is NOT ready YET…..i also think that pittsburgh is signing so many QBs because big ben is known 2 get injured.

by PsycoSalameh on Aug 11, 2008 5:34 PM EDT reply actions