Leftwich and Dixon to get plenty of playing time

lamberts-lost-tooth · 08-27-2008, 10:38 AM

Leftwich and Dixon to get plenty of playing time
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

The Steelers will have some decisions to make after Thursday’s game against the Carolina Panthers with the final roster cuts due on Saturday, and one position where a big decision will come is at quarterback.

The Steelers currently have four quarterbacks on the roster – Ben Roethlisberger, Charlie Batch, Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon. The question is, will they move forward with those four or not.

Leftwich was signed following the preseason opener against the Eagles when Batch suffered a broken collarbone. Leftwich had a strong outing against the Vikings this past week, but Batch is also a few weeks into his recovery and has proven what he can do in the offense.

Head coach Mike Tomlin is going to use every bit of time needed to make a decision as to how the team will handle the situation.

“We’ll cross that bridge after this performance,” said Tomlin. “Like I have said all along that is a decision we have to make at an appropriate time. I think we need to gather all of the information based on the quality of play and the health of Charlie in terms of what direction we go in. We’ll hold our cards until necessary in regards to that.”

Batch has been a regular at the team’s practice facility, but Tomlin said it’s too early to tell where his progress is. The original time frame was he would miss four-to-six weeks.

In the meantime, Leftwich and Dixon are expected to get plenty of work against the Panthers. Roethlisberger will start and play a quarter, but after that Tomlin will get a last look at the other two before any decisions need to be made. This will be Leftwich’s third game playing, the first coming just days after he signed.

“Every day is so important for him because there have been very few days and opportunities,” said Tomlin. “So far he has taken advantage of that and has gotten better. He needs to continue to do that and Thursday night will be a big part of it.”

Dixon didn’t see any playing time against the Vikings, but is gaining more confidence each day and is anxious for another opportunity.

“It’s all about repetition, regardless of it’s a physical or mental repetition I am taking it all in,” said Dixon. “I am just taking one step at a time.”

Dixon is also taking in plenty of advice from his teammates. The quarterbacks have been giving him tips from reading a defense, to techniques and the difference seeing things in an NFL scheme as opposed to a college scheme.

But it’s not just the quarterbacks who are sharing their knowledge with the rookie.

“I talk to Santonio Holmes the most because his locker was by mine when we were at camp,” said Dixon. “He talks to me about being confident. At the end of the day it’s a football game and you have been doing it for a while. That puts it into perspective. I just got out there and have fun and seize the moment.”

http://news.steelers.com/article/94203/

***Galax Steeler*** · 08-28-2008, 03:12 AM

This will be good for both of them getting more playing time I believe Leftwich will play well enough to take over for Batch I have nothing against Batch I just don't think he will be with the team come saturday.

stillers4me · 08-28-2008, 07:20 AM

I hope Ben comes out with full guns, rips it to Tone, TD.......and Ben is outa there for the night.

That's my plan.

lilyoder6 · 08-28-2008, 11:53 AM

i think bryon will have a good night and makes his case to y he should be the number 2 instead of keeping batch who is old and on his final contract.. w/ dixon i want to see another long td run from him..

rbryan · 08-28-2008, 11:57 AM

Anyone have a link to watch this game live online tonight????

steelreserve · 08-28-2008, 12:34 PM

Batch is going straight to IR, and that pretty much solves everything.

HometownGal · 08-28-2008, 02:24 PM

Ben, Byron and Dixon. End of story.

Batch is going to IR and I don't believe he will be a member of this team come next season.

STEELtownHAVOX · 08-28-2008, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HometownGal

Ben, Byron and Dixon. End of story.

Batch is going to IR and I don't believe he will be a member of this team come next season.

that's what i was thinking

stlrtruck · 08-28-2008, 02:30 PM

I hope Dixon just blasts everyone out of their seats tonight.
A rushing TD
A throwing TD
A fake put TD

PalmerSteel · 08-28-2008, 02:38 PM

the problem with people saying batch will be put on IR may not be that simple imo. if batch wants to play this year, aka be active on the roster, he may insist they either trade him or cut him. there is a good chance he wants to be activce this year since he knows his time in football is getting near the end.

08-27-2008, 10:38 AM	#1
lamberts-lost-tooth Banned Join Date: May 2006 Location: Midwest Posts: 10,829 Gender: Male Member Number: 2363 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Leftwich and Dixon to get plenty of playing time Leftwich and Dixon to get plenty of playing time Wednesday, August 27, 2008 By Teresa Varley Steelers.com The Steelers will have some decisions to make after Thursday’s game against the Carolina Panthers with the final roster cuts due on Saturday, and one position where a big decision will come is at quarterback. The Steelers currently have four quarterbacks on the roster – Ben Roethlisberger, Charlie Batch, Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon. The question is, will they move forward with those four or not. Leftwich was signed following the preseason opener against the Eagles when Batch suffered a broken collarbone. Leftwich had a strong outing against the Vikings this past week, but Batch is also a few weeks into his recovery and has proven what he can do in the offense. Head coach Mike Tomlin is going to use every bit of time needed to make a decision as to how the team will handle the situation. “We’ll cross that bridge after this performance,” said Tomlin. “Like I have said all along that is a decision we have to make at an appropriate time. I think we need to gather all of the information based on the quality of play and the health of Charlie in terms of what direction we go in. We’ll hold our cards until necessary in regards to that.” Batch has been a regular at the team’s practice facility, but Tomlin said it’s too early to tell where his progress is. The original time frame was he would miss four-to-six weeks. In the meantime, Leftwich and Dixon are expected to get plenty of work against the Panthers. Roethlisberger will start and play a quarter, but after that Tomlin will get a last look at the other two before any decisions need to be made. This will be Leftwich’s third game playing, the first coming just days after he signed. “Every day is so important for him because there have been very few days and opportunities,” said Tomlin. “So far he has taken advantage of that and has gotten better. He needs to continue to do that and Thursday night will be a big part of it.” Dixon didn’t see any playing time against the Vikings, but is gaining more confidence each day and is anxious for another opportunity. “It’s all about repetition, regardless of it’s a physical or mental repetition I am taking it all in,” said Dixon. “I am just taking one step at a time.” Dixon is also taking in plenty of advice from his teammates. The quarterbacks have been giving him tips from reading a defense, to techniques and the difference seeing things in an NFL scheme as opposed to a college scheme. But it’s not just the quarterbacks who are sharing their knowledge with the rookie. “I talk to Santonio Holmes the most because his locker was by mine when we were at camp,” said Dixon. “He talks to me about being confident. At the end of the day it’s a football game and you have been doing it for a while. That puts it into perspective. I just got out there and have fun and seize the moment.” http://news.steelers.com/article/94203/

08-28-2008, 03:12 AM	#2
*Galax Steeler* The Virginia Hillbilly Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Galax Va Posts: 19,230 Gender: Male Member Number: 3287 Thanks: 54 Thanked 140 Times in 100 Posts	Re: Leftwich and Dixon to get plenty of playing time This will be good for both of them getting more playing time I believe Leftwich will play well enough to take over for Batch I have nothing against Batch I just don't think he will be with the team come saturday. __________________

08-28-2008, 07:20 AM	#3
stillers4me Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,670 Gender: Female Member Number: 2656 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Leftwich and Dixon to get plenty of playing time I hope Ben comes out with full guns, rips it to Tone, TD.......and Ben is outa there for the night. That's my plan.

08-28-2008, 11:53 AM	#4
lilyoder6 locked behind Xanax bars Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Playin' touch football, on marijuana street Posts: 6,388 Gender: Male Member Number: 2568 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Leftwich and Dixon to get plenty of playing time i think bryon will have a good night and makes his case to y he should be the number 2 instead of keeping batch who is old and on his final contract.. w/ dixon i want to see another long td run from him.. __________________ Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy ~ Ben Franklin Freedom: some use it, Everyone enjoys it, A few defend it.

08-28-2008, 11:57 AM	#5
rbryan Team President Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Maui by way of New Brighton PA Posts: 2,030 Member Number: 5196 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Leftwich and Dixon to get plenty of playing time Anyone have a link to watch this game live online tonight????

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08-28-2008, 12:34 PM	#6
steelreserve Goatse + Tubgirl = $$$ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: www.meatspin.com Posts: 4,599 Member Number: 1976 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Leftwich and Dixon to get plenty of playing time Batch is going straight to IR, and that pretty much solves everything.

08-28-2008, 02:24 PM	#7
HometownGal Living Legend Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The Burgh Posts: 21,479 Gender: Female Member Number: 2413 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Leftwich and Dixon to get plenty of playing time Ben, Byron and Dixon. End of story. Batch is going to IR and I don't believe he will be a member of this team come next season. __________________ The Anti-Wahoo

08-28-2008, 02:30 PM	#9
stlrtruck THE PRINCESS' Daddy Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 8,783 Gender: Male Member Number: 2398 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Leftwich and Dixon to get plenty of playing time I hope Dixon just blasts everyone out of their seats tonight. A rushing TD A throwing TD A fake put TD __________________ 60 Minutes, 53 Men, 6 Trophies,1 NATION. . .STEELERS NATION!!! Sig courtesy of STEELAX04

08-28-2008, 02:38 PM	#10
PalmerSteel Team Captain Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: www.steeluniverse.net Posts: 761 Gender: Male Member Number: 3520 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Leftwich and Dixon to get plenty of playing time the problem with people saying batch will be put on IR may not be that simple imo. if batch wants to play this year, aka be active on the roster, he may insist they either trade him or cut him. there is a good chance he wants to be activce this year since he knows his time in football is getting near the end.

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