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When the Cleveland Browns take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12, the Steelers will be missing quite a few key players, most notably starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Wide receivers Jerricho Cotchery and Antonio Brown are also expected to miss the game this weekend due to injuries.
Even backup quarterback Byron Leftwich will miss this weekend's game against the Browns, forcing third-string quarterback Charlie Batch to start.
Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron talked about how he's going to prepare his defense to face Batch.
"There are very few people that are Ben Roethlisberger anywhere. Charlie Batch is an NFL quarterback that has had a lot of playing experience in this league. He has won a lot of games. I have a lot of respect for Charlie, I always have. He'll certainly be able to control the football game, understand their offense and everything they do. He won't have the arm strength, clearly, that Ben has. Again, there are very few that do anywhere. We'll have our hands full with their speed and their skill, and just their overall ability on the offensive side."
Browns head coach Pat Shurmur also spoke about Batch -- and newly signed wide receiver Plaxico Burress.
"Much like Charlie Batch playing, veterans tend to come in in the first game or month that they are with a new team and have an impact. Heck, I've known Plaxico since he was in high school. He was at Michigan State. I watched him do damage with the Giants when I was in Philadelphia. I know Plaxico very well personally and then of course watching him as a player. I've got a great deal of respect for him and the impact he can have on a game. I'm sure they'll get him up and running. I'm sure we'll see him on Sunday."
Burress hasn't appeared in a game since last year's season finale with the New York Jets. Burress missed the 2009 and 2010 seasons after being incarcerated on gun charges. The 35-year-old receiver hauled in 45 passes with the Jets last year, for 612 yards and eight touchdowns.
Batch hasn't appeared in a game this season, but did appear in four games last year for the Steelers. In those four games, Batch was 15-of-24, passing for 208 yards, and he threw an interception.