View topic - Steelers backup QB Leftwich in talks with Redskins AND ...

[toomuchmerrilhoge Profile]

http://post-gazette.com/pg/09094/960661-100.stm

...this wouldn't surprise me if Lefty got picked up by the Skins. Considering how well he performed last year against the Skins, Dan Snyder knows he's still got plenty of good years left. Also, I'm sure we could get a high round draft pick from the Skins, who have shown time and time again they are willing to give up in-house development (aka the draft) to go after free agents. Plus, they're still sore for not having picked up Cutler.

I wish we could sign Lefty and keep Batch on the coaching staff...just my $.02

[hschultz Profile]

ummm...he's like a free agent. the deadskins wouldn't have to give up anything to sign him. i don't know why he would go to washington though; i understand they lost out on cutler, but i find it hard to believe they'd tell lefty he'd have anything more than a 'shot' at the starting qb position.

http://post-gazette.com/pg/09094/960661-100.stm

Also, I'm sure we could get a high round draft pick from the Skins, who have shown time and time again they are willing to give up in-house development (aka the draft) to go after free agents.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports the Washington Redskins met with unrestricted free-agent QB Byron Leftwich (Steelers) Friday, April 3, and the two sides are discussing a contract.

Updating a previous report, Jason LaCanfora, of The Washington Post, reports the Washington Redskins told unrestricted free-agent QB Byron Leftwich (Steelers) he would not compete for the starting job if he signed with the team, according to a league source. No offer was made to Leftwich, according to a source.

Ed Bouchette, of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports free-agent QB Byron Leftwich (Steelers) visited with the Washington Redskins Friday, April 3, and the two are discussing a contract.

Ed Bouchette, of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports free-agent QB Byron Leftwich (Steelers) has not received a contract offer from the Pittsburgh Steelers thus far. The Steelers are interested in re-signing him and free-agent QB Charlie Batch.

[hschultz Profile]

If this report is accurate, surely he would stay in the 'burgh as our #2 rather than go to Washington (even if it is closer to home for him).


The Redskins have confirmed a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report that backup quarterback Byron Leftwich visited Redskins Park on Friday. Leftwich, a D.C. native and longtime starter with the Jacksonville Jaguars, spent last season as a backup in Pittsburgh.

Leftwich, 29, worked out for the club and is seen solely as a possible younger and cheaper replacement to backup Todd Collins, 37. The Redskins informed Leftwich that he would not be competing with Jason Campbell during their meeting, according to NFL sources, and made it clear that he would play only if Campbell were injured or ineffective during a start.

The Redskins are offering only one-year veteran minimum contracts to free agents at this time, and made no offer to Leftwich, according to a source. Leftwich, the seventh overall pick in 2003, was once considered a potential franchise quarterback but has received little interest in free agency. Leftwich flourished in a second-half performance against the Redskins in a Monday night game last season and has said in the past that he aspires to start again.

The timing of his arrival here was odd, considering how long Leftwich has been available, and given that owner Daniel Snyder, executive vice president Vinny Cerrato and Coach Jim Zorn spent Friday trying to smooth over relations with Campbell after the team solicited interest in Campbell last week while engaged in deep negotiations to try to acquire Denver quarterback Jay Cutler.

With Collins here, there is a distinct pecking order (although he led the team to the playoffs with Campbell hurt in 2007). The dynamic with Leftwich might be more complicated, given that he is much younger than Collins and has considerably more starting experience (he has started 46 NFL games, Campbell 36). The Redskins operate in a hybrid West Coast offense; Leftwich struggled when Jacksonville implemented that system under Bill Musgrave, a former Washington assistant, and he is a less mobile dropback passer (at 6-feet-5, 250 pounds) who has been more effective in a vertical passing game.

However, signing Leftwich for the veteran minimum would allow Snyder to save more than $1 million with Collins due a $1.9 million salary and a $100,000 workout bonus. He is to make $3 million in 2010 and received a $3 million signing bonus in 2007. Releasing Collins would result in a nominal cap hit, but would save actual dollars.

Collins also has limited experience in a West Coast offense. Although he led the team to the playoffs in 2007, that was under Al Saunders, his longtime mentor. Collins did not take a snap in 2008.

The Redskins hope that No. 3 quarterback Colt Brennan, a 2008 draft pick, will develop into an effective player and are pleased with his progress, according to a league source, but the preference is to have a more veteran presence as the primary backup for now.

[steelcitymetal Profile]

he would play only if Campbell were ineffective during a start.

so lefty'd be playing by week 3?

[IronCity__Man Profile]

My guess is that the Lefty not competing clause is to keep things smoothed over with Campbell who they just met with to discuss them going after Cutler. They will put the best QB on the field.

Leftwich could easily beat out Jason Campbell. I was amazed to hear a stat that past the haflway point in the season Campbell had less than a 30% completion rate for passes longer than 6 yards.

Lefty knows he has a chance in washington over pittsburgh - may be enough for him to leave given equal money

[SteelPower Profile]

If Washington is only willing to give the veteran league minimum salary, the Stillers FO better be on the phone getting the deal done.

[stillthere Profile]

they were discussing this on the radio in DC. He went to an open tryout for local guys who think they may have the NFL in there blood. The Skins didn't know Leftwich would even be there. He is from DC so that makes a little sense but I would be much happier with Leftwich in a Black And Gold jersey.


He is being offered like 650 thousand and like a 50 thousand bonus. If we cant pay him like a million to backup Ben then we are dumb.

[stillgrill Profile]

Lefty is a goof if he thinks he'll be a starter on a successful team. Guess he figures he got his ring & can go for the gusto now, ala Nate W & McFadden. If he played his cards right, he could be Ben's backup for 3-4 yrs at least $1M per, just like Batch was.

[stillthere Profile]

Lefty is a goof if he thinks he'll be a starter on a successful team. Guess he figures he got his ring & can go for the gusto now, ala Nate W & McFadden. If he played his cards right, he could be Ben's backup for 3-4 yrs at least $1M per, just like Batch was.

aren't ben & byron like less than two years apart in age? lefty could become the steelers frank reich and just sign on for the long haul.

[lloydrules Profile]

BL has NO chance of starting here. He DOES have a chance to start in DC. he doesn't want to give up on earning a starting job. The average NFL starting QB makes, like, what, $5,000,000 a year? The avg. back up makes, what, like $750,000 a year? Plus, players at the NFL level don't get there from not liking to play football; these players want to play. Starters play. Back ups not so much. BL wants to play.

Bottom line: He is not back in Pgh if there are any potential spots to earn starting job out there. I think Jason Campbell sucks bad. Another QB who has the arm strength, athletic ability, can make all the throws, big, tall....but just doesn't have the instincts to play the position.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are scheduled to meet with unrestricted free-agent QB Byron Leftwich (Steelers) Thursday, April 9.

[lloydrules Profile]

Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are scheduled to meet with unrestricted free-agent QB Byron Leftwich (Steelers) Thursday, April 9.

Another team without a legit starting QB. Makes sense

[stillgrill Profile]

My gawd Lefty, you would've signed by now if someone wanted you as a starter. Don't be stupid & sign w/ some loser. Take the backup cash from the Stillers & you're gonna see some time since Ben WILL miss time at some pt.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports free-agent QB Byron Leftwich (Steelers) left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers without a contract. The team continues to weigh its options, but it appears unlikely they will sign Leftwich.