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Leftwich Stays Calm In Trying Situation

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By HOWARD FENDRICH

The Associated Press

Published: November 5, 2008

LANDOVER, Md. - Two things popped into Byron Leftwich's mind when he got word at halftime that he would be replacing an injured Ben Roethlisberger as the Steelers' quarterback.

One was: Forget about listening to Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin's locker room speech, I need to head out onto the field and warm up my arm.

The other thought? "I truly don't know the offense yet."

Well, he knows enough.

Coming in after Roethlisberger got banged up on a 1-yard touchdown sneak late in the first half Monday night, Leftwich led two scoring drives, and Pittsburgh's defense shut down Clinton Portis and intercepted Jason Campbell twice in a 23-6 victory over Washington.

"No stage or situation is too big for Byron Leftwich," Tomlin said. "He's got that eerie calm about him under all circumstances."

Leftwich, a 2003 first-round draft pick, started 46 games for Jacksonville and Atlanta before signing with Pittsburgh in August. He went 7-of-10 for 129 yards, including a 50-yard completion to Nate Washington that set up Willie Parker's 1-yard TD run in the third quarter, and threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes in the fourth.

Roethlisberger aggravated a slight separation in his shoulder that has hindered him much of the season. After the game, neither Roethlisberger nor Tomlin had much to say about the QB's status.

Before exiting, Roethlisberger was only 5-of-17 for 50 yards with an interception, part of a generally dismal first half of offense for both teams.

The difference, though, was that Pittsburgh's defense was relentless throughout.

The AFC North-leading Steelers (6-2) sacked Campbell seven times and ended his franchise-record streak of 271 passes without an interception, a run that dated to last season.

"When the team that they're playing has to throw," Redskins coach Jim Zorn said, with admiration in his voice, "they just kind of put the warrior bandana on - and here they come."

Pittsburgh also limited Portis to 51 yards on 13 carries, ending the league-leading rusher's streak of five consecutive games with at least 120 yards.

"We were hoping to go out and play our football, play smash-mouth football," Portis said. "Instead, we got smashed."

The margin of defeat was by far their biggest this season for the Redskins (6-3). They head into their bye week needing to figure out why they're having so much trouble finishing drives.

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