Steelers all time greatest backup QB?

Hey Its the offseason and I find myself watching spring college ball I am so desperate.

Without using search browsers I do recall a QB back in the Bradshaw era that was good.

My vote is for Mr Charlie Batch. His game against Baltimore in a must win game against Baltimore in Baltimore was memorable. Sanders dropped a skinny post or maybe it was an underneath slant in that game.

At the end of the game Ben and Charlie embraced for a long time and it showed how much Charlie wanted that V.

Good Steeler Archive.

Thoughts?

 

The only memorable BU in the 70's was Mike Kruczek, who as a rookie was the starting QB won 6 games. Of course having Franco and Rocky running and a D that only gave up 25 total points during that run did not hurt. Quick wiki search says he completed 60% (having Swann and Stallworth helps, with a 8.9 YPC avg, and a rating of 75 (league average was 67). Not bad for a rookie, even surrounded by a team of HOFers.

Interesting side note from wiki Kruczek concluded his NFL career in 1980 with the Washington Redskins. During his career Kruczek never threw a touchdown pass in a regular season game and currently holds the league record for career pass attempts, 154, without a touchdown

 

Scott Campbell

 

I also remember Jefferson Street Joe from the 70s.

 

I'd have to with Batch too. Tomzak was serviceable but his part in the ill-fated Steelers Superbowl Shuffle video in 94 taints his contributions for me. Leftwich was ok but was really over and done with by the time he got to Pittsburgh. Touchdown Tommy wasn't a bad backup but you knew that somewhere in there a pick-6 was coming.

Honorable mention for the worst backups who somehow managed to get starter time was any if the trash behind Stewart during his tenure. Jim Miller, Kent Graham really Bill? You thought they were an option?

 

Gotta go with Charlie. Then Gilliam. It's a real shame Joe couldn't shake his personal demons. He had the talent to be a starter in the NFL.

 

If his arm was not equal to TB's the difference was marginal. The WR's complained that he threw to hard, lol

 

Duck. Well, not really. Charlie has my vote.

 

Charlie Batch for me.

 

I totally forgot about K. Graham. GEEZZZZ.

 

Didn't he get addicted to pain killers because he wanted to keep playing before Bradshaw got back from his injury?

 

Johnny Unitas.

 

Charlie

I met the man once. He is really nice and does a lot of good for kids.

 

I do not recall the whole narrative. He actually was the starter that year and had a winning record through the first 5 or so games, but he was throwing way to much and Noll wanted a greater emphasis on the running game. I believe the last game he started was against Denver and he disobeyed and kept throwing the ball, even though they won Noll benched him and reinstated TB. I have no idea if the drug abuse/addiction was happening at this time, but he did like to 'party' a lot and I remember reading a quote that Noll told him he was going to 'fun himself' right out of the league. I won't go into to obvious other discussions I have read, just seemingly the pressures, immaturity, and the 'party' issues took there toll. Such a shame as he did have an NFL arm and great potential.

 

How can I forget this.....

 

I would have to also say Charlie Batch. Byron Leftwich would be up there as well. Mike Tomzcak would be another.

 

Honorable Mention; the 1957 Steelers QB Room:


Len Dawson, Jack Kemp and Earl Morrall.


Think about that for a second.

 

All Steelers backup QB's are better than the current starter in the eyes of fans.....always

 

I think Kemp was an AFL champion (before SB era), so your list (including Johnny U) would mean gave up on 4 eventual champions...almost as luckless as the Browns! LOL

 

Ugh...


Thankfully Chuck Noll would be on his way though. Until then, those truly were the dark years of the Steelers.

 

That said @Vox Ferrum, Ernie Stautner and Jack Butler were no slouches.

 

If it matters, Unitas was cut and Ted Marchibroda was kept.

 

Every time Charlie Batch stepped on the field I felt comfortable with him being capable of pulling out a win. Not so much with any other BU QB's. Leftwich and Tomczak were the next ones I felt comfortable with winning but not to the degree that Batch provided for me.

 

Batch

 

Kordell as a backup because he was such an effective WR when playing the Slash role and didn't just warm the bench.