Nov 19, 2005 By Alan Robinson Ap Sports Writer 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – As the offensive linemen walked into a Steelers quarterbacks meeting for a game-simulation drill, the room seemed more crowded than usual. There was Ben Roethlisberger, injured and not expected to play Sunday in Baltimore. And backup Tommy Maddox, who will start three weeks after being No. 3 on the depth chart. And Charlie Batch, the starter last weekend who is sidelined with a broken bone in his right hand, plus practice squad QB Rod Rutherford.

But why was wide receiver Antwaan Randle El in the room?

“El broke the huddle and all the linemen turned around and looked at him, so it was pretty funny,” Maddox said.

The thought of pressing a receiver into duty as an emergency quarterback might not make many NFL owners and coaches smile but, to Randle El, the idea isn’t as preposterous as it might seem.

“I’ve got all the confidence in the world in my ability,” said Randle El, an NCAA record-breaking quarterback at Indiana. “I know all the offense. It’s just a different perspective when it comes to playing quarterback. It’s just again getting the trust of them.”

With Roethlisberger and Batch hurting, Randle El is ready to play quarterback if an in-game injury occurs, and there is some precedent for it in team history.

Tony Dungy, now the Colts’ coach but then a Steelers defensive back, filled in at QB in a 1977 game against Houston with Terry Bradshaw and Mike Kruczek hurt – making an interception but throwing two while going 3-of-8 for 43 yards. He is the only player since the NFL merger in 1970 to throw an interception and make one in the same game.

The most famous example of a position player being thrust into a quarterback’s role came in 1965, when Baltimore Colts halfback Tom Matte started two important games after Johnny Unitas and Gary Cuozzo were injured.

Calling plays written on a wristband – possibly the first such use of what now is a familiar tool for young QBs – Matte led the Colts past the Rams to force a playoff with Green Bay for the Western Conference title. Matte nearly got the Colts into the NFL title game, only to lose to the Packers 13-10 in overtime after a disputed tying field goal by Don Chandler.

While Randle El is in his fourth season as a receiver, he still considers himself a quarterback and is annoyed when it’s suggested it would be a folly for him to play QB in the NFL.

Randle El was the first QB in Division I-A history to throw for more than 6,000 yards and run for more than 3,000, totaling 11,384 yards with 86 touchdowns. Randle El was also the first major college player to throw for at least 40 touchdowns and run for 40. Missouri’s Brad Smith has since accomplished both feats.

And guess which NFL player has the highest passer rating?

No, not Roethlisberger, but Randle El after throwing a 51-yard scoring pass to Hines Ward on a wide receiver option pass Sunday night against Cleveland. Randle El’s last two passes have gone for touchdowns, and he also had a 43-yard run on a reverse two weeks ago in Green Bay.

Randle El has a passer rating of 158.3, the highest possible. So does San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who has completed all three of his passes this season for touchdowns.

Not that Roethlisberger thinks Randle El is a serious competitor for his job, even though Randle El took one snap from center in the Browns game.

“We’ve always said that if it comes down to Antwaan, oh, watch out,” Roethlisberger said. “But Antwaan’s one of those guys who can go out and make plays. He’s probably not a guy that you’re going to go, “Wow, he’s a guy I could lose my job to.’ But he’s a guy who will go out and get it done if he has to. So it will be interesting if it comes to that – but I hope it doesn’t.”

Because the cornerbacks are so fast and the NFL game so physical, Randle El said it would be impossible for a team to run the college-style option as a full-time offense – no quarterback could stay healthy.

But given his speed and playmaking ability, Randle El thinks the Steelers’ offense would be better off in his hands than those of some of the league’s least-accomplished quarterbacks.

“I know coverages and can read defenses, and I’m able to make a play when it breaks down,” he said. “I didn’t have the best protection at Indiana, but when I had to make a play, I’d make a guy miss and throw the ball downfield – still keep the play alive and still be able to complete the pass.”

Here’s another scenario: What happens if Randle El plays quarterback and he gets hurt? Is it any coincidence that fellow receiver Hines Ward also played QB at Georgia?

“If El goes down, I don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Ward, who has taken a few snaps from center on gadget plays. “Let’s not go there.”