Charlie Batch stand ready and competitive to replace Big Ben on Sunday – NFL News
Pittsburgh Steelers Charlie Batch stands ready to replace their fulltime quarterback Ben Roethlisberger any moment of their game against the Cleveland Browns and his performance in the St. Louis Rams speaks of his competence to play well at the starter position.
Roethlisberger known as the Big Ben took snaps in the practice session on Wednesday but has not been confirmed to join his team for their weekend game against the Browns.
"Charlie likes to chuck it," wide receiver Antonio Brown said. "You know he wants to get it out of there and let us go to work."
Batch managed to pass for 208 yards in the Rams game and played his role in their plays that were converted into gains for the Steelers to make sure they come out with the must win.
The side had lost their game against the San Francisco 49ers a week earlier and were in a must win situation to tie the score with their divisional rivals at 11-4.
In absence of their star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger it looked all too difficult for the Steelers. However, Batch played well into their win and was apparently lauded by the fans for his performance.
"People were telling me later they could hear it through their TV," Batch said of the fans chanting Charlie Charlie. "I was like, `really, OK, pretty good."
His supporters were joined by Big Ben himself who came out full of admiration for the 37-year old Batch playing at his position.
"For an old man ... making people miss in the pocket and doing some great things, I was really happy for him and happy for the team," said Roethlisberger, who dressed but did not play so he could rest his badly sprained left ankle. "He did a great job."
This week game may well be Batch’s last game with the Steelers if Roethlisberger sits out due to his ankle injury. He has been nursing his injury for almost past three weeks.
Despite that he took part in practice with his teammates on past Wednesday there is no official confirmation from either coach or team management if he will be playing the Steelers’ game on the weekend.
The coach Mike Tomlin however has set hopes on the Ben’s return for their next game, saying his side will wait for the player until very last minute before start of the game.
In any case the Steelers can be comfortable with the fact that they have another competitive starter the Charlie Batch to replace him effectively at the quarterback position.
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