With Charlie Batch expected to miss six weeks of action and Ben Roethlisberger's status up in the air, the Steelers are working on finding quarterback depth.
NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reports the team has begun to make calls, including one to Cleo Lemon. It's uncertain how serious the team's interest level is in Lemon.
Even if Roethlisberger is able to play this week, the team may want another body around to learn the system as insurance. Injured reserve sounds like an option for Batch.
UPDATE: Old buddy Aaron Wilson reports for NFP that Jeff Garcia has also been called by the Steelers. The team is expected to conduct a tryout Tuesday.
Steelers start to make calls about quarterbacks
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on November 23, 2009 12:25 PM ET
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53 Comments 
Latest stories in: Injuries, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Injuries, Pittsburgh Steelers, Top Stories
Latest stories in: Injuries, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Injuries, Pittsburgh Steelers, Top Stories
I wonder if they would put Batch on IR. He could return in time for the playoffs.
Brooks Bollinger will be available after he leads the tuskers to the Championship this Friday. He is the all-time leader in virtually every passing category in the UFL and he has the most wins of any QB in the league.
Has anyone looked into Shawn Morrow at QB? Rumor has it the kid use to light opposing intramural flag football teams up in the greater Pittsburgh area. This message was paid for by the "Shawn Morrow....Still Living In College" Foundation.
We'll give you JaMarcus and your choice of any 3 Raiderettes.
Please, pretty please?
OMG PFT gave credit to NFP?!?!?!
About time since you guys so consistently nab their stories but never give them credit for it like you do for other sites....
Anytime you guys post a story without a link - most of the time you can pop over to NFP and see that they posted the story within the hour beforehand.
And of course by the way you guys always screen my comments about you nabbing their stories and passing them off as your own.
Rosenthal Florio is gonna wag the finger when he reads that you actually credited PFT, much like the time you posted that story with the anti-Giants vibe and Florio was here 10 minutes later to put a pro-Giants spin on your post lol.
As for the Steelers - they are in a tough spot, Garcia is the best bet, he's proven time and time again he can just step in, and the Steelers have really become more of a WCO lately anyway.
At this point, I can't think of anything to do but quote Marge Gunderson in "Fargo":
"Oh I just think I'm gonna barf."
Jeff Garcia in a Steelers jersey! If this happens i can offically say i've seen it all.
Wonder if Tommy Maddox is still available?
I would think the Vikings would kill to get rid of Sage Rosenfels. Stupid trade deadline.
sup Brooks^^^^
I wonder if this will end up helping the Steelers, as much as I hate to say it (since I'm a Bengals fan). A lack of a competent quarterback may force Arians to rely more heavily on the run and they could get back to Steeler football, which could prove especially advantageous in the coming cold winter months. Here's hoping against common sense in the Steelers coaching plans!
Mike Vick!
leatherneck says:
November 23, 2009 12:34 PM
I wonder if they would put Batch on IR. He could return in time for the playoffs
******
If he goes on IR, he can't return for the playoffs.
Cleo Lemon?
Is Quincy Carter on the list, too?
There should be only one call - Jeff Garcia
Garcia or Lemon? I'm no NFL GM, but I'm pretty sure I know who I'd go with.
Jeff George?
Where's Whitlock?
This is the call Jeff George has been waiting for.....
If you are put on IR, you are done for the season. That would include the playoffs, nothing the Stealers need to worry about now.
@shinsnake ...
Never thought you'd type anything reasonably intelligent that would make me smile. Wonders never cease!
Too bad we don't have Leftwich. He did us good and did himself good. Too bad also, he lusted for more (starting job).
Well I'm sure the reason they are considering Lemon as well as Garcia is Lemon would be much cheaper to get than Jeff. Garcia is a veteran, and frankly pretty good, Lemon was not as good (granted it was on an awful team) but if they just want someone to be around I guess Lemon would be the cheap choice. They had good success with Byron Leftwhich last year who was in a similar situation to Garcia. I'm guessing Garcia has to try pretty hard to blow this audition.
I can throw a pigskin a quarter mile. My tapes in the mail - Uncle Rico
The Steelers actually were interested in Jeff Garcia when he originally signed with the 49ers. He would be my choice.
Joe in Toronto, Canada says:
November 23, 2009 12:38 PM
We'll give you JaMarcus and your choice of any 3 Raiderettes.
Please, pretty please?
Now that would be a novalty....three hot chicks in Pittsburg!
The guy in Philly, #7 just sitting the bench. He is going to play for someone else next year anyway and he is cheap. Philly could get a draft choice out of the deal instead of nothing.
Kordell!
hahahhahahhahahahh
I hear Napolean Dynamite's uncle is in the van and heading to Pittsburgh.
# Skip O'Rourke says: November 23, 2009 1:24 PM
The guy in Philly, #7 just sitting the bench. He is going to play for someone else next year anyway and he is cheap. Philly could get a draft choice out of the deal instead of nothing.
Yeah too bad the trade deadline was 5 weeks ago...
I'd call Jeff Garcia, Seneca Wallace, and McConnell (Kevin? I don't remember his first name but he was the 3rd string pickup for the Patriots last season and looked promising in the Pats pre-season last year.)
# Skip O'Rourke says: November 23, 2009 1:24 PM
The guy in Philly, #7 just sitting the bench. He is going to play for someone else next year anyway and he is cheap. Philly could get a draft choice out of the deal instead of nothing.
Great idea. Especially since the trading deadline was 4 or 5 weeks ago.
its past the trading deadline... no picks, no trades.. Vick would need to clear waivers....
that is one of the funniest post i've seen. nice job patsfan1776. LMFAO. too bad you won't be around to comment in the post season...
Vikefanman - I guess all beautiful women come from Minnesota? LOL Maybe you should go back to elementary school to learn to spell "novelty," and get a geography lesson b/c its spelled "Pittsburgh."
Skip: That would be a genius idea if the trade deadline wasn't long gone.
Mark Malone is available!
Whatever happened to Dante Culpepper? I guess Garcia would be better.
How about using the kicker Reed as the QB... if he can throw a football as well as he can throw a temper tantrum in a bathroon... then I smell a repeat (and I'm not talking bout the bathroom either!!)
I bet we get Garcia and Arians looks at his west coast experience and decides to "open up the offense."
What a moron. Who runs a sweep with the backup running back on third and three with the game on the line. MORON!!!!!!
Everyone, I'm sorry for yelling.
I hear you Copes Cabana....I absolutely despise Bruce Arians and how he handles this offense. You have Roethilisberger, Ward, Holmes, Parker, Moore, Mendenhall, Wallace, and Miller and you can't get anything going????? Granted the line is mediocre (at best), but with all those weapons you should still be able to get some points on the board. Ward is part right when he said no matter what's called you have to execute, but it doesn't help the situation when the plays being called and the strategy is absolutely ridiculous. I HATE our OC. And I'm NOT sorry for yelling. FIRE BRUCE ARIANS....after the season of course.
I don't know what will happen though b/c Ben likes being able to take a little control of the offense when he wants and Arians allows him. So he might fight for him to stick around, which would be lame. I don't think it would be very hard to find a more competent OC who wouldn't mind giving Ben as much control as Arians gives him. FIRE BRUCE ARIANS....
I bet Byron wish he could have rode the bench in Pittsburgh, instead of Tampa. what a dumb move.
Playoffs? If they lose Polamalu and Big Ben = their playoff hopes could be nil.
@Vox's Mommy ...
Agree w/you but don't think Tomlin's going to dump him. I love what Fast Willie has produced in the past, but when you have a back who's averaging more than 6 yards a carry (Mendenhall) and one who's averaging around 3 and a half (Parker), why aren't you running Mendenhall??? The last drive against Cincy was insanity. Since when do you go for the whole shebang on four tries when you have two full minutes?? It's just nuts!! Arians has the capability of being a good OC when he wants to be. It's like he has a devil on his shoulder saying "Abandon the run, abandon the run!" And then there's special teams!! Arrrggghhhh!!!!!!
C'mon!
If the choice is Jeff Garcia or Cleo Lemon there is no doubt who the Steelers will call.
Harder to run the ball when no one's afraid of your QB. Just ask the Redskins.
Deb
That's because you're too stupid to realize intelligence unless you agree with it. Don't worry, it afflicts a lot of liberals.
Bubby Brister's on line one...
Byron Leftwich is languishing on the bench in the nightmare that is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He performed well for the Steelers' last season; knows the scheme and the personnel; and would give the team an excellent insurance policy.
If Ben can't go, the team can't go solely with Dixon, but will need a backup.
Leftwich, as a backup, would seem a perfect fit.
# shinsnake says: November 23, 2009 4:26 PM
Deb
That's because you're too stupid to realize intelligence unless you agree with it. Don't worry, it afflicts a lot of liberals.
===================================
Can we get an i.p. ban for this jackass, Florio?
Hey Deb...
I think he calls some good games here and there too, but as a coach you CANNOT be that inconsistent. I actually see NO REASON for Tomlin to not at least keep the possibility open. This guy is our own worst enemy. I will argue that until I'm red in the face. For the sweep call, either Parker or Mendenhall had a better shot at that outside sweep that Moore. Why did we take Mendenhall out after gaining approx 35 yards on 4 carries in OT??? I just don't get it!!! Of course the special teams is absolutely horrid, but with the talent we have on our offense we should be able to overcome one special teams mistake, especially against bad teams. NOW, having said that, we shouldn't have to of course, but we have the players at the skilled positions that we should be able to if need be. It seems like the past two weeks we're playing with no heart or intensity. Where is Joey Porter when you need him?
@Joe in Toronto ...
When it comes to shinsnake, just chalk it up to the source: bigger the mouth, smaller the brain. His rattles like a pea in a paper cup.
@Vox's Mommy ...
Preaching to the converted here. It's not that I don't think Tomlin should do something--I'm just doubting he will. Definitely share your thoughts about Joey. Obviously, we made a good call in moving Harrison to that slot, but it's hard to replace Joey for pure enthusiasm. Just love him to death.
As for defense, I have a problem thinking one guy can have that much impact, but when Troy is out, they're a different team. One of the players made a comment when Troy was out before that indicated LeBeau was holding them back a little. Sounded almost like he was afraid to throw a full-out aggressive rush at opponents w/out Troy to fill in some of the pass-defense gaps. Maybe that's been the problem in the past two weeks and why they seem less intense. It's a big concern if Troy will be out another four. This isn't the time to be conservative on D.
Can they sign UFL guys? I think JP Losman is around there, which is not much but I guess he is better than Lemon or whoever not named Garcia...
Wait, Deb calls me stupid except for one blinding post of intelligence, and you're wanting Florio to ban my ip? Why not ban her IP considering she said the exact same thing I did? Seriously, I know you liberals feel this need to control every conversation and have a consensus where everyone agrees with you, but that's not going to happen with me, I'm just not that dumb.
Jampa,
For some reason, most players in the UFL talk about signing after the championship game on Nov 27th. They must have it in their contract that they can't play anywhere else until after the season is over. There's a couple I could see getting signed like Bollinger, maybe Dede Dorsey, maybe Odell Thurman if a team has a depleted linebacker corps.
"Patsfan1776 says:
November 23, 2009 1:39 PM
I hear Napolean Dynamite's uncle is in the van and heading to Pittsburgh."
Uncle Rio's got a serious arm AND a sweet van, GAH! It's win, win. ; - )