Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

**Shawn** · 09-04-2010, 03:56 PM

Re: Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

Starting Batch will be a complete nightmare. Wake me up when it's over.

**hawaiiansteel** · 09-04-2010, 04:03 PM

Re: Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

Steelers Dennis Dixon says WHAT?

Posted by eric.schmidt
September 4, 2010

When Pittsburgh Steelers QB Dennis Dixon picked up a copy of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this morning, he had to have said, � WHAT?� Dennis Dixon was in a long protracted quarterback battle with Byron Leftwich to see who would be named the Pittsburgh Steelers starter while Ben Roethlisberger serves his 4 game league suspension. The newspaper is reporting this morning that Charlie Batch will likely be named the Steelers starter in week one.

Yes, the same Charlie Batch that almost retired, the same Charlie Batch that was reported to be on the bubble. Charlie Batch went from #4 on the depth charter to front and center starter in week one. Dennis Dixon got the majority of the reps in the preseason. Yes, he did have a poor outing in his last game, but really? Demote him and put Charlie Batch in as the lead dog?

I seriously disagree with this move if what is being reported is true. This is a total slap in the face to Dixon, there has to be something more to this story than people are letting on. This is similar to a Tarvaris Jackson/Sage Rosenfels type deal. Rosenfels clearly out-played Jackson and his reward-being shipped out of town. Dixon gets the majority of the preseason work and then is told to sit.

You put the quarterback in that gives you the best opportunity to win games. Charlie Batch attempted 2 passes last season after being out of the league in 2008. If Batch deserves the start over Dixon, then perhaps they ought to simply release him if they feel he�s not ready to start.

Ridiculous.

[url="http://www.steelerschronicle.com/2010/"]http://www.steelerschronicle.com/2010/[/url]

**Shawn** · 09-04-2010, 04:14 PM

Re: Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

I 100% agree with Eric. Ridiculous.

**jj28west** · 09-04-2010, 05:05 PM

Re: Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

This says a lot of what Tomlin's comfort level with Dixon's progress or lack of. I hope they at least give DD some packages.

**hawaiiansteel** · 09-04-2010, 05:28 PM

Re: Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

You don�t really want Charlie Batch to start week 1 do you?

By Dagger, on September 4th, 2010

I�m having a hard time believing what I have been hearing over the past 48 hours. Charlie Batch was 3 quarters of preseason football away from wearing the Black/Gold for the last time and here were are today, with a surprising amount of Steeler fans stating their case as to why Batch should start the season as our #1 QB. In fact I just finished reading an article in the Post-Gazette that hinted at Batch being the starter.

The fans out there that want Charlie Batch to start week 1 need to remember something. The ONLY reason you want Batch to start is because you see him as a game manager. He won�t hurt the team with bad or untimely mistakes. Folks, in the NFL that is not what you want at the QB position.

Hand the ball off a bunch of times, throw a pass or two in order to keep a drive going, don�t get sacked, don�t throw interceptions, just don�t lose us the game. Hey, this idea actually doesn�t sound so bad�.but you are forgetting a few key aspects of this argument. Teams that have used the �game manager QB� model all had a few things in common: Dominating defenses, fantastic Special Teams play, and smash-mouth top of the league Rushing attacks that racked up yards and time of possession. Guess what people, if we are to go by what we saw in 2009, the Steelers have None of the Above. A team with a suspect secondary, a poor offensive line, an average running game, and lackluster Special Teams play with a game manager at QB = bottom tier NFL team.

Having said that, I�m on record in predicting that the Steelers defense will be great this year, but will they dominate like they did a few years back? Will they recapture their record-setting form? Will we hold all of our opponents to 10-13 points? If you plan on having a �game manager� in their at QB you better not be giving up 20+ pts or you�re toast.

Sure the Steelers lead the NFL in rushing yards per game this preseason but is that going to carry over into the regular season? If Batch is your QB it better carry over. If he is your QB then the entire production of your offense is put on the shoulders of Mendenhall and your 5 Offensive Linemen. Sound a bit frightening? Yeah, it does.

If you�re going to be playing close, down-to-the-wire football games for the next 4 weeks you better have stellar Special Teams play. Anybody reading this post have confidence that our Return units can give our offense short fields to work with? What about the our Punt and Kick coverage units? Are we going to pin teams back in their own end and win the field position battle? You better hope so. With a �game manager� at QB you are going to have to use your Special Teams to set you up with short fields.

If Charlie Batch is your QB next weekend you need all of these pieces to come together each and every week. Put a guy like Ben Roethlisberger on the field and obviously he has the skill and playmaking ability to overcome other shortcomings the team might have. Does Dennis Dixon have the same arm, the same sense, the same playmaking ability? No, but he has a lot more to offer the offense than Batch does and for that reason, I�m pulling for Dennis Dixon to get the nod. You certainly don�t want or need him to throw 35 passes per game but his ability to make plays � inside the pocket, outside the pocket, with his arm, and with his legs -is an asset you have on the field that doesn�t exist with Batch under Center.

We all need to remember that this isn�t college or high school football. You can�t hide your QB in the NFL; you can�t pass the ball 3 times per quarter and expect to win. The other team is going to score and the running game won�t always be there. If you don�t have a QB capable of going out and winning games for you, you�re going to have major problems. Dixon gives the team a better chance to win games when the other parts of the team are not clicking.

Let me also remind you that Charlie Batch got almost no action this entire preseason and when he did, he was facing off against 4th and 5th teamers. He was leading the Steeler offense against guys that are being cut today.

For those of you making the argument that Dixon hasn�t had enough experience and will make dumb mistakes�.I really can�t argue with that. He may make mistakes from time to time but all QBs do. You just hope he makes enough positive plays to lead the team to victory and overcome any struggles he might have on the field. And take a look at Charlie Batch�s �vast experience� over the past 7 years:

1. Batch has completed 76 passes since 2003. (Since 2006 Batch has completed 18 passes. Dixon has completed 12. Charlie played in a couple of games 3 years ago so he is obviously the guy for the job? I don�t get it.)

2. Batch has 8 TD passes since 2003.

3. Batch has only appeared in 23 games since 2003.

Let me ask you this�.do you think the Falcons, Bucs, Titans, and Ravens want to see Charlie Batch or Dennis Dixon at QB? Exactly.

[url="http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/you_dont_really_want_charlie_batch_to_start_week_1 _do_you/3169405"]http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/artic ... ou/3169405[/url]

**Crash** · 09-04-2010, 09:21 PM

Re: Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

Let me also remind you that Charlie Batch got almost no action this entire preseason and when he did, he was facing off against 4th and 5th teamers. He was leading the Steeler offense against guys that are being cut today.

Just like Dixon.

Then he went to Denver against the real players and played like crap.

**BURGH86STEEL** · 09-04-2010, 10:53 PM

Re: Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

Originally posted by Crash

Let me also remind you that Charlie Batch got almost no action this entire preseason and when he did, he was facing off against 4th and 5th teamers. He was leading the Steeler offense against guys that are being cut today.

Just like Dixon.

Then he went to Denver against the real players and played like crap.

Batch played against good players in the league. He has experience, still throws a nice ball, and knows what it takes to win. His biggest obstacle has been his fragility in recent years. If he can stay healthy, I like the team's chances to win with Batch at QB.

**Doogie36** · 09-04-2010, 11:36 PM

Re: Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

SMOKE SCREEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I truly believe in my gut that this is merely a smoke screen and that Dixon will play 75% of this game or more.

If Batch plays this entire game I'm gonna me very upset and very thankful I'm still in Iraq till the bye week!!!

I will lose my bet if Batch plays!!! no doubt!! When was the last time Batch played?? Seriously??? And everytime he does play he BREAKS something!!! This is so dumb!!!

AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This better be a smoke screen as I feel it is!!!!! or hope it is!!!! LOL

**Steelskin** · 09-05-2010, 01:11 AM

Re: Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

Originally posted by Doogie36

SMOKE SCREEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I truly believe in my gut that this is merely a smoke screen and that Dixon will play 75% of this game or more.

If Batch plays this entire game I'm gonna me very upset and very thankful I'm still in Iraq till the bye week!!!

I will lose my bet if Batch plays!!! no doubt!! When was the last time Batch played?? Seriously??? And everytime he does play he BREAKS something!!! This is so dumb!!!

AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This better be a smoke screen as I feel it is!!!!! or hope it is!!!! LOL

I actually was coming to this thread to post the same thing.

It all comes down to game planning.

For the Falcons, if they bite, they'll be planning for an all-around mediocre (yet capable) quarterback when in reality, they'll be getting Michael Vick-lite.

That's going to drive them nuts.

Hopefully we're right and hopefully they bite. For now, Tomlin's just gotta keep that P-P-P-Poker Face

**Steelers>NFL** · 09-05-2010, 08:59 AM

Re: Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

I don't care who start. Just hope they play well and take the team to 3-1 record for BB to take over.

**aggiebones** · 09-05-2010, 09:49 AM

Re: Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

Winning 3 games is unrealistic. None of these QBs can win 75% of their games. We have to win ONE. And hopefully 2.

The first snap needs to be Batch, just as a settling agent. As the first game goes, I'd use Dixon on about 15 plays. Maybe even a whole series at some point.

Its gonna be hard for teams to prepare for 2 different QBs and when defenses aren't running on presision, they have a tendency to break down. If they have time to prepare for Dixon, it could get UGLY. He is simple to bait and simply to defense if they know who they are getting.
Batch is saavy and has skill. He's just brittle. He may ewll get dinged early or even in the third game, but as the 4 games develop, Dixon will get more and more experience, but will have lpenty of teaching time on the bench while Batch is out there.

This doesn't need to be a singular QB situation. Its not a competition for the starting spot. Neither is really the starter and will have their own packages of plays.

If you go with Dixon and he collapses AGAIN like he did this preseason and his only NFL start against the Ravens when he ran out of plays that he understood and the Ravens figured him out (in 2 quarters), then you are really STUCK with Batch cause Dixon will be ruined. I could easily see Dixon even getting 100% of games 3 and 4 if he performs well.

Also, what has Dixon EARNED? Some say its unfair for him to not get the starting nod. HOW? He finished 3rd in the QB race this preseason behind Ben and Lefty. If he gets the nod, its by
DEFAULT, nothing earned, folks.

**Flasteel** · 09-05-2010, 10:11 AM

Re: Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

Originally posted by aggiebones

Winning 3 games is unrealistic. None of these QBs can win 75% of their games. We have to win ONE. And hopefully 2.

The first snap needs to be Batch, just as a settling agent. As the first game goes, I'd use Dixon on about 15 plays. Maybe even a whole series at some point.

Its gonna be hard for teams to prepare for 2 different QBs and when defenses aren't running on presision, they have a tendency to break down. If they have time to prepare for Dixon, it could get UGLY. He is simple to bait and simply to defense if they know who they are getting.
Batch is saavy and has skill. He's just brittle. He may ewll get dinged early or even in the third game, but as the 4 games develop, Dixon will get more and more experience, but will have lpenty of teaching time on the bench while Batch is out there.

This doesn't need to be a singular QB situation. Its not a competition for the starting spot. Neither is really the starter and will have their own packages of plays.

If you go with Dixon and he collapses AGAIN like he did this preseason and his only NFL start against the Ravens when he ran out of plays that he understood and the Ravens figured him out (in 2 quarters), then you are really STUCK with Batch cause Dixon will be ruined. I could easily see Dixon even getting 100% of games 3 and 4 if he performs well.

Also, what has Dixon EARNED? Some say its unfair for him to not get the starting nod. HOW? He finished 3rd in the QB race this preseason behind Ben and Lefty. If he gets the nod, its by
DEFAULT, nothing earned, folks.

I agree with just about everything you stated AB, but to say that 3 wins is unrealistic, is nothing short of pessimistic hyperbole.

There is an argument for starting either quarterback, but the scenario you bring up is the same one I liked when it was Lefty/Dixon. Make the opponent game-plan for two quarterbacks. Start the savvy veteran and mix-in a healthy amount of juice with Dixon.
This isn�t a battle to start, as you stated. The traditional problem which arises from a two- quarterback system (ie.when you have 2 quarterbacks, you really have none.), is out the window here.

Start Batch and get Dixon in the game often.

**RuthlessBurgher** · 09-05-2010, 10:20 AM

Re: Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

I don't think this team ever intended to allow one QB to take over while Ben was sidelined. I think the plan all along was to start Leftwich to be your veteran game manager (solid but not spectacular...less risk). However, we would also insert several packages for Dixon to stir the pot and force the opponent to try to prepare for 2 totally different styles of QB (they also need to be ready for the athletic playmaker who may have more risk but potentially more reward as well). I assumed it would be something like a 65-35 split in snaps for Leftwich and Dixon. That, of course, is variable depending on our opponent and the relative effectiveness of our QB's in that particular game (for example, maybe Byron would get 85% of the snaps in one game, but the next game it was more like 50-50). Well, now that Leftwich is out of the picture to start the season, I think they just insert Batch in the pre-conceived Leftwich role as the solid but not spectacular veteran game manager who will split time with the athletic playmaker Dixon.

**Chadman** · 09-05-2010, 10:28 AM

Re: Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

Chadman has little problem with Batch starting while Ben is out. What do you guys expect from a back-up QB if not smart game managing?

How many teams lose their starting QB & bring in a QB that while capable of producing big plays, is equal parts likely to make a bad read/throw interceptions over the steady, calming influence of the 'experienced gamemanager'?

Not too many.

That said, it couldn't hurt for the Steelers to inject Dixon at stages through the game, just to keep the defense on it's toes a little.

Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

Report: Steelers lean toward Charlie Batch as Week 1 starter

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