Ben Roethlisberger training with Steve Clarkson Quarterback Coach.
This was an Article posted this week at http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/localsports/8-31-Steelers-QB-situation
QB position isn’t a snap for Steelers
By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer, dlolley@observer-reporter.com
PITTSBURGH – Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin enters the final week of the preseason hoping for some clarity in the quarterback situation, particularly with Ben Roethlisberger and who will replace him during his early-season suspension. Numerous reports surfaced Sunday that Roethlisberger will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in New York on Friday to determine whether the quarterback’s suspension for violating the league’s code of conduct policy will remain at six games or be reduced to four. The NFL has confirmed Roethlisberger will meet with Goodell “soon.” With their fourth, and final, preseason game looming Thursday at Heinz Field against Carolina, the Steelers still haven’t received official word. “As far as I know, it’s status quo,” Tomlin said Monday. “I’ve heard nothing. I don’t have any interesting insights to the Ben situation.” Rate This Story: 1 the lowest – 5 the highest * 1 * 2 * 3 * 4 * 5 Current rating: 1 During his suspension, Roethlisberger will not be permitted to have contact with the Steelers after Thursday. Roethlisberger said he plans to work out on his own with private quarterbacks coach Steve Clarkson. Based in California, Clarkson extensively worked with Roethlisberger in the months leading up to the 2004 draft, when the Steelers made him their first-round selection. “I’m going to keep working out and bring my quarterback coach in from California and try as often as I can to just keep the cleats on and throwing the ball,” Roethlisberger said. As for the Steelers’ possible replacements for Roethlisberger during the suspension, the results were not good in Sunday night’s 34-17 preseason loss at Denver. Roethlisberger started the game and completed four of six passes for 67 yards in the first quarter. He was followed by Dennis Dixon, who was 9-for-16 for 94 yards. Dixon threw two costly interceptions – one in Denver’s end zone, another that was returned for a touchdown. “I made progress, but the red zone wasn’t my best effort, and I can take full blame as far as that,” said Dixon, who was getting his first opportunity to play with the starting offense. “There are certain things as communication when it comes to the whole offense. But then again, it’s up to the quarterback.” Byron Leftwich, who shared most of the first-team snaps with Roethlisberger in training camp and during the first two preseason games, played sparingly with the backups, failing to complete any of his four passes. Veteran Charlie Batch, who has seen limited playing time throughout the preseason, completed three of four passes for 44 yards but also threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. “Every step we take, there’s clarity,” Tomlin said. “We continue to push forward towards that. I like the way the men are working. And our preparation ultimately this week will be the final determination.” Odds and end zones Tomlin said he was pleased with rookie center Maurkice Pouncey’s performance in his first start, but he’s not prepared to name Pouncey the starting center over veteran Justin Hartwig. … Inside linebacker James Farrior needed six stitches to close a cut suffered on his forehead when his helmet came off while making a tackle against the Broncos. … Cornerback Bryant McFadden (chest) will not play Thursday night. McFadden is targeting a return for the regular season opener Sept. 12. … Tomlin said rookie Emmanuel Sanders will handle return duties against the Panthers. … The Steelers will reduce their roster by five players today to get down to the NFL-mandated roster limit of 75.
Clausen’s Future Now Up in the Air
Last night’s blockbuster deal sent 6-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donavan McNabb to the Washington Redskins shaking up draft boards around the league. McNabb is certainly not the only one affected in this deal.
Once considered a near-lock to be selected number four by the Washington Redskins, Jimmy Clausen must now reassess the possibilities of where he may land. The former three-year starter at Notre Dame could be selected anywhere from number five by the Kansas City Chiefs or go as late as the second half of the first round.
Clausen to the Chiefs at number five is compelling, as he would be reunited with his former college coach Charlie Weis, now the offensive coordinator there. Making this less likely is the fact that the Chiefs traded away their 34th pick in last years draft to obtain Matt Cassel from the Patriots. With the Chiefs hefty financial investment in Cassel, there is less chance they consider Clausen at the five spot.
The Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns could also be possible suitors for Clausen, holding the 6th and 7th picks respectively. Despite both teams’ need for a quarterback of the future, neither seems particularly keen on drafting Clausen. The Seahawks currently have veteran Matt Hasselback as their starting quarterback, and recently traded their third round pick to the Chargers for Charlie Whitehurst. The Browns could use a young quarterback to learn the ropes from newly acquired veteran Jake Delhome, yet the last time the Browns took a Notre Dame quarterback it didn’t work out too well. All signs from GM Mike Holmgren point towards the Browns going in a different direction.
Clausen appears likely to go in the next the three picks, landing with the Oakland Raiders (8), Buffalo Bills (9), or Jacksonville Jaguars (10). All three teams have already considered trading for a quarterback in the offseason and would have a hard time allowing Clausen to slip past them. Draft day always has a few unforeseen twists and turns though, and there is always the chance Clausen could end up with a team no one envisioned as a potential suitor.
The McNabb trade definitely makes life more stressful for Clausen, who must now hope he doesn’t turn out like his predecessor Brady Quinn, who waited hours on draft day, as team after team passed on him. Time is money in the draft and the longer Clausen sits on the board, the more millions of dollars he will watch fly out the door.
Poll Question
Where do you see Jimmy Clausen being taken in the draft?
a) Oakland Raiders (8th overall)
b) Buffalo Bills (9th overall)
c) Jacksonville Jaguars (10th overall)
d) Other team
Drop us a comment and let us know what you think.
Pasadena DreamMaker event featured on ESPN.com!
The kick-off event of the 2010 Steve Clarkson DreamMaker Tour was in Pasadena at The Rose Bowl. Although conditions were rainy, the Quarterback’s came out in full force. ESPN’s *Tom Luginbill was on hand to check out some of California’s best QB recruits from the event. Tom hand-picked Brett Hundley, Kyle Boehm, Trevor Gretzky, Michael Eubanks and Daxx Garman as the top recruits from the event. You can read the full article on the ESPN site by clicking anywhere on this sentence or on the logo below.
* Tom Luginbill is the National Recruiting Director for ESPN Recruiting.
NEW DREAMMAKER TEASER!
Check out this awesome new Steve Clarkson DreamMaker Tour teaser below produced by DreamMaker Sports & Entertainment.
Follow Steve Clarkson on Twitter!
For those of you who love all things DreamMakers, check out Steve Clarkson on Twitter. Click on the logo below to link to Steve’s page- then follow and receive exclusive updates from Steve himself.
www.twitter.com/SteveClarkson
Next Stop – Orlando!
This week the Steve Clarkson DreamMaker Tour hits sunny Orlando, Florida. This weeks camp is sure to be another amazing event, so click on the link below to register now!
With only a handful of Tour stops left this year, don’t waste time and find a tour stop near you.
DreamMaker Tour 2010 on tour NOW!!!
For all you high school and youth QB’s out there – come check out the Steve Clarkson DreamMaker Tour in a city near you!! These top notch QB training camps prepare you for all aspects of being a top recruit, as well as gain great exposure for you. Link to www.steveclarksondreammaker.com/dreammaker-city-tour.html for city dates near you and check out a video below from a few of our tour stops so far.
Are you talented enough to become one of the Super 7 ? Attend a DreamMakers Tour date and find out!
DreamMaker blog launched!
The Steve Clarkson DreamMaker blog has officially been launched! Check back to the blog to find out the latest information and video clips from the 2010 DreamMaker Tour, highlight reels from the nations top youth and high school QB recruits, and everything else DreamMakers.
Feel free to comment and let us know your thoughts!