On April 2, we listed for SportingNews.com five moves that should be made. Though the suggestion that the Colts should sign Chargers left tackle Marcus McNeill to an offer sheet took on a life of its own in San Diego, none of the deals had occurred.
Until now.
The Steelers have traded for quarterback Byron Leftwich, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. In return, the Steelers gave up only a seventh-round pick.
Leftwich presumably will compete with Dennis Dixon for the Week One starting job. Leftwich also provides insurance in the event that Roethlisberger runs afoul of the terms of what is now expected to be a conditional suspension, with a hefty number of game (six or eight) potentially reduced to, say, four if he stays out of trouble.
Leftwich also would help round out a decent depth chart, in the event the Steelers trade Roethlisberger.
Leftwich joined the Steelers in 2008, after Charlie Batch broke a collarbone while running with the ball in a preseason game. The seventh overall pick in the 2003 draft appeared in five games for the Steelers, generating a passer rating in excess of 100 and winning a Super Bowl ring.