Nov 11 2008
Byron Leftwich Is Getting Popular Again
Ever since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, the most popular man in Pittsburgh — aside from Mario Lemieux, of course — has always been the Steelers backup quarterback. Always.
When Kordell Stewart couldn’t hit the broad side of Plaxico Burress’ house, Steelers fans started calling for Tommy Maddox. When everyone realized Tommy would never be more than the MVP of a second-rate league, Steelers fans wanted someone else. They got that someone else in Ben Roethlisberger, who helped guide the Steelers to a Super Bowl. As soon as Ben started struggling, however, fans demanded the backup. This goes back to the days when a young Terry Bradshaw was booed off the field and fans were calling for Joe Gilliam.
Well, it’s happening again. After Roethlisberger’s three-interception performance against Indianapolis last Sunday, Steelers fans want him benched in favor of Byron Leftwich.
Why? When Big Ben suffered a shoulder injury in Washington two weeks ago, Leftwich stepped in and led the Steelers on two touchdown drives that sealed the game. Yes, this is all Steelers fans needed to see for them to just know Leftwich was better and that he should be starting right now. Never mind that he has zero mobility and throws as slowly as old people in Florida drive. Leftwich is the answer. He did lead Jacksonville to the playoffs that one year, right?
Folks, struggles or no, the only reason to bench Roethlisberger is if he’s injured. Two years ago, after Big Ben suffered a concussion in Atlanta, I suggested that the Steelers start Charlie Batch for one week while Ben cleared the cobwebs out of his head. Instead, Cowher started Ben, who promptly threw four interceptions, and the Steelers lost. That decision might have cost Pittsburgh a playoff berth.
Perhaps we’re looking at the same situation now. Ben hurt his shoulder in Washington, and he might have rushed back too quickly, and that might be affecting his throwing motion. If that’s the case, then maybe Leftwich deserves the nod — but only if that’s the case. Quarterbacks are not as interchangeable as other positions. You need some stability at that position in order to succeed in the NFL.
You also need to get it through your head that Big Ben is not trying to sabotage your team. He wants the Steelers to win just as much as you do, and despite his stinker on Sunday, he’s better than you think he is. You don’t see me calling for Jake Delhomme to be benched after his four-pick disasterpiece in Oakland last Sunday, do you? He’ll rebound from that. So will Roethlisberger. Cut him a little slack.
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I vaguely remember reading somewhere that Bruce Arians was barely concealing his frustration as Ben kept audibling out of the played calls, and that his audibles were the harbingers of the game’s worst offensive moments for the Steelers.
I have no idea if that is true, but changes the whole picture for the folks who have been referring to Bruce Arians as “Crazy Ivan” or “that freaking idiot”. (that long list includes me, just to remain semi-objective)
As I watched the Titans-Bears game last Sunday, I was a bit disturbed by the Chicagoans booing Rex Grossman after making a bad play. The announcers began talking about how this is the second game he’s started and how he’s gotten used to being booed since the crowd has turned on him after that Super Bowl appearance. Yeah maybe the guy screwed up the play, but sheeit he’s up against an undefeated team that has a rock-solid sh*thouse defense this year. If he gets booed in this impossible situation then I don’t know what the guy can do. I think its shameful to treat the guy that way.