How far has Byron Leftwich fallen?

Question

Once a very good starting QB at Jacksonville, Leftwich has fallen pretty hard. I don't know if its because of injuries or not, but he just does not seem to have it anymore. Once Jacksonville decided to run with Garrard, I felt that he could start over and make a big splash somewhere. But he was a bust in Atlanta, which surprised me. Now he is in Pitt where he looks completely lost. What happened to him?

Answer 1

I wonder why he looked lost, o wait, he was in the system for literally 4 days.

There's no way he could learn a whole offence in such a small amount of time, and he still did ok

And the Bills are deep.

It's looking like he is destined to be a back up. Im sure he would still be ok given the right circumstances but in the NFL, you dont have the time to wait and you cant choose.

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong with Leftwich the only reason he was let go by Jacksonville was because they went with a more mobile QB now his problem in Atlanta was the O line do you remember Vick running for his life. Then he got hurt and let me tell you something I am glad Pittsburgh has him because we are going to need him this year oh did I tell you that I am a stealer fan any way he will be all right  

Answer 3

the steelers must feel differently. his opening performance was pretty bad (i believe 5-11, 40 something yards and a fumble). i believe that they picked him up believing that if he can revive his career that they will have the best QB depth in the league with Rothlisberger, Dixon and Leftwich if he shapes up.

Answer 4

I wouldn't characterize him as a "very good" starting QB for the Jaguars.  He was a "very good" QB during his college days at Marshall.  I like Leftwich though, and his story shows the dangers of playing injured and it also shows how important it is for NFL quarterbacks to have a throwing motion with a quick release.  QBs with slow releases can get by just fine in college, but they usually don't succeed in the NFL (examples: Leftwich, Troy Smith).  Leftwich has also been very willing to play injured, even at the risk of worsening his injuries, and doing this for years has robbed him of much of the mobility he had in his earlier college days.

Answer 5

Leftwich didn't have a chance in Atlanta.

Coming into that terrible situation right after the Mike Vick thing and an offense that just stinks.

That whole team is in disarray.

If he would have kept his mouth shut and his attitude under control he would still be in Jacksonville.

But he wanted to act like he was some kind of franchise, hall of fame QB and now he is paying for it.

I look for him to be gone in a couple years, his ankles are shot.

Answer 6

Wow, a back-up QB on a team that is a perennial contender. That doesn't sound like a big drop to me. I'd be willing to bet that there's about 100 players that would kill to be a second team player in the NFL.

Answer 7

Byron Leftwich is a victim of an ever changing football league. Yes, he was the man at Jacksonville, however, injuries by him and other key players prevented him from succeeding. Plus you need to remember, just like Garrard, Leftwich didn't have a go to receiver to throw to.

The situation in Atlanta was a train wreck to begin with. The only receivers who were steady and consistent was Joe Horne and Alge Crumpler even though he was a TE. The rest of those guys dropped crucial passes all of the time. They had no offensive line, so they had a very hard time running the ball. The Head Coach turned his back on the team, and the organization didn't support Mike Vick. The fact that he's in Pittsburgh is a blessing. Because they said he's lost some weight and his knee is in great shape now. Yeah he's the number 2 QB, because he's got Charlie Batch's spot for now. He'll continue to get strong and prepare himself for next season because Big Ben isn't going out of the game.

Answer 8

He got hurt and beaten up. He has a long windup which gives the defense more time to get to him. He's tough, but he has taken a lot of punishment in a short time. He's now damaged goods.

Answer 9

it's called a QB that is complete garbage. He never established a game in jacksonville either. i have jag season tickets and garrard is the better qb by a mile.

I see leftwich in arena football next year

Answer 10

people it was one pre season game he has only been a Steeler for not even a week he will be fine give the guy sometime to learn the play book god do you know how long it takes to learn a whole play book like 3-6months