PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster just wants to move on from last December’s physical primetime
meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals.But the second-year wideout thrust himself
into one of the fiercest rivalries in the NFL last season with a memorable block
against Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict. Smith-Schuster was reminded of the
hit prior to Sunday’s game at Cincinnati.“I didn’t want to talk about
it
Joe Thuney Jerseys 2019 ,” Smith-Schuster said. “I knew you guys were going to want to talk about this and make something out of it, but I am just trying to
get a “W” this weekend, that’s it.”Last December, Smith-Schuster delivered a
punishing blindside block on Burfict, the Steeler agitator, who ended running
back Le’Veon Bell’s season in 2015, and injured quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
and receiver Antonio Brown in the same playoff game at Cincinnati later that
year.Smith-Schuster got a 15-yard penalty for the block and another penalty for
taunting when he stood over Burfict after the hit. He also was given a one-game
suspension.Burfict served a four-game suspension to open the current season. He
returned to the lineup last week without incident and helped the first-place
Bengals beat Miami.Smith-Schuster said he’s not concerned about Burfict or the
Bengals seeking revenge on Sunday.“I’m just worried about the game, playing
focused and playing with my teammates,” Smith-Schuster said. “It’s the AFC North
and the rivalry is very strong. It’s physical and it’s going to be a tough
game.”Last December’s game featured a combined 20 penalties for 239 yards,
including a team-record 173 yards by the Bengals. It was also the game where
Steelers LB Ryan Shazier sustained a life-altering spinal injury following a
tackle.“There were a lot of emotions on both sides of the ball
White Michael Bennett Jerseys , obviously with Shazier and what I did,” Smith-Schuster said. “But it’s just a physical game. That’s what you’re going to
get out of it.”Brown sustained a concussion and was knocked from the game by
safety George Iloka – no longer with the Bengals — following a touchdown
reception. The score helped Pittsburgh overcome a 17-point deficit and win its
sixth straight in the series on a last-second field goal.“They’re always trying
to get the best of us, either physically, after the play or during plays,” Brown
said. “That’s why they call it the jungle because you have to go in there and be
ready to win.”Brown met with the media for the first time Friday since two
lawsuits were filed against him stemming from an incident at a Florida apartment
complex last spring.Ophir Sternberg is seeking damages against Brown, claiming
objects thrown by Brown from the 14th floor of an apartment building in April
came close to striking Sternberg’s father and 22-month-old son. A second lawsuit
filed by the owner of the apartment building is seeking more than $15,000 in
damages from Brown.“I can’t discuss pending litigation,” Brown said. “I just
look forward to my day in court.”Brown told police that the incidents occurred
after a gun and $80,000 were stolen from his apartment. Brown said in a
statement a day earlier that the lawsuits contained “false claims” against
him.“It comes from being successful, it comes from being in the
spotlight
Michael Bennett Jerseys 2019 , it comes from having fame,” Brown said on Friday. “If I was a nobody, (the media) wouldn’t be here speculating to begin
with.”Brown said he’s focused on the Bengals this week.“I’m a professional and I
know what I’m here for,” Brown said. “I’m trying to win football games. It’s
Cincinnati week … it’s a big week for us. Being in this position comes with a
lot of distractions and you have to be able to narrow your focus and that’s what
I’m able to do.”NOTES: Steelers’ S Morgan Burnett (groin) will miss his fourth
straight game, while WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (ankle) will miss his second
straight. LB L.J. Fort (ankle) is doubtful. LB Vince Williams fully practiced
this week after missing against Atlanta with a hamstring injury. For the second
straight year, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has a multi-million-dollar
incentive clause that hinges on his production as a receiver. But he doesn’t
mind producing as a blocker.After a shootout against the Chiefs during which
Gronkowski spent more time than usual blocking on passing plays, Gronk was asked
by reporters whether he likes to pass block.“Yeah,” he said. “Why not?”He also
was asked whether he knew in advance that he’d be used a little bit more as a
pass blocker.“No, I mean, every game changes
White Danny Shelton Jerseys ,” Gronkowski said. “You??e got a game plan. You??e going in with the game plan but I mean, the game plan changes on the fly. The
games change on the fly. Your assignments change on the fly and everything. It??
playing football and it is what it is. Whatever coach [Bill Belichick] is
calling, I?? cool with. I??e never had a problem with it and if it?? the whole
game, it?? the whole game. It is what it is and I don?? mind doing it at all.”He
doesn’t mind it, but he made it clear that, for him, the ideal game has some of
everything.“To tell you the truth, I don?? like running every single play, I
don?? like running a route every play and I don?? like blocking every play,”
Gronkowski said. “I like the balance and I love a balanced offense. I believe it
helps both parts of the game out and it?? a crucial part of the game both
sides
Danny Shelton Jerseys 2019 , passing and running. I like doing both and I like balancing out, give or take some more runs, some more pass plays, but I
definitely like the balance and I like doing both at a balanced rate.”He may
want the pendulum to swing a little more toward the passing game. This year’s
incentive package ties $3.3 million to Gronkowski hitting any three of four
performance-based triggers: (1) 80-percent playing time; (2) 70 or more catches;
(3) 1,085 or more receiving yards; and/or (4) nine touchdowns. Currently, he’s
on pace for 69 catches and 1,080 yards, and he has only one touchdown.
