Steelers add backup QB Leftwich

By Scott Brown
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Monday, August 11, 2008

Mike Tomlin had just finished briefing the media late Sunday afternoon when he got a call on his cell phone.

The Steelers coach told the reporters who had started to scatter to stick around because he might have an answer to the question on everyone's mind.

A couple of minutes later, Tomlin made it official: Byron Leftwich is the newest Steeler as well the insurance policy at quarterback that the team lost when Charlie Batch broke his right collarbone.

Leftwich started parts of four seasons in Jacksonville and was once considered to be one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the NFL. The seventh overall pick of the 2003 NFL draft gives the Steelers a veteran to back up starter Ben Roethlisberger.

Batch is scheduled to have surgery today and is out four to six weeks.

Leftwich and Daunte Culpepper worked out for the Steelers Sunday, and Leftwich agreed to a one-year deal with the team not long before 6 p.m.
The Steelers had two rookies, fifth-round pick Dennis Dixon and undrafted free agent Mike Potts, behind Roethlisberger before Leftwich signed with the team.

Leftwich already is at St. Vincent and will practice today. The Steelers are hopeful he picks up enough of the offense to play in Thursday's exhibition game against the Bills in Toronto.

"This really doesn't happen too often to get a guy of this quality," Tomlin said. "He had a great workout. He's got a strong arm, he's very lean, looks to be in great shape."

Tomlin did not say whether the Steelers had a choice between signing Leftwich or Culpepper, a three-time Pro Bowler who is also looking for work.

Leftwich, who has completed more than 58 percent of his passes and thrown for more than 9,000 career yards, has ties to the Steelers.

Steelers quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson was his position coach for three seasons in Jacksonville, and Leftwich is friends with Roethlisberger.

Leftwich was released by the Jaguars before last season after David Garrard won the starting quarterback job. Leftwich played three games for the Falcons in 2007 but was cut after the season.

When asked why Leftwich, who is only 28, was still available this close to the start of the regular season, Tomlin said: "Your guess is as good as mine based on what I saw. I'm glad he was there. This guy has been a franchise quarterback for a playoff-caliber team."

Leftwich has battled ankle injuries throughout his career, but Tomlin said he passed a physical yesterday.

Tomlin didn't speculate on how long Leftwich will be with the Steelers -- the team will have a crowd at quarterback if Batch returns when expected.

"Those are good problems to have," Tomlin said. "I think the best thing is (Leftwich) is a Pittsburgh Steeler. We have a level of expectation, he has a level of expectation. Hopefully they meet, and he plays well."

Scott Brown can be reached at sbrown@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.