If Steelers thrive w/o Ben, Byron may not be ready to step aside

[hawaiiansteeler]

If Steelers thrive without Ben, Byron may not be ready to step aside

Posted by Mike Florio on June 2, 2010




One of the points we've been making from time to time of late -- and which appears prominently in our season preview magazine -- arises from the mess that the Steelers are facing in Pittsburgh.

If they do well without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, what will coach Mike Tomlin do once Ben returns?

Though Tomlin is keeping his cards sutured to his chest, the guy who seems to be in line to replace Roethlisberger had a chance today to declare an intention to step aside.

Appearing with Adam Schein and Rich Gannon of Sirius NFL Radio's The Sirius Blitz, Byron Leftwich faced this question: "You're the quarterback for the Steelers. Pittsburgh goes 3-1 or 4-0. Does Ben automatically get the job back [when he returns from suspension]?"

It's a simple question, and the right answer likely is "yes," or some variation thereof.

Leftwich didn't say "yes." Or any variation thereof.

"I don't know," Leftwich said. "That's not a decision for me but that's a good problem to have. It's a good problem to have and I'm quite sure he'll say the same thing. You want to go out there and, every chance you get, get a chance to win football games because we're all in it for one thing. We're all trying to win football games and hopefully you can win a championship.

"So if that's everybody's mindset and that's everybody's plan I don't really see that as an awkward situation. I see that as a situation that's good for the Pittsburgh Steelers and if it happens that way they'll handle it the way they have to handle it. But it's not something that you really think about. Man, it's too hard in this league to be hypothetical, you know? We've still got a long way to go and we'll see what happens."

Yep, it's potentially going to get ugly if the Steelers thrive without Roethlisberger.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...to-step-aside/

[steelpride12]

Well it's too bad Ben gets the $100 Million dollar contract and Byron was worth a 7th round pick sorry to say, but the Franchise QB comes back whether Lefty likes it or not.

[Nadroj 20]

I dont care if Left plays the best 4 games of his life......Ben is our QB so end of discussion.

[vindrow]

I see Florio hes been in the happy juice again.

[Chidi29]

I see Florio hes been in the happy juice again.

As usual.

[BlastFurnace]

Florio is reaching again. Whenever a player on the Steelers is asked a hypothetical question, it seems that they always say "It's the coach's decision"....and that is the way it should be.

I would imagine that Ben would be the QB...but to be honest...all I care about is the Wins.

[The Duke]

The title seemed like something that's been repeated a lot already. Then I read Florio's name. Enough to not read it

Can we make it a rule on this new board not to post Florio's BS? Nothing against you hawaiiansteeler, I just hate Florio

[stillers4me]

More Florio spin.

[Hindes204]

Florio = jackass

it doesn't matter if we go 4-0, and things are going great, Ben is gonna start...no doubt about it

[siss]

We aren't gunna go 4-0 to start with the season. With or without our franchise, pro bowl, 2x super bowl winning, all world, once in a generation QB. I think we will go 2-2.

[zulater]

The title seemed like something that's been repeated a lot already. Then I read Florio's name. Enough to not read it

Can we make it a rule on this new board not to post Florio's BS? Nothing against you hawaiiansteeler, I just hate Florio

ditto that.

[SteelGhost]

The title seemed like something that's been repeated a lot already. Then I read Florio's name. Enough to not read it

Can we make it a rule on this new board not to post Florio's BS? Nothing against you hawaiiansteeler, I just hate Florio

I think it will be nice to put the name of the writer, then the name of the article, for example :

Florio says : If Steelers thrive w/o Ben, Byron may not be ready to step aside

Just an idea

[Prok]

HATE Florio as well. But I hope Byron DOES have the attitude that he can start. It'll make us better IMO.

[X-Terminator]

I think it will be nice to put the name of the writer, then the name of the article, for example :

Florio says : If Steelers thrive w/o Ben, Byron may not be ready to step aside

Just an idea

I like it. Makes it easy to skip right by it or read it for entertainment purposes only.

[HometownGal]

Florio is reaching again. Whenever a player on the Steelers is asked a hypothetical question, it seems that they always say "It's the coach's decision"....and that is the way it should be.

I would imagine that Ben would be the QB...but to be honest...all I care about is the Wins.

This is where I'm at. Whichever QB gives us the best opportunity to win is the QB of choice for me.

[TroysBarber]

If we lose Troy for 4 games due to a preseason injury, and the Steelers go 4-0 with Carter playing SS, does Troy lose his starting job once he's healthy? Or Perhaps Fox takes Silverback's or Woodley's starting spot if we go 4-0 with Fox subbing for 1 of the starters?

[Kaeg]

Seemed like a diplomatic answer to me. I think Florio is making something out of nothing. (Or trying.)

[Animal Mother]

If we go 4-0, I think it will be unlikely just to be all Byron and more likely to have significant contributions from the defense and running game. I don't see Byron making a huge case during the first four games to remain the starter.

[Animal Mother]

Seemed like a diplomatic answer to me. I think Florio is making something out of nothing. (Or trying.)

Just like every other article he writes about the steelers.

[venom]

What a conundrum it would be if Byron goes 4-0 .

[Killer]

Florio is a complete hack...anybody that reads his crap knows PFT = TMZ.

If you believe anything he says, you're an idiot too. He had Ben arrested and convicted in every one of his thousand hit "articles" on him.

[SteelGhost]

I like it. Makes it easy to skip right by it or read it for entertainment purposes only.

Hey X, I suggested that in the "old" board, but nobody "listened"

[SteelerEmpire]

If the team goes 4-0 it might make for a good argument for Lefty to go start ON ANOTHER TEAM... Ben would have to do something stupid between now and the end of his suspension OR come back onto the field and throw something like 8-12 pics in his first 4 games back before we "seriously" begin talking about starting lefty...

[steeldevil]

This isnt even an argument. Big Ben is THE quarterback of the Steelers as long as he is on the roster. Someone else will just be playing for 4 weeks in his stead

[Prok]

This isnt even an argument. Big Ben is THE quarterback of the Steelers as long as he is on the roster. Someone else will just be playing for 4 weeks in his stead

I agree with this. But i like that Lefty has a starters mentality too. Every player on the team should aspire to start.

[Dino 6 Rings]

Pretty much agree with most of the people. I don't care what "Lefty" is "ready to do" He's going to sit down on his arse when Ben is ready.

Ben is the Playoff Winning, Super Bowl Winning QB of this team. He wasn't drafted to win in the Regular Season, he was drafted, and is paid to win in the POST SEASON.

Bottom effing line.

[steelpride12]

Pretty much agree with most of the people. I don't care what "Lefty" is "ready to do" He's going to sit down on his arse when Ben is ready.

Ben is the Playoff Winning, Super Bowl Winning QB of this team. He wasn't drafted to win in the Regular Season, he was drafted, and is paid to win in the POST SEASON.

Bottom effing line.

Amen. He is the Steelers starting QB, has won the championships and a proven winner. He is the one who get's the $100 million so he will be our starter the game he returns.

[BigNastyDefense]

Ben has won two Super Bowls as a starter.

Lefty has won one as a backup.

Whether it's four games or six games, when Ben Roethlisberger's suspension is over, he will be the Steelers starting quarterback.

Anyhow, if we go 4-0 or 3-1 in this span, it's going to be more because of the running game and the defense than it will be the play of Lefty. No offense to Lefty, but he isn't a starting QB anymore....he is a backup who is good for a few games a year.

[Craic]

The long term plans of this team is Ben R. as QB. There are no QB controversies with another QB that is 2 years older than him, not as accomplished as him, and not as suited to play behind a porous line as Ben is.

Does Ben come back the instant the suspension is over? It just depends on how rusty Ben is in practice that week. Depending on who we play, maybe Lefty plays the first game after the suspension, and then Ben picks up at the second game.

That scenario however, is about as far as I see a 4-0 Lefty going.

What are my feelings about Lefty? I think Left needs to quickly become our permanent number 2 backup. Ben gets hurt too much. Lefty is going to probably be the best backup in the NFL.

[BuddhaBus]

Florio is reaching again. Whenever a player on the Steelers is asked a hypothetical question, it seems that they always say "It's the coach's decision"....and that is the way it should be.

I would imagine that Ben would be the QB...but to be honest...all I care about is the Wins.

I agree with this whole statement. What else was he going to say? Seems like a pretty standard, benign response. No controversy here.

See, BF, I'm not such a bad guy!