National Football League

Ben Roethlisberger says matchup with Patriots is better with Tom Brady

Published May. 26, 2015 2:33 p.m. ET

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Don't count Ben Roethlisberger among those on the Steelers side who likethe idea of Tom Brady missing the season opener against the Patriots on opening night.

The Pittsburgh quarterback says it won't be the same if Brady does indeed lose his Deflategate appeal and miss Week 1.

"He's a guy, I've said for a long time, he's the best in the business, and he proved it again last year winning his fourth [Super Bowl]," Roethlisberger said at Tuesday's OTA session, per ESPN.com. "If he's not out there, it's not the same. I have a lot of respect for him on the football field and some of the unbelievable things that he's done. I guess we'll wait and see what's finally going to happen."

The defense apparently hasn't starting scouting Brady's backup Jimmy Garoppolo just yet, judging by linebacker Arthur Moats' response when asked about the Brady situation on Tuesday.

"If it's a new quarterback, who is it, what's his name, Gappo?" Moats said. "Either way, you definitely want to confuse them. That's the goal for any quarterback you play against."

While fellow linebacker James Harrison refused to address the Brady controversy, new running back DeAngelo Williams is focused on learning the offense and carrying the load while Le'Veon Bell serves his three-game suspension.

"I don't care," Williams said. "It's not my team. I don't play against Tom Brady anyway. I play against the defense."

h/t: ESPN.com