Could Charlie Batch be the answer as the Giants' backup?

With plenty of speculation about the possibility of Matt Leinart going to the Giants in a trade, it would be far less surprising for the Giants to consider a far simpler - and cheaper - alternative to acquire another backup for Eli Manning.

Charlie Batch, anyone? 

The Steelers quarterback could be the odd man out in Pittsburgh, and it's quite possible he'll be released on the final cut this weekend. The Steelers are expected to keep Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon on the roster, and even with Roethlisber facing a suspension to start the season, the team might not keep Batch as insurance.

Batch, 35, is entering his 13th NFL season. The former Lions starter joined the Steelers in 2002 and has been a well-respected member of the locker room since then.

Batch took only 17 preseason snaps, a further indication that he could be on the way out in Pittsburgh. But if the Giants are looking for options, they'd be wise to at least consider Batch.

Leinart? The guy wants to be a starter, and the Giants want none of that, since Eli Manning has never missed a game since his rookie season in 2004.

"I am always confident," Batch said, per Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Revis. "I feel that if my number is called and if I have to step in and play, I will be willing to do that."

Said veteran receiver Hines Ward of Batch: "The opportunity he has gotten, he has taken full advantage of it. When Charlie gets out on the field, we know what to expect from Charlie."

(UPDATE: Uh, that would be the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - not Tribune-Revis!)