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View Full Version : UPDATE: Bouchette: Dixon Will Be the Starter vs. The Falcons



stillers4me
09-06-2010, 11:51 AM
Monday, 06 September 2010 11:54

Written by Ed Bouchette http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/templates/pg_twn/images/emailButton.png (http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/component/mailto/?tmpl=component&link=aHR0cDovL3BsdXMuc2l0ZXMucG9zdC1nYXpldHRlLmNvb S9pbmRleC5waHAvc3BvcnRzLXRvd24vc3RlZWxlcnMvMTA0ODA 1LWVkLXRvbWxpbi1saXN0cy1sZWZ0d2ljaC1kaXhvbi1hcy1zd GFydGVycw%3D%3D)


Is Mike Tomlin already playing mind games with his starting quarterback?
The Steelers just released their first official depth chart of the regular season and they list two quarterbacks as co-starters. Not one of them is the likely starter.
They list injured Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon as co-starters at quarterback and Charlie Batch as the backup.
Now, I’ve covered this team for 26 seasons for the Post-Gazette and this is the first time I remember seeing co-starters listed at ANY position............
http://ht.ly/18T8HQ

Psycho Ward 86
09-06-2010, 11:55 AM
Wow Mike. Really dude? It's just fine and dandy that you didnt feel like announcing a starter during OTA's....or training camp....or right after 4 preseason games....but co-starters? Wtf, seriously man, spit it out and tell us who's going to be The Guy!

Psycho Ward 86
09-06-2010, 11:58 AM
"One truth did work its way into Tomlin’s official depth chart, however, and that is them listing David Johnson as their starting fullback. He’s also listed as the third-team tight end but he has been their starting fullback all along."

But I'm very pleased with this!

Chidi29
09-06-2010, 12:12 PM
Tomlin has played mind games with the QB situation all training camp and preseason. Him continuing to do so should come as no surprise, as unusual as this is.

stillers4me
09-06-2010, 12:28 PM
Insidepghsports (http://twitter.com/Insidepghsports)

Dennis Dixon has opened up practice taking 1st team reps at quarterback

Kaeg
09-06-2010, 12:39 PM
It's the old "Two headed monster" ruse! That means for sure we'll be starting Batch day one!
:chuckle:

cold-hard-steel
09-06-2010, 12:45 PM
Well it keeps Atlanta guessing. Tomlin knows, but the other team doesn't.Sorry,but it is not that important for us fans to know who the starter will be. We love em anyway! My pick is still Batch,if Leftwich's injury is not that bad,well i still think Batch should have his last shot. 3-1 as a starter is not that bad. Dixon will still get his chances,if Arians can come up with a good game plan.Just me though.I think our defense could dictate a lot of what goes into that decision.

HometownGal
09-06-2010, 12:53 PM
Insidepghsports (http://twitter.com/Insidepghsports)

Dennis Dixon has opened up practice taking 1st team reps at quarterback

Though I'm not overly thrilled with Dixon taking the reins as I much preferred Byron, I'd still rather have him in there than Botch. At least he can do a little more than hand off the ball all day.

I have no problem with Tomlin keeping his plans a secret -that is his right as a HC. He may not even be 100% sure himself on who it is going to be. :noidea:

O'Malley
09-06-2010, 02:06 PM
Keep um guessin. That can be a double edged sword, but IMO the team already knows who will be the starter and who is the backup. He just wants Atlanta to have to prepare for both Qb's and take time away from thier normal routine.

HometownGal
09-06-2010, 02:58 PM
News just broke a little while ago.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10249/1085513-100.stm#ixzz0ymMXqZVr

Dixon named starter for opener against Falcons
Monday, September 06, 2010

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Dennis Dixon will start at quarterback for the Steelers when they open the season Sunday against Atlanta at Heinz Field.

Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that today after Dixon ran the first-team offense in practice and Charlie Batch ran the second team.



Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10249/1085513-100.stm#ixzz0ymVIPp51

Kaeg
09-06-2010, 03:09 PM
Well, so much for keeping them guessing till the last minute. I think it's time for us now to get behind him and wish him the best....for the team's sake as well as his. Go get 'em DD!

stillers4me
09-06-2010, 03:30 PM
Her we go, Steelers, Here we go!! (ready or not!)

venom
09-06-2010, 03:37 PM
GAME ON !!!!!

stillers4me
09-06-2010, 03:39 PM
Ed: Tomlin Picks Dixon; Leftwich Shoots for 2nd Game (http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports-town/steelers/104810-ed-tomlin-picks-dixon-leftwich-shoots-for-2nd-game)

Monday, 06 September 2010 16:10
Written by Ed Bouchette http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/templates/pg_twn/images/emailButton.png (http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/component/mailto/?tmpl=component&link=aHR0cDovL3BsdXMuc2l0ZXMucG9zdC1nYXpldHRlLmNvb S9pbmRleC5waHAvc3BvcnRzLXRvd24vc3RlZWxlcnMvMTA0ODE wLWVkLXRvbWxpbi1waWNrcy1kaXhvbi1sZWZ0d2ljaC1zaG9vd HMtZm9yLTJuZC1nYW1l)


Mike Tomlin revealed after practice today that Dennis Dixon will start at quarterback. He also noted that Byron Leftwich will be listed only as “doubtful” for Sunday’s game.

I spoke with Leftwich, and he told me he’s shooting for a return to play against Tennessee, the second game of the season.

Tomlin picked Dixon after a long debate among the coaches over the weekend, some of whom favored Charlie Batch. Some veteran players also favored Batch.
Hines Ward went as far as to tell us that he thought they’d have to reduced the playbook if Dixon were chosen. Mike Tomlin said the “whole playbook” would be available with Dixon......................

http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports-town/steelers/104810-ed-tomlin-picks-dixon-leftwich-shoots-for-2nd-game?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

SteelerEmpire
09-06-2010, 04:27 PM
I've said it all along. IF Dixon learned (and he is a smart guy) from those 2 passing fiasco's (interceptions) that occurred in pre-season, he's gonna be to much to handle because every thing else he does is pretty good. IF he has compensated for his mistakes... its on

Steeldude
09-06-2010, 04:29 PM
if atlanta is smart they will put 8 to 9 in the box if dixon starts. force dixon to throw.

Hindes204
09-06-2010, 04:47 PM
Im gonna be drinking heavily on Sunday. All I can do is stand behind the guy, hes got skills, I hope he surprises everyone and kills it out there. HERE WE GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BlastFurnace
09-06-2010, 05:06 PM
I stood behind Malone, Woodley, Brister, Kordell, Tomczak, Miller, and Graham...and I wasn't excited about any of them. I'm especially not excited today, but as I did before, I'll cheer Dixon on and hope for the best.

Ben can't get back soon enough.

stillers4me
09-06-2010, 05:08 PM
I stood behind Malone, Woodley, Brister, Kordell, and Graham...and I wasn't excited about any of them. I'm especially not excited today, but as I did before, I'll cheer Dixon on and hope for the best.

Ben can't get back soon enough.

At least on Sunday night, we can say,"one down, three to go"..

tube517
09-06-2010, 05:11 PM
What about Touchdown Tommy Maddox?


I stood behind Malone, Woodley, Brister, Kordell, Tomczak, Miller, and Graham...and I wasn't excited about any of them. I'm especially not excited today, but as I did before, I'll cheer Dixon on and hope for the best.

Ben can't get back soon enough.

BlastFurnace
09-06-2010, 05:21 PM
What about Touchdown Tommy Maddox?

I viewed Tommy as the person who finally relieved our fan base of the 6 year experiment to make Kordell Stewart a QB. Tommy was good in 2002 and get's a pass from me.

polamalubeast
09-06-2010, 05:23 PM
I stood behind Malone, Woodley, Brister, Kordell, Tomczak, Miller, and Graham...and I wasn't excited about any of them. I'm especially not excited today, but as I did before, I'll cheer Dixon on and hope for the best.

Ben can't get back soon enough.



It's just 4 games!

Ben will return on October 17!

You just hope that Dixon will be good for 4 games!

Chidi29
09-06-2010, 05:27 PM
I'd rather have Batch. Fearful that Dixon still doesn't have the mental part of the game down pat enough based on what I saw during the preseason. There were still too many times that he would look at only his first read and take off. He needs to go through his progressions, and if it's not there, then start to take off while keeping his eyes downfield. I've seen him do that before, but it's hit or miss. Ben said he told him that if his first read isn't there, take off running. For me at least, that's not the QB I'm looking for.

If we were choosing a guy for a whole season, I'd probably go with Dixon. He obviously has more upside and let's face it; if Ben was lost for the year, this team isn't doing any better than 3rd place. Might as well roll the dice and see what happens. But it's only four games. Just a quarter of the year. We only need a guy that can come in and manage the game, having to make just a few timely throws. If we're going to be successful without Ben, it won't be because of any QB became a carbon copy of him. That's simply not going to happen. If we're going to win, it'll be because of all the other parts. Good special teams play, a strong running game, a defense that'll force 3rd and longs and create turnovers. Dixon having a costly turnover is only going to make it that much harder on this team. You guys saw what happened when we lost the turnover battle last season. We lost to teams we knew we could beat easily. I don't want that to happen again.

BlastFurnace
09-06-2010, 05:45 PM
It's just 4 games!

Ben will return on October 17!

You just hope that Dixon will be good for 4 games!

Read the PG+ by Bouchette. The coaching staff wasn't unified on this decision and Ward made a comment that he doubted the Steelers will be able to use the entire playbook if Dixon started.

I hope Dixon will be good, but I have yet to see anything against a starting defense that gives any kind of evidence that he will be.

The Kordell days....I hoped you would never be back.

steelpride12
09-06-2010, 05:58 PM
Hey I wouldn't mind using both like a double edged sword. Have Batch in for majority of the running plays and a few pass and Dixon in for the high percentage passing plays because he is so good on his feet. None the less I am not surprised with Dixon starting. I think having 2 QB's is enough to pass for 4 games and if Batch were to get hurt at this age we would be stuck to sign another player which would be much of a hassle.

steeldevil
09-06-2010, 05:58 PM
Well Lets Go Dixon!!

Nadroj 20
09-06-2010, 06:17 PM
Lets go DD! I would love to see you prove some people wrong.

HometownGal
09-06-2010, 07:16 PM
I viewed Tommy as the person who finally relieved our fan base of the 6 year experiment to make Kordell Stewart a QB. Tommy was good in 2002 and get's a pass from me.

AMEN to that. :applaudit: :thumbsup:

It seems a lot of fans forget that without Tommy Maddox in the 2002 season, the Steelers never would have made it to the playoffs and had it not been for Nedney's academy award winning performance, Tommy would have led them to the AFCC that year. I give the guy mad props for his stellar play that season. :drink:

steelerdude15
09-06-2010, 09:52 PM
Well, I think Dennis will be able to handle this. He showed the Raven's defense up last year. I'll be cheering your you Dennis, tear it up broski.

43Hitman
09-06-2010, 10:01 PM
Monday, 06 September 2010 11:54

Written by Ed Bouchette http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/templates/pg_twn/images/emailButton.png (http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/component/mailto/?tmpl=component&link=aHR0cDovL3BsdXMuc2l0ZXMucG9zdC1nYXpldHRlLmNvb S9pbmRleC5waHAvc3BvcnRzLXRvd24vc3RlZWxlcnMvMTA0ODA 1LWVkLXRvbWxpbi1saXN0cy1sZWZ0d2ljaC1kaXhvbi1hcy1zd GFydGVycw%3D%3D)


Is Mike Tomlin already playing mind games with his starting quarterback?
The Steelers just released their first official depth chart of the regular season and they list two quarterbacks as co-starters. Not one of them is the likely starter.
They list injured Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon as co-starters at quarterback and Charlie Batch as the backup.
Now, I’ve covered this team for 26 seasons for the Post-Gazette and this is the first time I remember seeing co-starters listed at ANY position............
http://ht.ly/18T8HQ

Since when do you have to pay to read the PPG?

steel striker
09-07-2010, 11:33 AM
I'll be cheering for Dennis like i would for all of the qb's we had before him and, remember last year in baltimore he gave us the lead with five miuntes to play. Let's show him the support he deserves here we go steelers!! Hold the forte down til Ben get's back.

Chidi29
09-07-2010, 07:07 PM
Quick question. Little off topic, but I didn't feel the need to start a whole new thread on the matter.

Having only two healthy QBs, who will run the scout team? Is it Batch?