Landry Jones Arrival in Pittsburgh All But Signals Charlie Batch's Exist

The Steelers surprised (and displeased) the pundits by drafting quarterback Landry Jones in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Beyond the surprise behind the Steelers using a 4th round pick on a quarterback, Landry Jones arrival likely means something else:  Charlie Batch’s days as a Pittsburgh Steeler are over.

The Steelers have already signed Bruce Gradkowski to a two year contract and, while they were expected to take a quarterback in the draft, they had also held out the possibility that Charlie Batch might return to back up Ben Roethlisberger for a final season.

• Bruce Gradkowski’s not going anywhere, and the Steelers have shown more patience with drafted quarterbacks.

Since arriving in 2000, Kevin Colbert has drafted Tee Martin in 2000, Brian St. Pierre in 2003, Omar Jacobs in 2006, and Dennis Dixon in 2008. Of those four 5th round picks, only Omar Jacobs got cut in training camp.

Given that Landry Jones was a 4th round pick, his lease on an roster spot has got to be considerably longer, than his predecessors who arrived in Latrobe as 5th rounders. (Although during Kevin Colbert’s tenure the Steelers have cut 4th round picks, namely wide receiver Danny Farmer in 2000 and wide Fred Gibson in 2005.)

Although many things can change, heavens know the Steelers have had their share of training camp quarterback injuries, the odds have greatly increased that Charlie Batch has played his final game for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

No official word on Charlie Batch’s status has been released by the Steelers, although in his post-draft press conference Steelers quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner all but acknowledged that Batch’s days were done:

We have had great experience in that room with Charlie and Byron. I just think it was time to start grooming a new player, freshen up the room if you will.

For his own part, Batch at least appeared to be trying to forestall the inevitable, tweeting:

Don't throw away the old bucket until you know whether the new one holds waterSwedish proverb
— Charlie Batch (@CharlieBatch16) April 28, 2013

However, in an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ron Cook, Batch seemed to accept that the end was at hand, as he told Cook who observed:

But Batch won't survive the drafting of Jones. He said he's not bitter but rather thankful to the Rooneys and to general manager Kevin Colbert for giving him a chance "to live out my dream ... I'm the only guy born and raised in Pittsburgh who played for the Steelers and won two Super Bowls."

Charlie Batch truly is a home town boy who made good. While he speculated that the Steelers were intent on grooming Landry Jones as Roethlisberger’s replacement, he affirmed that he’ll stay in Pittsburgh dedicated to his foundation. (Batch's prediction about Landry being selected to replace Ben has been discounted)

Indeed, Batch went so far as to tell Cook, "I want to be remembered more for what I'm doing off the field than what I did on it."

• What better statement of a man’s character is there?

The truth is that Batch accomplished both a lot on and off the field in Pittsburgh.

No official word has come out that Batch’s days as a Pittsburgh Steelers are over, but when that word does arrive, Steel Curtain Rising will give his legacy its appropriate adieu.

Until then, we’ll simply say, on behalf of Steelers Nation, “Thank you Charlie, for a job well done.”

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Steeles Sign Gradowski, Warren - Lose Mendenhall

The Pittsburgh Steeles signed their first unrestricted free agent yesterday when they came to terms with   Bruce Gradowksi to serve as at least one of Ben Roethlisberger's back ups.

Gradowski is a Dormont native, and graduate of Pittsburgh’s Seton-LaSalle high school and is probably perhaps best known to Steelers Nation to leading the Oakland Raiders to and upset over the Steelers in week 4 of their five game late season swoon in 2009.

Gradowski has played for 5 NFL teams, including the Cincinnati Bengals, since being drafted in 2006 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Gradowski’s arrival almost certainly spells the end of Byron Leftwich’s time in Pittsburgh and could possible also spell the end of Charlie Batch’s tenure with the team as well, depending on whether the Steelers find a capable young quarterback in the draft.

Mendenhall and Arians Reunite

Bruce Arians once said that Rashard Mendenhall reminded him of Edgrin James and he obviously still feels the same way as, after trying and failing to lure Larry Foote to Pittsburgh West aka Arizona, came to terms with former Steelers number one pick.

Mendenhall’s departure was not a surprise, and the Steelers made the right move by not bringing him back, despite the fact that he was the team’s most talented rusher.

And in other free agent news, Keenan Lewis is being courted by the New Orleans Saints while the Baltimore Ravens are wooing James Harrison. Ryan Mundy was reportedly set to visit the New York Giants.

Steelers Sign Long Snapper Entertain Free Agents

Steelers long snapper Greg Warren signed with the team as expected. The Steelers also offered exclusive rights free agent tenders to Baron Batch and DeMarcus Van Dyke.

The Steelers however are not finished, as reports indicate that tight end Kellen Davis and outside linebacker Victor Butler are set to visit the South Side.

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Charlie Batch Likely to Get Final Encore with Steelers

Charlie Batch came to the Steelers as a cap casualty in late in the 2002 off season. Detroit had decided they no longer needed his services, and Kevin Colbert, who had a hand in drafting Batch,  leaped at the chance to add serious depth at quarterback.

• The expectation was that Batch’s relationship with the Steelers would be a short one.

The 2003 off season saw no offers coming Batch’s way and he was back with the Steelers and remains one of Colbert's all-time astute free agent pick ups.

Batch missed the 2004 season to injury, but was fixture on the Steelers depth chart from 2005 to 2007. During the 2008 preseason Batch broke his collar bone (which led to Byron Leftwich’s arrival), but again Batch was back in 2009.

Batch’s 2009 season lasted all of one series vs. Kansas City, where he managed to break his wrist.

• Considered too old and too fragile, he entered twin four man quarterbacking competitions during 2010 training camp and 2011 as the odd man out.

But Batch had the last laugh, as injuries to Byron Leftwich in 2010 and 2011 and Dennis Dixon in 2010 thrust Batch into the lead backup role.

Batch entered the Steelers 2012 season at third string, but after Bryon Leftwich injured himself vs. Baltimore, Batch became the starter again, struggling vs. Cleveland, but leading the Steelers to huge upset over Baltimore.

Steelers Nation can (Probably) Expect Final Batch of Charlie in 2013

Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert understand the concept of keeping a proven, veteran quarterback and they’ve seen it proven in several time during the past several seasons. They've wanted that "go to" veteran presence on the bench to be Bryon Leftwich, but Leftwich has proven to be unreliable.

Yes, Charlie Batch will be 39. Yes, he’s finishing his run. Yes, he's (been) fragile.

• But Charlie Batch is also 6-3 as a starter

Expect Charlie Batch to return for one final encore in 2013 as Ben Roethlisberger's back up.

Scenario that Sees the Steelers Saying Bye to Batch

Like many of the Steelers other unrestricted free agents, Charlie Batch could become victim to a numbers game.

The Steelers could very well be on the free agent for a low-priced veteran back up, and such a player could displace Batch, particularly if the Steelers also find a promising young rookie to pair with that veteran. But Batch thinks he'll get one more season, and that is probably what will happen.

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Steelers Likely to Part Ways with Byron Leftwich

Mike Tomlin likes Byron Leftwich. It is easy to see why. Sure, Leftwich is immobile and has an irregular release.

But he’s got 60 starts under his belt and is no stranger to the pressure that comes with that role. He’s got poise and confidence in the huddle and in the pocket. And he has a rocket for an arm (Leftwich is one QB who would never under throw Mike Wallace)

Leftwich has everything you want in a back up quarterback. Except dependability.

• Slated to win the temporary starting job in 2010, Leftwich injured his knee in preseason
• Again the favorite for the number 1 back up slot in 2011, Leftwich broke his leg and went on IR
• Making his only start for the Steelers vs. Baltimore, Leftwich injured his shoulder – on a 31 yard scamper into the end zone of all plays!

Injuries bedeviled Leftwich prior to his coming to Pittsburgh, and that fact serves to be his inconvenient truth.

Leftwich to Exit Stage with Steelers

A good back up quarterback is like a comfortable suit case. You don’t use it every day, but you sure are glad to have something familiar when traveling in unfamiliar places.

Any number of men have made good livings as an NFL back up by holding a clipboard for most of the time and delivering when called upon the rest of the time.

• Think Don Strock, Gary Kubiack, Frank Reich, Jon Kitna and yes Charlie Batch.

Bill Cowher found such a back up in the form of Mike Tomczak and stuck with him until Kevin Colbert arrived in 2000 and convinced him to bring in Kent Graham to give Kordell Stewart competition.

Mike Tomlin has dearly wanted Byron Leftwich to be “his” back up. When the word “Midgeville” entered the vernacular of Steelers Nation, Tomlin wasted little time in bringing in Leftwich to start in Ben Roethlisberger’s place.

But each year those plans have been foiled by injury. The experiment has been replicated. Numerous times.

• Expect the Pittsburgh Steelers and Byron Leftwich to part ways this off season

Mike Tomlin can be a patient coach, but everyone’s patience has a limit.

Scenario that Sees the Steelers Deciding Leftwich is Still Right for Them…

Unless press reports are horribly wrong, there almost no chance of Byron Leftwich getting an offer from the Steelers in free agency.

• Could Leftwich be back in Pittsburgh in 2013?

Perhaps... should injury strike at quarterback either during training camp or during the regular season, strike certainly possible Steelers management could pick up the red phone to a Leftwich.

But in such an event the Steelers would likely exhaust other possibilities before taking that route.

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Steelers Report Card vs. Ravens @ Heinz Field

Steelers Report Cards

Taken from the grade book of a teacher who sees a pupil with a performance arch that is startingly familiar to the one he saw last year, here is the Steelers report card for their loss to the Ravens. As a caveat, no other grades were consulted prior to this posting.

Quarterback
Mike Tomlin has reaffirmed his faith in Byron Leftwich several times over through the years. Leftwich began by exceeding everyone’s expectations, but it was all down hill after that. Yes, Leftwich was injured. But, the Report Card focuses on performance and outcome, and Leftwich didn’t get the job done. While it’s hard to blame Leftwich for not taking himself from the game, it doesn’t excuse his misplaced gallantry. Grade:  D

Running Backs
When Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman, and Jonathan Dwyer posted all strong performances, Mike Tomlin promised to go with the hot back. The stat sheets says that hot back vs. the Ravens was Dwyer. Unfortunately, he about split carries evenly with Mendenhall, who looked a little tentative at the line. Redman gained 5 yards on a run, and Baron Batch moved the chains with his lone carry.  Grade: C

Receivers
Catching a ball from an unfamiliar hand requires an adjustment, and the Steelers receivers offered a mixed bag. Some plays were made, but there were drops and times when receivers failed to catch the ball in bounds. Likewise, Leftwich had to throw the ball away several times. Emmanuel Sanders and Mike Wallace led the group, although Wallace’s fumble cost the team dearly as did the non-touchdown catch. Heath Miller played well, but was held back to block. Grade:  D+

Offensive Line
Another shaky performance for a unit that seemed to be coalescing. At times the run blocking was excellent. At times, the line protected Leftwich well. Consistency however lacked. Mike Adams struggled at times, although he was not the only one at fault. The difference in the game probably did not come down to the failed exchange between Maurkice Pouncey and Leftwich, but such mishaps are inexcusable on final drives. Grade:  D

Defensive Line
It was perhaps the defensive line’s strongest performance, with Ray Rice being held to 40 yards on 20 carries. He had no where to run. Brett Keisel led the unit in tackles and the stat sheet doesn’t do justice to the way Casey Hampton clogged up the middle. Cameron Heyward played well in relief of Ziggy Hood. Keisel’s offsides penalty hurt however. Grade:  B+

Linebackers
The linebacking corps also turned in a strong performance. Lawrence Timmons seemed to be in on every tackle and so was James Harrison, whose sack could have be a difference maker. LaMarr Woodley also clocked in with a sack, and Larry Foote was his reliable self. The only thing lacking was a forced turnover, which the Steelers needed.  Grade:  B+

Secondary
With each game, Keenan Lewis just seems to get better. But Ike Taylor is playing very good football, simply making it hard for opposing teams to throw when they need to. Ryan Clark didn’t light up the stat sheet, but whatever he lacked in quantity he made up in quality. Will Allen continued with his solid play, and Ryan Mundy didn’t get noticed for the wrong reasons. Baltimore was 3-14 on third downs. Like the linebackers, the only thing lacking was a turnover, and the again, the Steelers needed one. Grade:  B+

Special Teams
A truly awful night for a unit that has run hot and cold all season. Jacoby Jones 63 yard touchdown on a punt return put the Ravens over the top. But Baltimore’s return game was strong all night, and neither Chris Rainey nor Sanders did anything for the Steelers Shaun Suisham was 1-1, but his kickoffs, which were deep early in the year, fell shallow. Grade:  F

Coaching
Steel Curtain Rising already took Mike Tomlin to task for either not knowing Leftwich was injured and/or failing to act on that knowledge. However, he is not the only one to blame. Dink-and-Dunk is not Byron Leftwich’s game. And while he did attempt and compete some long passes, the question is why was Todd Haley had him throwing so much to begin with? The Raven’s run defense is suspect to begin with, and the Steelers entered the game with a stud stable of healthy running backs. Why didn’t Jonathan Dwyer get more carries?

In contrast, Dick LeBeau called a tremendous game and his players executed, and that’s all that saves the coaching staff from an F-bomb in this weeks’ report card. Grade:  D

Unsung Hero
The 1998 and 1999 Steelers defenses started strong only to peter out, with the rest of the team, down the stretch. One reason for the decline was the disintegration of Joel Steed’s knees. As Ed Bouchette has said, the nose tackle is the fulcrum on which the Steelers 3-4 rises and falls.

Early in the year when something big happened up front, Steve McClendon was as likely as not to be in the game. Not so vs. the Ravens. The Steelers front seven made play after play, and the only happens if Casey Hampton is wrecking havoc in the middle. Havoc Hampton wrought, and for that he win the Unsung Hero award for the game.

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Tomlin's Mistake on Leftwich Injury Costs Steelers Ravens Game

Steel Curtain Rising’s Steelers-Ravens pregame insight was that this contest would test both:

• the Steelers time-honored commitment to a deep bull pen 
• and Mike Tomlin’s credo that “The Standard is the Standard”

On the surface, it may seem like the franchise failed on both measures. But Sunday night's distasteful result disproves neither proposition. Instead, the Steelers 13-10 loss to their division rivals to something much more mundane – human error.

Vindicating Their Head Coach…. On Paper 

The Steelers entered the Ravens game without their:

• Franchise quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger
• Playmaker extraordinaire strong safety, Troy Polamalu
• Budding wide receiver Antonio Brown

Further complications included losing the redoubtable Isaac Redman early in the game, and then Jerricho Cotechery late in the game.

• But this is Pittsburgh. Injures are never an excuse.

And, to this end the men in the Bumble Bee uniforms vindicated one of their head coaches’ most cherished philosophies.

How, you might ask?

The essence of Tomlin’s motto of “The Standard is the Standard” is this:

• Being in the NFL means already puts you in the top half of the top one percent of the world’s football players. Therefore you’re capable of a winning performance. Period.

The brutal reality facing Steelers Nation this morning is that Pittsburgh entered the 4th quarter at home behind 13-10 and saw their defense force four punts in that period alone. The same defense held the Ravens to 3-14 on third downs and kept Baltimore’s offense out of the end zone the entire night….

Necessary, But Not Sufficient

…That, ladies and gentleman, normally amounts to a winning performance.

Why then are the now Steelers down two games to the Ravens?

Explanations abound:

• Mike Wallace could have held on to the ball instead of gift-wrapping the Raven’s chance to get right back into the game
• The special teams could have brought its A-Game against one of the league’s most dangerous punt returners
• The offensive line could have started consistently winning at the line of scrimmage before the third quarter
• Coaches could have settled on Jonathan Dwyer, who ran better than Rashard Mendenhall

If the Steelers execute on any of the situations above, they likely win the game.

While no one in Steelers Nation should find the defense at fault, a turnover also could have been game changing.

Be careful to note however, that the Steelers injury situation did nothing to prevent a winning performance in any of the situations above.

Yes, these mishaps were all necessary for the Steelers to lose the game, but none of them were sufficient.

“Players Win Games, Coaches Lose Games”

Like most of its brethren, that cliché gets thrown around too much as a catch all to highlight that coaches hold ultimate responsible for performance.

• When it comes to the Steelers lose to the Ravens, however, the cliché takes on literal truth

Just three plays into the night, Byron Leftwich scampered 31 yards for the night’s first touchdown.

No one, outside or inside of Pittsburgh, let alone Leftwich himself, thought him capable of such a play.

Yet Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports that Leftwich injured his shoulder when he landed in the end zone. Worse, Leftwich injured two ribs when sacked two possessions later.

Leftwich struggled all night and the offense struggled with him. While ESPN Deporte’s  commentators mentioned nothing about Leftwich having an injury, NBC’s camera’s kept focusing in on Leftwich nursing various parts of his body.

At one point, Charlie Batch even warmed.

Yet Leftwich remained in the game. At half time Mike Tomlin proclaimed Leftwich “fine”

• He wasn’t.

In theory, Leftwich should have taken himself from the game. But Leftwich has finished 5 of his 9 previous seasons either on IR or inactive due to injury. Its difficult, (but not impossible) to blame him for trying to gut this one out.

But Byron Leftwich wasn’t up to the task.

• And it’s not up to players’ responsibility to make those decisions anyway.

That responsibility falls on the coaches. And in that aspect, Mike Tomlin failed in his responsibility. (If he didn't know of Leftwich's injury, he should have.)

On Behind the Steel Curtain Ivan Cole offered:

It is also clear that Tomlin is loath to intervene in these cases and I think there is an argument to be made for that position even if you risk losing in the short term, which is what occurred in each instance.

Cole is referring to Tomlin’s decision to stick with a wounded Ben Roethlsiberger at San Francisco last year. While I deeply respect my friend and colleague, I view it differently.

Allowing a quarterback to embrace his modern day gladiator role when he’s delivering is one thing. Allow one to stubbornly cling to hero impulses when injuries impact performance is another.

There’s a reason why the Steelers have the NFL’s deepest depth chart at quarterback:

• That’s to give Mike Tomlin options when injury strikes this vitally important position.

Mike Tomlin didn’t switch Charlie Batch for Roethlisberger at the half time in San Francisco. He should have and it cost the Steelers dearly.

The same thing was true of Byron Leftwich vs. the Ravens.

Time will tell if it costs the Steelers another division title.

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Steelers Lose to Ravens at Heinz Field

When it was all said and done, the Ben Roethlisbergerless Steelers had all of the necessary ingredients to beat the Baltimore Ravens.

They just failed to mix them together.

Yes, there's little doubt that with Roethlsiberger in the game, the Steelers come away with the win. Ben simply would have made some of those throws that Byron Leftwich misfired on.

But that wasn't the determining factor of the game.

The Steelers had their chances against a Ravens squad that performed mediocre on offense -- at best. But they couldn't capitalize. The Steelers simply failed to put it together.

• The running game started slow but found its legs, but the Steelers needed 60 minutes of production from the running game
• The line struggled to protect Leftwich in the early going, but they too stepped up, but the Steelers needed 60 minutes of production from the line

Much can be said for other areas.

Leftwich himself must bear part of the burden. He turned over the ball, and had great difficulty moving the chains on third down. 

No matter how you slice it, this game represents a huge missed opportunity for the Steelers. 

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Steelers vs. Ravens LIVE on Twitter

Its the Pittsburgh Steelers 80th Anniversary celebration game, and who better to celebrate it with than the Baltimore Ravens.

When was the last time you can remember a Steelers-Ravens game where neither Ben Roethlsiberger nor Ray Lewis played?

That would be a long, long time.

• But as it is, both teams will be forced to play without their studs. Who will step up?

I for one think the key to the game is the line buying time for Bryon Leftwich. Leftwich's arm strength is only slightly less than than of the Saturn V rockets that sent our astronauts to the moon. Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch have had issues with under throwing Mike Wallace. But you can imagine that Leftwich will not have such issues.

But the key is he needs time, because Leftwich cannot make things happen with his feet the way Ben Roethlisberger can.

Get ready, its going to be a hard fought game.

Steel Curtain Rising plans to be active on Twitter (during the commercial break.) So if you're not already doing it by all means:

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Ravens to Test Steelers Philosophy on Quarterbacks, Injuries

There are many differences between Mike Tomlin and Bill Cowher, just as there are many differences between Kevin Colbert and Tom Donahoe.

But there is one point of football philosophy that unites all four men:

• Belief in a deep bullpen at the quarterback position

Given how important the quarterback position is, keeping an accomplished backup might seem like a no brainer. But its not, as Indianapolis’ experience when Peyton Manning went down demonstrates.

Since 1992 the Steelers have gone to great pains to insure themselves against such a calamity.

• During Cowher’s rookie year, it was Neil O’Donnell and Bubby Brister
• Mike Tomazck played the role of the veteran back up from ’93 to ‘99

There were even two season (1995 and 1999) during the Cowher-Donahoe years when the Steelers carried four quarterbacks on their active roster.

When Kevin Colbert arrived in 2000, one of the first things he did was to convince Bill Cowher to go with a QB number 2 who offered at a true value add.

Kent Graham was the first such quarterback, and while he didn’t work out to well, the Steelers added Tommy Maddox in 2001 and wasted little time in snapping up Charlie Batch in 2002.

Mike Tomlin has embraced that philosophy as well. When Charlie Batch broke is collarbone during 2008 training camp, Tomlin wasted no time in bringing Byron Leftwich to Pittsburgh, just as he immediately turned to Leftwich  when Ben Roethlisberger’s legal troubles led to his four game suspension.

The Steelers of course weathered that suspension well, despite the fact that 5 quarters into the season they were playing their fifth string quarterback.

• So the Steelers philosophy of investing in depth at quarterback has served them well.

But that philosophy is about to undergo it’s most severe test.

Steelers Face Life without Roethlisberger

There’s a certain irony to Ben Roethlsiberger’s injury vs. the Chiefs.

• Todd Haley was brought in to keep Ben Roethlisberger upright
• The offensive line had finally begun to improve its pass protection

Yet, Ben Roethlisberger’s number still came up. Yes, the Steelers have prepared for such an eventuality, but this eventuality happens to come when the Steelers have to play the Baltimore Ravens 2 times in 3 weeks.

It is during these three weeks that the Steelers will define their playoff future.

• Can Byron Leftwich hold the down the fort? 
• Can Todd Haley adjust his short-passing offense to accommodate Leftwich’s Saturn V strength arm?
• Can the offensive line return to the dominance it flashed just a few weeks ago?

Mike Tomlin has always lived by the philosophy of  “The Standard is the Standard” or  “Next Man Up” or what have you. What it all boils down to is that Tomlin allows no daylight in which injuries can become excuses.

When the Steelers 2012 season began, Steel Curtain Rising looked at the large number of injuries plaguing Pittsburgh and suggested that Tomlin’s philosophy would undergo its stiffest test yet.

The test is about to get even stiffer.

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Steelers Report Card vs. Chiefs @ Heinz Field

Taken from the grade book of a teacher who is once again late with his grades on the Steelers because he was, in fact, grading real papers, here goes the Steelers Report Card for their victory over Kansas City.

Quarterback
Even before Ben Roethlisberger fell to injury, the Steelers passing game wasn’t quite in sync. Big Ben went 9-18 before leaving the game, and while he did lead one touchdown drive and did not turn over the ball, he also could not get the offense into a rhythm against one of the NFL’s worst teams. Byron Leftwich came into the game, and looked like a player who last saw action a season an a half ago – he looked sharp on some throws, rusty on others. Grade:  C+

Running Back
Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman had put in strong performances while the other was injured, so how would the Steelers rush the ball with both men healthy? Not particularly well, unfortunately. Neither man was particularly effective rushing, and Redman fumbled away the ball at Pittsburgh’s 9, giving Kansas City an easy score. Yes, the Chiefs played inspired defense, yes they stacked the line, and yes the offensive line did little to help them, but the Steelers still needed more from their rushers. Grade:  C-

Wide Receivers
Mike Wallace showed incredible concentration in coming down with the ball in what was a decisive score for the team. Beyond that however, he was quiet for much of the night. Heath Miller did not score touchdown, but did lead the team with four catches, followed by Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery, but no one in the group it seems, could do quite enough to make the necessary catches in the Red Zone or on third down.  Grade: C

Offensive Line
Ben Roethlisberger was only sacked once, and that was one of those plays when Ben was trying to make something happen. But that stat is misleading, as he did face pressure for much of the night, as did Byron Leftwich. The Chiefs also registered several tackles for losses. In short, they won the battle at the line of scrimmage, and the Steelers offense struggled all night because of it. The offensive line cannot turn in a similar performance against the Ravens. Grade: D+

Defensive Line
It wasn’t too long ago that the proverbial “they” had written off Brett Keisel. Some of “them” even suggested that he should have already followed Aaron Smith into retirement. Keisel shined for the defense vs. Kansas City, registering two sacks. But the stat sheet doesn’t do him justice, as he was in Matt Cassel’s face all night, and caused all kind of problems for the Chiefs running game. Casey Hampton also helped keep the middle clogged up, while Ziggy Hood also disrupted things in the backfield.  Grade:  B+

Linebackers
LaMarr Woodley led the unit in tackles, but was shut out on sacks, as was James Harrison. Larry Foote turned in a respectable performance, but the real hero of the unit was Lawrence Timmons, who seemed to be in on every play, defending passes, hitting Matt Cassel and of course coming up with the game changing interception in overtime. Grade:  B+

Secondary
Ryan Clark is no longer merely one of the Pittsburgh’s most underrated players, he’s quite possibly one of the most underrated players in the NFL. Clark was in on every play it seemed, and it should come as no surprise that the only time Kansas City had any luck moving the ball in 4th quarter was when Clark was out. Ike Taylor and Keenan Lewis both played well helping to keep Kansas City to 2-13 on third downs. Another strong night for the secondary when the Steelers needed it.  Grade:  B+

Coaching
For all of the praise heaped on the Steelers defense above, the truth is that the Chiefs did move the ball, particularly on the ground, with stunning success early in the game. While Dick LeBeau did make the necessary adjustments, the Steelers defense cannot afford such slow starts vs. the Ravens. Todd Haley’s offense put in his first mediocre night of the season, and overall the unit just managed to stay “above the line.” Mike Tomlin has done an spectacular job as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach. But there have been times during his tenure that his teams have played down to the competition. Steelers Nation will remember the game against the Chiefs as one of them.  Grade:  C

Unsung Hero
Under the best of circumstances Heinz Field is one of the most difficult venues in the NFL to kick. Factor in the wind, rain and steadily dropping temperature and you get a hostile environment for any kicker. A single missed kick in a game like this makes a huge difference as the Chiefs can attest. However, as they have all year long the Steelers got quiet consistency for this player, and that was ultimately the difference, and for that Shaun Suisham is Steel Curtain Rising’s unsung hero of the Chiefs game.

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Steelers Defeat Chiefs on MNF, But Ben Roethlisberger Injured...

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs tonight on Monday Night Football to earn their 4th consecutive win.

• To say that this was an ugly win does not do this game justice.

But worse than ugly, it was costly, as Ben Roethlsiberger left the game early in the second half. It was reported that he immediately left the gridiron at Heinz Field for X-Rays, and ESPN America Latina later reported that he left the complex with his wife and a shoulder in a sling.

In his absence Byron Leftwich saw his first extensive "live fire" action in some time, and he showed the rust. While he did make key completion, the offense was not the same without Roethlisberger.

Not that all of the blame should fall on Leftwich's shoulders. The Steelers offensive line, which had been growing more dominant by the week, did not control the line of scrimmage. While both Issac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer showed good power, Steelers Nation went back to the all too familiar site of running backs being hit at or behind the line of scrimmage.

The Steelers defense, however did its part, holding Kansas City to a field goal in the second half, with players like Keenan Lewis, Ryan Clark, Will Allen, Ziggy Hood, Brett Keisel and Ike Taylor stepping up to make numerous stops.

But the biggest play of the defense came in overtime, when Lawrence Timmons, who was already putting in a monster night, intercepted a Matt Cassel pass and returned it to the 3.

One play later and Shaun Suisham was kicking through the uprights to give the Steelers their win.

Full Extent of Roethlisberger Injury Unknown But...

The full extent of Ben Roethlisberger's injury is unknown, but shoulder is worrisome especially because early in training camp Roethlisberger admitted to having a slight rotator cuff injury, Steeler Curtain Rising has NO information on Ben's injury, but if he's torn his rotator cuff more, than will likely spell the end of his season.

Folks, its 2:00 am here in Buenos Aires, and work beckons in a few short hours. Will attempt to write more tomorrow.

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Steelers Fall to Philly as Mike Adams, David Johnson and Jonathan Dwyer Injured in Preseason Opener

The Todd Haley era on Steelers offense opened last night in preseason vs. the Eagles. By all reports, the Steelers offense looked different, featuring a short passing game and a more even mix of passes and runs.

While that is good news, it must be tempered with the bad.

The objective of any preseason game, coming even before evaluating talent under “Live Fire” circumstances, is to avoid injury.

On that front the Steelers were not so fortunate:

• Fullback/tight end David Johnson was injured on the game’s first series
• Rookie left tackle Michael Adams was injured on the game’s second series
• Reserve running back Jonathan Dwyer also was injured

Little is known about the extent of the three injuries, but David Johnson’s looks to be the worst.

All three Pittsburgh quarterbacks looked strong. Ben Roethlisberger played for one series which consumed 10 minutes off of the clock. Byron Leftwich finished out the second half, and rookie Jerrod Johnson played the entire second half, and looked fairly good – judging by the stats sheet.

Another rookie to make an impact was Chris Rainey, who took a short pass and ran it 57 yards to the house.

The Steelers ultimately fell 23-21 to the Eagles in a game that saw the lead change twice in the fourth quarter.

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Is Signing Antonio Brown a Good Football Move?

As mentioned previously here on Steel Curtain Rising, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a decisive statement when they cut off negotiations with Mike Wallace andopted (instead?) to resign Antonio Brown.

The move also satisfied an emotional need for a fan base who traditionally has had little sympathy with hold outs, although this later factor undoubtedly had no impact on the Steelers decision making.

But if the move provided Steelers Nation with an emotional high, the the question still remains:

Was giving Antonio Brown big money now the right football move?

It’s hard to say.

Based on what I saw during the second half of 2011 I was of the mind that if forced to choose between Mike Wallace and Brown I’d choose Brown. But then again, I thought drafting a quarterback in the first round of 2004 was a mistake….

Antonio Brown impressed greatly as a rookie, making an immediate impact and aggressively working his way into the Steelers offense.

He continued on that trajectory in 2011, becoming such a significant play maker that the drop off in Hines Ward’s play barely impacted the team.

Yet one stand out season is not a lot to hang your hat on.

To wit, the Steelers have never given a contract extension to a player after only two years.  The only exception closely resembling this would be the deal Willie Parker got in 2006, but that does not compare. Parker was an exclusive-rights free agent and had no contract.

Parker had also clearly proven himself as a starter by not only pushing Jerome Bettis but also Duce Staley to the bench.

In contrast Antonio Brown has started only three games for the Steelers.

That’s right, the Pittsburgh Steelers have just given 42 million dollars to a man with three starts under his belt who has yet to face a situation where defensive staffs game plan specifically to stop him.

That is a very thin resume.  But with that said, Antonio Brown has:

• earned his stripes in the trenches
• come up with clutch catches in the playoffs vs. the Ravensand then vs. the Jets
• is clearly in a position of establishing himself as a leader on and off the field.

At the end of the day the Steelers are taking a risk, but on balance its one worth taking. If Brown works out to be the player he is on track to become, this deal will look like a total steal for the Steelers come 2014 or so.

Why Resign Brown Now?

The next question is now the time for the Steelers to make such a move?

In cold, calculating football terms, the answer is certainly “no.” Wallace has one year left on his contract, and then he’ll be a restricted free agent. The Steelers would still hold the lion’s share of leverage next March.

Had Machiavelli written on NFL personnel matters as opposed to matters of state, he’d undoubtedly would have counseled Kevin Colbert to play the cards close to the vest, and hold off until the off season.

But that’s not the Steelers Way. Never has been and hopefully never will be.

Consider, in the past twelve months the Steelers have:

• Given a long-term extension to Troy Polamalu, when the smart money would have been to wait
• Released Troy Smith when Bryon Leftwich’s injury historywould indicate it would have been “wiser” to bring him to camp
• Cut Jonathan Scott instead of keeping him in camp

Each of the moves was the “wrong” move from both a football and a business stand point (with the possible exception of the money that releasing Scott freed).

Yet each of these moves signaled that the Pittsburgh Steelers are an organization that believes in taking care of its people. Make no mistake about it. The NFL is a business and the Steelers make unsentimental business decisions about personnel ever year.

That capacity was on display last spring with the departures of Aaron Smith, James Farrior and Hines Ward, to name a few.

But even in business, there’s a right way to treat people and a wrong way to treat people. And the Steelers, for the most part, treat their players right.

The most of the players associated with the franchise know this, they understand it, and they respect it. The organization is stronger because of it and the team certainly need not tie itself into knots over the players who don’t recognize that.

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Steelers cut Troy Smith

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced yesterday via Twitter that they have cut 4^th string quarterback and former Heisman trophy winner Troy Smith. The Steelers had signed Smith to a futures contract in January.

The decision to sign Smith surprised some, but was quite understandable as Bryon Leftwich, Charlie Batch, and Dennis Dixon were all unrestricted free agents heading into the off season. Both Leftwich and Batchhave since resigned with the Steelers.

Smith had worked out with the team throughout the off season, including OTA’s and Minicamp.

Saved by the Bell….

Anyone who (that is anyone who works a full time job) has their own site about their favorite sports team can tell you, one of the biggest frustrations is having more ideas than you have time to write about.

Sometimes, however, that is a blessing.

I know little of Troy Smith, other than he’s bounced around the league for a few years in spite of his strong college pedigree. Yet, a recently published story on Smith in the Post-Gazette, combined with tales form PG Plus about his arm strength got me thinking that perhaps Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin had brought Smith as more than insurance.

According to press reports, the Steelers actively want to groom a young signal caller to be Ben Roethlisberger’s back up. They didn’t draft a quarterback in the 2012 NFL Draft, seemingly leaving room for Troy Smith to win a job in camp.

Or so my article was about to argue.  Sometimes being too busy to write is a blessing.

Daylight for Dennis Dixon….?

Smith’s departure brings the number of experienced quarterbacks on the Steelers roster to 3. They traditionally bring four to camp to keep everyone fresh.

Dennis Dixon, the team’s 5^th round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft had expected (or at least hoped) to cash in during free agency.

The first two rounds of free agency are over and the draft has come and gone and no one has called Dennis Dixon’s number.

This amounts to pure speculation on the part of Steel Curtain Rising, but one has to wonder if letting Smith go opens up a slot for the team to give Dennis Dixon a chance to win a spot in camp.

That prospect is not entirely likely, as Dixon was unhappy with his role last year and made noises about being traded, but the possibility remains.

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Steelers Sign Byron Leftwich

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette is reporting that Bryon Leftwich has resigned with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Steelers first acquired Leftwich in 2008 when Charlie Batch got broke his collarbone in preseason. Leftwich got significant playing time in three days that year, and considered staying with the Steelers. However, he opted to depart for Tampa, but Leftwich was back again via trade in 2010.

Mike Tomlin would like to anoint Leftwich as his designated back up to Ben Roethlisberger, but Leftwich's fragility keeps getting in the way. He injured his knee late in preseason 2010, when he was expected to start during Ben Roethlisberger's suspension. Last year a broken arm in preseason shelved him for the year.

While there's a lot to like about Byron Leftwich, his durability has become a real liability.

The move puts five quarterbacks under contract with the Steelers with the possibility that they will draft one in the 2012 NFL Draft. It his highly unlikely that the Steelers would bring more than four quarterbacks to training camp at St. Vincent's.

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Steelers Draft Needs Tight End, Quarterback

Steelers Needs at Quarterback

Kevin Colbert has stated at after the first round any and all positions are fair game for the Steelers, including quarterback.

So there’s a chance the Steelers could pick a quarterback as early as the second round in the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft. And there’s also a chance that Pope Benedict could convert to Islam.

Ben Roethlisberger is of course entrenched as the Steelers starting quarterback, and at age 30 it is a little too early (although perhaps not quite as early as some might thing, given the punishment continues to take year in and year out) to think of grooming a successor.

The Steelers have brought back Charlie Batch and the word is that they’re still interested in bringing back Byron Leftwich, although the fact that Leftwich remains unsigned casts a little doubt upon that.

The Steelers do want to bring in a younger signal caller, but realisitically the team will not, and should not pick a quarterback until very late in the draft.

• Priority of quarterback for the Steelers in the 2012 NFL Draft: Low.

Steelers Needs at Tight End

Health Miller is the established starter here and is still in the prime of his career. David Johnson, Weslye Saunders and Leonard Pope are also on the roster.

With NFL rules ever-more favorable to the passing game the Steelers would do well to pick up a strong tight end, the likes of which are delivering such strong results for teams like New England.

With that said, the Steelers have more pressing needs at offensive line, nose tackle, linebacker and running back. Should a good tight end fall to the Steelers in early rounds then taking him is justified, but by and large this is a position which they should address in middle of not late rounds.

• Priority of tight end for the Steelers in the 2012 NFL Draft: Medium/Low.

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Steelers Resign Charlie Batch

In the 1980’s the middle of the Washington Redskins defense was anchored by a player named Neal Olkewicz. Olkewicz, an undrafted rookie free agent, lacked some of the “measurables,” and as a consequence Joe Gibbs and Bobby Bethard never tired of trying to replace him.

And year after year, Olkewicz beat back the challenges of the young turks, until he finally decided to hang it up 1989, having played for 11 years and started all but 13 of the 150 games he played in…

…Perhaps Charlie Batch is the Steelers’ Neal Olkewicz incarnate.

For several seasons running the Steelers have brought Batch to Latrobe with the thought that by the time camp broke, they’d be nudging him toward his “Life’s Work” in favor of younger, more durable successors such as Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon.

And every year one of those younger, “less fragile” players ends up getting hurt, and every year the Steelers turn again to Charlie Batch.

The pattern may be about to repeat itself here in 2012. In what has almost become an annual rite of spring, the Pittsburgh Steelers resigned backup quarterback Charlie Batch.

The move gives the Steelers a veteran presence behind Ben Roethlisberger who has started 5 games in Roehtlisberger’s absence in the last two years alone, going 4-1.

The move gives the Steelers 4 quaterbacks on their roster, including Troy Smith, a Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State, and Jerrod Johnson, a first-year pro from Texas A&M.

Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette confirms that the Steelers remain interested in resigning Byron Leftwich, who has also been wowed by the Colts.

If the Steelers do, that would create a bottle neck at quarterback. NFL teams do not enter camp with 5 quarterbacks on their roster and presumable one, of those signal callers would have to go before arriving at St. Vincents, with the other being eliminated during the team’s time at Latrobe.

Just don’t be so sure to assume that the odd man out will be Charlie Batch.

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Byron Leftwich to the Colts?

When Bruce Arians “retired” a large contingent of Steelers Nation reacted with relief.

Arians retirement lasted all of a week, and he just happened to land himself a spot as the offensive coordinator of the team that gets to select Andrew Luck. Now, apparently Arians has his eye on someone from the South Side to show Andrew Luck the ropes.

Mark Kabloy of the Tribune Review is citing league sources that indicate that Bruce Arians is trying to entice Byron Leftwhich to come to Indianapolis to help mentor his rookie quarterback (whether that signal caller turns out to be Robert Griffin III or Andrew Luck.)

With 10 million in cap space the Colts could pay more than the Steelers, who are all but certain to offer Leftwich the NFL veteran minimum.

Should Lefwich Make the Switch?

Leftwich would be an interesting mentor for Luck/RG3. He was afterall a franchise quarterback for Jacksonville, having been drafted 7th overall in the 2003 draft. His stint in the spot light lasted less than four years and soon found himself on the waiver wire being asked to mop up the mess left in the wake of Michael Vick’s troubles with the law.

When Charlie Batch got injured in preseason in 2008, Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert wasted little time bringing in veterans Daunte Culpepper and Byron Leftwich. The rules of the audition were clear: You’re here to back up Ben Roethlisberger. That’s it. Period.

Leftwich took the deal and got a Super Bowl ring for his troubles. After Super Bowl XLII Leftwich considered staying on in Pittsburgh, but opted for “greener” pastures in Tampa. Tampa had other plans, and Leftwich’s time as a starter lasted all of 3 games.

When Midgeville entered the vernacular of Steelers Nation, Mike Tomlin did not hesitate to bring Leftwich back and since that moment Tomlin has shown ever sign of anointing Leftwich as his official “number two.”

In Pittsburgh, Leftwich remains on a team whose Super Bowl most likely remains open. With the Colts, Leftwich will be with a team starting from almost zero and with little question as to who their signal call of the future is.

Would the Steelers be Better off if Arians did Poach Leftwich?

Byron Leftwich brings a lot to the backup quarterback position. He’s got 49 NFL starts to his name, a veteran presence, and an absolute rocket for an arm.

Bryon Leftwich is perhaps the only Steelers quarterback who has a hope of hitting Mike Wallace in full stride.

Mobility, however, is decidedly not one of Leftwich’s assets. Neither is durability. He has never played a full season. His stints in Jacksonville, Tampa and, if memory serves, Atlanta, all ended with him on IR. Leftwich spent the entire 2011 season on injured reserve, and was unable to start the first 4 games of 2010 due to an injury in preseason.

The Steelers have a lot of reasons to like Leftwich, but wonder if Arians might be doing the Steelers a favor by taking Leftwich off their hands and forcing Mike Tomlin to develop or find a more durable back up quarterback.

On the flip side, injuries can be streaky. For several years running the Steelers have wanted to keep Charlie Batch off the roster – who broke his wrist while playing just three downs in 2009 – because he was brittle.

Both times injuries to younger players, in the form of Leftwich and Dennis Dixon, forced the Steelers to keep Batch on the roster, and both times Batch delivered.

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Steelers Work Out Jeff George

When Mike Tomlin says that he will leave no stone unturned in his quest to improve the Steelers, he isn't kidding.

Behind the Steel Curtain is reporting that the Steelers are trying out 44 year old NFL veteran Jeff George. George apparently was seen at the team's south side facilities on the even of Saturday March 31st and will work out this morning for Steelers General Manger Kevin Colbert.

Drafted in 1990 by the Colts, George went on to play for Atlanta, Oakland, Minnesota and Washington.

While George's rocket arm was never in question, his disposition always was another matter. George openly feuded with management coaches and teammates, including a very public spat with then head coach June Jones of the Atlanta Falcons. In fact, George's tenure with the Washington Redskins ended when he rebuffed coach Marty Schottenhimer's call for leadership by saying, "Don't look to me."

Last year when the Petyon Manningless Colts began to struggle, George made it known that his services were available. Colts president Bobby Irsay declined to take his former signal caller up on the option.

If the Steelers do sign George, it is unclear whether that makes Charlie Batch or Byron Leftwich the odd man out on the depth chart.

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Steelers 2012 Free Agent Focus

The Pittsburgh Steelers are poised to enter one of the trickest free agent signing periods since the current system began in 1993.

• They’ve got 20 free agents of one variety or another from the 2011 roster, and that's after recently purging it of six players and losing another to retirement.

All of that, and they still remain only 8 to 14 million dollars under the salary cap, depending on whose numbers you believe.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents (3)

RB Isaac Redman
DT Steve McLendon
P Jeremy Kapinos

Restricted Free Agents (7)

WR Mike Wallace
TE David Johnson
OT Jamon Meredith
OL Ramon Foster
OL Doug Legursky
CB Keenan Lewis
S Ryan Mundy

Unrestricted Free Agents (10)

QB Charlie Batch
QB Dennis Dixon
QB Byron Leftwich
RB Mewelde Moore
WR Jerricho Cotchery
OT Max Starks
OL Trai Essex
CB William Gay
CB Anthony Madison
P Daniel Sepulveda

Tough Decisions Await the Steelers

A world of scarcity is a world of choices, or so Dr. Peter Meenan, my Economics 102 teacher taught us.

• For the Steelers, salary cap space is scare and they need to make some tough choices.

As Ed Bouchette pointed out in the Post-Gazette last week the Steelers will likely tender Mike Wallace high enough so that they can get a first round pick if they lose him. And, as Bouchette pointed out in PG Plus today, they’ve got little to no choice but to give Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster second round tenders.

Right there that eats up 6.5 million dollars of the Steelers salary cap space. If they’ve currently got 12 or 14 million of cap space, they have some breathing room, but not a lot.

If they’re only 8 or 10 million under the cap, they have very little room to maneuver.

• Consider that the Steelers have already tendered their Exclusive Rights Free agents Issac Redman and Steve McLendon for 1.8 million dollars total.

Assuming that the Steelers tender Keenan Lewis, Ryan Mundy, and David Johnson, which would allow them right of first refusal or a third, 6th, or 7th round draft pick in return for losing them, the Steelers would commit another 3.78 million dollars in salary cap space.

Total all of that up, and the Steelers will have committed 12.08 million dollars to without even thinking of resigning Jerricho Cotchery, William Gay, Byron Leftwich and/or Charlie Batch; or sign their draft picks.

Kevin Colbert and Omar Kahn could still make a few moves. Will Allen could be cut. The Steelers could renegotiate more contracts, although questions abound as to whether deferred to much salary to future years.

Disclaimer....

Steel Curtain Rising has no access to any inside information nor intimate knowledge of the mechanics of the NFL salary cap. What you see above has been gleamed from public sources and the calculations are over the back of an envelop variety.

• So perhaps the Steelers will find a way to do more with less.

Nonethless, it is safe to say that the Pittsburgh Steelers 2012 roster will look quite different from the 2011 edition. In other words, Hines Ward, James Farrior, Chris Kemoeatu, Aaron Smith and Bryant McFadden are far from the only familiar faces that will be missing.

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