Steelers Sign QB Leftwich, Punter Berger to Deals

[.GR]

The Steelers filled two injury-created needs Sunday by reaching agreements with quarterback Byron Leftwich and punter Mitch Berger.

Leftwich

Leftwich signed a one-year, $605,000 deal to join the Steelers. Because he signed for a minimum exception contract, the deal will only count $445,000 on the Steelers salary cap. Leftwich was chosen over Daunte Culpepper, who also visited the Steelers Sunday. The need for a backup quarterback was created when backup Charlie Batch suffered a broken right collarbone Friday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. Batch is expected to be sidelined four-to-six weeks. The reason the Steelers picked Leftwich over Culpepper is because Leftwich felt more comfortable with the role the Steelers were offering. Ben Roethlisberger is the starter and Batch is expected to be the backup when he gets healthy again. Culpepper was hoping for a chance to compete for a starting job. Berger agreed to a one-year, $830,000 contract. Punter Daniel Sepulveda suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season. The Steelers claimed Paul Ernster on waivers from Detroit last week. Berger's deal will only count $445,000 against the Steelers salary cap. Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

 

[Grandy28]

So Culpepper was never signed?

 

[Pugz]

I'd now like to see the Lions go after Daunte.

 

[Balzary]

I'd now like to see the Lions go after Daunte.

I'd love to see them do after Pennington

 

[Pugz]

I'd love to see them do after Pennington

Yea same here, but didn't he sign with the 'Phins?

 

[Grandy28]

Yea same here, but didn't he sign with the 'Phins?

Yes and Daunte is a bum. I don't know what you see in him. He isn't going to re-gain his Viking form anytime soon.

 

[A.E]

So Culpepper was never signed?

Yes...which means that story we were all arguing over earlier in fact was bullsh*t.

 

[.loggie]

im still pissed the lions didnt pick up Culpepper, Leftwich on the other hand has gotten so slow and unmobile.

 

[.GR]

Yes...which means that story we were all arguing over earlier in fact was bullsh*t.

Not really. They still signed LEftwich

 

[Grandy28]

Why does all the Lions fans besides myself want to pick up Culpepper?

He wouldn't start ahead of Kitna plus Stanton is developing.

 

[A.E]

Not really. They still signed LEftwich

That makes half of it true.

 

[yezzir]

Yeah I saw this earlier today too. So much for that earlier report that included culpepper, but yeah this makes much more sense.