Decision to keep QBs helps Steelers

Their top two receivers were also quarterbacks in college.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers' preseason decision to retain experienced quarterbacks Tommy Maddox and Charlie Batch as backups has paid off.
With all the injuries the Steelers have suffered behind center, it probably helps Coach Bill Cowher sleep knowing his top wide receivers -- Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El -- were quarterbacks in college. Before this season ends, they may be needed to take some snaps.
Whether they like it or not, the Steelers' third and fourth stringers are in the spotlight as Cowher estimated it might be weeks before Batch can play.
"Right now, it looks like I'm number two," Randle El said early Monday after the Steelers had defeated the Cleveland Browns, 34-21, to tie Cincinnati for first place in the AFC North.
Big Ben might play
Starter Ben Roethlisberger is nursing a knee injury suffered two weeks ago against the Ravens. He might play this Sunday in Baltimore against the Ravens.
Sunday, Batch started his second straight game and completed 13-of-19 passes for 150 yards.
But in the second quarter on Ward's reception that broke the Steelers' career record, Batch broke the pinkie finger on his throwing hand when it banged against a Browns helmet as his arm followed through.
"I stepped up into the pocket and got looped around," said Batch, who continued to play for two series. "Taking a snap was the toughest part."
Batch threw eight more passes as the Steelers scored 10 points in the final 2:16 of the first half.
Maddox comes on at halftime
At halftime, Maddox, who is coming off a shoulder injury on his throwing arm, was told he was going in for his first action since he threw a game-ending interception against the Jaguars on Oct. 16.
"They talked about [inserting me on] the drive right before the half," Maddox said. "[Batch] was OK in the [shotgun] but he really couldn't take a snap under center because it hurt his hand.
"I'm close to 100 percent," Maddox said. "Anytime you have a game where you don't play well, you want to get back out on the field. I think sometimes that's the hardest thing in the position I'm in, that you don't get that opportunity. It felt good to get back out there."
Maddox did get some boos from the hometown crowd.
His role is familiar to Steelers observers -- don't do anything to lose the game. Roethlisberger operated under the same game plan when he took over for Maddox in 2004.
Best throw of the second half
The Steelers' best throw of the second half was by Randle El on a reverse as he hit Ward for a 51-yard touchdown and 24-7 lead.
"It's something we've worked on in practice," Randle El said. "We got the corner to bite just enough to get it over his head and get Hines into the end zone. I still have my arm -- I thought I had overthrown him but he said he took off and dug a little bit. "
Ward said the play "was set up the week before [vs. Green Bay]. We ran the first play of the game where Antwaan came around -- I threw a huge block during that reverse.
"We tried to set it up the same way -- I came down and tried to block the safety. Their corner thought we were running the reverse again, so he bit on the run and left the safety on the inside of me."
Surpasses Stallworth
Ward caught eight passes for 124 yards and surpassed John Stallworth's 537 for the Steelers career record.
Ward said Browns defensive end [and former teammate] Orpheus Roye was the first to come up to him after the record-breaking catch.
"He said, 'Whoever would've thought the guy who played special teams -- a flyer, a gunner -- would become the all-time reception leader?'
"It meant so much for me personally, because considering everything that I've been through, like being a third-round pick, overcoming two first-rounders drafted in front of me, playing on a predominantly run-oriented team, having all the naysayers doubt me -- saying I'm not this tall, or I'm not this fast," Ward said.
"I kept working my tail off to put myself in this position," Ward said. "But I never would've thought of me breaking the record, especially in only my eighth year, in front of my family, my fans, on national TV, against the Cleveland Browns -- it's always good when you can beat Cleveland. The whole city seems to run well on Monday.
"This was the way I wanted it -- win, get the record -- it was a perfect night."
williams@vindy.com