Leftwich and Redskins

[calmkiller]

PFT

[url="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09094/960661-100.stm"]http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09094/960661-100.stm[/url]

‘Skins Sniffing Around Leftwich
Posted by Mike Florio on April 4, 2009, 1:40 p.m.

The Washington Redskins tried to land quarterback Jay Cutler. It didn’t happen.

So as they try to rebuild their relationship with current starter Jason Campbell, they’re flirting with yet another signal-caller.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Steelers free-agent quarterback Byron Lefwich visited the ‘Skins on Friday, and a contract is being negotiated.

Leftwich, a top-ten pick of the Jags in 2003, was abruptly cut by Jacksonville only eight days before the start of the 2007 season. He landed in Atlanta that year, then won a Super Bowl ring as Ben Roethlisberger’s backup in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers reportedly would like to bring him back, but he has been on the market for more than a month.

In Washington, Leftwich would enter a depth chart that includes veteran Todd Collins and second-year pro Colt Brennan. Leftwich’s presence likely would set up a showdown between himself and Collins for the No. 2 spot on the roster, with an outside chance that Brennan will win the backup job, and both Leftwich and Collins will be cut.

For Leftwich, playing in D.C. would be his first exposure to the West Coast offense, and it makes sense for him to spend as much time as possible in the offseason learning the attack.

[Jooser]

Re: Leftwich and Redskins

Figures we'd let him slip away. He's a hell of a guy and deserves better than the skins.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Re: Leftwich and Redskins

Figures we'd let him slip away. He's a hell of a guy and deserves better than the skins.

I do not think this is about the Steelers letting Leftwich slip away. This is about what Leftwich wants. He wants the opportunity to be a starter. That is something he will never get with a long term commitment to Ben. Maybe Leftwich will make the Skins a better team? Snyder may not go about winning the right way but I do not think there is any doubt he wants to win. Especially, with some of the crazy moves & money he has spent.

[Chachi]

Re: Leftwich and Redskins

I do not think this is about the Steelers letting Leftwich slip away. This is about what Leftwich wants. He wants the opportunity to be a starter. That is something he will never get with a long term commitment to Ben. Maybe Leftwich will make the Skins a better team? Snyder may not go about winning the right way but I do not think there is any doubt he wants to win. Especially, with some of the crazy moves & money he has spent.

The Steelrs must not be willing to give him a 1 year deal. That would be, in my estimation, Byron's best situation. Stay here one more year, placed as the backup, get in a few snaps as it is jsut about a given that Ben will miss a few to injury this coming year, as he always has, and then test the market again next year.

I can't imagine Byron wants to go into the situation that he seems to be entering, to go somewhere(Redskins) and fight for a back-up role when he has one locked up here already.

It is logical that he has a much bigger chance to supplant Jason Campbell once he wins the back up role than he would here with Ben. That has to be is goal with this possible situation......in through the back door.

[Steel Life]

Re: Leftwich and Redskins

Here's the thing I don't understand...schematically the Redskins are a poor fit for Byron's skill set. HC Jim Zorn runs a West-Coast offense which is predicated on short routes & timing passes & Byron is a gunner with a beautiful deep ball. You can't help but wonder if there are two dynamics in play here...first, Byron is from the DC area & maybe Batch kept extolling the virtues of being the "hometown hero"; and second, Byron is another well-known name & we all know Snyder likes to assemble teams like he's playing Madden.

I hope for the best for him...but I really think it's here & I hope his agent did this to kick-start things with the Steelers.

[Oviedo]

Re: Leftwich and Redskins

Figures we'd let him slip away. He's a hell of a guy and deserves better than the skins.

I do not think this is about the Steelers letting Leftwich slip away. This is about what Leftwich wants. He wants the opportunity to be a starter. That is something he will never get with a long term commitment to Ben. Maybe Leftwich will make the Skins a better team? Snyder may not go about winning the right way but I do not think there is any doubt he wants to win. Especially, with some of the crazy moves & money he has spent.

I totally agree. The Redskins were willing to trade Campbell away for Cutler so you have to believe that he isn't "the man." Leftwich has been upfront all along and said he wanted a situation where he could compete to be the starter. That will never happen in Pittsburgh. A bad stretch by Campbell and he could become the starter in Washington.

I also think that Leftwich grew up as a Redskins fan so he probably would love to play there.

That said I am really nervous about Batch. I think he needs to become a coach and not the back up for a team that could challenge for the Super Bowl. I hope Dixon has grown a lot in the last year because Batch starting for an extended period would be a disaster.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Re: Leftwich and Redskins

Figures we'd let him slip away. He's a hell of a guy and deserves better than the skins.

I do not think this is about the Steelers letting Leftwich slip away. This is about what Leftwich wants. He wants the opportunity to be a starter. That is something he will never get with a long term commitment to Ben. Maybe Leftwich will make the Skins a better team? Snyder may not go about winning the right way but I do not think there is any doubt he wants to win. Especially, with some of the crazy moves & money he has spent.

I totally agree. The Redskins were willing to trade Campbell away for Cutler so you have to believe that he isn't "the man." Leftwich has been upfront all along and said he wanted a situation where he could compete to be the starter. That will never happen in Pittsburgh. A bad stretch by Campbell and he could become the starter in Washington.

I also think that Leftwich grew up as a Redskins fan so he probably would love to play there.

That said I am really nervous about Batch. I think he needs to become a coach and not the back up for a team that could challenge for the Super Bowl. I hope Dixon has grown a lot in the last year because Batch starting for an extended period would be a disaster.

What other backup would you suggest outside of Batch? Are there any other quality vets out there right now? Bringing in another QB means he will have to learn the offense. I do not think they will draft another QB this year. I think Batch is the best option at this point if they cannot retain Leftwich. It may not even come down to that. Dixon may show enough in camp to be the primary backup. That will leave Batch as the emergency QB. It will be interesting to see who they will bring in as the 4th QB in camp.

We all want the perfect team from starter to backups. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen. We were fortunate to have Leftwich last season. The dynamics of the league and competitiveness of players do not allow those types of moves to happen very often.

[WoodleyofTroy]

Re: Leftwich and Redskins

If Leftwich leaves, there's always going to be more QB cuts the Steelers can pick up later on, as a serviceable back up if Ben goes down. Just like how they got Leftwich.

[costanza2k1]

Re: Leftwich and Redskins

The Redskins have informed Byron Leftwich that he would not be competing with Jason Campbell for the starting job if he signs on with Washington.
Leftwich would play only if Campbell suffered an injury or was pulled due to poor performance. While Leftwich is a D.C. area native, he has let teams know that he would prefer to stay in Pittsburgh if he's not going to be afforded the opportunity to compete for a starting job. Apr. 5 - 11:32 am et
Source: Washington Post

[url="http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&hl=142070&id=1478"]http://www.rotoworld.com/content/player ... 70&id=1478[/url]

[Lonbull]

Re: Leftwich and Redskins

Here's the thing I don't understand...schematically the Redskins are a poor fit for Byron's skill set. HC Jim Zorn runs a West-Coast offense which is predicated on short routes & timing passes & Byron is a gunner with a beautiful deep ball.

I certainly want what's best for the Steelers and I think Leftwich backing-up Ben is just that - however you have to wonder why the Vikings aren't sending a limo to pick Lefty up?

He seems perfect for Minnesota? And I think he'd be competing for a starting job there. I have never understood their love for T. Jackson?

L.B.

[stlrz d]

Re: Leftwich and Redskins

Here's the thing I don't understand...schematically the Redskins are a poor fit for Byron's skill set. HC Jim Zorn runs a West-Coast offense which is predicated on short routes & timing passes & Byron is a gunner with a beautiful deep ball.

I certainly want what's best for the Steelers and I think Leftwich backing-up Ben is just that - however you have to wonder why the Vikings aren't sending a limo to pick Lefty up?

He seems perfect for Minnesota? And I think he'd be competing for a starting job there. I have never understood their love for T. Jackson?

L.B.

The Vikings brought in Sage Rosenfels.

[Lonbull]

Re: Leftwich and Redskins

The Vikings brought in Sage Rosenfels.

I guess I kind of keep waiting for someone to say that was a joke --- in all seriousness the Vikings remind me so much of the late 90's Steelers -

Great Defense, Great Running Back and at QB either Kordell or Kent Graham = Tavaris or Sage.



L.B.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Leftwich and Redskins

The Vikings brought in Sage Rosenfels.

I guess I kind of keep waiting for someone to say that was a joke --- in all seriousness the Vikings remind me so much of the late 90's Steelers -

Great Defense, Great Running Back and at QB either Kordell or Kent Graham = Tavaris or Sage.



L.B.

That's a mighty good comparison right there.

[stlrz d]

Re: Leftwich and Redskins

The Vikings brought in Sage Rosenfels.

I guess I kind of keep waiting for someone to say that was a joke --- in all seriousness the Vikings remind me so much of the late 90's Steelers -

Great Defense, Great Running Back and at QB either Kordell or Kent Graham = Tavaris or Sage.



L.B.

I actually think he'll be alright for them. Good defense and strong running game backing him so all he's got to do is take care of the ball. Unlike what he did against the Colts last season when he tried to be a hero. :P

[fezziwig]

Re: Leftwich and Redskins

What is the chance that Cambell would stink up the place and allow Leftwich his window of opportunity ?

Wonder how long the leash would be for Cambell ? If no starting offers are given to Lefty he, has a better chance becoming a starter behind Cambell than Big Ben.
Lefty may say he would rather remain a Steeler and I'm glad but, the way Snyder throws money around it might entice Byron to change his mind.