Steelers Notes

As I wrote earlier today, the Steelers have signed Byron Leftwich to replace injured backup QB Charlie Batch. After being replaced by David Garrard, Leftwich was released by the Jaguars and then picked up by the Atlanta Falcons. He played in three games for the Falcons, throwing one TD and 2 INTS and racking up a 59.5 QB rating. Batch's QB rating for last season was 52.1.

P Mitch Berger was brought into to provide some competition for Paul Ernster. I did not think Ernster kicked that poorly on Friday night, but competition is beneficial most of the time. Berger has played in only five games since suffering some pretty serious injuries in training camp of '06. "I tore my groin, had my lower abdominal re-attached and had a separated pubic bone," Berger said. "I've been coming off that injury for basically the last year and a half. I'm healthy again. I've been healthy for the last eight, 10 months. I'm just trying to get back in now." YIKES! If healthy, Berger could be a steady, yet unspectacular punter. In 20 punts in 2007, he placed 6 inside the 20, and had only 2 touchbacks. The bad thing is that his average was 40.7 yards, almost three yards shy of his career average.

NT Casey Hampton was removed from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and practiced with the team Sunday afternoon. This is good news for the starting defense.

PSI reports that S Ryan Mundy, the Steelers 6th round draft pick this year, will miss the next couple preseason games. QB Charlie Batch was scheduled for surgery today.

Steelers Sign Leftwich

Byron Leftwich was signed to replace injured backup QB Charlie Batch. Batch broke his collarbone in the first preseason game and is likely to miss a 4-6 weeks. Leftwich came into the league with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but played for the Atlanta Falcons last season. He struggled in his final season in Jacksonville, eventually giving way to David Garrard taking over his starting position. In Atlanta he did not fare much better. He is an average starting QB, but should be a solid backup.