Assessing the Steelers Backup Quarterback Options

Dixon isn’t worth squat. He can’t read defenses, has a horrible arm and makes very poor decisions. Batch is a much better option despite being fragile and ancient. Leftwich will be our #1 backup and Batch will be behind him. We’ll let Dixon walk where he’ll be a 3rd string on another team.

would probably be for Dixon to move on. The chances that he’ll be anything other than just an emergency contributor in Pittsburgh are very slim. Ben should be able to play for another 5-10 years minimum, and even if he improves significantly, Dixon will not be the position to challenge him. On the other hand he may have a real shot in places like Washington, Chicago, Minnesota or Seatlle where the qb situations are a lot less settled.

Leftwich, on the other hand, is probably not going to get too many chances elsewhere. His chances of actually playing Pittsburgh may be less, but the stakes and the benefits of being with the Steelers are extremely high. So far his track record has been two seasons, two trips to the Super Bowl, one ring. Not bad. Back up quarterbacks make more money than most starters at other positions, the cost of living is low. He likes it here and the team seems to like him. Good career move.

Batch brings a number of benefits. Don’t let his age distract you. He has spent the past ten years with the Steelers without playing very much. This means that there has been very little wear and tear on his body during that time, and quarterback position is not as physically unforgiving generally relative to other positions. The leadership that he brings is off the charts at this point. He is not a career backup. He was the starting quarterback at Detroit and knows how to lead a lockerroom. His role with the players union will only enhance his stature in the Steelers lockr room and around the league. He gets along extremely well with Ben, and what Ben wants will carry considerable weight.

One more thing. He may not be able to hang onto his roster spot given the red hot competition in the receivers corp. But don’t forget that Randle El would serve as an excellent emergency quarterback and would the team some options at the position.

I have a lot of sympathy for that Ivan Cole says above.

I don’t want to be too down on Dixon, after 2 and a third game’s starting, but he did not strike me being “in control” out there last year. Ok, the circumstances were not the best.

Which is why I say give him an honest shot at a roster spot, but let the best man win.

That may be tricky as Tomlin needed to give Dixon and Leftwhich work last year while getting Ben some reps (and Tomlin handled the situation masterfully, despite what some critics argued) but it need not be rocket science as it was last year.

Assuming there are four preseason games, each man can get his shot as the first man off the bench.

Got distracted. Haven’t been on site for awhile. Sorry folks.

After the smoke clears on this, how about picking Terrell Pryor – if we can get him in the 3rd round of the supplemental draft (I don’t think he will last that long though). I know that it would be risky because of his baggage. But he is talented. He is local. And, I am told that he has a special bond with Charlie Batch. He would have the benefit of being close to his family (in Jeannette). We have a lot of veterans who could help keep him in line. And (if he can be patient) he can learn by being mentored by Big Ben and Charlie Batch. We could keep him on the Practice Squad for as long as necessary. This kid has LOT of talent. If we can harness his ego and patience, he has the potential to be a future super star . I have used a lot of ifs and am sure that I will get a lot of criticism for suggesting this move. I would hate to see it come back and hurt us in the future if we pass on him and he lives up to what I think he is capable of being. Hit me with your best shots.

Dixon showed a lot of potential. Missed some open reads but for all intents and purposes was playing his first ever NFL action with us. You can’t expect that dude to go lights out.

And lets not forget, Dixon was in a Baltimore game where he took the lead late.

Perhaps with more refinement and some garbage time he could get more comfy and play better.

Batch though IMO is a great fill-in for a complete game. I feel Lefty is a little bit more apt to sub in mid game.

Can’t keep em all. I’d rather have mobility over a big arm when our O-line can’t give you 3 seconds to think.

The Steelers QB depth chart in 2011 will be

1. Ben
2. Leftwich
3. Dixon

The fact of the matter is that Charlie Batch played like garbage against the Titans and the Steelers were bailed out by their defense and STs, played very well against TB and was very mediocre against Baltimore. Batch’s efforts in the first 3 games are largely overstated. At the end of last season Batch was behind Leftwich on the depth chart, so IMO nothing changed this offseason to alter that. So Leftwich remains the top backup to Ben.

As for Dixon. Not sure why everyone is so down on him. The guy did play ok in the opener last year against Atlanta. IMO the Steelers are going to want to see if this guy can be a legit backup QB option to Ben so he will make the roster this year.

as if having a shaky offensive line is permanent condition. In spite of the fact that they didn’t have Pouncey during the Super Bowl they pretty much ran at will against the Packers and Ben was only sacked once I believe. Unless we have contnued bad luck in relation to injuries I think days of this knee jerk skunking of the O Line are about over.

this year he’ll have to prove his current worth to make the team. simply making it on “potential” doesn’t cut it when he’s going into his 4th year in the league.

byron outperformed him last preseason & pracitce and i’m guessing he’ll do it again.
batch outperformed him during the regular season & i think he’ll do it again especially when they’ll have limited practice time (ben & byron getting most of it).