Steelers week 10: team quotes and comments

The Steelers beat the Browns and once again its time to look back. I’ve got three things to say: 1.21 gigawatts. Flux capacitor. 88 mph. We have a bye week coming up followed by the Seahawks in Seattle. But let us reflect before we get to that much needed bye week.

Landry Jones once again did respectable. But he got injured and Ben Roethlisberger took over, as the backup, and one his first game as a backup ever in the NFL. His only other opportunity was in his rookie year after played well but was not able to do enough to make a comeback. Then he won 14 straight games and got to the AFC championship.

First time for everything. The news isn’t all Ben though. The league leader in receiving yards, Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant combined for 3 touchdowns and 317 yards against a battered secondary. Bell might be injured but this is a different team than last year. Just as good passing but with DeAngelo Williams to help out.

Not only that, the defense is playing much better. Sure, the secondary still gives up a lot of yards but the defense is getting a lot more sacks and turnovers. Despite giving up yards they somehow are really stingy with points. They’re currently fifth in scoring defense.

Speaking of which, the defense only gave up 9 points Sunday. On top of that, they had 6 sacks and 3 turnovers, an interception and 2 fumble recoveries. It was a big game for the Steelers defense and was an example of their style of play this season and how it can be successful.

So, on to the quotes.

Ben Roethlisberger

After coming in the game as a back up in the third quarter, Roethlisberger put up 379 yards and scored 3 touchdowns with 1 interception. Hopes for the season got a serious bounce, not just from the win but from Ben’s play so early after an injury that was supposed to have him in a boot.

Of the playing as a back up, according to Mike Pristuta of Steelers.com, Ben himself said, “Definitely different. I didn’t expect to have to go in that early, especially.”

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Landry Jones, the man who he replaced, had this anecdote about Ben, “He said, ‘Congratulations on your first win as a starter,’ I said, ‘I appreciate it, man. Thanks for coming in.'”

Antonio Brown added, “The guy was literally in a boot and on crutches Monday. I can’t speak highly enough about him. He’s a tremendous warrior. You never know what he is capable of doing. He is on the brink of greatness.”

Defense

The defense also did very well against the Browns. I can’t say that without also acknowledging they let Johnny Manziel throw for 372 yards. That being said, they also had three turnover and 6 sacks. They only 9 points and 15 rushing yards too.

Cam Heyward said of the defenses play, “Giving up 15 yards, and one of them to a QB scramble, that’s pretty big but it’s one game. I’m not gonna say it’s here to stay. We need to continue to do that, be consistent. That’s a real challenge for us right now.”

Will Allen added, “We just put our minds to it and knuckled up. The front seven, they were getting after it, playing hard and playing physical. And the coaches put a high demand on it, pointing out guys and telling us ‘this is what you have to do.'”

Mike Mitchell explained, “We’re just playing Steeler Football and part of being a Steeler, you have to be physical. You can’t be afraid to put your face on it. We’re just living up to the standard that is being a Pittsburgh Steeler defender. The turnovers happen when you fly to the ball.”

Antonio Brown

With all the disruption among the killer Bs, Antonio Brown is still the league leader in receptions. Regardless of who was playing quarterback Antonio Brown has strung some great games together. He’s put together 423 yards and 2 touchdowns over the last two games, 139 of those yards and both touchdowns coming Sunday. He also flipped into the endzone.

Speaking of which, when asked how he rated his entrance into the endzone, Brown was quoted by the Associated Press as saying, “10.”

Tomlin, according to Sport Act, was similarly concise when asked if he was okay with Browns endzone dance, saying, “I am.”

Ramon Foster said of the flip, as reported by CBS Pittsburgh, “I don’t think people understand how athletic that is. For him to be going that fast, and stop and do a two-footed front flip and land it. That’s been the talk everywhere I’ve gone. Everybody’s asking about the flip. I think it’s got its own name now, like ‘The Flip.’  So man, that is exciting. Coach T always asks him, AB, I’m tired of your old tricks, give me something new. I think that’s something new, and it was pretty amazing in my book.”

Next: Browns at Steelers: Defensive huddle

And now for a much needed bye week.