Batch spurns Houston...signs with Pittsburgh

[Drbio]

Home ties, not money, draw Batch to Pittsburgh

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By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


There are times when the heart overrules the wallet, and that was certainly the case for free-agent quarterback Charlie Batch on Monday evening.

ESPN.com learned the four-year pro, released earlier this month by the Detroit Lions for salary cap considerations, rejected better offers and agreed to a one-year contract with his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers.

Batch said Friday that while there might be better situations for him competitively, two factors -- the chance to win a Super Bowl ring and to play in front of his mother -- put the Steelers at the top of his wish list. He actually stayed in Pittsburgh over the weekend, and canceled a flight home, to discuss his options with his family.

There were no negotiations over the weekend, but it didn't take long Monday for the club to reach an agreement with Batch's agent, Tom Condon. Batch, 27, will sign a one-year deal for a base salary of $525,000. There is no signing bonus and, under a new NFL rule implemented this spring, Batch will count just $450,000 against the Pittsburgh salary cap.

"Suffice it to say that Charlie turned down better offers," Condon said. "He just felt very comfortable with the Steelers' people and with the situation there. Certainly he didn't let money sway him."

It is believed that at least two teams, one of them the Jacksonville Jaguars, offered Batch more than the fifth-year minimum salary Batch will earn for 2002.

Batch is a native of nearby Homestead, Pa., and he played for Steel Valley High School in Munhall, Pa. Like most youngsters from the area, he grew up a Steelers fan. Much of his family, including his mother, to whom he is particularly close, remain in the area.

While team officials originally attempted to keep secret Batch's visit last week, Steelers management quickly became serious about attempting to sign the former Lions starter. And from all appearances, Batch was enamored from the beginning with the idea of trying to earn a Super Bowl ring with his hometown team, even if it meant taking on a subordinate role.

In addition to the Steelers and Jaguars, he also visited with the Houston Texans and the Green Bay Packers. The New Orleans Saints had tentatively scheduled a Tuesday visit, but Batch had apprised them he would probably have a decision by then.

Sources close to Batch indicated last week his decision likely would come down between Pittsburgh and Jacksonville.

The Jaguars, who realize time may be running out on incumbent starter Mark Brunell, and who have installed rookie David Garrard as the No. 2 quarterback for this season, ardently courted Batch the past week.

"(But) things simply felt right about Pittsburgh," Batch said. "I'm really looking forward to working with the guys here." Kordell Stewart is firmly entrenched as the Pittsburgh starters, even if some fans have still been slow to warm to him, and the team last Monday signed backup Tommy Maddox to a four-year contract extension. Stewart is under contract through the 2003 season and Maddox, who received a $500,000 signing bonus as part of his extension, is now secured through 2006.

The team's No. 3 quarterback, two-year veteran Tee Martin, is currently playing in the NFL Europe League. One team official said that acquiring Batch will provide the club with "incredible insurance" at the quarterback position. He figures to compete now with Maddox for the primary backup job. And by signing a one-year contract, Batch will be able to go back into the free agent market next spring, when there should be at least a few starting jobs available to him.

Only two years ago, Batch was regarded as the quarterback of the present and the future in Detroit, and he signed a six-year contract that included a $10 million signing bonus.

In his four seasons with the Lions, the former Eastern Michigan standout appeared in 48 games and logged 46 starts. He completed 743 of 1,326 passes for 9,016 yards, with 49 touchdown passes, 40 interceptions and a 76.9 passer rating.

Batch was the Lions' second-round choice in the 1998 draft, started 12 games as a rookie, and averaged 12.3 starts his first three seasons. But he lost his starting job last season and the Lions decided to go with second-year veteran Mike McMahon and first-round choice Joey Harrington for 2002.


Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.