Leftwich likely Steelers’ starter

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

The competition to temporarily replace Ben Roethlisberger as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback is becoming a one-man race.

Byron Leftwich is handling nearly all of the first-team snaps in practice, a strong indicator he will be the starter while Roethlisberger serves his six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wants to go into training camp with what he calls a “pecking order” defined at quarterback. So far, that’s Leftwich, followed by third-year QB Dennis Dixon and longtime backup Charlie Batch.

With the Steelers practicing only three days a week though June 10, Tomlin seemingly would give far more work to Dixon or Batch if either figured to go into camp as the designated replacement.

Still, Dixon — the least-experienced of the three — isn’t complaining.

“I have no idea,” Dixon said Tuesday when asked if he can win the temporary starting job. “I’ve just got to continue to do what I do best and hopefully that’s enough. Just go out there and get the trust of my teammates day in and day out.”

While Leftwich is running mostly with the starters, Dixon said he’s getting enough time with the top receivers to be comfortable.

“I feel like I’m getting better each and every day, which is a good thing for me,” said Dixon, who has started only one NFL game. “Focus on the little things and big things will follow as far as the playbook goes. As of right now, I feel real good.”

Tomlin doesn’t want players arriving at training camp questioning who will be filling various roles, if only because it will be even more difficult then to get meaningful work for all four quarterbacks.

Leftwich will need considerable work with the regulars during camp because he’ll likely be starting until October. However, Roethlisberger also needs time with the regulars because, once the season starts, he won’t practice with them again until his suspension ends.

“But I can’t be thinking about September in May,” Leftwich said. “I’ve got to take this month to month, day by day, and make sure I’m continually getting better. I’m quite sure they’ll do the right thing.”

The Steelers apparently signaled their plans by trading a seventh-round pick to Tampa Bay for Leftwich.