A Steeler Feels Disrespect From Cincinnati Bengals.

Oct 27, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Ryan Clark (25) reacts after almost intercepting the ball against the Oakland Raiders during the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-18. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark has been a steeler for a long time, and he’s been on the center stage of the Pittsburgh-Cincinnati rivalry for a while now.

On Wednesday, he mentioned something about the rivalry that is very interesting, which the teams will battle it out in Pittsburgh this Sunday night. He said that this Cincinnati Bengals group is different from other previous groups and feels they have the edge on us (Steelers).

“I don’t think there a lot of respect for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cincinnati.” Clark said “I don’t think they necessarily understand the history, or know the history, nor care about it.”

Bengals Linebakcer Vontaze Burfict responded to the comments saying, “when we played them the first game, we realize they are a physical team.” Burfict said. They are always going to be and the games will always come down to the defenses.

Clark was asked to describe his thoughts towards the rivalry. He said back in 2005, when the Bengals had Carson, Chad, TJ, Rudi saying those teams had talent, but couldn’t beat them. The Steelers still handled them in the series back in 2001-2009, with a record of 13-6 including a wild card playoff win in Cincinnati (2005).

Then the 2010-2011 era, it wasn’t even a rivalry, more like a mismatch. Clark said “We were beating the Bengals regularly. Yes Ryan, those Bengals team weren’t good.

But when Andy Dalton and AJ Green came on board in 2011, Clark said he saw something different about the Bengals in a good way.

“Those guys play hard.” Clark said They talk. And for me, that’s exciting. Is that a Steeler saying the Bengals are over taking them? Okay, we won’t go that far, but the Steelers are seeing something different about the Bengals.

The Bengals are not going to take the 5-8 Steelers lightly, they’re going in to this game Sunday night with one thing in mind, and that is winning.

At the end Clark said “Right now, they’re clicking, Clark said. “They’re going to be tough stop. We’ll have our work cut out for us. ”