The Steelers should start Dixon (1 Viewer)

[timschochet]

Leftwich looks dreadful to me. He can't move. The O-Line sucks; Flozell is a turnstyle. Unless we want to start the year 0-4 (which basically means give up on the season) our best shot is an athletic QB who can run away from those defensive linemen.

 

[OddibeMcD]

Yeah, that pass to Wallace was horrible.

 

[timschochet]

Yeah, that pass to Wallace was horrible.

One nice pass, one guy got open. We can't count on long passes like that. I admit if you old Byron time to unwind that arm he can send it down the field. But no team's going to give him that time; not with the offensive line of the Steelers.

 

[Don't Noonan]

Dixon is far and away better than Leftwich. I can't believe Tomlin is considering starting Leftwich. Dixon will create plays with his legs which is something the Steelers should utilize with bootlegs etc.

 

[Bojang0301]

I feel like Steelers faithful are yelling into the wind when suggesting Dixon start. It is beyond ridiculous at this point he hasn't even got a chance to run the first team O.

 

[Zaphod]

I feel like Steelers faithful are yelling into the wind when suggesting Dixon start. It is beyond ridiculous at this point he hasn't even got a chance to run the first team O.

And that's a real shame.

 

[sgtrobo]

Dixon has had multiple chances with the starters and he has played horribly with them apparently.

Jim Wexall wrote about this throughout camp and practices, that the Dixon plays horribly when there is "real competition" but that he excels when there isn't real competition and he doesn't need to feel pressure to perform. i.e. he can just go out there and play

I think the Steelers are grooming him to get traded.

 

[Novice2]

Who doesn't know this save the powers that be in steelerland.

 

[Don't Noonan]

Dixon has had multiple chances with the starters and he has played horribly with them apparently. Jim Wexall wrote about this throughout camp and practices, that the Dixon plays horribly when there is "real competition" but that he excels when there isn't real competition and he doesn't need to feel pressure to perform. i.e. he can just go out there and playI think the Steelers are grooming him to get traded.

I didn't think he played hooribly last year in his only start against Baltimore. I hope he gets traded, it's obvious he isn't in the Steelers plans if they are starting Leftwich. He will get a chance to start somewhere IMO.

 

[timschochet]

I thought Dixon played very well (for a rookie) against the Ravens, and that was certainly a high pressure moment, both for his career and for the Steelers' season last year; had they won that game, they would likely have been in the playoffs. Plus it was on national television. Sure, he threw an interception at the end of the game, but he had a couple of good drives before that.

I'm just afraid we're going to revisit this subject when the Steelers are 0-1, then 0-2. If they're 0-3 it probably won't even matter anymore. Obviously I hope I'm wrong.

 

[identikit]

Steelers QB Charlie Batch Likely To Start Week One

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch will likely start the team's season opener Sept. 12 at home against the Atlanta Falcons, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. With Byron Leftwich out two to four weeks with a sprained MCL in his left knee, and Pro Bowler Ben Roethlisberger serving his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal-conduct policy, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is leaning toward starting the veteran Batch and using third-year backup quarterback Dennis Dixon in specific game situations. "You look back, we had three solid guys who were able to go in, step in, if needed," Batch told the Post-Gazette. "Now we're down to two. Over the weekend, they'll determine what's going to happen. Either way, I'll be ready to go. I feel good, I really do. Did the reps at training camp happen? No, but we're not in training camp anymore. Right now we're getting ready for Atlanta and we have the weekend and another seven days to get ready for them. At that point, whatever happens, happens. But either way, over this weekend, we'll start the preparation of getting the game plan together. I'll be ready to go either way." Batch, a Steelers backup since 2002, owns an extensive knowledge of the playbook and played well while Roethlisberger was injured in 2005 and 2006, going 3-0 as a starter. However, Batch has thrown just two passes since the final game of the 2007 season. He missed the 2008 season with a broken collarbone that occurred in the first preseason game, then went down with a wrist injury shortly after entering the only game he played last season.

Source: NFL.com

Read more: http://gridironfans.com/forums/latest-nfl-...l#ixzz0yZOfMtMm

 

[timschochet]

Wow. I guess they watched Dixon against Denver, and they simply don't trust him to read progressions. I understand that concern. And I've always liked Batch. But this is a really conservative decision. The Steelers are going to struggle to put up any points at all in the first few weeks I'm afraid.

Any of you guys who owns Mendenhall, you might want to look for another option weeks 1-4. He'll get a ton of carries, but I expect that teams will bottle him up.

 

[FavreCo]

I feel like Steelers faithful are yelling into the wind when suggesting Dixon start. It is beyond ridiculous at this point he hasn't even got a chance to run the first team O.

It's going to be entertaining watching Atlanta destroy him week 1 if they are dumb enough to throw this green as grass bum in the lineup. Batch gives them a chance due to experience.

 

[FavreCo]

Steelers QB Charlie Batch Likely To Start Week One

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch will likely start the team's season opener Sept. 12 at home against the Atlanta Falcons, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. With Byron Leftwich out two to four weeks with a sprained MCL in his left knee, and Pro Bowler Ben Roethlisberger serving his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal-conduct policy, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is leaning toward starting the veteran Batch and using third-year backup quarterback Dennis Dixon in specific game situations. "You look back, we had three solid guys who were able to go in, step in, if needed," Batch told the Post-Gazette. "Now we're down to two. Over the weekend, they'll determine what's going to happen. Either way, I'll be ready to go. I feel good, I really do. Did the reps at training camp happen? No, but we're not in training camp anymore. Right now we're getting ready for Atlanta and we have the weekend and another seven days to get ready for them. At that point, whatever happens, happens. But either way, over this weekend, we'll start the preparation of getting the game plan together. I'll be ready to go either way." Batch, a Steelers backup since 2002, owns an extensive knowledge of the playbook and played well while Roethlisberger was injured in 2005 and 2006, going 3-0 as a starter. However, Batch has thrown just two passes since the final game of the 2007 season. He missed the 2008 season with a broken collarbone that occurred in the first preseason game, then went down with a wrist injury shortly after entering the only game he played last season.

Source: NFL.com

Read more: http://gridironfans.com/forums/latest-nfl-...l#ixzz0yZOfMtMm

As I expected. I knew that Dixon was pulled superfast last week due to the fact that after examining Leftwich closely on the sidelines, panic arrived and they had to get Batch in there and get him as many reps as possilbe.I knew it had zero to do with them saving Dixon for the regular season. THAT was some funny commentary.

 

[Happy Ragnarok]

Glad it's looking like calmer, wiser football heads have prevailed.

Batch is a good, solid, grade C type NFL QB with lots of experience in the system. He's exactly what you want when you have to ride out 4 games till the better player gets back.

Hoping for dull, conservative, let the D win it for you football for a month, and an escape with a 2-2. That would be a success.

 

[Bojang0301]

While I supported Dixon early on his play against Denver was simply scary. Steelers are making the right decision going with the vet and trying to minimize the turnovers and play solid defense.