Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterbacks

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have to start the season with someone other than their starting quarterback under center. Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for 6 games for violating the personal conduct policy under Roger Goodell. Though it looks as though it will be Byron Leftwich, some people want Dixon to have a chance.

Bryon Leftwich Steelers

The Steelers singed Leftwich shortly after they knew that Roethlisberger was going to be suspended. Leftwich returned to the team where he received a Super Bowl ring as a back up after a dismal year in Tampa Bay. Leftwich proved in 2008 that he could manage the Steelers offense and is a very capable field general in Ben's absence. He is slated as the starter for the first 4-6 weeks of the season.

Steelers Dennis Dixon

Dixon was a Heisman hopeful at Oregon and is a hopeful NFL quarterback. After Saturday's preseason performance, some fans and reporter think he should have a fair chance to start in place for the Ben during his suspension.

Dixon did show promise last season as well in his start against the Baltimore Ravens. But promise and potential is one thing. This is a temporary starting job that could have playoff implications. Though it is better to lose early than late, no team wants to be behind the eight ball early.

Dixon does have one attribute that Leftwich doesn't - mobility. He can run and elude the rush attack. That could come in handy if the offensive line has the same problems as the last few years.

Ben Roethlisberger Latest News

Ben Roethlisberger was suspended by Commissioner Roger Goodell a couple months ago for a total of six games for the upcoming 2010 NFL season.  Goodell alse required Roethlisberger to under go a behavioral evaluation before returning to the team and participating in organized team activities or OTA. 

Behavioral Evaluation

Rothlisberger completed the required behavioral evaluations a few weeks back. Today, Commissioner Roger Goodell officially allowed Big Ben to report back to the team. We still don't know what the evaluation determined about Rothlisberger, and never will be. This evaluation is part the NFL trying to help one of its own. Whether it was determined if Roethlisberger needed counseling or not, we will probably never know unless Big Ben starts skipping sessions.

Suspension

It is widely suspected that the six game suspension that Goodell levied on Roethlisberger will be reduced to four games. The schedule definitely makes you believe this as well. Week five is a bye week for the Steelers, which would give Ben an extra week of practice before the Steelers' fifth game.

The schedule makers knew what they were doing while figuring out the night games too. Whether Big Ben comes back in four games or not, he will be available for their first prime time game of the year. The seventh game of the year is the first of 4 national televised games. The NFL might be harsh on suspensions, but that doesn't mean they will let it hurt their marketing efforts!