DaytonDailyNews.com

PITTSBURGH — Some of the Browns' signature stars refused comment after Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Receiver Braylon Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow were notably silent.

Veteran linebacker Willie McGinest not only took questions, he took the blame.

"I had my worst game as a Cleveland Brown," said McGinest, who joined the team last season. "I apologized to the guys. I'm strong, so put it on me."

McGinest specifically blamed himself for missing a tackle just before Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger scrambled 30 yards for the touchdown that put Pittsburgh ahead for the first time 24-21 early in the fourth quarter.

"A big missed tackle," McGinest said. "If I make that tackle, Roethlisberger's not even a question."

After McGinest spoke, players said others took turns standing up and blaming themselves.

"It's never one guy's fault," kick returner Josh Cribbs said. "We all looked ourselves in the mirror."

Comic relief

It would have been funnier in victory, but the sight of rotund Browns head coach Romeo Crennel charging onto the field to throw his replay challenge flag was priceless at the time.

The Browns led 14-6 late in the second quarter when Brodney Pool intercepted Roethlisberger, leading to a 16-yard Derek Anderson touchdown pass to Edwards, who somehow got both feet in bounds while contorting his body.

Originally, the pass was ruled incomplete. Edwards' score was confirmed only after Crennel sprint-waddled from the sideline, making it all the way out to the numbers before waving down an official and tossing his flag.

Changing of the guard

With Seth McKinney out for the season, Ryan Tucker played guard in a regular-season game for the first time since the late '90s while with the St. Louis Rams. "A good baptism," he called it.

Tucker had been alternating at right tackle with Kevin Shaffer since returning from a four-game steroid suspension. The starting guard job could be Tucker's for the rest of the season after McKinney, hurt in the Seattle win, went on injured reserve Saturday.

The offensive line continues to protect Anderson, who wasn't touched Sunday, let alone sacked.

Injury report

Eric Steinbach, who had been questionable with a back problem, started at left guard. Inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson (ankle) was inactive again.

End zones

• Defensive back Ricardo Colclough, recently scooped up on waivers from the Steelers, was on the inactive list against his former team.

• Roethlisberger, the former Miami University standout, led a fourth-quarter, game-winning drive for the 10th time in his career, first this season.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland@DaytonDailyNews.com.