Steelers History Question- Batch and Maddox
A question regarding recent Steelers history. When Batch was brought in (2003) was he expected to be the back-up to Maddox or was their a competition for the job that year. Also, was Maddox cut in 2005?
I have the QB situation for each recent year below. Can anyone confirm the status
2003- Maddox starter Batch back-up (didn't play but was healthy)
2004- Maddox started. Ben R. took over in week 2 due to Maddox injury. Ben kept starting job when Maddox returned. I think Maddox played last game at Buffalo- meaningless. What about Batch? I think he wa hurt for entire season.
2005- Ben R. started. Ben R. got injured. Batch played some games in replacement got hurt. Maddox played as well. This is what I can't remember. Did the Steelers have all 3 on the roster that year? OR did the team cut Maddox before season and then re-sign him when Ben R. got hurt.
2006 and 2007. Ben R. started. Charlie B played a game or two when Ben was hurt.
2008 Ben R. started. Batch was hurt again. Leftwich was #2.
2009 Ben R. starts, batch hurt again! Dixon is now #2.
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Interesting
Was Batch a starting QB for any team before he came to the Steelers? Or he was always a backup?
by Han on Nov 24, 2009 4:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
lions
Starter for the lions from 1998-2001. Barry Sanders retired after Batch’s rookie season. Jeff Hartings was also on that team.
by 36chambers on Nov 24, 2009 4:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I see what you're getting at
with the constant injuries. That’s where his other values to the team become more important. Name me any other non-starter that has influenced the team more than him in the past 5 years. He has been a huge mentor to Ben. I think he leaves when his contract is up and becomes a coach.
"Now that I'm here, I don't want to just be here, I want to be here for a long time." Hines Ward, 1998 4th round draft pick.
by kick him in the head on Nov 24, 2009 4:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I really wasn't trying to prove a point with Batch, I think he is great....
The team needs to bring in a new back-up next year. Wouldn’t mind seeing Leftwich come back if not offered another starting job.
I was just trying to remember what the deal was between him and Maddox.
Poster below helped.
by Yellowhorse on Nov 24, 2009 10:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maddox
He was supposed to be the backup in 05 with Batch no.3. He held that role but when it became evident he didn’t have it anymore (see Jacksonville game) he was cut the following offseason. They then promoted Batch to official no.2 and drafted Omar Jacobs, who never made it on the final roster.
In 03 Maddox was supposed to be the starter and Batch the backup. I don’t think there was an official competition. Maddox had performed well in 02 and was pretty much THE guy…
by Steelfrog on Nov 24, 2009 10:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Jacobs lighting up indoor football
Jacobs is playing with Florence of the American Indoor Football Association. In 2008 he was both the league MVP and championship game MVP.
by upabob on Nov 25, 2009 8:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Jacobs....
I liked him coming out of Bowling Green. He was in an Urban Meyer spread offense. I wonder why he never caught on.
'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin
by NYSteelersFan4 on Nov 25, 2009 8:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In Madden 07 he is the starting QB for my team and tearing it up
"From time to time gunfighters get shot."-Mike Tomlin the third greatest Steelers coach
by WVPiratesfan on Nov 25, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Still playing Madden '07?
There has to be an “only in West Virginia” joke in there somewhere. But that would be tasteless, so I’ll only imply of said jokes existence.
And, by the way, eveytime I did a franchise and released him, he’d wind up starting somewhere and being good. I lost a game to a Tampa Bay team quarterbacked by Jacobs using Willie Reid as their number 1 receiver. Now that is just plain strange.
'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin
by NYSteelersFan4 on Nov 25, 2009 2:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I've haven't gotten a xbox 360 or the like so yea I am
"From time to time gunfighters get shot."-Mike Tomlin the third greatest Steelers coach
by WVPiratesfan on Nov 25, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My bad...
I’m not playing anything at the moment as I recently experienced the red ring. Bad joke, no harm meant by it.
'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin
by NYSteelersFan4 on Nov 26, 2009 2:13 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Just explaining nothing meant by my comment either
"From time to time gunfighters get shot."-Mike Tomlin the third greatest Steelers coach
by WVPiratesfan on Nov 26, 2009 2:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Do you know Nato Jacobs?
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Nov 25, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Is he related to U.N. Roberts?
Get it? Nato, U.N.? Yeah I know, really funny stuff I did there with your typo.
'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin
by NYSteelersFan4 on Nov 25, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That wasn't a typo
It’s from “Head of State” a movie with Chris Rock and Bernie Mack. That’s you rhomework for the weekend. get that movie and watch it. You can thank me later.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Nov 25, 2009 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Really...
I’ll see what I can do.
'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin
by NYSteelersFan4 on Nov 26, 2009 2:15 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
It's pretty funny
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Nov 26, 2009 10:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe
He was successful in the Spread back when nobody knew how to defend and was a product of the system. That worried me at the time. It’s very hard to evaluate how a spread QB will fare in the pros…
by Steelfrog on Nov 25, 2009 12:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Batch is not of starting QB talent in the NFL...
But, he’s EXACTLY what we’ve needed in Pittsburgh, as a backup, a leader, and most importantly a mentor to Ben. I look forward to see him roaming the sidelines with a clipboard and headset as QB coach, or one day, an OC.
breathe in deep feel your heart beat, just to know that life's worth livin'. feel your feet on the earth, better love it while it's still here spinnin'.
by NoCal-SteelCity on Nov 25, 2009 1:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Steelers QB History Lesson
Let’s review the Steelers QB situation over the last 10 years:
1999 – Kordell Stewart, Mike Tomzcak, Pete Gonzalez
Stewart is the starter until the 1st half of his horrific performance in week 12 against Cincinnati when he throws 2 picks in his first 11 passes and is relegated to wide receiver the rest of the season. Tomzcak becomes the starter for the rest of the year playing ok his 1st few games in defeat before the wheels come off at the end of the year. After he throws 4 interceptions against the Chiefs fans are clamoring for Gonzalez to get into games because he’s a hometown boy. Cowher gets testy at press conferences when reporters ask about Pistol Pete getting into games. After the season Tomczak retires and the Steelers sign Kent Graham to compete with Stewart for the starting job. They draft Tee Martin to replace Gonzalez.
2000 – Kordell Stewart, Kent Graham, Tee Martin
Graham wins the starting job coming out of training camp, but absolutely sucks the first 3 games, all losses, including the infamous sack on 3rd down with 10 seconds left against the Browns which allowed time to run out. In week 4 Stewart becomes the starter but does nothing special in his 2 game stint while Graham is injured to keep the job. Graham comes back as starter against the Bengals but is horrible and the next game is benched for Stewart for the remainder of the season and for next year. The Steelers release Graham after the year and are now left with an opening for a backup QB as Martin is deemed not ready to do anything. They sign Tommy Maddox, the XFL MVP to be Stewart’s backup.
2001 – Kordell Stewart, Tommy Maddox, Tee Martin
Stewart plays excellent all season long up until week 16 against Cincinnati when the wheels start to come off heading into the playoffs. Against Baltimore in the playoffs he is mediocre but they still win. Against New England he is worse than mediocre in the AFCC game. Still, there is optimism that Stewart has turned the corner as an NFL QB. In the offseason the Lions draft Joey Harrington with the first overall pick making Charlie Batch, who was injured to close out 2001, expendable. With Maddox still a largely unknown NFL quantity the Steelers need a legit backup QB to Stewart and Batch gladly signs a hometown discount to play for the Steelers for one season with the intention of being a starter somewhere else the following year.
2002 – Tommy Maddox, Kordell Stewart, Charlie Batch
Stewart begins the year as the QB but is awful and is benched in the 3rd game of the year against Cleveland. Maddox leads the team in a thrilling come from behind victory and is the starter the rest of the year, except when he is temporarily paralyzed against Tennessee and the following 2 weeks when he is recovering. After the season the Steelers release Stewart now that Maddox is the unquestioned starter. With Maddox and Batch accomplished NFL starters the Steelers decide they can use their #3 spot on a developmental QB and draft Brian St. Pierre. After finding no takers in free agency to compete as a starter, Batch resigns a longer deal with the Steelers to be their backup.
2003 – Tommy Maddox, Charlie Batch, Brian St. Pierre
Maddox has an up and down season but never loses his job as starter. Batch plays in relief but does nothing to distinguish himself. In the offseason, despite needs along the offensive line at tackle the Steelers take BPA in the draft after Ben Roethlisberger falls into their lap.
2004 – Ben Roethlisberger, Tommy Maddox, Charlie Batch, Brian St. Pierre
Coming into training camp Ben is the #3 behind Maddox and Batch and St. Pierre looks like he is auditioning for another team. However Batch blows out his knee in preseason and Ben is elevated to the backup job and St. Pierre gets to stay on as the #3 QB. Maddox is injured against the Ravens and Ben becomes the starter we go 15-1 and never look back.
2005 – Ben Roethlisberger, Tommy Maddox, Charlie Batch
St. Pierre is released in the offseason as Batch is now healthy. Ben remains the unquestioned starter but he injures his knee against San Diego on MNF and Maddox is called on to start against Jax where he proceeds to have one of the worst games by an NFL QB ever. He is so bad he is bumped to #3 on the depth chart behind Batch. Ben reinjures his knee against the Ravens on MNF and Batch is called on to start the following week against Green Bay and then against Cleveland. Against the Packers he plays like garbage but the defense and Duce Staley lead the team to victory. At the end of the 1st half against Cleveland he breaks his hand on a QB. Maddox starts the following week against the Ravens and looks like a deer in headlights. Thankfully Ben returns and he saves the season. In the offseason Maddox is uncerimoniously dumped and the team resigns St. Pierre to be the #3 QB again. They also draft Omar Jacobs to provide competition.
2006 – Ben Roethlisberger, Charlie Batch, Brian St. Pierre
St. Pierre beats out Jacobs for the #3 spot. Ben’s appendectomy forces him to miss the season opener against the Dolphins and Batch plays admirably. Ben returns and starts the rest of the year playing horrible until the New Orleans game to start the 2nd half of the year.
2007 – Ben Roethlisberger, Charlie Batch, Brian St. Pierre
Ben starts the first 15 games before being sat as a precautions against Baltimore in the finale. Batch plays like garbage in the defeat. St. Pierre is finally dumped for the final time in the offseason and Dennis Dixon is drafted to be the developmental #3 QB.
2008 – Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, Dennis Dixon
In preseason Batch breaks his collarbone, is put on IR and the team signs Leftwich off the street. Ben starts every game though Leftwich plays the entire 2nd half against Washington leading the team to victory. After the year Leftwich signs with Tampa thinking he can be a starter in the league again. Batch is brought back as the #2.
2009 – Ben Roethlisberger, Charlie Batch, Dennis Dixon
Story yet to be written
2010 – IMO Ben Roethlisberger, Dennis Dixon, Charlie Batch
Batch is demoted to #3 QB as Dixon shows himself capable of being the backup and Batch still provides a veteran presence.
by catesinator on Nov 25, 2009 1:35 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
+1
Thanks for all the well-written info!
by Weirtonite on Nov 25, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Stroll down Memory Lane
Thanks for the research on this. I felt like I was having flashbacks every time Tomczak and Maddox were mentioned. On this day before Thanksgiving what I am thankful for is that we have a Superbowl QB who (we think) is still healthy. I love Charlie Batch, but he has never been much more than a relatively inexpensive insurance policy. I don’t know anyone who thinks he was ever capable of leading a playoff run. I think he is done with the Steelers. He’s getting up in years, is too prone to injuries, and hasn’t shown much in years.
by Citizen of Steeler Nation on Nov 25, 2009 5:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How much time did that take
"From time to time gunfighters get shot."-Mike Tomlin the third greatest Steelers coach
by WVPiratesfan on Nov 25, 2009 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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