Why is Charie Batch still a back up

[Vladimir L]

This guy has potential to be a starter and has been sitting low as a back up. A crappy team like the Raiders or Tampa Bay should make an offer for this guy.

[DWinzit]

Fair question, Batch has looked very good coming off the bench for the Steelers the past few years.


When starting with Detroit and in college he was inconsistent and very injury prone. :2cents:

[bubba9497]

Maybe he is comfortable being a backup in Pittsburg

He was roughed up pretty good as a starter in a lot of ways

he gets good money, not a lot of pressure, and is respected and liked by the home town fans, and probably will have many more years in the league as a backup than ever as a starter

and when he comes in and plays well, he is considered a hero in Pittsburg

[Vladimir L]

Batch was treated unfairly in Detroit. He put up good numbers his first two years. His third year was bad but detroit as a team is bad and his last year was solid. If I were startinng an expansion team I would pick him to be my starter. No one wants to be a back up everyone rather will play.

[bubba9497]

No one wants to be a back up everyone rather will play.

not true at all

many players know their roll, and limitations, and would prefer to be a important part of the team, than be the starter and not succeed.

[Vladimir L]

not true at all

many players know their roll, and limitations, and would prefer to be a important part of the team, than be the starter and not succeed.

Many players that are untalented and know they dont have the potential to be a full starter. This guy can succeed and has had success in the past. Hopefully he gets signed by a team next year.

Another guy who is going to be a good starter is David Carr.

[RIDETHEWALRUS]

No one wants to be a back up everyone rather will play.

I disagree, do you believe Betts signed that small contract here because he believes he is going to be a #1 back? These guys make a lot of dough and are frequently happy to be a situational player who still makes a ton of money, lives comfortably and can take care of their family.

Batch is likely in this group. Plus he is 32 years old soon to be 33. No team is going to go after him to lead them. They would want a young buck to grow up with the team.

[Vladimir L]

I disagree, do you believe Betts signed that small contract here because he believes he is going to be a #1 back? These guys make a lot of dough and are frequently happy to be a situational player who still makes a ton of money, lives comfortably and can take care of their family.

Batch is likely in this group. Plus he is 32 years old soon to be 33. No team is going to go after him to lead them. They would want a young buck to grow up with the team.


Betts signed a contract before the season was over. I'm sure when he found out what other players got he wanted to kick himself. Its all about $$$$ in the end.

[InTikiITrust]

Betts signed a contract before the season was over. I'm sure when he found out what other players got he wanted to kick himself. Its all about $$$$ in the end.

No it's not. It's about happiness in the end. Look around the league - guys test the free agent market, realize they're unhappy, and go back to their original team or the team they had the most success with.

[ArmchairRedskin]

Betts signed a contract before the season was over. I'm sure when he found out what other players got he wanted to kick himself. Its all about $$$$ in the end.




Except for the quotes where Betts says some things are more important than money.

[BUCS_FAN6263]

This guy has potential to be a starter and has been sitting low as a back up. A crappy team like the Raiders or Tampa Bay should make an offer for this guy.

Hey man who are you calling crappy? Besides Garcia will tutor Gradkowski untill he retires the Grads will be our QB of the futore and Simms will be selling Big Macs! ( which are now only the original price of 45¢ when you buy a Big Mac meal for the original price offer only at participating McDonalds)

[DWinzit]

Hey man who are you calling crappy? Besides Garcia will tutor Gradkowski untill he retires the Grads will be our QB of the futore and Simms will be selling Big Macs! ( which are now only the original price of 45¢ when you buy a Big Mac meal for the original price offer only at participating McDonalds)I don't know, it doesn't seem like any one was sold on Gradkowski.

With the contract Garcia signed, it will be a few years before a young guy would receive a chance.

And aren't the Bucs still holding a roster spot for Jake the Snake?

[Siven]

Except for the quotes where Betts says some things are more important than money.

Betts probably realizes, he will never be a HOF runningback, so really, why go out and be a journeyman runningback. He can stay in DC, get like 30-40 % of the carries, stay in good health, and still make some nice dough. He could go somewhere, and then just plain old suck. He plays with

A HOF coach
A great offensive coordinator
A promising young QB
A great runningback with whom he shares a fair amount of carries
He is the number 1 receiving back
He plays with a great line with a great o line coach
He has no pressure on his shoulders
He is well liked
A Big market team
A team, that honestly, has the players and the personnel to actually make a run at a SB
He probably likes the area


etc etc etc

[Switchgear]

I think the single factor keeping Batch from being the starter is his mother's hair.

http://extrapoint.typepad.com/the_extra_point/images/charlie_batchs_mom2_4.jpg

Seriously, they'd have to show it on tv more often if he starts.

[Dan T.]

He could probably do okay as a starter. But Batch seems the ideal back-up - he always seems to produce coming in as a reliever.

The best gig in the world for a laid-back football player has to be back-up quarterback to an iron-horse starter. The money's great and there's no heavy lifting. Even practices are a piece of cake. The starter gets all the work with the first string, the third string guy runs the scout team plays.

Remember Don Strock? He had the best tan in the league backing up Dan Marino in Miami. He always looked - I don't know - RELAXED on the sidelines holding the clipboard.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

No it's not. It's about happiness in the end. Look around the league - guys test the free agent market, realize they're unhappy, and go back to their original team or the team they had the most success with.

That's happened, like, twice. And one of those two teams was triggered a large-scale sex crime.

It's always about money.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

Reasons Batch is a backup in Pittsburgh:

1. It's a role he is suited for.
2. He is incredibly injury prone.
3. He is from Pittsburgh.
4. He is paid fairly well.
5. The team recognizes the value in having a good backup.

[ouvan59]

2. He is incredibly injury prone.

That was the point I was going to make. Even when he was playing well in Detroit he was also dinged. He's a heck of a backup but I wouldn't want him as my starter particularly since he's already 33 years old.

[BUCS_FAN6263]

I don't know, it doesn't seem like any one was sold on Gradkowski.

With the contract Garcia signed, it will be a few years before a young guy would receive a chance.

And aren't the Bucs still holding a roster spot for Jake the Snake?

No just a snake hole

[Riggo#44]

I think the single factor keeping Batch from being the starter is his mother's hair.

Seriously, they'd have to show it on tv more often if he starts.


You might be on to something - I mean this might explain Kurt Warner's precipituous downfall:

http://www.sptimes.com/News/013100/photos/sup-brenda.jpg

[CM916]

I think he got shafted in terms of playing time last season. They let a delerious semi-conscious guy single-handedly lose to the Raiders with Batch on the bench the whole time.

[pjfootballer]

He didn't go to a high profile college (Eastern Michigan) and played against teams in the MAC, which do not match up with Big 10, etc.

In Detroit his best completion percentage was 58% and his best TD's were 13. His best yards were 2400. He's just not as good or talented as you think.

Obvioulsy he'd be starting in the league if someone saw that he was an unbeleivable talent, but he's not. He is in the role that suits him. Don Strock made a career out of being a backup.

[Vladimir L]

Many QB hit their prime in their 30's

Burlein, Kurt Warner, Rich Gannon, Warren Moon and Hell we even got a hell out of a year out of Brunnell one year.

[Heidenreich]

Many QB hit their prime in their 30's

Burlein, Kurt Warner, Rich Gannon, Warren Moon and Hell we even got a hell out of a year out of Brunnell one year.

Brunell was a very good QB during his stint in Jacksonville. You're making it sound like he was a complete POS & it was a miracle he performed in 2005.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

Many QB hit their prime in their 30's

Burlein, Kurt Warner, Rich Gannon, Warren Moon and Hell we even got a hell out of a year out of Brunnell one year.

Mark was one of the top five QBs in the league in his 20s.

[Vladimir L]

Brunell was a very good QB during his stint in Jacksonville. You're making it sound like he was a complete POS & it was a miracle he performed in 2005.

Agreed Brunnell was a super star at one point.

However his 2005 season was one of his best seasons and it came when he was old.

[ouvan59]

Many QB hit their prime in their 30's

Burlein, Kurt Warner, Rich Gannon, Warren Moon and Hell we even got a hell out of a year out of Brunnell one year.

While I agree with your general premise Kurt Warner wasn't the best example. His last good year was at the age of 30.

[pjfootballer]

Charlie Beeeatch!!!

[riggins4452]

Well it isn't like the guy didn't get PLENTY of shots.