If this isn't exactly a shot at Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, it comes pretty close.
Ex-Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, now with the Denver Broncos, threw out a veiled criticism of Roethlisberger in an effort to praise Broncos QB Peyton Manning Monday. Sanders suggested Manning spent more time working with him than any other quarterback he's had, also pointing out he doesn't have to "chase down" Manning to get to work.
The audio is probably more important here, so here's a link to the clip, aired Monday, on 104.3 The Fan in Denver.
"I feel like Peyton is a far better leader, in terms of staying after practice, catching balls, wanting guys to get on the same page with him, things of that sort," Sanders said. "This is the first time that I’ve had a quarterback that every single day after practice — no matter what his accolades, NFL MVP, Super Bowl ring — he keeps guys like me and [rookie receiver Cody] Latimer after practice. . . . He’s not one of those guys you’ve got to chase down. He’s going to be right in the same spot, ready to work, every single day. I just feel like that’s a difference from a mental standpoint."
It's highly likely we'll hear tomorrow Sanders' retraction of this comment, but we'll save it for the sake of posterity - also reminding Mr. Sanders Roethlisberger appeared to practice that two-point conversion throw against Baltimore in Week 13 last year.
To be fair, Sanders praised Roethlisberger as well, likely as a means to avoid the first part of his Manning-Gush (as transcribed by PFT)
"I’ve got so much love for Ben," Sanders said. "At the same time, I’m not going to lie. I’m happy to be part of this organization and happy that Peyton is my quarterback."