Steelers’ Colon: Eagles Were ‘Cheap-Shot Artists’

Another week, another opponent accusing the Eagles’ defense of playing dirty.

The Birds did not sack Ben Roethlisberger on Sunday, but on one play, Brandon Graham pressured him, and the Steelers’ quarterback took offense.

“Yeah, Ben was mad. He thought they were going after his head,” said guard Willie Colon, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “They were cheap-shot artists all day. They were hitting us in the back. I know I lost my cool once or twice. It is what it is. You have to play through it.”

Colon was called for four holding penalties on the day, but he and the Steelers offensive line did a good job against the Eagles, specifically in the run game where Rashard Mendenhall averaged 5.8 yards per carry in his first action of the season.

A few weeks ago, Ravens running back Ray Rice offered a similar take on the Eagles’ defense.

“They take a couple of shots,” Rice said. “That’s just how they’re coached and stuff. They play dirty and stuff. They take shots after the play, lot of dirty stuff after plays.”

Must be something about those AFC North opponents. We’ll see if the Bengals feel the same way when the Eagles host them in Week 15.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.