Big Ben scare a dose of reality for Steelers

All reports indicate the ankle injury that forced Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger to leave practice on a cart Thursday isn’t serious. But it had to put a lump in the throat of Kevin Colbert.

The Steelers’ Director of Football Operations is taking a major gamble by heading into the season with precious little reliable depth behind Big Ben. Byron Leftwich fled town for an opportunity to compete for a starting job in Tampa Bay. That leaves 11-year veteran Charlie Batch, who spent last season on injured reserve, as Roethlisberger’s primary backup.

Leftwich actually played more efficiently than Roethlisberger is several of his five appearances last season, but there’s no arguing the importance of Big Ben’s role in Pittsburgh’s quest to repeat as Super Bowl champs. Batch has thrown just 133 passes in 22 appearances in seven seasons in Pittsburgh. That includes just four starts.

And Batch better be at the ready. The Steelers’ offensive line gave up 49 sacks in 2008 – in part because Roethlisberger fights so hard to keep every play alive. However, that bravado leads to a constant pounding.

Behind Batch is second-year man Dennis Dixon, but the former Oregon Duck is nowhere near being able to lead an NFL offense. At this point in his development, he is being looked at more for a potential Wildcat role – which could land him a spot on the active roster come game days. But Colbert and coach Tom Coughlin certainly don’t want to see Dixon lining up under center for anything more than a few gadget plays in 2009.