Charlie Batch is scheduled to become a free agent this week. I hope the Steelers resign him and keep him as the backup to Big Ben. Tommy Maddox needs a change of scenery the same way Rosie O'Donnel needs a salad. Badly. After taking over for Kordell Stewart and leading us to the playoffs in 2002, Tommy Gun was the talk of the town. I don't have to repeat his story here, but it was a good one, going from selling insurance to the NFL again. Tommy's game seemed to mimic the Arena Football League though...it was mostly throwing to places and praying the receivers would be there. It was all on quick drops and throws. Well, in year two of his rebirth the defensive coordinators around the league caught up to him and he was abysmal....leading us to a 6-10 record. I know the line was banged up that year, but he made very poor decisions all year. After Ben proved to be the savior of the franchise in early 2004, it seemed like we didn't need both Maddox and Batch backing him up even this year. Batch looked better than Tommy (marginally as they both looked bad) this season while Ben was out with his knee and he is also 3 years younger. Charlie can also still move around in the pocket a little while Maddox still looks like Peyton Manning could take him in a race. This seems like an easy decision to make: money, youth and speed are all on Batch's side plus he is from Homestead and we know the Rooney's like their homeboys. To fill out the squad with QBs they will probably either sign an undrafted rookie free agent or bring back Brian St. Pierre at the league minimum salary. With St. Pierre's years of service going up - don't be surprised if the take the undrafted free agent route. Besides, in an emergency if Ben and Charlie both get hurt - all they have to do is call Prudential and ask "Is Tommy there?".
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