JuJu Smith-Schuster mimicked one of Mike Tomlin’s favorite statements during a recent media session ahead of Sunday’s game play against the Browns. Smith-Schuster’s Steelers want to take advantage of a Browns team that was forced to practice virtually this week due to their ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
Smith-Schuster, along with borrowing a phrase from his coach, also provided virtual bulletin board material for the Browns when asked about the upcoming Pittsburgh opponent. Smith-Schuster has been specifically asked if he feels any different energy than the Browns, who will officially end their 18-year play-off drought on Sunday. The Browns, 11-5 during the regular season in 2020, were 0-16 during Smith-Schuster’s rookie season.
“No, I think they’re still the same Browns I played every year,” Smith-Schuster said. via ESPN’s JPN Trotter. “I think they are nameless gray faces. They have some good players in their team. But at the end of the day … the Bruins are the Bruines. It’s AFC North football. They are a good team. I’m just glad we’re playing them again. ‘
The comment about ‘nameless face’ comes from Tomlin, who emphasizes his team that the more important they play and execute Pittsburgh’s game plan than the Steelers’ opponent. Part of his quote is unlikely to upset the Browns, but his unwillingness to acknowledge the revival of Cleveland since 2017 could drop some feathers in Cleveland in the days leading up to the kickoff.
Smith-Schuster was not even a month away from my request to ask my Tomlin to stop dancing on the opponents ‘logos following the Steelers’ three-loss loss. Members of the Bengals and Bills said they made an exception to Smith-Schuster’s foreplay actions, while Bengals’ safety Vonn Bell drilled Smith-Schuster (which made him fidget) at the start of Cincinnati’s upset victory over the Steelers in Week 15.
The 24-year-old receiver, who would soon be a free agent, got 97 passes for 831 yards and nine touchdowns during the regular season. He got six passes for 65 yards and a score in Pittsburgh’s Week 17 defeat to Cleveland.