Charlie Batch will (hopefully) be our new backup QB

[tombonneau]

I had heard rumors he might be cut due to his injury. Now its heating up. I'd love for the Pats to sign him; I thought he was one of the top backups in the league ...

PIT - QB Leftwich Could Push Out QB Batch

Source: Ray Fittapaldo, Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Despite joining the Steelers a few weeks ago, backup QB Byron Leftwich has made a solid case for himself to become the permanent backup to starter Ben Roethlisberger. QB Charlie Batch, the backup since 2002, underwent surgery to repair a broken collar bone and won't be available for at least a few more weeks. The decision to keep three or four quarterbacks (rookie Dennis Dixon appears to have the No. 3 spot locked up) is the question. "Based on what [Leftwich] has done to this point, there is comfort," Tomlin said of Leftwich, who will play most of the first half tonight against Carolina, if not more.

 

[bradmahn]

Uh, you do know he has a broken collarbone, right?

I can say with almost all the confidence I can possibly have in such a situation that Batch is not going to be a Patriot and certainly not as a replacement for Cassel as top backup.

 

[tombonneau]

Yes, obviously I know that. It is why Pitt will cut him; they don't want to wait for him to heal and like their other backups. His injury is supposed to be fine in 4-6 weeks. But it's more about getting him on the roster than needing him during that timeframe.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

i just threw up a little in my mouth....charlie batch? explain please

 

[wdkantro2]

He's hurt and he has no experience in our offense. No way.

 

[bradmahn]

Yes, obviously I know that. It is why Pitt will cut him; they don't want to wait for him to heal and like their other backups. His injury is supposed to be fine in 4-6 weeks. But it's more about getting him on the roster than needing him during that timeframe.

Getting him on the roster would be a waste of a spot, in my opinion, for at least 4-6 weeks. He doesn't solve the backup "problem" and you have to cut one of the backend players just to sign him, something I can't really justify considering how difficult it's appearing to look even with that extra one spot.

 

[tombonneau]

i just threw up a little in my mouth....charlie batch? explain please

Obviously you didn't watch him play in Pitt when Big Ben was hurt. He fared quite well and is one of the league's better backups.

Getting him on the roster would be a waste of a spot, in my opinion, for at least 4-6 weeks. He doesn't solve the backup "problem" and you have to cut one of the backend players just to sign him, something I can't really justify considering how difficult it's appearing to look even with that extra one spot.

As far as a roster spot, obviously Cassel & Guitteriz would be gone in this scenario. The vet backup problem is solved in the longrun and in the short term you just hope the unspeakable doesn't happen.

 

[Angry Man]

Thanks but NO thanks on Charlie Batch.

 

[tombonneau]

He's hurt and he has no experience in our offense. No way.

Pennington & Favre had no experience in either of their new offenses, and both look to be starting Week 1.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

Obviously you didn't watch him play in Pitt when Big Ben was hurt. He fared quite well and is one of the league's better backups.

i have seen enough of him over the years to still hope he doesnt become a patriot. sorry. maybe he did well backing up big ben, but that was about it for his highlight reel.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Pennington & Favre had no experience in either of their new offenses, and both look to be starting Week 1.

That's because the Dolphins and JETS both believed they had NO VIABLE STARTER. That may still turnnout to be the case.


If Batch is cut it will likely be with the wink and nod understanding that he will be resigned once Byron implodes trying to impress in one of Ben's predictable absences. He will want to stay in his comfort zone, which is a very different offense than the one we run. Once the season starts it is very hard to get a veteran enough reps to learn an offense or develop any semblance of timing with personnel because all the reps go to the starter. That is why except under extreme duress teams don't generally pick up a veteran backup to be anything more than a #3 presence once the season starts.

 

[Dagg]

Umm no thanks he is horrid(and fragile), approach Culpepper and entice him with a rinig for low $.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

If a vet backup QB is desired (not sure that it is) then I'd rather grab David Carr who is rumored to be a possible cut.

 

[Disco Volante]

I'd rename the thread to "I'd like Batch as a backup QB" as this title leads the reader to believe an article with a source speculating Batch might be a possibility is in the topic.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

If a vet backup QB is desired (not sure that it is) then I'd rather grab David Carr who is rumored to be a possible cut.

ive always thought that carr could be a good qb again. i think he just had too many hits with the texans.

for the person who suggested cullpepper....................heeeeeeeell no!

 

[bradmahn]

As far as a roster spot, obviously Cassel & Guitteriz would be gone in this scenario. The vet backup problem is solved in the longrun and in the short term you just hope the unspeakable doesn't happen.

Why would you take such a ridiculous gamble? Do you really think O'Connell could step in and start in an emergency?

The reward (a hurt, aging, relatively ineffective Charlie Batch) is not worth the risk (Brady injured, O'Connell losing the first three starts of his career, and the Patriots have to sign the Corpse of Vinny Testaverde to fill in because they can't afford to begin the season 0-4 or 1-4).

I can't imagine Belichick gambling with the most important position in football just so he can sign Charlie Batch before he's healthy.

 

[tombonneau]

ive always thought that carr could be a good qb again. i think he just had too many hits with the texans.

for the person who suggested cullpepper....................heeeeeeeell no!

David Carr is the worst QB in the NFL. Did you see him play for Carolina last year? He is an embarrassment to the league. (And that's without even getting into his hair cut ...)

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

David Carr is the worst QB in the NFL. Did you see him play for Carolina last year? He is an embarrassment to the league. (And that's without even getting into his hair cut ...)

he did ok against us

 

[VJCPatriot]

I don't see it happening because Batch isn't healthy. Any vet we pick up needs to be healthy and ready to learn the offense.

 

[wdkantro2]

Pennington & Favre had no experience in either of their new offenses, and both look to be starting Week 1.

Yeah, they got to those new offenses more than a week before the season though. And it's become quite apparent over the years that every aspect of the Patriots system is a little tougher to learn than that of other teams.