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Zach Gentry had a huge 24-yard reception over the middle of the field on the game-winning touchdown drive against the Browns and finished the game with three receptions for 39 yards. Gentry has come a long way from his rookie season, as he's improved tremendously as a blocker and route runner.
Gentry is now getting compared to another big tight end that Ben Roethlisberger played with in the past.
"Zach reminds me a lot of Matt Spaeth, a guy that takes pride in his work," Roethlisberger said. "Kind of an unsung hero. Maybe didn't catch a lot of balls, a lot of touchdowns. Doesn't have big stats. But will always put the team first. Does the dirty work. You watch Zach getting his nose dirty in some of the blocks and you reward him with some catches. He's just a team first guy. That's fun to see."
Roethlisberger even said that he accidentally called Gentry "Matt" the other day at practice. Gentry stands at 6-foot-8 and in the 280-pound range, while Spaeth was listed as 6-foot-7, 260 pounds. They have very similar body types, and there are not many tight ends out there that are 6-foo-7 or 6-foot-8.
Gentry just continues to get better and has showcased in the last two games why he deserves to be the No. 2 tight end ahead of Eric Ebron now.
Roethlisberger also gave praise to rookie center Kendrick Green, who has been playing a lot better than he was early in the season.
"He's still learning. He's still growing. I'm not sure how many games he's played at center in his life, but it's not very many," Roethlisberger said. "I'm just proud of him. I told him that after the game that night, sent him a text of just how proud I was of his play, and just keep doing it."