A Scary Thought – Who’s the Steelers Backup QB?
May 14th, 2009 | by Matt Loede |
It’s the first quarter of the first game vs the Titans. Ben Roethlisberger goes back to pass, and under a heavy rush takes a hit. He’s down. He’s done.
Think it can’t happen? Ask the New England Patriots and Tom Brady. It did happen last season, and while Matt Cassel did a nice job becoming a rising star, let’s face it – the Pats season was lost. Can it happen to the Steelers? You bet it can, and it’s a scenario that should wake Steelers fans up at night shaking in their Super Bowl slippers.
You see, the Steelers haven’t exactly put a premium on finding backup throwers if something happens to Ben. The team lost Byron Leftwich to the Buccaneers, leaving the club with just Charlie Batch (who has re-signed) and 2nd year thrower Dennis Dixon.
Batch didn’t play at all last season after an injury vs the Eagles in preseason put him on IR. Dixon played in one game, throwing just one pass for three yards. There’s hope that he can develop, but let’s be real, if the season comes down to Dennis Dixon, there won’t be much hope.
Where do the Steelers turn? There’s two throwers out there that interest me – Rex Grossman and J.P. Losman. Yes, they are both QB’s with less than stellar resumes, but let’s be real, at least they are young, have seen live action, and have had some moments of success.
In the end, the team had better think long and hard about this position. You don’t want to be caught without a plan when it comes to someone other than your starter throwing the ball. Just ask New England.
Tags: Ben Roethlisberger, Charlie Batch
By Dennis on May 14, 2009
This is the stupidest blog posting I’ve ever seen. The Steelers are fine at back up QB, they had to let Lefwich go because he wanted a chance to start. Batch is a good leader and he can run this offense. If he gets hurt in preseason then they will pick someone. Dixon is developing, and I think the fans are going to like this Reilly kid from Central Washington. So now is not the time to worry. Enjoy the Lombardi Trophy and go to sleep.
By Andy on May 15, 2009
Rex Grossman???? Why are you looking passed Batch? He can hold up the fort while/if Ben is out. ANd if he goes out I’d rather roll the dice with Dixon then bring Grossman in who couldn’t even hold a starting job in Chicago.
Come on dude…Grossman?!?!
By scott on May 15, 2009
No way, signing grossman or lossman would be horrible. Batch is a great backup and I would feel better with him than any of those guys. Just run a little more and we would be fine. I thought Batch should have played more the year when Ben was hurt as Ben clearly lost some games for us during that motorcycle accident and inury recovery period. He played before he should have and when Batch played, we played well and one. Granted that was a few years ago…
Dixon is an unproven commodity, but could add some Slash type action which worked well for Kordell for a year or two and defenses would not know how to prepare for him so we could get some wins based on his athletic ability alone would be my guess, again assuming our great defense shows up again this year.
By David on May 15, 2009
REMEBER A KID NAMED ROTHLISBERGER IN 04, HIS ROOKIE SEASON, MADDOX WENT DOWN FOR THE SEASON AND WITH IT A 1-1 STEELERS RECORD. I THOUGHT FOR SUR A 1-15 SEASON WAS UPON US, AND I AM SURE ALOT OF OTHERS WERE ON THE SAME PAGE. BIG BEN ONLY RIPPED OFF 13 VICTORIES IN A ROW TO FINISH OUR SEASON OFF WITH A 15-1 RECORD. THO I KNOW A ROTHLISBERGER TYPE YEAR WOULDN’T HAPPEN IF WHAT YOU SAY CAN, AND KNOCK ON WOOD THAT IT DOESN’T BUT I THINK YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO, ITS A TEAM EFFORT, AND THE TYPE OF TEAM BUILT AROUND YOU THAT CAN ALSO DETERMINE A SEASON.
By Jason on May 15, 2009
….Charlie Batch has not resigned. I think that you meant to say that he re-signed.
By Bob Kinsey on May 15, 2009
Charlie Batch is a good QB and has capably filled in for Ben and did a very good job. Not
to worry about Charie or Nixon,for that matter. Those two that you mention are not
even practice squad material.
By Bob Kinsey on May 15, 2009
Charlie Batch is a good QB and has capably filled in for Ben and did a very good job. Not
to worry about Charlie or Nixon,for that matter.
Those two that you mention are not even practice
squad material.
By Matt on May 15, 2009
Grossman, Losman??? I would rather have Dixon or Batch throwing the ball. Both of those guys have already proven that they stink.
By Jeff on May 16, 2009
Maybe the Black n Gold will call Vinnie Testaverdi or Doug Flute out of retirement? Hell,they might even call NEIL O’Donnell… Ha.Ha.
If the Steelers are really down and out with Quarterback options they can always pick up the “TERRIBLE PHONE”….send up the STEELER signal and have TERRY BRADSHAW answer the call!
P.S. Hey….forgot about Dan Marino and Joe Montana…They both have Pittsburgh ties!
By David on May 16, 2009
I HAVE A FEELING OUR OFFENSE WILL HAVE TO STEP IT UP A NOTCH THIS YEAR TO TAKE PRESSURE OF THE DEFENSE. WHY YOU ASK I WOULD SAY THAT, BECAUSE I DON’T THINK OUR DEFENSE CAN SUSTAIN A SECOND YEAR OF GREAT EXCELLENCE PLAY. THEY MAY BE MENTALLY TIRED AND DRAINED, YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THAT THE STEELER D PLAYED AT A HIGH LEVEL FOR 19 WEEKS, A BODY REALLY NEEDS TIME TO HEAL ITSELF, THEY LOOKED AT THE TOUGHEST SCHEDULE IN THE NFL LAST YEAR, AND STAPPED UP THIER CHIN STRAPS AND DID NOT LOOK BACK. THINK ABOUT IT!
By Berry Wellhung on May 16, 2009
The Steelers will be fine with Batch as backup and have him groom Dixon to be the eventual number two. Repeating in the NFL is the toughest out of all sports leagues in North America. So this will be challenge. But the Steelers will thrive Go STEEEEEEEEEEEEEELERS!!
By Kevin on May 16, 2009
Charlie is undefeated as a starter for Pittsburgh if I’m not mistaken…Dixon was gonna be a heisman finalist before his injury which has fully healed..Where does this guy get his info and opinions from?
By Joannie Bagsby on May 14, 2010
I saw many websites but yours is awsome, bookmarked for future referrence.