Concerned with our backups

DanRooney · 12-10-2011, 01:41 PM

Saying Batch looked rusty Thursday night is an understatement. He looked very timid and confused. I highly doubt he would be able to win us any games with the type of offense Ben is running if he were to miss some time. As for Dixon, he's still very raw as a 4th year backup which speaks volumes to how good of a quarterback he is. He can't throw downfield and can't read defenses.

Anyone consider David Garrard to be an option? Added that Leftwich is on our team there might be some competitive value there. His numbers in the past 3 years are actually not bad at all. I'm not sure if he's injured but considering that no team has made him an offer, I'm sure he'd sign for a vet minimum for a chance to prove he can play again.

***Atlanta Dan*** · 12-10-2011, 02:11 PM

As has been posted elsewhere, Batch probably had minimal reps in practice prior to being tossed into the deep end Thursday night so practice might help somewhat

But this is not the pre-salary cap NFL where the 49ers could call in Steve Young if Montana got hurt - quality back-up at QB is rare (2008 New England) and more often ends up like the train wreck in Indy this year when the starter goes down - Leftwich getting injured only further complicated matters. As far as signing Garrard, he is not coming in for the league minimum and was no jewel in Jax - it is Batch for now (although hopefully they at least put Dixon on the roster)

Unfortunately, the offense of the Steelers has evolved as a pass first operation to the extent i do not see a repeat of early 2010 where the Steelers can run the ball to victory while waiting for Ben's return

This will only become a concern to me if the Ravens lose to the Chargers next Sunday and home field is available with a win in San Francisco

As far as the playoffs go IMO the Steelers already are a wild card lock

SunshineMan21 · 12-10-2011, 03:34 PM

As long as Ben is available by the playoffs it's not a disaster.

Plus last year Batch looked just as bad to start when he relieved Dixon, then he proceeded to play pretty well. Could be a case of him simply not having the reps and being cold.

I have faith in Batch--as far as backup QBs go we could do a lot worse.

steelfury02 · 12-10-2011, 05:30 PM

good points

gonna sound crazy but some naked bootlegs, tosses, draws, dump offs, bubbles to Brown/Wallace and any available short passes should be the call for the day if Batch was in plus I wouldn't be shocked to see some trickery on a punt to keep the chains moving

I feel confident that they have the time to plan something good for San Fran

skinart82 · 12-10-2011, 06:01 PM

If they would play to Dixons strengths and let him bootleg and give him the option to run I would feel a lot better. I just prefer his mobility to Batch. Not trying to knock on Batch, I respect the hell out of him, but I would trust Dixon to win a game over him.

NoFieldFive · 12-10-2011, 06:28 PM

when the Raiders needed a qb earlier this year they looked at Garrard and I believe he was getting ready for surgery and would not be available rest of the year.

Big · 12-10-2011, 06:49 PM

Ben is going to play so its a non issue for now.

12-10-2011, 01:41 PM	#1
DanRooney Head Coach Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portsmouth, VA Posts: 1,510 Gender: Male Member Number: 16248 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 14 Posts	Concerned with our backups Saying Batch looked rusty Thursday night is an understatement. He looked very timid and confused. I highly doubt he would be able to win us any games with the type of offense Ben is running if he were to miss some time. As for Dixon, he's still very raw as a 4th year backup which speaks volumes to how good of a quarterback he is. He can't throw downfield and can't read defenses. Anyone consider David Garrard to be an option? Added that Leftwich is on our team there might be some competitive value there. His numbers in the past 3 years are actually not bad at all. I'm not sure if he's injured but considering that no team has made him an offer, I'm sure he'd sign for a vet minimum for a chance to prove he can play again. __________________

12-10-2011, 02:11 PM	#2
*Atlanta Dan* Resigned Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 9,919 Member Number: 728 Thanks: 74 Thanked 202 Times in 130 Posts	Re: Concerned with our backups As has been posted elsewhere, Batch probably had minimal reps in practice prior to being tossed into the deep end Thursday night so practice might help somewhat But this is not the pre-salary cap NFL where the 49ers could call in Steve Young if Montana got hurt - quality back-up at QB is rare (2008 New England) and more often ends up like the train wreck in Indy this year when the starter goes down - Leftwich getting injured only further complicated matters. As far as signing Garrard, he is not coming in for the league minimum and was no jewel in Jax - it is Batch for now (although hopefully they at least put Dixon on the roster) Unfortunately, the offense of the Steelers has evolved as a pass first operation to the extent i do not see a repeat of early 2010 where the Steelers can run the ball to victory while waiting for Ben's return This will only become a concern to me if the Ravens lose to the Chargers next Sunday and home field is available with a win in San Francisco As far as the playoffs go IMO the Steelers already are a wild card lock

12-10-2011, 03:34 PM	#3
SunshineMan21 Starter Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 466 Gender: Male Member Number: 9294 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Concerned with our backups As long as Ben is available by the playoffs it's not a disaster. Plus last year Batch looked just as bad to start when he relieved Dixon, then he proceeded to play pretty well. Could be a case of him simply not having the reps and being cold. I have faith in Batch--as far as backup QBs go we could do a lot worse.

12-10-2011, 05:30 PM	#4
steelfury02 Living Legend Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3,089 Member Number: 6076 Thanks: 144 Thanked 263 Times in 206 Posts	Re: Concerned with our backups good points gonna sound crazy but some naked bootlegs, tosses, draws, dump offs, bubbles to Brown/Wallace and any available short passes should be the call for the day if Batch was in plus I wouldn't be shocked to see some trickery on a punt to keep the chains moving I feel confident that they have the time to plan something good for San Fran __________________ Let's just get to draft day already

12-10-2011, 06:01 PM	#5
skinart82 Bench Warmer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Johnstown, PA, but Chattanooga, TN now Posts: 334 Gender: Male Member Number: 3485 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Concerned with our backups If they would play to Dixons strengths and let him bootleg and give him the option to run I would feel a lot better. I just prefer his mobility to Batch. Not trying to knock on Batch, I respect the hell out of him, but I would trust Dixon to win a game over him.

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12-10-2011, 06:28 PM	#6
NoFieldFive Bench Warmer Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 249 Member Number: 10965 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Concerned with our backups when the Raiders needed a qb earlier this year they looked at Garrard and I believe he was getting ready for surgery and would not be available rest of the year.

12-10-2011, 06:49 PM	#7
Big Draft Prospect Join Date: May 2010 Location: Now living in Virginia Posts: 126 Gender: Male Member Number: 16315 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Concerned with our backups Ben is going to play so its a non issue for now. __________________

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