SB Nation Pittsburgh - Dennis Dixon Named Steelers' Week 1 Starter At Quarterbackhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2010-09-10T17:58:16-04:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/13599722010-09-10T17:58:16-04:002010-09-10T17:58:16-04:00Ward: Steelers Asking Dennis Dixon 'To Just Go Out There And Manage The Game'
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<p>The Pittsburgh Steelers have made the decision to start Dennis Dixon at quarterback at least until Ben Roethlisberger returns from suspension, but his role won’t be as big as Roethlisberger’s typically is.</p>
<p>“We’re not asking Dennis to go out there and win the game,” Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward <a href="http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2010/09/10/can-hines-ward-pick-up-where-he-left-off-a-year-ago/" target="new">told radio show 790 The Zone in Atlanta</a>. “We’re just asking him to go out there and manage the game. So, if he goes out there and converts on third downs, not try to force things and not turn the ball over, we’ll be fine.”</p>
<p>Ward also sees “a lot of Kordell Stewart” in Dixon’s game, which many Steelers fans will either love or hate.</p>
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<p>“One thing I think Dennis brings to the table that’s different from the other quarterbacks is he makes plays with his legs. You can see a lot of Kordell Stewart in him as far as making plays outside of the pocket. He has that capability to take it to the house at any time. But at the same time, he’s still an accurate quarterback. It’s just a matter of getting experience. At some point, a quarterback’s got to be able to get in there and see if he can play, and he’s getting his opportunity this Sunday.”</p>
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<p>Sunday can’t come soon enough.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/9/10/1681574/dennis-dixon-pittsburgh-steeelers-week-1-gameplanScott Schroeder2010-09-08T21:36:01-04:002010-09-08T21:36:01-04:00Byron Leftwich Understandably Disappointed
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<p>Less than a week ago, it was presumed that Byron Leftwich had the upper hand in the competition for the starting quarterback job of the Pittsburgh Steelers while Ben Roethlisberger served his four-game suspension to start the season. Then, in the second quarter of Pittsburgh’s final preseason game, Leftwich’s hopes were dashed when he injured the <span class="caps">MCL</span> in his right knee.</p>
<p>Now, in the aftermath of the unfortunate injury, <a href="http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Leftwich-dealing-with-disappointment/2ae03d2b-797c-42b6-8787-4f3312a1f408?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter" target="new">Leftwich is understandably disappointed</a> and left to wonder what could have been.</p>
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<p>“You ask any player and you hate that. You hate being in the training room, especially when you have the chance to miss the game,” said Leftwich. “We do all this work in the offseason. Everything we do is for Sunday, and to know there is a chance you can’t play, it’s a tough thing to think about. There are only so many opportunities. To not have that opportunity is what makes it tough.”</p>
<p>“It’s disappointing because there is a chance I might miss this one. See how I left myself a chance,” said a smiling Leftwich. “What we do for a living sometimes these things happen. It happened to me in that game. It’s something I will deal with, get better from and heal as fast as possible.”</p>
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<p>Despite understanding the reality of his situation, Leftwich isn’t entirely downtrodden, and hopes he still has some bright days in Pittsburgh or elsewhere in the <span class="caps">NFL</span> still ahead.</p>
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<p>“It’s moving better than I thought it would,” said Leftwich “I never hurt my knee before so I didn’t know what to expect. I am confident I can get back.”</p>
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https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/9/8/1677617/pittsburgh-steelers-dennis-dixon-named-starter-byron-leftwich-hurts-kneeMichael Bean2010-09-08T18:50:22-04:002010-09-08T18:50:22-04:00Heath Miller Ready To Perform Under The Radar Once Again
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<p>Amidst all the unsettling news surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers this offeason, one constant looks to be more steady and reliable than ever: tight end Heath Miller. The Virginia product set career highs in receptions (76) and receiving yards (789) a year ago, and though Steeler Nation didn’t hear his name called too often this preseason, it’s a safe bet that Miller will again be one of the Steelers’ quarterbacks favorite targets. For now, that’s Dennis Dixon, and when Ben Roethlisberger returns, I’d imagine that his production will spike upward sooner rather than later.</p>
<p>Regardless of his statistical output, Miller will go about his business like the consummate professional that he is. In fact, his <a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_698346.html" target="new">quiet demeanor and steady production are traits that his teammates admire</a> in the hulking tight end:</p>
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<p>“You have a better chance of the sun dying out before seeing Heath do an end zone dance,” Steelers left tackle Max Starks said.</p>
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<p>Miller, of course, is flattered by the accolades but isn't letting it get to his head:</p>
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<p>“These guys may be a little biased,” Miller recently said of his teammates, “but I don’t really play to be labeled as the best tight end in the league. I have areas that I can improve on, and I’m trying to be the best end I can be.”</p>
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https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/9/8/1677367/pittsburgh-steelers-2010-season-heath-miller-ready-to-perform-best-tight-ends-in-NFLMichael Bean2010-09-07T16:59:20-04:002010-09-07T16:59:20-04:00Ben Roethlisberger Not Guaranteed To Be Steelers Starter When He Returns From Suspension
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<p>The Pittsburgh Steelers recently named Dennis Dixon their starting quarterback while Ben Roethlisberger serves his suspension, but could he keep the job once Roethlisberger returns?</p>
<p>According to an <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5543326" target="new">interview with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on Sirius Radio</a>, Roethlisberger isn’t guaranteed to be the team’s starter once he’s eligible to return.</p>
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<p>When asked if Roethlisberger would regain his starting job upon his return, Tomlin told Sirius <span class="caps">NFL</span> Radio: “I’m going to dodge that one and not artfully,” according to <span class="caps">USA</span> Today. “I’m not going to back myself in a corner.”</p>
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<p>There probably isn’t much need to read too far into these comments, but it is interesting that Tomlin wouldn’t clarify that Roethlisberger is definitely his starter.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/9/7/1675103/ben-roethlisberger-suspension-steelers-starting-quarterbackScott Schroeder2010-09-07T16:35:59-04:002010-09-07T16:35:59-04:00Issac Redman Will Handle Short-Yardage Carries
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<p>Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin announced recently that backup bruiser Issac Redman would open the season as the team’s <a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_698311.html">short-yardage specialist</a>.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh was one of the worst short-yardage teams last year, failing to convert in critical situations and all too often marching down the field, only to sputter in the red zone and settle for a field goal.</p>
<p>My take on the Steelers’ short-yardage impotence has long been that lead back Rashard Mendenhall was not the problem. Although he occasionally dances too much at the hole and relies too heavily on his spin move, Mendenhall proved decisive enough in situations that called for it last season.</p>
<p>Instead, the issue was lack of adequate lanes in obvious running situations — and occasionally dubious play-calling.</p>
<p>Even still, if “Redzone” Redman proves even <em>just</em> as effective as Mendenhall in short-yardage situations, this could be a good move, simply in the spirit of keeping Mendenhall, who could be more of the offense’s bread and butter, fresh and rested.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/9/7/1675064/issac-redman-short-yardage-goal-line-touchdown-rashard-mendenhall-steelers-touchdowns-redzoneitaintmeeverifso2010-09-06T16:09:58-04:002010-09-06T16:09:58-04:00Dennis Dixon Named Steelers' Week 1 Starter
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<p>The Pittsburgh Steelers have decided on Dennis Dixon as their Week 1 starter, according to the NFL Network's Jason La Canfora.</p>
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<p class="bbpTweet">Coach Mike Tomlin announces Dennis Dixon is Steelers Week 1 starter. Going with Batch would have really been a stretch<span class="timestamp"><a href="http://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/23173499171" title="Mon Sep 06 20:04:20 +0000 2010">less than a minute ago</a> via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://blackberry.com/twitter">Twitter for BlackBerry®</a></span><span class="metadata"><span class="author"><a href="http://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora"><img src="http://a0.twimg.com/profile_images/303785220/La_Canfora_newtwitter_normal.jpg"></a><strong><a href="http://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora">Jason La Canfora</a></strong><br>JasonLaCanfora</span></span></p>
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<p>With Byron Leftwich's recent injury and Ben Roethlisberger suspended for the first four games of the season, the starting quarterback competition until Roethlisberger returned was between Dixon and the 35-year-old Charlie Batch.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/9/6/1673023/dennis-dixon-starting-week-1-pittsburgh-steelersScott Schroeder2010-09-04T16:13:04-04:002010-09-04T16:13:04-04:00Steelers Thinking Batch?
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<p>Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette is <a style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;" href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10247/1085049-66.stm?cmpid=steelers.xml#ixzz0yZC9BFIm" target="_blank">reporting</a> that the Steelers are likely to start Charlie Batch at QB for the team's September 12 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. If this report holds true, then it will mark a bewildering end to one of the most unorthodox quarterback controversies in the history of the NFL.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;">Though Batch has been an incredibly reliable backup for the Steelers (3-1 as a starter), it seemed likely that he would be cut until Byron Leftwich <a style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;" href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10246/1084799-100.stm" target="_blank">sprained his MCL </a>in Pittsburgh's preseason contest against the Carolina Panthers. In a matter of days, Batch has gone from a near certain roster casualty to the probable starter in the team's opener.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;">This is bad news for the young and talented Dennis Dixon, who is likely to be utilized only in situational packages. </p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/9/4/1669851/steelers-thinking-batch-Pittsburgh-team-roster-cut-53-Dixon-Leftwich-TomlinSam Wilmoth2010-09-03T21:54:07-04:002010-09-03T21:54:07-04:00Frank Summers Reportedly Released As Well
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<p>Similar to the news surrounding Kraig Urbik’s reported release from the Pittsburgh Steelers, this one also has yet to be confirmed officially by the organization. But word from running back Frank Summers’ agent is that the <a target="new" href="http://insidepittsburghsports.com/story/agent-steelers-release-frank-summers/29168/">bruising back has also been released on Friday by the Steelers</a>.</p>
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<p>Summers has been released to the practice squad, but according to a source close to Summers, “several teams have already shown significant interest”, the source said.</p>
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https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/9/3/1668715/pittsburgh-steelers-roster-cuts-frank-summers-allegedly-releasedMichael Bean