Leftwich Wins Throw-Off With Culpepper

Pro Football Talk had it half right. The Steelers did sign Byron Leftwich on Sunday, but they left Daunte Culpepper sitting out on the free agent market.

The two veterans had a throw-off to compete for the spot, with the Steelers coaching staff choosing the younger Leftwich over Culpepper.

It wasn't that long ago that Leftwich was giving Pittsburgh all kinds of problems. Talent-wise, he could end up being an upgrade over Charlie Batch (who should be back after six to eight weeks), but Batch is credited for being a player who serves a coaching role as well. And while Batch is injured now, Leftwich also has some injury issues--he's never been healthy for a full season.

But he is one of the better backup quarterbacks you could ever find during the preseason. Normally teams are left trolling for the Vinny Testaverde's and Kelly Holcomb's of the world. In Leftwich, Pittsburgh has a quarterback that you could believe in if Roethlisberger suffered a long-term injury (so is Batch for that matter).

The Steelers also reinstated Casey Hampton from the physically unable to perform list, having decided that the mammoth nose tackle has lost enough weight to put on pads.