PFT: Skins Sniffing Around Leftwich

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by Mike Florio on April 4, 2009, 1:40 p.m.

The Washington Commanders tried to land quarterback Jay Cutler. It didn’t happen.

So as they try to rebuild their relationship with current starter Jason Campbell, they’re flirting with yet another signal-caller.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Steelers free-agent quarterback Byron Lefwich visited the ‘Skins on Friday, and a contract is being negotiated.

Leftwich, a top-ten pick of the Jags in 2003, was abruptly cut by Jacksonville only eight days before the start of the 2007 season. He landed in Atlanta that year, then won a Super Bowl ring as Ben Roethlisberger’s backup in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers reportedly would like to bring him back, but he has been on the market for more than a month.

In Washington, Leftwich would enter a depth chart that includes veteran Todd Collins and second-year pro Colt Brennan. Leftwich’s presence likely would set up a showdown between himself and Collins for the No. 2 spot on the roster, with an outside chance that Brennan will win the backup job, and both Leftwich and Collins will be cut.

For Leftwich, playing in D.C. would be his first exposure to the West Coast offense, and it makes sense for him to spend as much time as possible in the offseason learning the attack.

 

[Idgit]

He's a big-time Skins fan, isn't he?

 

[Mansta54]

He's a big-time Skins fan, isn't he?

Yep, I think he's from this area....

 

[CATCH17]

I can't believe a lot of these teams aren't going after Leftwich.

Dude can play.

 

[slick325]

Yep, I think he's from this area....

Yep, he went to H.D. Woodson.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Considering they just tried to trade Campbell, I think they're bringing him to compete with Campbell, not Collins.

 

[OAM]

I can't believe a lot of these teams aren't going after Leftwich.

Dude can play.

Absolutely. If he can't win the starting job he sure can help elevate Campbell's play by creating real competition. This would be a good move by Washington and Campbell isn't the type of QB that can show he's not willing to compete. So repairing the relationship?

Campbell is the one that has to prove himself. He's had a fair amount of time to do that. Anyways, it's the Skins, I hope Leftwich doesn't go there. Like their present QB situation the way it is.

 

[TNCowboy]

Considering they just tried to trade Campbell, I think they're bringing him to compete with Campbell, not Collins.

That's what I was about to post.

I'd say his condition anywhere he goes is that he be given the chance to start.

He's not a great player, but he's proven that he can win in the NFL

 

[wileedog]

Considering they just tried to trade Campbell, I think they're bringing him to compete with Campbell, not Collins.

Maybe I'm just misunderstanding the WCO, but I would think if you are running it you would be looking for a guy with excellent pre-snap recognition, quick decision making, a fast release and excellent accuracy, esp. hitting guys in stride.

Both of the these guys are QBs who take an eternity to set up, go through reads slowly, wind up like a major league pitcher, and while either of them can rip the intermediate and long stuff they struggle hitting the short throws in stride.

What am I missing?

 

[Kaika]

Didn't I read a short while ago that Zorn had a father son talk with Campbell, (so to say) about the confidence they have in him while they were trying and failing to get Cutler.

And now they're trying to get Leftwich( who I think is a better QB than Campbell) to play for them?

This kids gotta be wondering .:laugh2:

 

[dmq]

Maybe I'm just misunderstanding the WCO, but I would think if you are running it you would be looking for a guy with excellent pre-snap recognition, quick decision making, a fast release and excellent accuracy, esp. hitting guys in stride.

Both of the these guys are QBs who take an eternity to set up, go through reads slowly, wind up like a major league pitcher, and while either of them can rip the intermediate and long stuff they struggle hitting the short throws in stride.

What am I missing?

Actually I thought a key would be mobility. Leftwich certainly doesn't have that.

 

[kmp77]

Didn't I read a short while ago that Zorn had a father son talk with Campbell, (so to say) about the confidence they have in him while they were trying and failing to get Cutler.

And now they're trying to get Leftwich( who I think is a better QB than Campbell) to play for them?

This kids gotta be wondering .:laugh2:

No, they know he's too dumb to catch on! :laugh2: :laugh2:

 

[the kid 05]

Considering they just tried to trade Campbell, I think they're bringing him to compete with Campbell, not Collins.

But Zorn is behind Campbell

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I can't believe a lot of these teams aren't going after Leftwich.

Dude can play.

He's got a cannon for an arm, but he's slow getting into the pocket and has a huge windmill throwing motion that he won't get rid of, so you need a deep throwing offense with good protection for him to work. He played great against the Skins last year, who have had an abysmal pass rush for quite some time. Him in the Skins WCO is really laughable.



YAKUZA

 

[Yakuza Rich]

But Zorn is behind Campbell

Behind him saying 'damn this guy sucks!'




YAKUZA

 

[Monster Heel]

Gees. I wish the Cowboys had given Leftwich a run instead of Kitna and we could've kept Anthony Henry to boot. Although I guess that could've screwed with our potential comp picks.

 

[jackrussell]

Actually I thought a key would be mobility. Leftwich certainly doesn't have that.

Mobility is not an issue.

[youtube]U-jzYMSiNHQ[/youtube]

 

[dbair1967]

I can't believe a lot of these teams aren't going after Leftwich.

Dude can play.

No he cant, and thats why Jacksonville gave up on him after spending a high 1st on him, and why basically nobody is giving him a chance in a league where quality QB play is a premium.

He's massively overhyped in this forum for some reason, but he is a painfully average player.

 

[dbair1967]

Gees. I wish the Cowboys had given Leftwich a run instead of Kitna and we could've kept Anthony Henry to boot. Although I guess that could've screwed with our potential comp picks.

Glad you dont run the team then.

Henry needed to go, and he was going to be released anyway. We got a nice backup QB for a guy who had no future here.

 

[BnGFever]

Pretty fair assessment from you CZers. I'm impressed =)

I'm not sure what this means. While I believe campbell should be nothing more than a capable backup, I'm really not sold on leftwhich. His throwing motion is just too long for this offense, which is the same problem I have with campbell, only...leftwhich's is even longer than campbell's. Collins is 37, and if we can land leftwhich for vet minimum + incentives, and he plays well, we could cut collins with virtually no cap hit and have a capable backup while brennan develops.