Steelers Position Previews: Quarterbacks

If the Steelers have learned anything from their preseason work, it is that they have good depth at the game's most important position.

With the style of play that starter Ben Roethlisberger has adopted in his NFL career, depth at quarterback is even more essential for the Steelers. 

Roethlisberger frequently holds onto the ball too long and moves out of the pocket to make plays.

While this has brought the Steelers a great deal of success, particularly behind one of the league's more suspect lines, it also opens Roethlisberger to more hits and, therefore, more injuries.

Behind Roethlisberger, the Steelers have two talented backups.

Charlie Batch, among the oldest Steelers, is the steady veteran able to step in for Roethlisberger when necessary.

Second-year man Dennis Dixon is the talented, multi-faceted player the Steelers love.

The biggest question at the quarterback position is health.

Roethlisberger is rarely without some sort of ailment. He played most of last season with an injured throwing shoulder and various other lower body injuries. Batch is returning to the field after a year spent on injured reserve with a broken collarbone. Dixon injured his ankle in the second preseason game and fell in the draft last year due to concerns over a knee injury.

If all remain healthy, the Steelers should have an excellent stable of quarterbacks.

Let's take a look at each player individually.

Ben Roethlisberger (Starter)

Strengths: Roethlisberger has an uncanny knack for making plays, particularly when the game is on the line.

Ben is at his best in the no huddle or in situations where he has full control of the play calling at the line. He has excellent mobility, particularly considering his size, and can throw accurately one the run or under pressure. 

Roethlisberger also can pick up yards on the ground when necessary. He's the type of unselfish player the Steelers covet and will give up his body to make a big play. He reads defenses well and gets through his progressions quickly and can find secondary and check-down targets.

Weaknesses: Roethlisberger takes too many hits. He plays behind a suspect line and holds the ball too long. He sometimes waits too long to make a play and instead takes a sack. 

He's not an ideal dropback passer. 

One of Ben's newer problems is that he has tried to force the ball into coverage, leading to an increase in interceptions last season. 

Bottom Line: Ben will never be a prototypical quarterback. His innate ability to win games and lead long drives late will cement his reputation as one of the league's elite. 

He will likely never put up league-leading numbers due to the system the Steelers employ. But make no mistake, Ben Roethlisberger is one of the biggest reasons why the Steelers have won two Super Bowls in this decade.

Charlie Batch (Second Team)

Strengths: Batch is a great game manager. He has the arm strength to make most NFL throws, although his deep ball tends to sail at times. 

He knows the Steelers' offense and can operate it flawlessly when called upon. He's a great coach on the sidelines and can often be seen breaking down photos with Roethlisberger. 

Batch is no longer considered mobile, but shows a good ability to escape the pocket and avoid pressure. He's accurate on short and intermediate throws.

Weaknesses: Batch is not a starting quarterback at this point in his career. He has several injury questions, having missed time for various ailments in his tenure with Pittsburgh. He does not have Roethlisberger's creative ability and will not wow anyone with physical skill or highlight-reel plays. 

He can escape but cannot pick up many yards on the ground. His ability is limited and he is best suited to substituting and mop-up situations at this point.

Bottom Line: It would surprise no one if Batch retired and took a coaching position with the Steelers or another organization. He spent all of last season watching, but was never far from his starter on the sidelines. He won't win games on his own and would not be a good option should the Steelers lose Roethlisberger for a long stretch, but he will manage the game well and can fill in for short stretches if needed.

Dennis Dixon (Third Team)

Strengths: Dixon, even after his knee injury, has great speed and mobility. He can get away from pressure and throw accurately while on the move. 

He can make all the throws and can also operate as a wide receiver in trick formations.  He may be the quarterback in the wildcat if the Steelers choose to employ this scheme during the season. He can pick up yards on the ground and has a quick release.

Weaknesses: Dixon lacks experience at this level. He took a handful of meaningless snaps during his rookie season and has otherwise been relegated to the preseason games. 

He has injury concerns, having blown out a knee in college and now injuring an ankle in the preseason. He's not particularly accurate and is not a pocket passer. He's least accurate with deep passes, which tend to end up over receivers' heads.

Bottom Line: Dixon needs to get into a game or two this year. He has the potential to unseat Batch as the top backup option, but has to stay healthy.

He is likely best suited to the role Kordell Stewart once held with the Steelers, playing quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. He will likely not be a starter at the professional level, so a "slash" role makes the most sense.