Steelers rout Browns, 34-7

CLEVELAND -- The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t changed a bit under Mike Tomlin.

In their first game in 15 years without coach Bill Cowher stalking the sideline, the Steelers looked the same while smashing and slapping around the Cleveland Browns -- again.

Ben Roethlisberger threw a career-high four touchdown passes and Pittsburgh rolled to a 34-7 win in Tomlin’s NFL coaching debut.

Willie Parker rushed for 109 yards in a bruising victory by the Steelers that typified Cowher’s tenure with the team. Cowher was 21-5 against the Browns, but Tomlin did something his predecessor couldn’t -- beat Pittsburgh’s rival in his first meeting against them.

Coach Romeo Crennel benched Charlie Frye in the first half. Frye completed four of 10 passes for 34 yards and threw an interception. Derek Anderson took over and threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Lawrence Vickers to avoid the shutout.

Roethlisberger was 12 for 23 for 161 yards.

Quoteworthy: “He really doesn’t get rah-rah. As a player you like that. He’s calm. You don’t have to worry about getting yelled at or spit on or getting stuff thrown at you.” -- Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh quarterback, on Coach Mike Tomlin