We shall start looking at upcoming free agents in the mix, and today we shall look at quarterbacks. Below is a list of QB’s that will be free agents starting in March:
Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos
Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins
Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins
Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota Vikings
Kellen Clemens, New York Jets
Charlie Batch, Pittsburgh Steelers
Kyle Boller, St. Louis Rams
Daunte Culpepper, Detroit Lions
Joey Harrington, New Orleans Saints
Matt Moore, Carolina Panthers Restricted FA
Chris Redman, Atlanta Falcons
Brett Ratliff, Cleveland Browns
Troy Smith, Baltimore Ravens Restricted FA
David Carr, New York Giants
Jon Kitna, Dallas Cowboys
Rex Grossman, Houston Texans
Brodie Croyle, Kansas City Chiefs
Where the Steelers Stand: There’s no need to really go over this list all that carefully, as we all know that the team has one of the top 5 QB’s in the NFL in Ben Roethlisberger. It will all be about the backup spot for 2010, as right now Batch is free to go, and Dennis Dixon did a nice job in his only start, and if the defense wouldn’t have allowed a late drive, he’d be 1-0 lifetime as a starter.
For now, Dixon will get every shot to be the #2 in 2010, which means that Batch is either gone or may have to resign to being the #3. If one of those QB’s above would come on the cheap, maybe the club would take a look, otherwise this spot is not going to be of any real priority for the club as free agency gets near.
mark
January 13, 2010 at 2:34 pm
I imagine that if Batch does come back as a player, the depth chart will remain the same. If Batch goes or becomes a coach (I hope), then Dixon will have to fight for the #2 spot because the Steelers will pursue 1 of the names above. Possibly Pennington or Redman. If Dixon is entrenched at #2, then they might look at a FA like Croyle or Carr. The odds of signing Moore and Orten are slim because their stock went up this season. Kitna would be a good fit as a backup( he always has), but he might be staying put with the Cowboys having late season success.Troy Smith would be an interesting pick up. He has shown some ability and is young, but lost his chance with the emergence of Flacco.
DrGeorge
January 14, 2010 at 9:26 am
Mr. Loede has it right. Our other needs are so great, the Steelers would only be interested in a veteran QB if the money is right. My guess is that the Steelers will make do with Batch or Dixon at #2 this year, simply because of the cost involved in hiring a veteran QB — unless they can work a one-year deal (a la B. Leftwich) for a quality veteran. Batch is a good guy and would stay for one more year, if asked, but at his age, I’d rather see him coaching. Dixon needs both experience and refinement of his throwing motion. However, if Tomlin rejuvenates the running game, there are a whole host of plays Arians could run with Ben and Dixon in the game together that would drive opposing DCs nuts. We have yet to utilize Dixon’s speed creatively.
mark
January 14, 2010 at 11:34 am
Using Dixon creatively would have beaten the Ravens and got the Steelers in the playoffs! How he was never asked to use his legs late in that game or in overtime is still torturing me.