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Arians: Steelers can win with backup QB
By Scott Brown, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, May 20, 2010
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_682017.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 82017.html[/url]
Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said the Steelers can win with any of the three quarterbacks vying to replace Ben Roethlisberger for the first part of the 2010 season.
Getting all of the quarterbacks the work they need won't be a problem, Arians said, even if Roethlisberger returns at some point for the offseason practices that run through June 10.
"This time of year there's way too many (repetitions)," Arians said Wednesday while talking for the first time since the end of the 2009 season. "When they're veterans, they don't need a lot of generic stuff."
Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch have started 99 NFL games between them. But Dennis Dixon, who is competing with Leftwich and Batch, has started just one game in two seasons.
Dixon earned solid reviews last November when he started for the injured Roethlisberger and nearly led the Steelers to an upset of the Ravens in Baltimore.
"We've won with Charlie, we should have won with Dennis, and we've won with Byron," Arians said. "It's a good, very healthy situation. I've been in situations where we only had one (capable starter), and you dang sure didn't want to play with two and damn sure not the three. Here, we have a chance with all of them."
Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that the voluntary practices will help determine "a pecking order" of the three going into training camp.
He indicated he is not in a hurry to settle on a starter since the regular season is still more than four months away.
Receiver Hines Ward said he is hopeful one of the three quarterbacks establishes himself as the starter before training camp begins in late July, but he acknowledged it will be tough this time of year.
"This is like touch football right now," Ward said. "Things totally change when you put on pads (in camp), and you've got people tugging on you."
Arians said the offseason practices will allow the coaches to hone in on the strengths and weaknesses of Leftwich, Dixon and Batch - and eventually build the offense around whichever one starts the first four to six games while Roethlisberger is suspended.
"This time of year, you find out what they can do," Arians said. "You keep stretching the envelope and say: 'OK, this is the offense, everybody's doing it.' Then you just make mental notes as you go along: 'He really struggles with that throw' or 'He really struggles with that footwork or this type of read.' So if and when the time comes to call on one, you can tailor your game plan to fit him."
The Steelers are waiting for the go-ahead from the NFL as to when Roethlisberger — who has completed a league-mandated psychological evaluation — can resume practicing with the team.
When Roethlisberger does return, Arians said: "He'll jump right back in there. He's going to have to play 12 games."
Roethlisberger, who was suspended for violating the NFL's personal-conduct policy, played Monday in an annual charity golf outing hosted by Ward and left tackle Max Starks.
Ward said he was "very encouraged" to see Roethlisberger.
"We're not going to turn our backs on him," Ward said. "We're going to treat him like our brother. We're going to accept him back and be very supportive of him and help him get through this. In this locker room, he's still our quarterback."
By Scott Brown, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, May 20, 2010
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_682017.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 82017.html[/url]
Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said the Steelers can win with any of the three quarterbacks vying to replace Ben Roethlisberger for the first part of the 2010 season.
Getting all of the quarterbacks the work they need won't be a problem, Arians said, even if Roethlisberger returns at some point for the offseason practices that run through June 10.
"This time of year there's way too many (repetitions)," Arians said Wednesday while talking for the first time since the end of the 2009 season. "When they're veterans, they don't need a lot of generic stuff."
Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch have started 99 NFL games between them. But Dennis Dixon, who is competing with Leftwich and Batch, has started just one game in two seasons.
Dixon earned solid reviews last November when he started for the injured Roethlisberger and nearly led the Steelers to an upset of the Ravens in Baltimore.
"We've won with Charlie, we should have won with Dennis, and we've won with Byron," Arians said. "It's a good, very healthy situation. I've been in situations where we only had one (capable starter), and you dang sure didn't want to play with two and damn sure not the three. Here, we have a chance with all of them."
Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that the voluntary practices will help determine "a pecking order" of the three going into training camp.
He indicated he is not in a hurry to settle on a starter since the regular season is still more than four months away.
Receiver Hines Ward said he is hopeful one of the three quarterbacks establishes himself as the starter before training camp begins in late July, but he acknowledged it will be tough this time of year.
"This is like touch football right now," Ward said. "Things totally change when you put on pads (in camp), and you've got people tugging on you."
Arians said the offseason practices will allow the coaches to hone in on the strengths and weaknesses of Leftwich, Dixon and Batch - and eventually build the offense around whichever one starts the first four to six games while Roethlisberger is suspended.
"This time of year, you find out what they can do," Arians said. "You keep stretching the envelope and say: 'OK, this is the offense, everybody's doing it.' Then you just make mental notes as you go along: 'He really struggles with that throw' or 'He really struggles with that footwork or this type of read.' So if and when the time comes to call on one, you can tailor your game plan to fit him."
The Steelers are waiting for the go-ahead from the NFL as to when Roethlisberger — who has completed a league-mandated psychological evaluation — can resume practicing with the team.
When Roethlisberger does return, Arians said: "He'll jump right back in there. He's going to have to play 12 games."
Roethlisberger, who was suspended for violating the NFL's personal-conduct policy, played Monday in an annual charity golf outing hosted by Ward and left tackle Max Starks.
Ward said he was "very encouraged" to see Roethlisberger.
"We're not going to turn our backs on him," Ward said. "We're going to treat him like our brother. We're going to accept him back and be very supportive of him and help him get through this. In this locker room, he's still our quarterback."
and running game (05). When the defense failed "Sirtakesnatchalot" had his best season and we only went 9-7. Ben's best year we missed the playoffs. Played like snot in SB 40 and we still won. Had Twenty Three turnovers and we won SB 43 so what's that tell you? It tells me that we will be fine with Leftwich. Because Like Ben, he wont be the primary reason we win.
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