NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has spoken, and Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season. Roethlisberger is not only suspended, he cannot even be at the team's facility to practice or workout with his teammates. In Big Ben's absence everyone was betting that veteran quarterbak Byron Leftwich would take his place. After three preseason games, it looks like Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin may have to change his mind of Leftwich.

In this preseason Pittsburgh third-string quarterback Dennis Dixon has looked a little shaky, but his 304 passing yards and one touchdown in the first three preseason games are a far sight better than what Leftwich has done. The NFL football betting picks experts have seen Leftwich throw for less than 150 yards in the preseason and did not even complete a pass in the most recent preseason game against Denver.

Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin has not indicated if Dixon will start in Roethlisberger's absence or if Leftwich is still the one for the job. Dixon is expected to get significant playing time in the Steelers final preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. It is hoped that Tomlin will clear up this mystery before the season starts.