Steelers Position Battle No. 3: Charlie Batch Vs. Dennis Dixon

The backup quarterback, as the cliché says, is the most loved player on an NFL team.

While Hines Ward, Ben Roethlisberger, and a few other Steelers might want to dispute that cliché, there are two players on the roster hoping to live it.

Veteran Charlie Batch has lived that for the last seven seasons, and while last year was spent on injured reserve—he has proven that his cerebral strengths make him a valuable puzzle piece to a Super Bowl squad.

As ESPN’s Seth Wickersham discusses in a column from April 6, "The real value of backup quarterbacks lie not only in their ability to step into the game at the drop of a hat and play consistent football, but also in their role as part player, part coach on the sidelines."

Batch has been the definition of what a second-string quarterback should be. Consistent, smart, and willing to do whatever he can to help the team.

While no one doubts Charlie’s importance to the team as sideline asset, the fans are starting to wonder if he is becoming more of a coach with a helmet, and less of a legitimate NFL quarterback.

If Batch has lost a step, then he will open the door for Dennis Dixon to take a step up in his second NFL year. Batch has the job right now, and Dixon must impress to take it from him. But, many quarterbacks make their longest strides in their second season.

Dixon, a fifth-round pick out of Oregon, could have been a top draft pick and therefore an expected starter in the NFL if not for a knee injury at the end of his senior year and his talent is intriguing. 

Not only is Dixon’s talent intriguing but so is the potential he displayed at times last preseason.

Against Buffalo, in his longest performance of the preseason, Dixon went 6-for-15 for 73 yards and ran for 54 yards and a touchdown. The 40 percent passer rating might seem less than savory, but for a rookie’s second NFL preseason appearance, it could be much worse.

Add his obvious running threat and two fourth down conversions, and Dixon’s play against Buffalo shows some real raw ability.

Raw ability, however, won’t cut it for the Steelers' staff. Dixon now has a year of experience under his belt and should have full grasp of Pittsburgh’s playbook. These factors, along with added team chemistry, often leads to immense improvements for second year throwers.

If it does, Dixon could challenge Charlie Batch’s position as the second string passer.

If it doesn’t, he will follow the likes of Omar Jacobs and Brian St.Pierre as failed fifth round draft picks for Pittsburgh. 

While most position battles can create or eliminate important holes on a team, this battle really shouldn’t make a large difference in the team’s performance. Barring a serious Roethlisberger injury, Dixon and Batch’s placement on the depth chart will only matter for a game or two at most.

Where the interest lies is in the future of the position. This season could very well dictate if Dixon will be Jacobs, Seneca Wallace, or Matt Schaub.

It could also dictate if Batch’s role on the team is as a glorified quarterback coach or if he remains a legitimate substitute for Big Ben.