Menudo Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 The signing of Batch was a no-brainer once Leftwich signed with the Bucs. I would have loved to have kept Leftwich around, but, Batch has been very serviceable in his backup role. The release of Gary Russell is very surprising, and it wouldn't surprise me if something happened that we are unaware of. Russell was used in special teams and as the short yardage running back. It makes no sense that they would just release him at this time.....very odd. RB Russell released; 4 more visit Friday, April 17, 2009 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Gary Russell, who scored the first touchdown in Super Bowl XLIII, was released by the Steelers yesterday in a surprise move. Russell made the Steelers as an undrafted rookie in 2007 and became their short-yardage running back midway through the '08 season. He rushed for 77 yards on 28 carries in the '08 regular season and scored three touchdowns. His most important score, though, came in the second quarter of the Super Bowl when he ran 1 yard for a touchdown to give the Steelers a 10-0 lead over the Arizona Cardinals. He previously lost 4 yards when he was tackled in the backfield on a first down at Arizona's 1 on the first series of the game. Those were Russell's only two carries of the Super Bowl. He also scored a touchdown from 1 yard in the fourth quarter of the Steelers' 35-24 playoff victory against San Diego. The Steelers gave no reason for his release. The team also officially announced the signing of backup quarterback Charlie Batch to a one-year contract. He will receive a $745,000 salary and a signing bonus of $50,000. • NOTE -- Four more college players visited the Steelers yesterday: wide receiver Travis Shelton of Temple, linebacker Spence Adkins of Miami, Fla., quarterback Nate Davis of Ball State and guard Andy Levitre of Oregon State. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 Russell was claimed by the bengals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 For a guy that has thrown about 100 passes as a Steeler for the last six years, Batch is making a rather nice living holding a clipboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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