JuJu Smith-Schuster mimicked one of Mike Tomlin’s favorite words during a recent media session ahead of Sunday’s playoff wild card game against the Browns. The Smith-Schuster Steelers are looking to take advantage of a team of Browns who were forced to practice virtually this week due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
In addition to borrowing a phrase from his coach, Smith-Schuster also offered some virtual bulletin board material to the Browns when asked about Pittsburgh’s next opponent. Specifically, Smith-Schuster was asked whether he feels a different energy than the Browns, who will officially end their 18-year playoff drought on Sunday. The Browns, 11-5 during the regular 2020 season, were 0-16 during the Smith-Schuster debut season.
“No, I think it’s still the same Browns that I played every year,” said Smith-Schuster, via ESPN’s Jake Trotter. “I think they are gray faces with no name. They have some good players on their team. But at the end of the day … the Browns are the Browns. It is AFC North football. They are a good team. I am happy that we are playing with them again. ”
The “nameless face” comment comes from Tomlin, who emphasizes to his team that the way they play and execute the Pittsburgh game plan is more significant than the Steelers opponent. That part of his quote is unlikely to bother the Browns, but his reluctance to acknowledge Cleveland’s resurgence since 2017 may irritate some people in Cleveland in the days leading up to the kickoff.
Smith-Schuster is not even a month before receiving my Tomlin’s request to stop dancing on the opponents ‘logos after the Steelers’ three-game losing streak. Members of Bengals and Bills said they opposed Smith-Schuster’s pre-game actions, with the safety of Bengals Vonn Bell punching Smith-Schuster (causing him to fumble) early in Cincinnati’s victory over the Steelers in Week 15.
A future free agent, the 24-year-old received 97 passes for 831 yards and nine touchdowns during the regular season. He took six passes for 65 yards and a score in Pittsburgh’s 17 week defeat to Cleveland.