Roquan Smith doesn’t hesitate to express his respect and care for former teammate Patrick Queen. The first time they were set to share the field as opponents, Smith called him a brother and he was happy for him. But on the field, it’s different.
”I’m excited about the opportunity,” Smith said before Week 11. “I’m happy for him as a brother, outside of this football stuff, but I know [our] offense has a great plan and have to take it to him out there on the field, even though I don’t get to go against him. It’s no ‘brother’ stuff, but you have to do what you have to do. I’m sure he feels the same way, but I’m excited about the matchup.”
Off the gridiron, it’s respect and recognition. But on the field — including the results that come with it, is free game. Smith kept the receipts of Queen’s comments in the pending Week 14 matchup. One that if the Steelers had won, the Steelers would have become AFC North Champions.
“Right now, this is a big game. It’s a division game,” Queen said before Week 14. “A chance to get t-shirts and hats.”
The Ravens denied them the opportunity that night. Then, they denied them the rest of the season as the Ravens repeated as AFC North Champions. On Saturday, the Ravens kicked the Steelers from the playoffs in a 28-14 win and Smith had one in the chamber to taunt his “brother.”
“I think I remember my guy ‘PQ,’ the last time we played them for a hat and t-shirt. But, I guess he get the t-shirt he got on and he’ll be in Cabo or somewhere,” Smith said.
For too long, the divisiveness has been absent between these two. After both teams saw their respective legends retire, less fuel has been available to burn. And then it became a one-sided competition with the Steelers beating the Ravens so frequently. But after two straight wins from the Ravens — denying the Steelers the division and relinquishing them from the playoffs — there just may be more heat to come.
