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Troy Smith

Discussion in 'Steelers Talk' started by traceman, Jun 25, 2012.

  1. traceman

    traceman Well-Known Member

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    According the the twitter section on the home page has been released. Not big news, but makes me wonder who has the chance to replace Leftwich or Batch.
     
  2. Thigpen82

    Thigpen82 Bitter optimist

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    If true, that's a shame. He had a lot of potential at one point. I was hoping he would re-ignite his career here, at least serve as a younger back up... but still.

    Is the Johnson kid still knocking around?
     
  3. TheSteelHurtin2188

    TheSteelHurtin2188 Well-Known Member

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    Who are they replacing him with on the 90 man roster
     
  4. Thigpen82

    Thigpen82 Bitter optimist

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    Presumably not Jeff Reed...
     
  5. TerribleTowelFlying

    TerribleTowelFlying Staff Member Site Admin Mod Team

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    Yeah, Jerrod Johnson is still hanging in there.
     
  6. SteelByDesign

    SteelByDesign Well-Known Member

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    :facepalm: I was hoping this was the year we finally (respectfully) say goodbye to Charlie.

    We need to get someone not made of glass as our #2.
     
  7. HugeSnack

    HugeSnack Well-Known Member

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    He had a bad couple of years with injury, but in both 2010 and 2011 he played in relief for Ben for a couple games and didn't get hurt once. The last injury he had was in 2009. I don't entirely disagree with you, but it's worth noting.
     
  8. Bleedsteel

    Bleedsteel

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    Good point about Charlie.
    I also feel it is probably past time to let him coach our qb`s, or move on, BUT...
    He has done fine, when called upon.
    I didn`t expect Smith to make the roster, but was kinda hoping he would prove me wrong.
    I don`t know much about Johnson, but he must have looked better to the coaches, than Troy.
    It seems to me, that it is very difficult to keep a good qb as your backup, nowadays, considering the lack of starting talent, on other teams, but I do believe we need to be making an effort to find Ben`s replacement sooner, than later.
    I hope he can give us at least five more years, but I would be kinda surprised if that happens, given the beating he has already taken, before he`s turned 31.
    If he exceeds my expectations, and keeps rocking `till he is 37 or 40, and we have tried to find a good replacement, in the meantime, then we should at least have a player that is worth something good in a trade, down the road, right?
    And then, we will find his replacement, when we have no choice, right?
    I guess a lot of it also has to do with the fact that back-up qb`s, never really get any meaningful game experience, unless the starter is hurt.
    Not like a 2nd string Defensive player, or to a lesser degree, runningback/wide reciever, who at least get in some plays, to spell the starters.
    Just a hunch, but I still think it is gonna hurt us, if we don`t find a qb, to develop, somehow, and soon.
    I love having a vet, behind Ben, but not Lefty.
     
  9. mdbates2

    mdbates2 Well-Known Member

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    If you're assuming 5 more good years from Ben - then it's going to be really difficult to find a QB who has the ability to replace him and is willing to sit on the bench for 5 years. It's just not going to happen. Do you think Aaron Rogers would have stayed with the Packers if Brett Favre had stayed around and started for 3 more years? Highly doubtful.

    The selection and development of Ben's replacement is something that needs to occur with the right timing so that whomever it might be, we don't find ourselves in a "Cliff Stoudt" situation. Cliffy earned his NFL pension without ever taking a snap. Then, by the time he was ready to replace Bradshaw, he was no good anymore. I can remember how high everyone was on Stoudt taking over, only to see him fail. So, if Ben has 5 years left - it's certainly not time to put his replacement on the roster, and if it's more than 5 years, that pushes it out even further. I know that it's never to early to start talking about it, but I think that the Steelers have to be very careful here when it comes to replacing someone like Ben.
     
  10. Bleedsteel

    Bleedsteel

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    You`re right, Bates...
    It is a "touchy situation", as, you so painfully reminded me, by bringing up Stoudt.
    I don`t have the answer to it.
    I can hope that Jerrod Johnson can fill in capably, if there is a long term injury to Ben.
    I know that it is pretty much impossible to fill in for your starting qb, if he is hurt long term.
    I think we have a capable "spot starter", with Batch, and possibly Leftwich.
    But after seeing Ben`s ankle get rolled on, late last year, I couldn`t help but think, if that had happened earlier in the year, we would have been done for.
    We pretty much are done for, if Ben goes down for the count, at any time in the season.
    Witness the end of last season.
    I guess I am asking for the impossible. No other team, has a starting caliber back-up, that could step in for the bulk of a season, but it would be nice.... HaHaHa
    And I`m not sure how "careful", you could be... Just take your chances with the best young qb, you can, and if you don`t need him, all the better. He`s a trade asset, in a couple years, but if you do need him, he`s there.
    Also, I wasn`t about to jump into the end of that Colt McCoy, thread, `cause I couldn`t match the level of debate, early in the thread, or humor by the end of it, when I saw it...
    But, Yes, My opinion, is I would be glad to have him as a back-up.
    If you remember how well he played against us (even tho he lost), in his very first start, in the league, it should show you something about his character. If not his "skills".
    P.S. ... EDIT...
    Assuming we are "done for" without Ben may not be the same, now that we have a new O.C., and we might be back to the point, where we just need a decent qb to "manage the game"... :hmmm:
     
  11. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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  12. Bleedsteel

    Bleedsteel

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    Thanx for the write-up.
    Hate to say that he sounds kinda like another Dennis Dixon.. But....
    He sounds kinda like another Dixon.
    I don`t think Troy Smith would have been a better gamble.
    He was never that good, even without the injuries...
    I just wish we could find someone better than Leftwich, if he is gonna be considered #2, when Batch is #3.
    I would at least consider Batch better than Lefty, and find someone to take Lefty`s spot.
    Just my opinion.
     
  13. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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    lefty has played better here then anywhere he's been for some reason. ben has already commented in mini camp or before, that he likes these two guys with him. they are really helping each other with the new offense. i'll try to find where i saw it. so, charlie is not only 3rd string qb but ben is comfortable with charlie's help.

    i'm anxious to see what johnson has in preseason. he was a good passer at one point. i could see him on the PS for a year. everyone is learning the new offense all at once so he shouldn't be overwhelmed as he would be if he walked into BA's if he was still here. he's a big boy too. he's bigger then ben or lefty. talk about a guy that's prime for sitting 5 years before he would be considered. even if he becomes nothing more then a good backup, we still need one. not every guy we get is being groomed to take over for ben someday. we still need backups. i'd rather have a guy thats been in the system and down the road , if needed, is comfortable with the system. A&M was good when this kid was there. i think he's a better passer then dixon was. he's bigger. he can run but not like dixon. he runs well when he has to. dixon in college it was part of the offense. this kid played in more of a pro style O. anyway, it shant be long now til we get to see. :cool:
     
  14. Bleedsteel

    Bleedsteel

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    I hear ya, Mac.
    Nuthin against J.J.
    From everything I`ve seen or read, he has a ton of potential.
    I just think the mix should be him and Charlie behind Ben, not him and Byron, or Byron and Charlie.
    My opinion of Charlie, is that he did a great job, on a sorry team (Detroit), and never really had a shot to show what he could do, with a good team around him. He has done pretty good for us when pressed into service, so I would keep him at #2, as the veteran qb, and see if J.J., or ?whoever? could take the possible long term back-up role, instead of Leftwich.
    Unfortunately, I have my doubts as to how long Charlie could actually last, taking hits from kids who are almost 20 years younger than him, and 100+ pounds heavier than him,. right now.
    Maybe our new O-line, and new scheme, could help that, but I think it`s time for him to retire.(As much as I respect, and like him).
    That leaves Lefty, as the veteran.
    I just don`t trust his decision making, like I do Batch`s.
    (nevermind the long, wind-up pass throwing, and physical skills)..
     
  15. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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    i saw something about batch and his qualifying offer. they said if cut now we would only save about 100,000. another guy would cost us more then that by 3 or 4 times. so it may be a money issue this year. charlie needs the money too, so it may also be the team showing some real loyalty to him. he is also a comfortable help to ben. lefty hasen't played bad here. his injuries have been his downfall and we had dixon in waiting. there are still guys out there if this all falls apart in camp. let's face it,ben doesn't give backups much playing time. i wouldn't mind them bringing in a guy like voleck, i'm just not sure what it would cost. if any part of these guys contracts run over through next year it's a big deal, because we will be very tight next year and could mean someone elses spot. charlie and lefty have one year and one year only contracts. we will see a move next year, i'm pretty sure. :cool:
     
  16. Iowasteeljim

    Iowasteeljim

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    [
    If you're assuming 5 more good years from Ben - then it's going to be really difficult to find a QB who has the ability to replace him and is willing to sit on the bench for 5 years. It's just not going to happen. Do you think Aaron Rogers would have stayed with the Packers if Brett Favre had stayed around and started for 3 more years? Highly doubtful.

    That is hard to answer considering no one really ever knew when Favre was really going to retire...just saying!
     
  17. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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    i just think JJ should go to the PS this year while he's got the eligibility. let him learn, let them work on what needs worked on for a year. let them work on that shoulder to stregnthen it here. we are pretty set everywhere and can afford to keep a young guy there. like you say charlie's old and lefty has been hurt for two years. of course the broken arm was a freak thing. next year it could all change. they will then know if the kid has any talent as a backup or not. charlie may retire. byron may come back as our new batch. at any rate there will be some new bodys brought in and i expect one will be drafted.


    i like our chances with these two this year. if we make a run to the playoffs and something would happen, i'd like our chances with these two guys for a couple of games. they know the players here. charlie's a tough ol dawg. lefty has a cannon. :shrug: :cool:
     
  18. Iowasteeljim

    Iowasteeljim

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    Here again, I'm not quite sure of the dislike for Lefty. I would say the guy has played well for us while he has been here. Maybe I'm just not hard enough on players but, In my opinion that no one asked for, if a guy comes to the Steelers, not expecting to start, but does ok when asked to, well, I'm pretty pleased with the player. I remember the first game Lefty played for us. There were fans that wanted Ben to sit and for Lefty to take over. I'm beginning to wonder if you have to be bipolar to be a Steelers fan or married to me, take your pick!
     
  19. Myronwemissyinz

    Myronwemissyinz

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    Trade a 6th or 7th for Colt.....I really like Colt as our back up to #7!!!
     
  20. Thigpen82

    Thigpen82 Bitter optimist

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    My issue with Lefty is probably his slow release. In past seasons, with our offensive sieve/line, that wasn't the best combination. At the same time, he was obviously showing the coaches something in practice - so with an improved line, who knows?
     
  21. oldschool

    oldschool Well-Known Member

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    Here's one to get everyones panties in a wad...

    Let both Batch and Lefty go and get Marc Bulger and Colt with the 6th 0r 7th rounder...!!! I think that would be a fantastic stable of QB's. Plus JJ on the practice squad.


    In fact, I'd take McCoy with a 5th too.
     
  22. defva

    defva Well-Known Member

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    Waste of time and money from the beginning.We have to start looking for a great backup for the next 5 yrs. and then somewhere along that time look for bens replacement.
     

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