Group behind Ben getting alittle crowded..

[clevestinks]

I`m all four having three qb`s, even with out receivers that have played qb before. El,Ward, miller

[acrossthepond]

I'd hate to see them gamble with only 2 QBs on the roster especially early in the season (despite trying to explain how BSP wasnt as great a risk last year). How many starting QBs in camp stay healthy all year and take every snap???? Having only 2 QBs late in the season on your 53 man roster is a big risk, but having only 2 on the roster from Day 1 is potentially suicide

[clevestinks]

Yes two is definitley a NO. Especially considering how fragile Tommy seems to be.

[Avoid LLoyd1975]

Batch is washed up and has been washed up and BSP is mud. Maddox could be used for trade bait but that would leave us in a really bad situation having to keep batch or BSP. Keeping maddox definately is the viable option.

[ironcitychef]

First off, our #1 Qb last year passed a max of 29 times a game. Handed off/(or ran himself) the rest of the time. If you can keep him on the practice squad(tons of extra benefits) why not put your 3rd qb on their for game day. Why take a sideline spot from an extra LB or RB who could get a big sack or bring in that burst of speed later in a game. I can't remeber the last time a team lost two QB's in the same game, so having El or Ward be the emergency is an option I'm very comfortable with. I'd rather have Wallace be into the game 16 times a year and make one key play than have Batch/St. Pierre on the sideline carry a clip board all year. Besides we did it last year and only went 15-1.

[acrossthepond]

Originally Posted by ironcitychef

First off, our #1 Qb last year passed a max of 29 times a game. Handed off/(or ran himself) the rest of the time. If you can keep him on the practice squad(tons of extra benefits) why not put your 3rd qb on their for game day. Why take a sideline spot from an extra LB or RB who could get a big sack or bring in that burst of speed later in a game. I can't remeber the last time a team lost two QB's in the same game, so having El or Ward be the emergency is an option I'm very comfortable with. I'd rather have Wallace be into the game 16 times a year and make one key play than have Batch/St. Pierre on the sideline carry a clip board all year. Besides we did it last year and only went 15-1.

Remember the Emergency/ 3rd QB is an additional player on Gamedays to the normal gameday roster - and the team have to sit 8 of their players on the 53 man roster on gamedays in any case so having a 3rd QB on the 53 man roster doesnt lose you any players available on a gameday.

[clevestinks]

I`ll be honest, I`m shocked that alot of yinz want only Ben, and Tommy, something to think about I guess?

[ironcitychef]

Originally Posted by acrossthepond

Remember the Emergency/ 3rd QB is an additional player on Gamedays to the normal gameday roster - and the team have to sit 8 of their players on the 53 man roster on gamedays in any case so having a 3rd QB on the 53 man roster doesnt lose you any players available on a gameday.

Ooops...understand your point, but I guess I'm saying I don't want him dressed. Plus he doesn't need to take up a roster spot either. I guess I'm asking who we need to develop more. Batch or St. Pierre roster spot(or Tommy even) vs. a undrafted rookie who might pan out. I'm going to wager that our success in doing it last year(just having St. Pierre on speed dial for the following week) is going to let us put as many of those young guys onto our side of practice situations and gamedays. Remember we have plenty of decisions to make on all those 1 year contracts come season's end. Time to know if we cough up more money to sign those young guys long term. Batch is old, St. Pierre is constant back up material, and Tommy had his shot. I don't see us going long term on any of those guys.

[acrossthepond]

I don't want us to be in a position where part way through the season we lose Ben and Tommy (which is always a chance part way through the NFL season) and have either no-one to fall back on who knows the playbook (cos BSP has been signed by someone else) or some street free agent (e.g. Kurt Kittner!!!) who is on our practice squad. While I said in an earlier post that they took the risk with St. Pierre late in the season, cos he wasnt the most desirable QB out there, it's still a huge risk. We'd be much more likely to win this year if our top 2 guys go down with Batch on the bench. He won quite a few games with the Lions (and not always with the best supporting cast). To me it's a no-brainer with a championship caliber team like the Steelers . . . Batch is more likely to win than BSP imo.

[KeystoneKC]

Releasing Maddox makes no sense to me. With his new contract from last year, it will cost $350K more to cut him (pre 6/1) than it would to keep him. I think Batch has too much time in, so he couldn't be placed on the Practice Squad. If he were kept, it would have to be on the 53 man roster. Options as I see them:

1. Trade Maddox or Batch, and try to get something for them. (Doesn't happen in Pittsburgh for whatever reason.)
2. Release Batch after camp, & keep Ben, Tommy, & St. Pierre. St. Pierre could either be kept on the roster or PS. No cap savings since Batch's deal is 1-year.
3. Release St Pierre & keep the others all on the regular roster. No cap savings since Brian is in the last year of his contract as well.
4. Release both Batch & St Pierre. Keep the others & hope all goes well. No cap savings.

Options 2, 3, & 4 all cost pretty much the same. I guess it boils down to how much you think the #3 QB is going to play, & your preference between the two. I prefer Batch.