You are Mike Tomlin (1 Viewer)

[Godsbrother]

Okay maybe this should go in the Steelers thread but I thought it might be interesting for the rest of the FFA to chew on because I think Mike Tomlin has a little bit of a dilemma

We all know the Roethlisberger will start the season with a 4-6 week game suspension. The reports from camp are that he is in excellent shape and is looking great during drills. However Byron Leftwich has been taking most snaps with the 1st team and barring injury will likely be the starting QB in Roethlisberger's absence.

Dennis Dixon is in his third year and looked decent in his only career start against the Ravens last season (the Steelers lost). He definitely needs all the reps he can get. Finally the Steelers have veteran Charlie Batch on the roster who will likely be cut once Roethlisberger returns.

On Saturday the Steelers will play their first of four preseason games and I am wondering what Mike Tomlin will do with Big Ben.

On one hand these games will be Roethlisberger's only chance to play in game situations until October 17th at the earliest. On the other hand you need to start Leftwich to play with the starters so Ben would likely be playing with and against 2nd or 3rd teamers. The question is it really worth exposing him to injury to get him ready for the season when he is going to miss at least the first 4 games anyway?

My opinion is that you sit Roethlisberger during the preseason. There is little to be gained by having him play and there is no sense in risking a serious injury.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Okay maybe this should go in the Steelers thread but I thought it might be interesting for the rest of the FFA to chew on because I think Mike Tomlin has a little bit of a dilemma We all know the Roethlisberger will start the season with a 4-6 week game suspension. The reports from camp are that he is in excellent shape and is looking great during drills. However Byron Leftwich has been taking most snaps with the 1st team and barring injury will likely be the starting QB in Roethlisberger's absence. Dennis Dixon is in his third year and looked decent in his only career start against the Ravens last season (the Steelers lost). He definitely needs all the reps he can get. Finally the Steelers have veteran Charlie Batch on the roster who will likely be cut once Roethlisberger returns. On Saturday the Steelers will play their first of four preseason games and I am wondering what Mike Tomlin will do with Big Ben. On one hand these games will be Roethlisberger's only chance to play in game situations until October 17th at the earliest. On the other hand you need to start Leftwich to play with the starters so Ben would likely be playing with and against 2nd or 3rd teamers. The question is it really worth exposing him to injury to get him ready for the season when he is going to miss at least the first 4 games anyway?My opinion is that you sit Roethlisberger during the preseason. There is little to be gained by having him play and there is no sense in risking a serious injury.

I think I would play him a few series just to get him some game action, but no way would I risk playing him with the 2nd string offensive line. It would be very limited though. I'd play Leftwich a lot in the 3rd preseason game, less in the others. That should be plenty given his experience. Dixon would be playing a lot.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Agreed. Give him a series or two in each game to keep in rhythm, but otherwise split time between Leftwich and Dixon.

 

[LTF]

I think they'll try and get him reps, maybe using him extensively in one of the preseason games, because during his suspension he can literally have no contact with the team. He can't be at the facilities, he can't even talk on the phone with his offensive coordinator.

But I don't think the guy needs much work. He's entering his seventh year in the league, and is from all reports is in the best shape of his life and looking great in camp. If the suspension is reduced to four games as most expect, when he comes back he'll have an extra week with the Steelers bye week being week #5 to get ready for a home game against Cleveland.

 

[ROBOPUNTER]

Treat him like a starter. Give him a series or two and move onto Dixon/Leftwich.

If I'm Mike Tomlin, I'll adjust my sunglass a few times before making a decision.

 

[sgtrobo]

keep him with the first time, give him a few series to build confidence/rebuild rapport with WRs, then get him the hell out of there

 

[steelcityman]

Saturdat I expect each QB to get 1 quarter.

Byron, Ben, Dixon, Batch(in that order). Some of the OL will play into the 2nd quarter, so to give been a little time with his line.

I wouldnt be shocked to see the same lineup next week too.

Game 3 Leftwitch gets 2+ quarters, Dixon and Ben round out the game.

Game 4, Ben, Dixon and a little Batch. Leftwitch can sit by then.

Ben has to play, you're talking 9 more weeks until he would play in a game. THats a looong time in the NFL.

 

[redBourne]

I think they'll try and get him reps, maybe using him extensively in one of the preseason games, because during his suspension he can literally have no contact with the team. He can't be at the facilities, he can't even talk on the phone with his offensive coordinator.

But I don't think the guy needs much work. He's entering his seventh year in the league, and is from all reports is in the best shape of his life and looking great in camp. If the suspension is reduced to four games as most expect, when he comes back he'll have an extra week with the Steelers bye week being week #5 to get ready for a home game against Cleveland.

No offense to you, but I really get tired of hearing this. It seems like half the league is "in the best shape of their life/career". You hear it from dudes coming back from injury, 30 somethings, guys who were late to camp, etc. Either people are lying or everyone is in the best shape of their life (it is football...) and it doesn't matter.As for the OP, I think you have to play Roth a few with the starting line, and give Lefty the same treatment. The starting OLine may have to stay in a few more plays than they normally would to get both players involved in a few things. But Dixon is going to see a lot of time here.

 

[Godsbrother]

Saturdat I expect each QB to get 1 quarter.

Byron, Ben, Dixon, Batch(in that order). Some of the OL will play into the 2nd quarter, so to give been a little time with his line.

I wouldnt be shocked to see the same lineup next week too.

Game 3 Leftwitch gets 2+ quarters, Dixon and Ben round out the game.

Game 4, Ben, Dixon and a little Batch. Leftwitch can sit by then.

Ben has to play, you're talking 9 more weeks until he would play in a game. THats a looong time in the NFL.

True but he is going to have to sit 4+ weeks anyway so I am not so sure that any gain he gets from playing a few series in the preseason is going to count for much. Assuming the suspension is 4 games the Steelers have a bye in Week 5 so he'll have 2 weeks to prepare for Cleveland.I am thinking that you might need to play him from more of a psychological standpoint than anything else. I guess I would play him a series with the first string offense each game, just to keep him feeling like he part of the team.

 

[Jason Wood]

I agree with the premise that you treat him as you would normally. He's your #1 starter, and your #1 starter would see a series or two in the 1st preseason game. The only thing I would do differently is not extend his PT as most teams will do by the 3rd game. I would just play him two or three series tops in the 2nd and 3rd game and make sure Leftwich (or Dixon) get more reps than they might have otherwise.