Batch redeems himself
BALTIMORE — Forever is a long, long time.
That’s why Charlie Batch was grateful for this opportunity, the chance to help erase a three-interception, eight-turnover fiasco that was last week’s loss to the Cleveland Browns.
No, Batch did not announce his retirement from the Pittsburgh Steelers after he led the team to a 23-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens Sunday. On the contrary, this win over a hated division rival seemed to invigorate the 15-year veteran quarterback who has saddled up for a few rodeos before this season.
“As long as I can play, I’m going to come back,” Batch said after passing for 276 yards and a touchdown to Heath Miller. “I wanted this opportunity because I played poorly last week and I wanted the opportunity to come out here and prove it and lead this team.
“I knew going in that I had to play better, to continue to come out here and lead the offense the way I knew I could. The receivers did a great job getting open, the offensive line did a great job protecting and I was able to get out there, set my feet and have fun.”
Sure, winning makes a lot of things fun, even taking a penalty that put his team in range for the game-winning score. Batch was hit late with a forearm from Paul Kruger that moved the Steelers in range for Shaun Suisham’s 42-yard game-winner as time expired.
“That’s hard to imagine,” Batch said. ‘I’ll let you know tomorrow what it feels like. As soon as I let the ball go, I got hit. If I held onto it any longer, I don’t think I would have been able to complete the pass.”
But Batch has been at this pro football thing a good while now and refused delivery when self doubt tried to creep into his consciousness. As mistakes started to pile up for the Steelers, you kind of got the feeling that they were doomed to drop another close game to the Ravens. Especially after what happened a week ago in Cleveland.
“I’ve been in the league 15 years, I’ve been a starter in this league and the thing you can’t do is dwell on the past,” Batch said. “It’s a long season and no matter what, all I can ask for is another opportunity. Being a backup, you don’t know when things are going to happen. You just have to go out here and welcome them when they do.”
As starter Ben Roethlisberger got closer to returning last week, Batch knew this opportunity might not have presented itself, but he prepared as he always does, as though he was going to start. The chance came and he made the most of it.
“The way this series goes, it’s always whoever has the ball last pretty much wins,” Batch said. “We knew when we took the field, less than six minutes to go, we didn’t want to put our defense back on the field. We knew we would have to mix the pass and the run and that it would be critical. Obviously, at the end of the game, we were able to milk it and put Suisham out there. We feel great when he goes out here with three second left.”
Batch realizes, as do you and I, that Roethlisberger will replace him as soon as he is healthy enough to do so. And it looks like next Sunday’s home game against San Diego will go to Roethlisberger. But that’s OK with Batch.
He’s more than OK with that since he was able to get the taste of three interceptions and eight turnovers washed out of his mouth.
Sports editor Mike Ciarochi may be reached at mciarochi@heraldstandard.com.