Thoughts on the Steelers preseason

I wish the Steelers would get rid of Charlie Batch it seems like he can only make a couple plays happen every now and then just too old. I would like to see the team keep Jerrod Johnson and develop him, we don't need both Leftwich and Batch on the roster. Mike Adams is not ready to be a starter needs alot of work I sure hope Starks is ready for the season opener, I don't think Gilbert is the answer at LT either. Baron Batch some fans mentioned he doesn't have vision maybe but there weren't any holes to hit either also it takes 2 years for a rb after tearing a ACL to make it back. Curtis Brown is not in the mix to be a starter at cb I think Lewis will start if he struggles then the team will give Cortez Allen a chance.

 

Regarding the quarterback situation, they've tried to cut Batch the last two years but Leftwich keeps getting hurt. With Batch being MUCH better than Dixon, we've been forced to keep paying Charlie to grow old on the sideline. Still, Batch's performance while Ben was on the sideline for four games (Milledgeville) a couple years ago really saved our season and helped us get to the Super Bowl.

With that said, this year you'll probably get your wish. With Johnson looking pretty good in the preseason, and Leftwich staying . . . (I won't say it -- don't wanna jinx it) . . . It appears Batch would be the odd man out.

I'm shocked more people on this board haven't absolutely crucified Mike Adams at this point. It'd be hard to suck worse than he has sucked to this point. After the draft, everyone was boasting how our team vastly improved our o-line. A funny thing happened on the way to Latrobe . . . DeCastro informed everyone how much better everyone was at this level and Adams has been beaten worse than Tina Turner.

 

We haven't crucified him bacause he's been in one preseason game. God forbid anyone needing a learning curve.

 

Jeez, he has maybe 30 preseason snaps under his belt. How about giving the guy a chance?

 

adams can run block and it seems most of his trouble in pass protection is with the double move to the inside. people seem to forget starks has looked bad too at times and he's an 8 year vet and can't run block. you have to remember adams came from ohio state where he didn't block for a drop back passer so he never had to do alot of that type blocking so he never got those type of reps before this. he and beachum need some reps and stregnth in their upper body's and that will come. i hope they keep them around. it's going to be a long season if we don't fix the tackle spots.

 

Well, Adams got our hopes up by having a good camp, but the way he's playing in the games... that's more or less what we expected back when we drafted him. It was something of a long shot for him to start all along. He's always been considered a developmental prospect, even before he fell due to character concerns. He clearly has talent. He doesn't yet know how to use it. That's why we got Starks. Just gotta hope he can go.

 

To each their own, but personally, I like our chances better if Batch comes in to replace Ben, during a game, than Lefty.
I`d cut Byron loose, and keep Batch and Johnson, but that`s just me.
GO STEELERS!!!

 

you're kidding right? what is batch liek 5-2 in his last 7 starts... how many back up QBs win 5 of 7? he is not great but he plays not to lose.. not to make a mistake.. not to toss a pic 6 ... he plays to keep it close and hope either the D wins it at the end or a FG wins it... please name another backup for me that has won over 70% of his last 7 starts... for that .. name a starter that wins 70% .. sure there are some... but thats the elite Qb and thats why hes a starter.. charlie is the same as hes been for the last 12 years.. slow and SMART

HINES

 

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nope its not just you... keep charlie and johnson .. cut byron hes lots younger then charlie and gets hurt a lot more.. and probably not a lot faster..

HINES

 

O.k., So It`s just me, and a decent percentage of posters here, but the Front Office keeps trying to kick him to the curb.
If Lefty wouldn`t have messed up their plans by getting hurt the last 2 pre-seasons, Batch would already be gone. (Or in a coaching only, position, IDK)...
I don`t usually question their personnell decisions, since they have much more insight into what the players do at practice, and, it`s their job to make those calls, and they are USUALLY very good at knowing when to let a player go.
With hindsight, they are right far more often than they are wrong, but this is one case, where I just strongly disagree with them.
So again, Just MY opinion, I know the people that run the team disagree with me, but I think Batch is STILL a better backup QB, than Byron.
GO STEELERS!!

 

Okay so there are 2 discussions happening here.

1. The LT position. Adams isn't ready to start. That much is obvious, but that doesn't mean he won't be able to start some day at LT. He will learn a LOT from Starks this season IMO. He needs to hit the gym and the books about technique with his hands. Kugler will get him fixed.

2. Ben, Batch, Lefty or Johnson. I personally this decision is going to come down to a guess about Johnson making the practice squad. If he can, he will learn as much there as he would carrying a clip board. I would be surprised if Batch or Lefty are let go unless they want the roster spot for someone else.

 

Tarheel... I agree with both points.
I just wish they would let Byron go, and keep Jerrod on the active roster. I know it probably won`t happen, It`s just my preference. (Also, to nitpick, I think it is less a physical issue, with Adams, to where he needs to get bigger/stronger, than a mental one, where he needs to learn how to pass protect better(technique), and just the basic fact that these guys are better than what he faced in college.)
Sure, he needs to continue to get bigger/stronger, but at this point, IMHO, it`s the mental part that needs more work than the size/strength aspect.
GO STEELERS!!!