mesaSteeler
05-01-2010, 11:05 PM
Ward believes in Steelers' young QB
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_679148.html#
By John Harris
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward saw how the coaching staff designed plays to capitalize on quarterback Kordell Stewart's unique ability to create with his arm and his legs.
Ward doesn't know who's going to win the quarterback battle to replace Ben Roethlisberger, but he believes third-year signal caller Dennis Dixon, like Stewart, can spread the field and keep defenses off-balance with his unique versatility.
"If he gets outside the pocket, he's more of a threat than anybody on our team,'' Ward said of Dixon, who is sharing reps with Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch during this weekend's minicamp that concludes today at the Steelers practice facility. "He's just as fast and explosive as a lot of defensive backs that probably wouldn't know how to attack him because they're not used to defending somebody like that.''
Ward, a third-round draft pick in 1998, joined the Steelers a year after Stewart, in his first season as a starter, led the Steelers to an 11-5 record and the AFC Championship Game.
Stewart enjoyed a career season in 2001, passing for more than 3,000 yards with 14 touchdown passes and five rushing touchdowns while earning a Pro Bowl berth. The Steelers, the top seed in the playoffs with a 13-3 record, lost to New England in the AFC Championship Game.
Asked if Dixon, a fifth-round draft pick, reminds him of Stewart, Ward replied: "He does. You take a Vince Young, and you see the type of season he had toward the end of last year (with the Tennessee Titans), and Dixon is really hitting all those molds.
"If he gets another opportunity, guys are going to compete for him.''
In his only NFL start against Baltimore last season, Dixon displayed flashes of his playmaking ability as a passer and runner.
Dixon tossed a 33-yard touchdown strike to Santonio Holmes that tied the score 7-7 in the second quarter. In the third quarter, Dixon scored easily on a 24-yard sprint, reaching the end zone untouched against a host of surprised defenders.
Dixon would like to incorporate more runs as he finds his comfort zone in the offense. Against Baltimore, however, Dixon tried to play within himself as offensive coordinator Bruce Arians called a simple game plan.
"Seeing that was my first start, I wanted to put my team in the best situation,'' Dixon said. "As things go along, yes, I want to go all out.''
Unfortunately, Dixon also displayed his inexperience late in that contest, throwing a third-down interception that led to the clinching field goal in Baltimore's 20-17 overtime win.
"The interception, the last-minute mistake, we can't fault him for that,'' Ward said. "He saw something he tried to take advantage of.''
Dixon received his first start as a late replacement for Roethlisberger, who was sidelined with a concussion. Dixon now has plenty of competition to become the starter as Roethlisberger is scheduled to miss as many as six games because of a suspension.
It appears to be a showdown between Leftwich, who continues to take snaps with the first-team offense, and Dixon, who is directing the second-team offense during this minicamp.
"I wouldn't say anyone is solidified as No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3,'' Dixon said. "We're getting quality reps between all three of us and (making) the most of it.''
Said Ward: "Whoever they decide to be the starter, we'll move forward from there.''
Ward said he believes in Dixon.
"He won over a lot of guys,'' Ward said. "You get named the starting quarterback the day before the game, going down to the lion's den in Baltimore - it's not an easy task for any quarterback. He held his own.
"We couldn't run certain plays because he didn't get all the proper reps he needed throughout the week - he only got 30 percent of the plays. That was the frustration with a lot of guys. Considering the circumstances, Dennis played his tail off.
"And he's getting better and better.''
John Harris can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_679148.html#
By John Harris
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward saw how the coaching staff designed plays to capitalize on quarterback Kordell Stewart's unique ability to create with his arm and his legs.
Ward doesn't know who's going to win the quarterback battle to replace Ben Roethlisberger, but he believes third-year signal caller Dennis Dixon, like Stewart, can spread the field and keep defenses off-balance with his unique versatility.
"If he gets outside the pocket, he's more of a threat than anybody on our team,'' Ward said of Dixon, who is sharing reps with Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch during this weekend's minicamp that concludes today at the Steelers practice facility. "He's just as fast and explosive as a lot of defensive backs that probably wouldn't know how to attack him because they're not used to defending somebody like that.''
Ward, a third-round draft pick in 1998, joined the Steelers a year after Stewart, in his first season as a starter, led the Steelers to an 11-5 record and the AFC Championship Game.
Stewart enjoyed a career season in 2001, passing for more than 3,000 yards with 14 touchdown passes and five rushing touchdowns while earning a Pro Bowl berth. The Steelers, the top seed in the playoffs with a 13-3 record, lost to New England in the AFC Championship Game.
Asked if Dixon, a fifth-round draft pick, reminds him of Stewart, Ward replied: "He does. You take a Vince Young, and you see the type of season he had toward the end of last year (with the Tennessee Titans), and Dixon is really hitting all those molds.
"If he gets another opportunity, guys are going to compete for him.''
In his only NFL start against Baltimore last season, Dixon displayed flashes of his playmaking ability as a passer and runner.
Dixon tossed a 33-yard touchdown strike to Santonio Holmes that tied the score 7-7 in the second quarter. In the third quarter, Dixon scored easily on a 24-yard sprint, reaching the end zone untouched against a host of surprised defenders.
Dixon would like to incorporate more runs as he finds his comfort zone in the offense. Against Baltimore, however, Dixon tried to play within himself as offensive coordinator Bruce Arians called a simple game plan.
"Seeing that was my first start, I wanted to put my team in the best situation,'' Dixon said. "As things go along, yes, I want to go all out.''
Unfortunately, Dixon also displayed his inexperience late in that contest, throwing a third-down interception that led to the clinching field goal in Baltimore's 20-17 overtime win.
"The interception, the last-minute mistake, we can't fault him for that,'' Ward said. "He saw something he tried to take advantage of.''
Dixon received his first start as a late replacement for Roethlisberger, who was sidelined with a concussion. Dixon now has plenty of competition to become the starter as Roethlisberger is scheduled to miss as many as six games because of a suspension.
It appears to be a showdown between Leftwich, who continues to take snaps with the first-team offense, and Dixon, who is directing the second-team offense during this minicamp.
"I wouldn't say anyone is solidified as No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3,'' Dixon said. "We're getting quality reps between all three of us and (making) the most of it.''
Said Ward: "Whoever they decide to be the starter, we'll move forward from there.''
Ward said he believes in Dixon.
"He won over a lot of guys,'' Ward said. "You get named the starting quarterback the day before the game, going down to the lion's den in Baltimore - it's not an easy task for any quarterback. He held his own.
"We couldn't run certain plays because he didn't get all the proper reps he needed throughout the week - he only got 30 percent of the plays. That was the frustration with a lot of guys. Considering the circumstances, Dennis played his tail off.
"And he's getting better and better.''
John Harris can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.