Cleveland Browns defense looks to nab Pittsburgh Steelers' escape artist Ben Roethlisberger

Cleveland Browns defense looks to nab Pittsburgh Steelers' escape artist Ben Roethlisberger
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September 12
Cleveland Plain Dealer


"Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was limited at practice a second day in a row because of a sore shoulder incurred on a sack by Houston's Mario Williams in a rout over the Texans.

It's proof that some teams actually do knock down the Steelers' quarterback, who looks more like a linebacker at 6-5, 241 pounds.

In truth, Roethlisberger is the most-sacked quarterback in the NFL over the past two years. He was taken down 93 times in 30 games the past two seasons. The Browns were credited with seven of those sacks in four meetings in 2006 and '07.

But the key plays in two of those four Pittsburgh wins were Roethlisberger slipping away from the Browns' clutches and making big-time plays.

In 2007, Roethlisberger slithered out of Willie McGinest's grasp for a 30-yard touchdown run and a 24-21 Pittsburgh lead. The Steelers won, 31-28.

"That was the backbreaker," linebacker Kamerion Wimbley said of that third-and-9 play.

In 2006, Roethlisberger shook off three interceptions and Wimbley at the end, shoveling a little pass to Willie Parker for the winning touchdown with 32 seconds left. The Steelers won, 24-20.

"Yeah, I had him," Wimbley said. "He frustrates a lot of defenses because whenever he does scramble and is able to break away from those tackles, it's usually accompanied by some sort of significant play."

Roethlisberger chuckled on a conference call over the mention of Wimbley seemingly forever chasing him, wheels spinning, dirt flying, and Roethlisberger escaping.

"It always seems he's right there in my face," he said. "I see his number a lot. It's a credit to him as a player.""