Either the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't get the memo that Colt McCoy will more than likely start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, or they believe coach Eric Mangini is faking them out. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter Mark Kaboly writes that the Steelers are preparing for Josh Cribbs. They know he can return punts, kicks and play wide receiver. They...
Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Either the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't get the memo that Colt McCoy will more than likely start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, or they believe coach Eric Mangini is faking them out.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter Mark Kaboly writes that the Steelers are preparing for Josh Cribbs. They know he can return punts, kicks and play wide receiver. They also know Cribbs can play a little quarterback.
Well, with the instability of the Cleveland quarterback situation heading into Sunday's game at Heinz Field against the Steelers, nothing can be disregarded.
"Well, he did it last year and damn near killed us," linebacker James Farrior said.
Although Cleveland coach Eric Mangini is leaning toward rookie Colt McCoy starting at quarterback because of injuries to Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme, Cribbs may be the Browns' best option against the Steelers.
Cribbs tells reporters that he could get plenty of time running Wildcat plays. Last year against the Steelers, Cribbs took 13 snaps from center. He'll probably take more this time around.
"He's done pretty well against us in the past," linebacker James Harrison said. "We haven't really had a solid answer for it yet. We are expecting to get that."
Can Cribbs take every series under center, either by choice or by necessity?
"Heck, yeah," safety Ryan Clark said. "It would be tough to play him like that, but it would be fun. I don't know about throwing, but I know he can break enough tackles and make enough plays to keep you honest."
Blocking for Ben
Big Ben is back and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Ed Bouchette writes how the offensive line must make the necessary adjustments for Ben Roethlisberger.
Bouchette writes Roethlisberger has been sacked more than any quarterback over the past four seasons (189 times). His 50 sacks last season just missed Cliff Stoudt's club-record 51 in 1983, likely because Roethlisberger missed playing against Baltimore. Dennis Dixon played that game and was not sacked.
Their assignments do not change with Roethlisberger at quarterback, just the awareness they need.
"It's one of those things, you're blocking, but you also have to feel the defensive lineman, where his movement is," Starks explained. "You know he's looking at the quarterback and he's trying to get there, so his movements will dictate that.
"You're blocking, you're blocking, you kind of feel him start drifting away and you're like, 'Why is he drifting away?' You don't hear the crowd yelling or ahhhing, so it's like 'Oh, God, Ben's coming this way so let me adjust and get him in front.'
Not overlooking Colt
Although the Steelers are preparing to see plenty of Josh Cribbs on Sunday, they are not counting overlooking Colt McCoy, writes ESPN's James Walker.
No one is giving McCoy much of a chance on Sunday. The Steelers are not overconfident.
"He's a quarterback in the NFL," Steelers Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison said Wednesday. "That means he has the ability to do it. So we're not lighting up about anything."
And wide receiver Hines Ward found room to give the Browns some credit.
"We're talking about the Browns; you guys [the media] are talking about Ben," Steelers receiver Hines Ward said. "Even though their record doesn't indicate it, they're still playing good football. A play here and there, and their record could easily be 3-2 or 4-1 the other