Ravens Center A.Q. Shipley Talks About Rivalry With Steelers
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan)- Ravens center and former Steeler, A.Q. Shipley joined the guys on The Fan Morning Show Wednesday to talk about the showdown in Baltimore on Thanksgiving night,
Shipley will get his first start at center with the Ravens Thursday night. It's been a real challenge for him to get a chance and stick with a team in this league, but he hasn't let it stop him.
I've been working my butt off to get here," Shipley said. "I'm a football player and there is a place in this league for a football player."
His first start will come against a team he knows well as he was drafted by the Steelers in the seventh round of the 2009 Draft.
He is also a Pittsburgh native so he knows just how diehard the Steelers fans are and his family has always rooted for the black and gold, but what will happen Thursday night?
"They are A.Q. Shipley fans at this point," Shipley said. "They are my biggest supporters. They will be rooting for me."
Shipley is also getting a shot right in the middle of a key game for both the Steelers and the Ravens. The winner could be in the driver's seat for the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC.
"They understand it. We understand it. It's going to be a fight," Shipley said.
He says from what he has seen on film, the Steelers' defense looks as good as ever and the struggle early this season was because they were not getting breaks. Now, things are starting to go their way. He says they are playing at a high level right now.
Shipley will be getting the ball to quarterback Joe Flacco, who took some shots at his own team yesterday by ripping the decision to use the wildcat offense. Shipley said he has the right to his opinion, but the wildcat did help last week. He also said Flacco is a cool, calm and collected guy who never gets rattled.
"He is just a regular guy playing footballm" Shipley said.
He tells the guys this is not the start that the Ravens expected this year either, but this team has stuck together and things are getting better and a win Thursday night could mean everything. It's tough getting ready for a Thursday night game, but it's a little easier playing your most hated rival.
"If you can't get up for this one, you are probably in the wrong business," Shipley said.
The Ravens lost a 19-16 decision to the Steelers in the first meeting this year and are (4-1) at home.
It's a big game for everyone, but especially for Shipley the former Penn State All-American who has had to really work hard to get here.
"I kept saying once i got my shot I was not going to give it up," Shipley said. "This is my shot."
Listen to the full interview here:
A.Q. Shipley 11-27
Listen to The Fan Morning Show weekdays 5:40 to 10 a.m.
