Roethlisberger zings Browns about QBs
The last time Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers saw the Browns they were on the wrong side of a 48-37 playoff loss, which included Cleveland bolting out to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter.
A dejected Roethlisberger sitting on the bench became a meme for Browns fans after a game the Steelers were never really in. Because of that, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if there was a revenge factor at play for the teams’ rematch at FirstEnergy Stadium at 1 p.m. Sunday.
But not so, Roethlisberger said in his weekly news conference Wednesday.
“As a competitor, you use lots of things to motivate you to go out and play,” he said when asked if the playoff loss served as motivation this week, “but I’m not sure that’s my leading factor this week.”
By the same token, Roethlisberger understands what the game means despite the lopsided nature of the rivalry over the past two decades. Roethlisberger is 23-2-1 against the Browns since being drafted by Pittsburgh in 2004. With a record like that, no one could blame him for taking the rivalry nonchalantly.
“I don’t know if this rivalry ever went away,” he said when asked if it had been diminished by Steelers’ dominance. “I hear what you’re saying. Yeah, sure. Rivalries are great. AFC North football is always going to be rivals and it’s going to be great games.”
Yeah, sure. That sounded sincere until Roethlisberger tacked on this gem:
“I’m glad I’m not the most-winning quarterback in their stadium history anymore,” he said.
If the rivalry had lost its luster in recent years, it’s been replaced by some semblance of respect for defensive end Myles Garrett and what the Browns accomplished in rebuilding the defense during the offseason. Maybe.
“He’s the man,” Roethlisberger said of Garrett. “There’s no doubt about it, one of the best in the NFL at what he does.”
And the additions of defensive end Takk McKinley, John Johnson III, Troy Hill and others?
“The additions they have — you know, they don’t try to complicate or confuse you,” Roethlisberger said. “It’s like, we’re better than you. We’re going to line up and beat you. That’s where the challenge is going to come.”