Byron Leftwich
When Big Ben’s situation first arose, Pittsburgh had no choice but to protect itself at the position, first by retaining long-time backup Charlie Batch, then acquiring Byron Leftwich from the Bucs.
Many thought Batch or the athletic Dennis Dixon would get to fill Roethlisberger’s shoes once his suspension was announced, but as of now it looks like Leftwich will be leading the team out come week one.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter called Leftwich the favorite to command the offense for the first four-to-six weeks, and, as Schefter puts it, it’s “his job to lose”.
Leftwich was running with the first-team offense at the Steelers recent mini-camps and practices, so Schefter’s not going out on a limb too much, but I personally thought Batch would get the nod.
Figure the Steelers to run, run, run the ball until Roethlisberger returns to action.
