lets hear from the dixon lovers now

[Oviedo]

Re: lets hear from the dixon lovers now

I called for Dixon to get more of a chance. Does that make me a Dixon Lover? He forced throws to unopened receivers, couldn't see the field, couldn't use his checkdowns, ect., and struggled terribly against first team competition. Lewis struggled also. Part of the process. I still think it would have cost them nothing to have a real training camp competition, give the kid more first team reps, and who knows where you'd be now. He's had little first team experience while the other three qbs have extensive starter experience. But I understand he looked bad in minicamp, and they had the Ben situation, ect., ect., I don't see this as a win for any of the fans regardless of how you felt. Leftwich played horribly last year, he has no upside, and there's no guarantee that he can get it done either over 4 games.

But that was probably what the coaches have seen for the past 6 months. Good on Tomlin to let everyone else see it so we can move beyond the notion that Dixon is ready to be a fulltime starter.

[MCHammer]

Re: lets hear from the dixon lovers now

Honestly, that is what we were all saying in the stands. Batch looked like an experienced guy to me. Give him some first team reps in game four.

At this point, it's time for Tomlin and company to put an end to the qb drama and just annoint Leftwich the starter. We can't afford to waste anymore time splitting reps with the first team between 2 guys, let alone throwing Batch into the mix. The regular season is fast approaching.

For the record, I like Batch - but his days are almost certainly numbered as a Steeler. They didn't bring in Leftwich to let Batch (or Dixon) start. IMO, the quarterback stuff this preseason has been a huge and largely unnecessary distraction and that includes the decision to play Ben as much as we have.

I don't see how we can keep Batch without cutting Dixon or Leftwich anyway.

[Djfan]

Re: lets hear from the dixon lovers now

Honestly, that is what we were all saying in the stands. Batch looked like an experienced guy to me. Give him some first team reps in game four.

At this point, it's time for Tomlin and company to put an end to the qb drama and just annoint Leftwich the starter. We can't afford to waste anymore time splitting reps with the first team between 2 guys, let alone throwing Batch into the mix. The regular season is fast approaching.

For the record, I like Batch - but his days are almost certainly numbered as a Steeler. They didn't bring in Leftwich to let Batch (or Dixon) start. IMO, the quarterback stuff this preseason has been a huge and largely unnecessary distraction and that includes the decision to play Ben as much as we have.

I don't see how we can keep Batch without cutting Dixon or Leftwich anyway.

Hammer,


I don't see this as an "after Ben retuns" thread. For the time of his absence, I think it should be Lefty, Batch Dixon. In that order. For the record, I thought I heard that Tomlin did say that Lefty was the starter. The calls for Dixon seem to be in the media and fan base, not the FO.

[Ghost]

Re: lets hear from the dixon lovers now

If Dixon lofts the ball out of the endone about 15 ft high instead forcing it low to the back of the endzone and Sanders actually does more than stand there, at least trying to go for the ball, I think we're having a much different discussion today. You could work on that over the next 2 weeks.

Lefty was 0-4. Outside of one pass to Wallace this preseason, he would have to improve just to get to mediocre.

And what is the intent of this thread? Are we to be excited Dixon didn't play well? It wasn't against starters but coming in he had a perfect passer rating. He earned some playing time with the first team.

Unless the D figures a way to stop the short dump off pass (that gets 6 or 7 yards everytime) it could easily be 1-3 going into the bye.

[MCHammer]

Re: lets hear from the dixon lovers now

Hammer,

I don't see this as an "after Ben retuns" thread. For the time of his absence, I think it should be Lefty, Batch Dixon. In that order. For the record, I thought I heard that Tomlin did say that Lefty was the starter. The calls for Dixon seem to be in the media and fan base, not the FO.

Ok, but I guess my concern at this point is that Leftwich is not quite ready either and we'er running out of time to get him and offense in order. So if we know who the starter is, we should let that person get as much first team reps as possible before the games start counting.

That's one of the reasons why I think letting Ben play made little sense. He's going to be rusty no matter what when he comes back from the suspension. I really don't see the value in starting him in the presason vs. taking that time away from Leftwich (or even Dixon).

[AngryAsian]

Re: lets hear from the dixon lovers now

Everyone is so worried about our QB scenario that they're not taking a good look at how vanilla our defense looks... starting front seven for an entire half and 3rd/4th string running back scrubs had their way on the ground. Sure Lenwhale has some starting experience, but the Denver OL is a patchwork of individuals not used to playing with each other and they did a good job of muscling our D enough to get the tough yards on the ground as well as pass protect.

As for Dixon... the faster the opposing D's pass rush is, the faster our loss column will tally up hash marks, because Leftwich can't elude anybody. The skill positions will do their jobs... I think our OL and our front 7's ability to apply pressure on opposing QB's will be the crux of our first four games. JMHO.

[Oviedo]

Re: lets hear from the dixon lovers now

Everyone is so worried about our QB scenario that they're not taking a good look at how vanilla our defense looks... starting front seven for an entire half and 3rd/4th string running back scrubs had their way on the ground. Sure Lenwhale has some starting experience, but the Denver OL is a patchwork of individuals not used to playing with each other and they did a good job of muscling our D enough to get the tough yards on the ground as well as pass protect.

As for Dixon... the faster the opposing D's pass rush is, the faster our loss column will tally up hash marks, because Leftwich can't elude anybody. The skill positions will do their jobs... I think our OL and our front 7's ability to apply pressure on opposing QB's will be the crux of our first four games. JMHO.

AA--You are right about the defense. I've been saying it for over a year but everyone just tries to characterize it as me LeBeau bashing versus taking a critical look at the defense. It is obvious schematically that something is wrong. Teams realize that if they get rid of the ball quickly our pass rush is neutralized so they can dink and dunk us all the way down the field because our CBs give up 10 yard completions.

[AngryAsian]

Re: lets hear from the dixon lovers now

Everyone is so worried about our QB scenario that they're not taking a good look at how vanilla our defense looks... starting front seven for an entire half and 3rd/4th string running back scrubs had their way on the ground. Sure Lenwhale has some starting experience, but the Denver OL is a patchwork of individuals not used to playing with each other and they did a good job of muscling our D enough to get the tough yards on the ground as well as pass protect.

As for Dixon... the faster the opposing D's pass rush is, the faster our loss column will tally up hash marks, because Leftwich can't elude anybody. The skill positions will do their jobs... I think our OL and our front 7's ability to apply pressure on opposing QB's will be the crux of our first four games. JMHO.

AA--You are right about the defense. I've been saying it for over a year but everyone just tries to characterize it as me LeBeau bashing versus taking a critical look at the defense. It is obvious schematically that something is wrong. Teams realize that if they get rid of the ball quickly our pass rush is neutralized so they can dink and dunk us all the way down the field because our CBs give up 10 yard completions.

Agreed, bro... its like the OC's have figured out LeBeau's magic and now have the ability to find the holes from both venues of air and ground. Our CB's need work sure, but our pass rush seems not existent and the wall that's suppose to negate running games seems soft. I hope this is remedied or our season will be quite long.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: lets hear from the dixon lovers now

Hammer,

I don't see this as an "after Ben retuns" thread. For the time of his absence, I think it should be Lefty, Batch Dixon. In that order. For the record, I thought I heard that Tomlin did say that Lefty was the starter. The calls for Dixon seem to be in the media and fan base, not the FO.

Ok, but I guess my concern at this point is that Leftwich is not quite ready either and we'er running out of time to get him and offense in order. So if we know who the starter is, we should let that person get as much first team reps as possible before the games start counting.

That's one of the reasons why I think letting Ben play made little sense. He's going to be rusty no matter what when he comes back from the suspension. I really don't see the value in starting him in the presason vs. taking that time away from Leftwich (or even Dixon).

The starters will play only a series or maybe two in the final preseason game this Thursday.

[Oviedo]

Re: lets hear from the dixon lovers now

Everyone is so worried about our QB scenario that they're not taking a good look at how vanilla our defense looks... starting front seven for an entire half and 3rd/4th string running back scrubs had their way on the ground. Sure Lenwhale has some starting experience, but the Denver OL is a patchwork of individuals not used to playing with each other and they did a good job of muscling our D enough to get the tough yards on the ground as well as pass protect.

As for Dixon... the faster the opposing D's pass rush is, the faster our loss column will tally up hash marks, because Leftwich can't elude anybody. The skill positions will do their jobs... I think our OL and our front 7's ability to apply pressure on opposing QB's will be the crux of our first four games. JMHO.

AA--You are right about the defense. I've been saying it for over a year but everyone just tries to characterize it as me LeBeau bashing versus taking a critical look at the defense. It is obvious schematically that something is wrong. Teams realize that if they get rid of the ball quickly our pass rush is neutralized so they can dink and dunk us all the way down the field because our CBs give up 10 yard completions.

Agreed, bro... its like the OC's have figured out LeBeau's magic and now have the ability to find the holes from both venues of air and ground. Our CB's need work sure, but our pass rush seems not existent and the wall that's suppose to negate running games seems soft. I hope this is remedied or our season will be quite long.

But isn't the real problem the offense's time of possession and therefore any defensive lapses really Arians' fault????

[Slapstick]

Re: lets hear from the dixon lovers now

Leftwich still did little to impress me...

Dixon made a bad decision on the end zone INT, no doubt...

On the pick 6, Sanders ran a lazy route and gave away when he was breaking it off...on top of that, he didn't actually go for the ball...that was a timing route...

While I don't think that Dixon helped himself, I am still in serious doubt about Leftwich's ability to actually help the team...

[ikestops85]

Re: lets hear from the dixon lovers now

Leftwich still did little to impress me...

Dixon made a bad decision on the end zone INT, no doubt...

On the pick 6, Sanders ran a lazy route and gave away when he was breaking it off...on top of that, he didn't actually go for the ball...that was a timing route...

While I don't think that Dixon helped himself, I am still in serious doubt about Leftwich's ability to actually help the team...

I have to disagree with you on the pick 6. The ball was very late and Sanders did go after it. In fact he knocked it loose but it went up in the air and the defender caught it. Dixon was actually lucky because one or two possessions earlier he threw the same route and the corner dropped the ball. Part of that is Sanders didn't get the corner back on his heels.

I'm glad Dixon got the time he did to play with the first string. His performance to date in the preseason games was excellent against the lower competition so he earned the right to move up. Isn't that what TC is for?

Now he needs to step back, regroup and make another run at it. I think the guy has talent but isn't the quickest learner. I don't know if you folks remember but in the good old days they used to sit the QB on the bench for 5 years. It was very rare for a rookie to come in and start. Not many Marino's and Roethlisberger's around that are productive that first year.

[proudpittsburgher]

Re: lets hear from the dixon lovers now

Leftwich still did little to impress me...

Dixon made a bad decision on the end zone INT, no doubt...

On the pick 6, Sanders ran a lazy route and gave away when he was breaking it off...on top of that, he didn't actually go for the ball...that was a timing route...

While I don't think that Dixon helped himself, I am still in serious doubt about Leftwich's ability to actually help the team...

I agree, and I think Batch played well enough last night to be considered in the equation of the first four games. At this point, Dixon isn't going anywhere, and I am not sure they are keeping all three backups, so it is a question of Lefty or batch. True enough, Batch played against the third teamers, but he made good decisions with the ball and threw a good ball to recievers. Say all you want about Batch being fragile, but he is more movile than Lefty and he took quite a few good hits last night and got right back up. lus, if we cut Lefty, is he really going to get picked up by another team?

[phillyesq]

Re: QB competition is over

Timmons was the best defensive player on the field but I'm sure we'll hear the same old tired "he hasn't lived up to his draft status because Jon Beason made the Pro Bowl." That is total BS. Timmons is just 24 and on the verge of being a star. I could see him having more sacks this season than Harrison.

Actually, I'm the one who has made that argument, and if you read my post, I said that Timmons played well last night. I hope that it continues.

Perhaps you're a little anxious on preemptively calling people out?

[flippy]

Re: lets hear from the dixon lovers now

I thought Dixon was ok. He just needs a little more work with Ward and Hines can be his security blanket and it'll be fine.