Browns seek rare win over loathed Steelers

By TOM WITHERS - AP Sports Writer
    2012-11-24 15:58

CLEVELAND (AP) - Upon taking over as Browns owner last summer, Jimmy Haslam said one of his first priorities was to revive the Cleveland-Pittsburgh rivalry.

It's been dead for years.

Once the NFL's equivalent to the Hatfields vs. McCoys in helmets and shoulder pads, the two-times-per-season clash between the Steelers and Browns has lost its luster. Pittsburgh has dominated the matchup between the AFC North neighbors, winning 16 of the past 17 games and 22 of 24 heading into this week's game.

And while the Steelers might view the Baltimore Ravens as their most bitter foe, the folks in Cleveland still see the yellow and black as pure evil.

``The first thing I heard from fans when I got in town is, `If you beat the Steelers you don't buy a steak for a long time,''' Browns rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden said. ``I'm going to hold some of those people to that.''

If Weeden wants to get some free meals, and if the Browns (2-8) truly intend to begin evening the score with the Steelers (6-4), this would be the time to start.

Because of injuries, Pittsburgh is down to third-string quarterback Charlie Batch, who has been pressed into duty with both Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich nursing injuries. The 37-year-old Batch has led the Steelers to victories before while filling in for Roethlisberger and knows he needs to hold things down.

The Steelers trail first-place Baltimore by two games and can't afford to fall further behind.

``There's a lot on the line because we're still in the hunt for everything,'' said Batch, whose previous start came on Christmas Eve last season. ``At this point we still have a chance to win the division. We still have to keep up with everybody else at this point. We still can't get ahead of ourselves. We have to go up there and figure out a way, no matter what, to get this win.''

Against Baltimore last week, the Steelers wore those hideous striped throwback uniforms. They went retro again this week by re-signing wide receiver Plaxico Burress, who last suited up in Pittsburgh's colors in 2004.

The 35-year-old Burress, who had stints with the New York Giants, Jets and in prison since he last played for the Steelers, provides size and experience to a receiving corps thinned by injuries. He spent the past few days digging into a new playbook and believes he can make a difference down the stretch for the Steelers, who will play four of their last six inside the division.

``We're going to go out and try to make the best of it on this run we have,'' he said. ``It's November and December football. That's when everybody begins to separate themselves. We want to be one of those teams.''

Fortunately the Steelers can count on the NFL's top-ranked defense, which hasn't given up more than 20 points in any of the past five games and can be a nightmare for rookie quarterbacks. At 75, Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau knows all the tricks to stymie any offense.

``They've got guys that have been in the league for a long time,'' Weeden said. ``They've got guys that can tackle. They've got guys that are scheme-wise really, really good. He (LeBeau) is a big zone blitz guy. They don't give up many big plays. They try to keep everything in front and they do a great job with it. They've done it for a long time and I don't really expect it to change when we play them.''

For the Browns, Sunday presents another chance to put together a complete game. Last week's 23-20 overtime loss in Dallas was Cleveland's fifth by a touchdown or less this season and league-leading 18th by seven points or fewer since 2010.

Coach Pat Shurmur has made the Browns competitive. Now they must take the next step.

``We have to find a way to finish,'' he said. ``Simple as that.''

Rookie running back Trent Richardson stepped forward this week and put the blame for last week's loss on his broad shoulders. Richardson, who hasn't been at full speed following knee surgery and a rib injury, ran for 95 yards and added 49 more receiving. But as far as the first-round pick was concerned, it wasn't enough.

``You can put the game on me. I'm a man,'' he said. ``I'm going to man up to my mistakes and my faults. I made my decision and I messed up. That happens when you make decisions right on the run. It just happens.''

Richardson gained just 33 yards on 12 carries after halftime and was stopped for zero yards on four attempts. In the fourth quarter, Richardson couldn't get in from the 1-yard line on a play in which he missed the hole.

Richardson wants to be their closer.

``That's what they picked me for,'' said the No. 3 overall pick. ``That's why they moved up a spot. I do feel like it's on me.''

Weeden wasn't surprised by Richardson's comments. He just disagreed with them.

``He's a competitor and a team player,'' he said. ``We all made mistakes. I wouldn't agree with him. It says a lot about his character to say that, but he's a hell of a player. I'll take more of the blame than he does.''

The Browns hope there's no blame to be shared this week - just a rare win over the Steelers.

``I've beaten them before,'' said return specialist Josh Cribbs, one of the few Cleveland players who can make that claim. ``It's been a while, but it'll mean everything for the city and our fans. We've lost a lot of games, but we can make it right. This rivalry is everything to us and our fans. It's about bragging rights.''

And for Haslam, who owned a minority share of the Steelers before he bought the Browns, it would be a start.

---

Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL

Fantasy Football Player Notes RSS FeedPLAYER NOTES

Lamar MillerMay 22 11:25a

Miami Dolphins RB Lamar Miller worked predominantly with the first-team offense, but RBs Daniel Thomas, Mike Gillislee and Marcus Thigpen also saw carries Tuesday, May 21, in organized team activities (OTAs).

Brian UrlacherMay 22 11:23a

Free-agent MLB Brian Urlacher (Bears) retired after 13 seasons.

DeMarco MurrayMay 22 11:12a

The Dallas Cowboys are taking a cautious approach with RB DeMarco Murray (hamstring) as he deals with a slight hamstring tweak, according to head coach Jason Garrett.

Manti Te'oMay 22 11:10a

San Diego Chargers LB Manti Te'o has been looking good during the team's organized team activities this week, but the team hasn't been in pads yet. Te'o displayed good [ More ]

Ryan TannehillMay 22 11:06a

Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill was sharp during organized team activities Tuesday, May 21. Tannehill had big passes to WRs Brian Hartline and Mike Wallace. TE Dustin Keller was [ More ]

Antonio JohnsonMay 22 10:53a

The Tennessee Titans signed DT Antonio Johnson to a one-year deal worth $850,000. He has an $800,000 base salary and a $50,000 roster bonus.

Wes WelkerMay 22 10:44a

Denver Broncos WR Wes Welker knows that with WRs Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker in the picture on his new team, he won't be averaging 112 catches in 2013 [ More ]

Christine MichaelMay 22 10:44a

Seattle Seahawks RB Christine Michael (hamstring) and CB Tharold Simon (foot) were limited in organized team activities Monday, May 20. RB Robert Turbin had the chance to take first-team [ More ]

Fendi OnobunMay 22 09:43a

The Chicago Bears' depth chart at tight end after TE Martellus Bennett is wide open. TE Fendi Onobun could seize an opportunity for playing time.

T.J. YatesMay 22 08:43a

Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said QB Case Keenum could unseat QB T.J. Yates for the backup quarterback spot.

Mario FanninMay 22 08:33a

The Denver Broncos waived RB Mario Fannin and placed S Blake Gideon on the reserve-retired list.

Darrelle RevisMay 21 11:53p

Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Darrelle Revis (knee) has been cleared to cut and change directions. 'I feel very confident,' Revis said Tuesday, May 21.

Michael EgnewMay 21 11:53p

Miami Dolphins TE Michael Egnew began team drills in organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday, May 21, ahead of TE Dustin Keller. Head coach Joe Philbin said Egnew earned the reps after a strong offseason.

Charles WoodsonMay 21 11:53p

The Oakland Raiders agreed to terms with free-agent CB Charles Woodson (Packers) on a one-year, $1.8 million contract Tuesday, May 21.

Nate GarnerMay 21 11:53p

Miami Dolphins OG Nate Garner rotated in at left guard and center during organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday, May 21. He was the team's backup right tackle last season.

M. BernadeauMay 21 09:13p

Dallas Cowboys OG David Arkin and OL Ronald Leary split time at right guard during organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday, May 21, with OG Mackenzy Bernadeau (shoulder) still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

Will AllenMay 21 09:13p

Dallas Cowboys SS Will Allen rotated with FS Matt Johnson Tuesday, May 21, during organized team activities (OTAs), working opposite SS Barry Church.

Aldon SmithMay 21 09:13p

San Francisco 49ers LB Aldon Smith (shoulder) is still recovering from labrum surgery during the offseason. He has been doing a 'little bit' of work at the start of organized team activities (OTAs).

Morris ClaiborneMay 21 09:13p

Dallas Cowboys CB Morris Claiborne has bulked up from 185 pounds to 193 pounds during the offseason. He said Tuesday, May 21, that he is getting used to the [ More ]

Jason GarrettMay 21 09:13p

Dallas Cowboys team owner and general manager said Tuesday, May 21, that head coach Jason Garrett is 'not coaching for his job this year.'

Doug FreeMay 21 09:13p

Dallas Cowboys OTs Doug Free and Jermey Parnell split time at right tackle during the first day of organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday, May 21.

Anquan BoldinMay 21 09:13p

San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick and WRs A.J. Jenkins and Ricardo Lockette lived together for two months in Atlanta during the offseason, working together at a nearby training [ More ]

DeMarcus WareMay 21 09:03p

Dallas Cowboys DT Jay Ratliff and DE DeMarcus Ware did not participate in team drills Tuesday, May 21, during the first day of organized team activities (OTAs).

Bruce AriansMay 21 08:03p

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians was disappointed with his team during organized team activities Tuesday, May 21, and he singled out several players for making mental mistakes two [ More ]

Max StarksMay 21 06:33p

San Diego Chargers OT Max Starks, who was signed to an undisclosed one-year deal Tuesday, May 21, is likely to become the team's starting left guard this year. Starks [ More ]

Tony RomoMay 21 05:53p

Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo (back) said he didn't know about the cyst on his back when he signed a six-year, $108 million extension in March. Romo said he [ More ]

Max StarksMay 21 05:43p

The San Diego Chargers signed OT Max Starks (Steelers) Tuesday, May 21. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Dez BryantMay 21 05:03p

Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant said he found himself, and that has led to a quiet offseason with no off-field issues. 'I found myself,' Bryant said Tuesday after the [ More ]

Jeff KingMay 21 04:43p

Arizona Cardinals TE Jeff King (knee) underwent knee surgery early in the offseason. The coaching staff hopes King can return to practice in early June.

Jordan CameronMay 21 04:13p

The Cleveland Browns really like TE Jordan Cameron as their starting tight end and have been targeting him a lot in organized team activities.

Jerel WorthyMay 21 03:53p

Green Bay Packers DT Jerel Worthy (knee) said he is going to play again at some point in 2013 after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in Week 17.

Mike GoodsonMay 21 03:13p

New York Jets RB Mike Goodson will plead not guilty to all charges, with the most serious being a second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. If convicted, Goodson would [ More ]

RSS Feeds

NFL News:
 
Player Notes:
 
Forum Posts:
 

© 2013 RealTime Fantasy Sports, Inc.
Email Us  ·  Call Us 636.447.1170  ·  Lost Password
Advertising represented by USA Today Sports Media Group