Playing against a big and strong quarterback like Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t easy. Former Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots defensive lineman Lawrence Guy found a hidden advantage. Joining former teammate Julian Edelman on Edelman’s Games with Names podcast, Guy revealed the pre-snap “tell” he had on Roethlisberger.
“Everybody knew, if you didn’t know, Big Ben’s tell. If it was pass, his ankle would always be up. If it was down, [it’d be run],” Guy told Edelman.
Guy saw the Steelers plenty throughout his 13-year NFL career. Nine times in the regular season and once more in the playoffs. In tight games that could be decided by any given play, Guy knowing if it was run or pass went a long way. In his first game against Roethlisberger in December 2015, Guy didn’t worry about any other pre-snap key but Roethlisberger’s footwork.
“I ignored everything. It was no reading the play…I just looked through the line and looked at his ankle the whole time,” he said.
Roethlisberger struggled in that matchup, a 20-17 Ravens win. He finished the day with zero touchdown passes, two interceptions, and three sacks. Guy picked up two tackles.
It appears Guy is referring to Roethlisberger’s back foot. On this run play, it’s flat on the ground.
On this pass, it’s slightly raised.
NFL tells are often subtle but are invaluable when discovered. Roethlisberger wasn’t the only one. Antonio Brown was known for adjusting his gloves on passes but not on run plays.
Guy used that key to his advantage. His squads went 8-2 against the Steelers with Guy picking up 31 tackles, four quarterback hits, and a sack along the way.
While the Patriots have long been accused of cheating, this “tell” was fair game. Guy even implies it was known around the league, and some fans and analysts have mentioned Roethlisberger’s on-field giveaways. In fact, we dedicated a full 2021 breakdown to it and came to the same conclusion with a 90- to 95-percent accuracy rate.
He had other signals, too. Roethlisberger would grab his face mask to signal a “hot” throw to a wide receiver, usually Antonio Brown.
With both retired, Guy can freely spill those secrets. Roethlisberger had his flaws that made him easier to play against, but it still didn’t prevent the league at-large from Roethlisberger winning two Super Bowls and enjoying a Hall-of-Fame career.