PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 03: Byron Leftwich #4 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass against The Washington Redskins during their game on November 3, 2008 at Fedex Field in Washington, DC. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, Md. -- Watching the Steelers play football these days has been like observing two teams.
The league's top-ranked defense provides excitement, bone-jarring tackles and instills the entire team with confidence.
Lately, the offense has performed at such a low level that you couldn't wait for the defense to retake the field.
Until Monday night, that is.
The Steelers needed a spark against the Washington Redskins that didn't come from their defense holding the Redskins to 66 total yards in the first half, or their special teams unit blocking a punt that gift-wrapped quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's 1-yard touchdown sneak right before halftime.
The Steelers needed the offense to do more than dig another hole for the defense. The Steelers needed the offense to stop being offensive. The offense needed ... Byron Leftwich?!?
What did Leftwich's second-half spark mean to the Steelers in last night's 23-6 win at FedEx Field? Only everything.
With Roethlisberger in the locker room because of a right shoulder injury, Leftwich led the offense onto the field to open the third quarter in his first meaningful action of the season.
Roethlisberger, who suffered the injury late in the first half, returned to the sideline but did not go back in the game.
All Leftwich did was guide the Steelers on a 72-yard drive covering eight plays and culminating in Willie Parker's 1-yard scoring run.
To put the drive in perspective, the Steelers manufactured 90 yards total offense in the first half.
Washington's defense wasn't expecting Leftwich, who had attempted a total of 14 passes entering the contest.
No matter. On first down from the Steelers 39, Leftwich, who allegedly has little or no mobility, dodged blitzing linebacker Rocky McIntosh in the pocket before stepping up and launching a 50-yard bomb to Nate Washington.
Three plays later, Leftwich made another big play. Facing third-and-7, Leftwich reloaded and tossed an 8-yard pass to running back Mewelde Moore to sustain the drive. Parker's scoring run on the next play was a mere formality.
As Leftwich left the field, coach Mike Tomlin greeted him in celebration before he could reach the sideline.
Leftwich did more than simply manage the game. He energized the offense against one of the league's better defenses.
It was one thing for Leftwich to try not to lose a 10-6 lead and the game. It was something altogether different for him to direct the offense on two lengthy touchdown drives, turning a four-point lead into a 23-6 advantage in the fourth quarter.
The two scoring drives averaged 10 plays and 74.6 yards, as Leftwich exhibited patience with the running game and short passing game while also throwing the long ball with accuracy.
If nothing else, Leftwich's perfomance makes the Steelers that much stronger at quarterback. Every team needs two good quarterbacks, and the Steelers certainly have that.
Roethlisberger is the man. It's his team, his offense.
What Leftwich's performance last night showed the Steelers is that the man behind the man can more than hold his own.
John Harris is a sports writer for the Tribune-Review. He can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.
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