Bengals DC Has A ‘Lot Of Respect’ For Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger

Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther has been with the organization since 2005. In other words, he’s seen quite a bit of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger over the years and knows just how good of player he is and has also seen how he’s adjusted his game as he’s gotten older

“I’ve got a lot of respect for him,” said Guenther of Roethlisberger, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. “He’s taken a lot of shots and keeps getting up … He was getting hit a lot in the past while trying to throw some stuff downfield. The ball’s coming out a little faster, particularly on third downs. That’s probably part of it. He’s not running as much and he has enough pocket presence where he keeps a play alive.”

In his two wins over the Bengals last season, Roethlisberger completed 49 of the 77 passes he attempted for 667 yards and five touchdowns. Two of those scores went to wide receiver Martavis Bryant and he’s another player that has impressed the Bengals defensive coordinator.

“When you watch the kid you don’t say he’s really fast, but he’s a long-strider so he’s a speed-builder,” Guenther said, according to Fowler.

2015 figures to be a key year for the current Bengals coaching staff and their defense will really be under the microscope as well. Last season, which was Guenther’s first as the team’s defensive coordinator, his unit only registered 20 sacks. None of those 20 came against the Steelers, however.

The Steelers and Bengals will play each other in Weeks 8 and 14 this year, with the first meeting taking place at Heinz Field. Roethlisberger is 17-6 all-time against the Bengals.