Pittsburgh Steelers: Charlie Batch Can Shine and Four More Things We Learned
Each week, the Pittsburgh Steelers find a different way to win.
This week, they finally got an excellent showing from their entire offense thanks to some stellar play from former fourth-string quarterback Charlie Batch. We learned that Batch still has it and can still compete at a high level. He gets another big test this week against the Baltimore Ravens before taking a back seat to returning star Ben Roethlisberger.
For more on Batch and the four other big lessons we learned this week, as well as what we should do with that knowledge, read on!
1. Rocket Rashard
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There are still some critics that say that running back Rashard Mendenhall is not the star most think he is going to become.
Doubters can't criticize his performance so far this season.
Against Tennessee, Mendenhall failed to gain 100 yards on the ground; however it must be taken into consideration that the team was not passing the ball effectively, if at all. That meant that Mendenhall was running against nine or ten men in the box. That he gained any positive yardage at all was almost a miracle.
Against Tampa Bay and its arguably staunch defense, Mendenhall's star shone brightly. He gained 143 yards on only 19 carries and scored his second touchdown on the season.
What changed?
With Charlie Batch throwing lasers most of the game, particularly deep, the Buccaneers could not load up the box. Against an honest defense, Mendenhall was overwhelming.
He also has yet to lose a fumble. His ball security this season is much improved and he looks more like the back the Steelers expected in the 2008 draft.
2. Defense Never Rests
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A year after the Steelers defense couldn't force a turnover to save themselves, they are finding playmakers in increasingly surprising places.
This week, it was a Brett Keisel fumble return for a touchdown (the first of his career) that iced the game for the Steelers.
A defense that was so poor in virtually every phase last year is not only healthy this year, but is also looking more opportunistic. They've forced nine fumbles (recovering six) and picked off six passes.
That's 12 turnovers in three games. When you win the turnover battle, you usually win the game.
The Steelers' defense continues to stifle the running attack and they've been much better this year at preventing big pass plays. While some fans may scoff at them allowing completions between ten and fifteen yards in the middle of the field, they have to recognize that the Steelers have yet to be burned by a huge play.
In a year when the team was expected to lean on it's usually staunch defense, Dick LeBeau's boys have taken it up a notch from their unbelievable 2008 performance. That, folks, is a scary thought.
3. Holding That Line
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Sometimes, one player can make all the difference.
Last week, with Jonathan Scott and Tony Hills attempting to hold down the all-important left tackle spot, the Steelers struggled to move the football on offense.
This week, with stalwart Max Starks back in his spot, the offensive line that has continuously been maligned as mediocre or worse didn't allow a sack for the first time in recent memory.
Sometimes, that one player makes a difference. But also, the offensive line system adopted by Mike Tomlin and Sean Kugler has been a huge boost.
In case you have no idea what offensive line system I'm talking about, I'll explain.
The Steelers are routinely rotating linemen in and out of the game. Doug Legursky, for example, started in place of injured right guard Trai Essex. Backup lineman Ramon Foster also played a significant amount at that spot. Scott rotated into Starks' and right tackle Flozell Adams' spots as well.
All of this rotating kept the players fresh in the heavy heat of Tampa in late summer.
This could pay huge dividends down the road as well. The Steelers should consider doing this in every game. As the grind wears on, it will keep their linemen fresh and give them a better chance of being healthy and ready come (gasp!) playoff time.
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4. 60 Minute Man
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Entering the season, everyone was questioning whether or not second year pro Mike Wallace could step up and fill the shoes of former Steelers wideout Santonio Holmes.
How about now?
Wallace is a huge threat. He is starting to draw the double teams because of his speed. It's nearly impossible to play up on him because if he gets behind you, he can run away and be at the end zone waiting for the football.
He made Batch, making his first start since 2007, look great. He also seems to have learned about catching tipped balls, something no Steelers receiver not named Hines Ward has been able to do for years.
Wallace's speed is what makes him a big threat. His hands and route running, which are both improving, can make him a star. He's certainly on the road with his first 100 yard effort of the season and two touchdown catches to go with it.
The Steelers need to make more use of Wallace's speed too. If Batch, with what is universally labeled a poor arm, can make throws to Wallace, imagine what strong-armed Ben Roethlisberger can do with him once he returns.
5. A Batch Of Good Plays
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Raise your hand if you predicted that Batch would throw three touchdown passes and look every bit as comfortable running the offense as we're accustomed to seeing with Roethlisberger.
No one thought this was coming. Sure, a lot of people (not including myself) thought that Batch would be steady and more effective than the injured and deposed Dennis Dixon. But no one was thinking he would look like that.
You can throw out the two interceptions if you ask me. Aquib Talib made a marvelous play on the first one when Mike Wallace ran the wrong route. The second one came in garbage time on a pass that honestly shouldn't have been called in the first place.
Batch more than made up for those picks with three touchdowns, some unbelievable mobility, and a general calmness that made the offense run more smoothly.
If Batch doesn't start the game against the Ravens in Pittsburgh this weekend, Mike Tomlin should have his head examined. Whatever you think of Byron Leftwich, you have to respect that Batch earned the start next week.
That and the fact that Leftwich couldn't have made some of the plays Batch made should keep number four on the bench.
Winners and Losers
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Here are your Pittsburgh Steelers winners and losers from Week 3's action:
Winners
Batch: Could there be a bigger winner? The physical embodiment of the underdog on this team, no one thought Batch could do anything, let alone play at the highest level in an unlikely battle of undefeated teams.
Bruce Arians: Mark this down. I'm going to give him credit. He called a good game on Sunday. He mixed the pass and run very effectively and kept Tampa Bay off balance. His effective use of the deep ball sprung the sturdy Mendenhall. He also made the best use of Batch's ability to read defenses.
Keisel: He scored his first touchdown ever to ice the game. That's great news for a player who, like Aaron Smith, tends to fly under the radar when it comes to Pro Bowls and discussions of the best defensive linemen in the league.
Max Starks and Doug Legursky: Starks proved how vital he is to the team's chances by not allowing a sack. Legursky, an unheralded backup, proved he could potentially be a starter for this team and eased concerns about a line that seems beset by injuries.
Losers
Mewelde Moore: I know he's good at a few things. But his jobs are becoming increasingly rare with the emergence of Isaac Redman and Antonio Brown. He won't return many kicks if he can't run fast enough to make them worthwhile and he won't get many third down touches if he drops passes, his supposed forte.
Dixon and Leftwich: Leftwich might never get his big shot now that Batch has emerged from the bottom of the depth chart. Dixon could find himself on injured reserve in another week if the Steelers deem it better to keep the strong-armed Leftwich instead of the quixotic Dixon when Big Ben returns.
Chris Hoke: MCL sprains have a way of lingering, particularly in bigger players like linemen. Hoke's been a stalwart for the Steelers for almost a decade, but he's finally succumbed to injury. He'll miss at least a couple of weeks. For him, it has to be a huge blow.
Tampa Bay fans: If there are any. Your team was undefeated and headed into a game against a team that was also without a loss. Instead of showing up in support of your boys, you let the opposing fans invade and take over the stadium. Very few towns with a 2-0 team would not have sold out their stadium.
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