Falcons catch a break: Steelers must start No. 3 QB (Dixon)
With Ben Roethlisberger (center) suspended and Byron Leftwich (right) out, the Steelers must start the inexperienced Dennis Dixon (left).
Any game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, especially on the road, qualifies as a significant test. But the Falcons may be opening the season against the weakest starting quarterback they’ll face all year.
The Steelers announced Monday that Dennis Dixon will start Sunday’s opener against the Falcons. This follows the offseason suspension of Ben Roethlisberger (fortuitous timing for the Falcons) and the recent sprained knee suffered by backup Byron Leftwich.
Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin had two choices: 1) Start Dixon, a former fifth-round draft pick who has started one game in two seasons; or 2) Go with 35-year-old Charlie Batch. Dixon’s athletic skills and the fact he was the more impressive of the two in the preseason won out.
The last regular season pass Dixon threw was intercepted by Baltimore in overtime and set up a deciding field goal in a 20-17 loss to the Ravens. He was starting for Roethlisberger, who missed the game with a concussion (as opposed to during this offseason in Milledgeville when he only acted stupid). Dixon went 12-for-26 in the game.
Roethlisberger, meanwhile, has been stripped of his team captaincy.
I just went down the list of other quarterbacks they will face this season. They are Drew Brees (New Orleans, twice), Aaron Rogers (Green Bay), Joe Flacco (Baltimore), Carson Palmer (Cincinnati), Derek Anderson (Arizona), Matt Hasselbeck (Seattle), Alex Smith (San Francisco), Jake Delhomme (Cleveland), Kevin Kolb (Philadelphia), Matt Moore (Carolina, twice), Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay, twice) and rookie Sam Bradford (St. Louis).
We can debate the merits of the few of those quarterbacks, but none were expected to be their respective team’s third string quarterback. For the Falcons, this opener is on their defense.
If the Falcons hope to have a successful season – and success means nothing less than a playoff berth – this is not a game they can afford to give away.
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131 comments Add your comment
mmgtfan
September 7th, 2010
12:12 am
First
mmgtfan
September 7th, 2010
12:13 am
YES! Schultz I know this is a Falcons blog but do you think Boise deserves a shot at the National Championship
Jeff Schultz
September 7th, 2010
12:16 am
MMGTFAN — at 1-0? No. At 12-0? Get back to me when they’re 12-0. I realize this makes great conversation now but that’s all it is.
kgb
September 7th, 2010
12:19 am
It’s a mistake to assume that the Steelers are impotent without Ben. This will be a tough game and the rest of the Steelers will be out to pick up the slack. If the Falcons go in overconfident based on who starts at QB then they may get surprised.
Jeff Schultz
September 7th, 2010
12:22 am
KGB — I hear ya. The other Steelers can try to pick up the slack but they don’t play quarterback. Eventually they’re going to have to move the ball and score.
kiffin basher
September 7th, 2010
12:27 am
Birds Fly High, Falcons Win! That will be the headlines.
Dixon can pose a threat with his feet more than his arm but hopefully he throws a few picks and the Falcons roll.
30-10 Falcons
Supes
September 7th, 2010
1:12 am
Falcons for the win! It’ll be a low scoring ugly game.
PMC
September 7th, 2010
1:48 am
yeah I don’t know if this is a good break. We know what Leftwich and Batch can do and what they can’t. Both need a Jazzy Scooter to get around in the pocket We don’t know what Dixon can do really in the air… but he can freaking fly.
PMC
September 7th, 2010
1:49 am
We also don’t know if Robinson is healthy enough to cover Mike Wallace on deep balls. If we sell out against the run… can we trust our CB’s Deep on Play Action?
BigGAdawg
September 7th, 2010
2:03 am
PMC, I agree that we would probably have been better off against Leftwich. As we know from his days in Atlanta he is pretty much a statue. Good arm but NO feet or legs. I have continued to be amazed that he even has a job as a NFL QB. I think he would have been easy pickings.
Reid Adair
September 7th, 2010
2:06 am
The status of a few quarterbacks on that list is certainly debatable, but you’re right, Jeff. None of them was expected to be the proverbial clipboard quarterback.
There comes a point when offenses have to throw. They cannot run it every single play.
Jen
September 7th, 2010
3:15 am
Dennis Dixon meet Kroy Beirman….goodnight Denny.
Falcons roll
kiffin basher
September 7th, 2010
3:33 am
I can’t believe Boise won. VT had all the chances in the world and didn’t pull it out. Now if they get by Oregon State you might as well print their tickets to the National Championship game. That is sad…. if they were even in the weak ACC they would have several L’s. Put them in the SEC and they would be an Arkansas or South Carolina caliber at best, maybe even more Kentucky or Mississippi (Bama was that one “p” or 2?) State.
By the way doesn’t it look sweet the way teams are going to light up Kiffin’s secondary this year?
Greg
September 7th, 2010
6:00 am
I would 100X rather we were facing Batch than Dixon. Dixon has looked amazingly sharp throwing in the pre-season, and when he runs he looks almost exactly like #7. The Pgh. fan base, at least those who comment on the Steelers website, have been overwhelmingly in favor of starting Dixon.
JSS
September 7th, 2010
6:07 am
SEC smes-e-c, Ole Miss got “Meechigan-ed” by Jacksonville State and you’re still trying to discredit other conferences!
I’m no fan of BCS Division 1 programs for just that reason. You whiners sound like the British and Confederates always talking about past glories… It ain’t 1942, 1957, or 1980 anymore! Yeas indeed, I certainly used the word “ain’t!”
Chris
September 7th, 2010
6:15 am
Shows that you really don’t know anything. As a Steelers fan, I’m confident that Dixon gives us the best chance to win. Atlanta has shown an inability to defense mobile QBs. Would I rather have Ben as my every day QB? Absolutely. But Dix is the much better choice of the remaining three. Limit mistakes, and we’ve got just as much of a chance to win as Atlanta does.
Larry
September 7th, 2010
6:17 am
The Steeler’s game plan will be simple: their coaches will challenge the manhood of their defense and offensive line! They will expect their defense to shut down the Falcon’s offense; they will expect their offensive line to get physical with the Falcon’s somewhat smallish defensive line by running, running and running some more. If successful, this will take away the pressure from Dixon and limit his passing necessity; if successful look for a much closer game than circumstances would suggest.
Were I the Falcon’s defensive coordinator, I would absolutely attack and blitz with 6-7 men on every single play with the intent to more pressure and tackle Dixon, not to pressure and sack–similar to how Tampa Bay used to easily defend a similar Michael Vick (corral him!). Play close to the line, man on man, with the defensive backs.
The Pittsburgh Home field Pride will come out with their players having a “we will prove we can win without Roethlisberger attitude–this will be a war that the Falcons had better be prepared to fight mentally and physically!
JSS
September 7th, 2010
6:23 am
And in another piece of delicious irony, you people act like Dixon has never played an NFL down. Sorry, PNC and the Sensei Dick LeBeau will have his back… I’m no Mularkey basher, you have to try to win with what they give you to work with (Mike Jenkins and Sam Baker)… But, the Falcons did catch a break as Schultz pointed out when Arizona comes to town. Derek Anderson, give me a break, he’s the new age Joey Harrington!
Scott Anderson
September 7th, 2010
6:30 am
If Leftwich would have started the Falcons win this game.
Now that Dixon has been named, I am somewhat worried about this game.
Falcons inablility in the red zone is not good.
Falcons WRs a concern.
Turner getting hit in the leg and going down like a rock, a concern.
Dunta Robinson playing his first real game, a concern.
Falcons will be lucky to win this game.
Pitt could run it down their throats.
Reggie
September 7th, 2010
6:32 am
Steelers catch a break: Falcons must start a No.3 QB posing as a No.1(Matt Ryan)
Sports Review
September 7th, 2010
6:43 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
SimpleDawg
September 7th, 2010
6:52 am
I wouldn’t put this win in the bank just yet.
Let’s wait and see if we can score any points when it counts…..
….and let’s see if the defense can catch Dixon before he has a chance to make plays with either his arm or his legs.
NES
September 7th, 2010
6:53 am
Well Jeff, it doesn’t matter who will start for Pittsburgh, that team will bring its “A” game of ball control and its fiery defense against the Falcons, do you think they will roll over for us? Jeff, talking about Steelers must score points with the QB, what about the Falcons? One (1) touchdown in 4 preseason games-laughs! Don’t think preseason doesn’t matter as it usually shows teams’ weaknesses even though playing vanilla offense and defense. This game will be physically tough on the falcons no matter who the QB is, Steelers will bring the Blitz on Ryan on every 2nd-3rd down and long and blanket Gonzo. Best hope R.White doesn’t drop any balls in this game as he should be the difference in our passing game. All this being said, gotta like the Falcons chances, the falcons caught a break with Steelers QB situation — prediction is Falcons 17-13!
NES
September 7th, 2010
7:04 am
Also, here is some Play-Calling advice to Mularky, use the two tight end set with both Gonzo and Palmer on some of the obvious passing downs. With two sure-handed catching TE in game at the same time that will put pressure on Steelers’ LB coverage, somebody should be open as long as Ryan will check down to second or third option especially with this combination along with White and Douglas! One problem though, Ryan sometimes only will look for Gonzo to get the first down on third and long, defenses are toughening coverages on Gonzo, look at the last game a year ago, Gonzo couldn’t get open for that 1000th catch, had to wait til this year. Still, should be year of the Falcons!
mowreck
September 7th, 2010
7:04 am
Kiffin, Boise State can beat ANYONE in the SEC, including Alabama. They have a Football Team!
p.s. Va. Tech is loaded this year. They probably won’t lose another game.
You must NOT have watch the game last night.
Bryan
September 7th, 2010
7:04 am
Surprised you didn’t mention Dixon as a former Atlanta Braves outfield prospect. Play rookie ball for us.
FalconUGAFan
September 7th, 2010
7:09 am
@JSS Not trying to pick a fight..just curious..do you ever make a point without bashing someone else’s point of of view?
My thought is whoever is QB for the Steelers really doesn’t matter. This year we better bring our “A ” game every week. I think the Saints are still hungry for more and if we want in the playoffs we better earn every win.
Manny
September 7th, 2010
7:23 am
I would think that Dixon can get rattled into making mistakes. But I think that the biggest advantage will be against their corners. They are very weak.
This game is a “Should-win” game.
suwaneefalcon
September 7th, 2010
7:25 am
If we can not stop their run, then it will not matter that Dixon is the qb. Stop the run and we win this game in a low scoring affair. Defense will dominate on both sides of the ball.
mowreck
September 7th, 2010
7:25 am
I know this is a Falcon blog. I am a Falcon fan. But, I think they are overrated and overranked by the media and their players.
Jeff, in your contest, how come we don’t get to see your picks every week?
Manny
September 7th, 2010
7:29 am
Oh, Boise State can probably beat Vanderbilt in the SEC. Boise State let Va Tech score 30 points against their defense. And Boise State pushed Va Tech’s defensive line around. You think they would do that against Georgia? Or South Carolina? Or Alabama?
VA Tech is the biggest competition that they will face this year. The only other ranked team they play this entire season is Wyoming. Virginia Tech played a lot of freshmen. Their lineup was depleted. Yet they still hung in there and only lost by 3 points.
People, Boise State simply isn’t that good of a football team. They are an above-average ACC team. They are Kentucky in the SEC.
Joey
September 7th, 2010
7:32 am
Dixon is a much, much more dangerous QB than Leftwich. I watched Leftwich for years at Jax, and he’s been slow-footed, and inconsistant his whole career. The Steelers must keep paying him cause he knows the offense.
Jeff Schultz
September 7th, 2010
7:49 am
PMC — You’re right that Dixon is a bit of an unknown. He can run, but that might be it. Bottom line is when you’re projected to be #3 it says something about readiness. But we’ll find out.
Helmet Head
September 7th, 2010
7:51 am
I don’t care if they’re starting Jaybo Shaw at QB, the Steelers will be favored in any home game against Falcons. Any game. Any season. Any talk that this is not a game Falcons can afford to “give away” is pure folly. Hold a $10 bill up in the air and offer to give Steelers straight-up in this game and see how many folks take the bet. I know I would.
Jeff Schultz
September 7th, 2010
7:52 am
Chris — You just said, “Limit mistakes . . .” Well, yeah. But isn’t that always the key when started a third-string guy with one start under his belt? That’s the point.
Dr. Warren
September 7th, 2010
7:52 am
We saw Leftwich up close and personal here. I would rather have played against him—the guy looked like he moved in slow motion. Dixon is a wildcard. That kind of fleet-footed qb can kill you with some big plays that build his confidence early. But Mike Smith seems to keep his team strong mentally/emotionally, so we’ll get a clear picture of how good the defense is. The Falcons have a real good chance to be 1-0.
Jeff Schultz
September 7th, 2010
7:56 am
Bryan — You’re right. Dixon was drafted out of high school (by the Reds) and Oregon (Braves). Played rookie league ball before his senior season at Oregon but didn’t fair too well (.176) and went back to play football.
Jeff Schultz
September 7th, 2010
7:57 am
MoWreck — My picks for last week should’ve been there. I haven’t done my picks for this week yet.
bob
September 7th, 2010
7:58 am
The road win they can’t let get away.
Helmet Head
September 7th, 2010
8:04 am
Yikes. Just saw Falcons favored by 2 1/2. Looking for that $10 and a street corner to stand on.
Native Georgian
September 7th, 2010
8:06 am
Pittsburgh -home of more Lombardi trophies than anyone else- and their mgmt and braintrust have looked at both Dixon & Leftwich for over a year and UNANIMOUSLY selected Byron over Dixon.
That alone tells me all I need to know about the QB situation in PIT.
Now the defense (Polamalu, ooooh) is another story. Gotta gear up for that matchup!
Sid
September 7th, 2010
8:09 am
Falcons 20 Steelers 10
will
September 7th, 2010
8:11 am
if the falcons didn’t have the saints in their division, this weekend’s game against the steelers wouldn’t be as crucial as it is, but still, the falcons are playing at home, against a 3rd string qb, in the season opener…c’mon…falcons roll easily…24-6
Sid
September 7th, 2010
8:16 am
Hey Will, the game is in Pittsburgh…………….
Only acted Stupid?
September 7th, 2010
8:20 am
In my dictionary, Ben is a sexual predator that need to be on the list of sexual predator so everyone can be on the lookout. Give me a break, he childish, stupid. This is a grown man and this was not his first act, his has had the money to pay people off, botton line is his luck will soon run out and he’ll pay for the damage done to these 2 young ladies.
Kennesaw Falcon
September 7th, 2010
8:27 am
This is still a Steelers game at their field. They are loaded with talent. So we better show up with our chinstraps tight and be ready for a war. We can beat them but that is exactly what we will have to do, beat them. They won’t roll over, be sure of that. This will be a very good test for the birds. We should know more about what they are made of after this game.
Chris
September 7th, 2010
8:28 am
It’ll be run left, run right, run up the middle. Then playaction pass after Dunta gets tired of being blocked by Hines.
Falcons might win. They probably should. But the Steelers aren’t Ben. Ben isn’t the Steelers. Troy is back, and his hair is now insured. He’ll light it on fire and make some big hits. Falcons by 2.5 really means a touchdown at PNC. I don’t think the Falcons are a TD better than the Steelers, even without Ben. I don’t trust Flozell, though. Probably going to have to bring in Heath to chip at least, and that might cut down on effectiveness.
Falcons win, unfortunately, probably 21-17. It’s certainly not going to be easy.
juice sourcer
September 7th, 2010
9:02 am
I would not underestimate this Dixon kid….lot’s of talent.
PTC DAWG
September 7th, 2010
9:13 am
Luck not involved…Stillers have a LOSER of a person for QB, Falcon’s do not.
JR1967
September 7th, 2010
9:19 am
Steelers 24 Falcons 20-the Steelers are more than Big Ben and they will find a way to get it done on Sunday.