Respect….


From WTAE-Channel 4 this evening:

As usual, there will be plenty at stake when the Steelers (8-3) and Ravens (8-3) clash Sunday night. But the hype has been surprisingly, and to some unfortunately, tame.

Asked if he hated the Ravens, Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger replied, “I don’t hate anybody. That’s a very harsh word.”

Pressed to explain the reason behind his 7-2 record as a starter against Baltimore, Roethlisberger offered: “I have no idea. Luck?”

Baltimore running back Ray Rice was asked whether the rivalry was based more on hate or respect. He began talking before the question was completed.

“I didn’t mean to cut you off, but I learned from my own leader on this team – and that’s Ray Lewis – the power of respect is to never disrespect,” Rice said. “That’s first and foremost about playing the Pittsburgh Steelers. We respect them. That’s what the rivalry has all been about.”


Rivalry…

“Just based on previous matchups, one could assume that there’s a chance that this is going to be a close football game,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said.

Baltimore hasn’t beaten Pittsburgh with Roethlisberger starting at quarterback since 2006.

“Well, there’s no game better than this one to break that streak,” said Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, who has 11 career sacks against the Steelers.


You can read the rest here.