Steelers' Antonio Brown is something special

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers' Brown is something special

By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer dlolley@observer-reporter.com
10/14/2011

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/201012/20101210steelers_330.jpg

PITTSBURGH - Antonio Brown didn't line up opposite Tennessee's Marc Mariani in the Steelers' 38-17 victory last Sunday at Heinz Field, but that didn't mean they weren't competing against each other.

Mariani has done something Brown would like to do - represent the AFC in the Pro Bowl as a return specialist.

One third of the way through this season, Brown is in the running to accomplish that goal.

"I just want to be situationally sound and provide that big play on special teams," Brown said. "If it comes in the fourth quarter or on the first play of the game, I just want to make a splash play and give us good field position."

If teams kick the ball to him.

After Brown returned his first kickoff 52 yards, the Titans didn't give him an opportunity to hurt them again, twice punting the ball out of bounds rather than kick it to Brown.

That's a lot of respect for a player who has just one career touchdown on a return - interestingly, against Tennessee last season.

"It was directional punting, trying to get it out of bounds," Brown said. "That's what they've started to do since the first quarter of the season. I've just got to be smart and when it's my time to touch it, I need to make a good decision.

"It just shows the respect I'm earning, the reputation I'm building. I know they're going to slip up at some time and that's when I'm going to make a big play."

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin doesn't think other opponents will show Brown as much respect, at least not yet.

"I don't know if he's done enough to dictate that at this point," Tomlin said. "He hasn't even gone to the house. I think they are going to kick it to him."

But Brown's numbers are certainly good enough to worry opponents.

The second-year wide receiver is 13th in the league in kick return average at 31.6 yards. He's been even more dynamic as a punt returner, ranking fifth in the NFL at 14.6 yards.

It's been a bright spot on a special teams unit that had some issues.

In their past two games, the Steelers have had a field goal and punt blocked. The coverage units have been solid, and punter Daniel Sepulveda completed a 33-yard pass to Ryan Mundy off a fake on the Steelers' second touchdown drive.

"We have created some big plays, but we have also given up some big plays," Tomlin said. "We recognize moving forward that giving up big plays could reduce our chances of winning. By that, I mean that we have had a kick blocked and punt blocked here in the last two weeks."

Brown's play has helped make up for that.

His 52-yard return against the Titans was a season-high, but he's also had punt returns of 41, 37 and 33 yards.

"I've been close, one or two away from doing scoring. Other teams know I'm capable. They know it's bound to happen," Brown said. "I just have to be smart, and I'm sure I'm going to pop one. Not every team is going to kick away from me. If they give me one, I'm going to pop it."

And possibly run his way to the Pro Bowl.

"I pride myself in being a great returner," Brown said. "I do some dynamic things in the return game. I definitely think I'm an elite returner. I think I can be the AFC Pro Bowl returner."

Odds and end zones

Right tackle Marcus Gilbert (shoulder), nose tackle Casey Hampton (shoulder), running back Mewelde Moore (ankle) and guard Chris Kemoeatu (knee) missed their second consecutive day of practice Thursday as the Steelers prepared to host Jacksonville Sunday. ... Linebacker Jason Worilds, who has been out the past two weeks with a quad injury, returned to practice on a limited basis.

http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/spo ... ing-strong (http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/sports11/10-14-2011-Brown-returning-strong)

[AkronSteel]

He better be special today!!! I'm starting him and Mike Wallace in fantasy because all of my other receivers are on byes!!! I need Brown to come through big time today!!! 100 yards and a TD for each would be sweet!!! :D

[hawaiiansteel]

Ed: Wallace, Brown Outdo Fitz

MONDAY, 24 OCTOBER 2011
WRITTEN BY ED BOUCHETTE


-- Antonio Brown proves an old Tom Donahoe correct in one aspect. Tom once told me that "receivers are a dime a dozen.'' Of course, the receivers did not like that much. What Tom meant was you can find them in a lot of places and for years the Steelers have done that. Lynn Swann was truly worthy of their first-round draft choice in 1974. But John Stallworth was taken on the fourth round. Yancey Thigpen, who still holds their single-season record for receiving yards,

Thigpen was a fourth-round pick by San Diego from Winston Salem State

in 1991. He played in four games, caught no passes and was cut. The Steelers signed him in 1992. He caught one pass that season and nine the next before he broke out with 36 in 1994. In 1995, he had 1,307 yards receiving and in 1997 he had 1,398 for a team record that still stands. And guess who was throwing him the ball that season? Kordell Stewart.

My point is that Donahoe was right and we have many more than Yancey Thigpen to show for it. Hines Ward was a third-round pick, as was Antwaan Randle El.

Mike Wallace was drafted in the third round. Antonio Brown was drafted in the sixth round. Each of them had more yards than Larry Fitzgerald, the highest-paid receiver in the league. Fitz may be the best receiver in the league too but you wouldn't know it this year because he has no one to get him the ball.

http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/inde ... outdo-fitz (http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/pro-sports/steelers/112738-ed-wallace-brown-outdo-fitz)

[NJ-STEELER]

El was a 2nd rder , ed

[hawaiiansteel]

Brown surprising

Tuesday, October 25, 2011
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://photos.triblive.com/photos/PITT/1347807/38464613E.jpg

Antonio Brown earlier this season moved into the No. 3 job at wide receiver and he has secured a solid second place on the team with 364 yards after his first NFL 100-yard game Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

He's merely the latest example of a receiver not drafted highly who has been productive for the Steelers, a sixth-rounder from Central Michigan who was drafted in '10 primarily for his return ability.

A surprise? In some circles maybe.

"It's what I expect." Brown said. "Expect greatness. It's not a surprise to me. It's something I have to build on and continue to get better. This game is all about opportunities, and when the opportunities come you just got to take advantage of them. Those who follow me, those who know me, they know what I'm capable of doing."

While the Steelers have done nicely drafting receivers in the first round (Lynn Swann, Louis Lipps, Plaxico Burress and Santonio Holmes are examples), their passing game has featured third-round picks Mike Wallace, Hines Ward and Emmanuel Sanders the past two seasons with Brown asserting himself in his second season.

They follow a tradition that took hold when the Steelers drafted John Stallworth in the fourth round in 1974. Yancey Thigpen, who still holds their season record with 1,398 yards receiving in '97, was cut after one season and no catches in San Diego, where he was a fourth-round pick from Winston-Salem. It took him a few years before he blossomed with the Steelers and twice topped 1,300 yards receiving.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11298/11 ... z1bodOrBEs (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11298/1184661-66-0.stm#ixzz1bodOrBEs)

[Shawn]

I know this may sound odd and premature, but I believe Brown could turn out to be the most well rounded WR on this team in the next few years.

Brown reminds me a bit of Reggie Wayne in the way he seems to have a certain feel for where Ben will throw the ball. I believe right now his hands are the best on the team. And I'll tell you something Wallace won't blow him away in a foot race. Brown should be the #2 right now. Sanders should be #3, and Ward should be retired.

[Sugar]

I know this may sound odd and premature, but I believe Brown could turn out to be the most well rounded WR on this team in the next few years.

Brown reminds me a bit of Reggie Wayne in the way he seems to have a certain feel for where Ben will throw the ball. I believe right now his hands are the best on the team. And I'll tell you something Wallace won't blow him away in a foot race. Brown should be the #2 right now. Sanders should be #3, and Ward should be retired.

While I do agree to an extent, I don't think Ward should be retired. He has an important roll in teaching these young guys and he typically has a way of getting his when nobody thinks he can anymore.

[flippy]

Ward was the reason Heath was wide open on the first TD pass on Sunday.

Hines does more without the ball than any offensive player in the league. He has value and should really be thought of as a receiving TE.

[Shawn]

I'm going to have to disagree with both of you. At this point, Ward scares no one. Yes, he can still block, but he looks like he is running through molasses. He has been dropping balls for the last couple seasons he wouldn't have dropped a few years back. He is the 4th best WR on this team right now. If the coaches wants to keep him around to help the young guys along then great. But, he shouldn't be starting. He shouldn't be sniffing the field unless we have 4 WR sets. Ward isn't better than Brown at this point, and honestly I would also rather see Sanders on the field.

[Slapstick]

After this season, you may have your wish...

[Shawn]

After this season, you may have your wish...

Ward is one of my favorite Steelers of all times. But, once you have lost a step and other players are clearly better...it's time. I personally believe Ward starts more for political reasons than anything else.

[Dee Dub]

Ward is one of my favorite Steelers of all times. But, once you have lost a step and other players are clearly better...it's time. I personally believe Ward starts more for political reasons than anything else.

Cha-ching!!! Great post Shawn. I agree with you 100%. Ward should be no more than 4th on this depth chart..and with Miller, Ward shouldnt be anything more than the 5th option.

I am hoping that Sanders continues to grow. I would like him to be used as a potential trade chip. No way the Steelers will be able to keep all 3 (Wallace, Brown, and Sanders), in due time. A team like Arizona who desperately needs a compliment to Fitzgerald may over pay for an Emmanuel Sanders.

Get something for Sanders in the off season before he leaves the Steelers for greener pastures and they end up getting nothing.

[Slapstick]

Ward is one of my favorite Steelers of all times. But, once you have lost a step and other players are clearly better...it's time. I personally believe Ward starts more for political reasons than anything else.

I don't think he starts for political reasons...if, by political, you mean that Sanders and Brown were running incorrect routes earlier in the season, then you may right...

Without the benefit of offseason workouts, you leave Hines in there until Brown or Sanders shows that they are demonstrably better...if Ward can't play due to his sprain, there may be another veteran who loses their starting job...

[Shawn]

Ward is one of my favorite Steelers of all times. But, once you have lost a step and other players are clearly better...it's time. I personally believe Ward starts more for political reasons than anything else.

I don't think he starts for political reasons...if, by political, you mean that Sanders and Brown were running incorrect routes earlier in the season, then you may right...

Without the benefit of offseason workouts, you leave Hines in there until Brown or Sanders shows that they are demonstrably better...if Ward can't play due to his sprain, there may be another veteran who loses their starting job...

You may need to remind me but I don't believe Brown has dropped a catchable ball this season. Ward has on several occasions. So, both Brown and Ward make mistakes...Brown's are understandable due to his youth. But, at this point his upside is off the charts. Having him and Wallace on the field at the same time takes the top off both sides of the field. You can't bring either safety into the box without giving Brown or Wallace a chance to beat you deep. That allow Mendenhall to do his thing. Ward does none of that. We can't even expect him to catch catchable balls anymore. While Ward knows the system...that just isn't enough anymore.

[Shawn]

Ward is one of my favorite Steelers of all times. But, once you have lost a step and other players are clearly better...it's time. I personally believe Ward starts more for political reasons than anything else.

Cha-ching!!! Great post Shawn. I agree with you 100%. Ward should be no more than 4th on this depth chart..and with Miller, Ward shouldnt be anything more than the 5th option.

I am hoping that Sanders continues to grow. I would like him to be used as a potential trade chip. No way the Steelers will be able to keep all 3 (Wallace, Brown, and Sanders), in due time. A team like Arizona who desperately needs a compliment to Fitzgerald may over pay for an Emmanuel Sanders.

Get something for Sanders in the off season before he leaves the Steelers for greener pastures and they end up getting nothing.

It does make you wonder how much we could get for Sanders. I suspect no more than a 3rd at this point. If someone wants to offer more than that...I hope the Steelers listen.

[hawaiiansteel]

Antonio Brown Succeeding In Versatile Role For Steelers

by Neal Coolong on Oct 26, 2011

http://cdn1.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/2128169/130149335_extra_large.jpg

One often-mentioned aspect of Pittsburgh's 34-20 win at Arizona in Week 7 is second-year WR Antonio Brown's 103 yards receiving - second-highest on the team.

What hasn't been mentioned much, in this game and on the season, is the impact Brown is making overall.

Combining receiving yards, rushing yards and punt and kick returns, Brown has 953 total yards gained this season, but the flashes of brilliance he's showing - in particular, the catch pictured above, as well as several nearly-broken returns he's had in seven games - is part of Pittsburgh's offensive resurgence since they scored 10 points in a Week 4 loss at Houston.

It certainly wasn't the best throw of the day for QB Ben Roethlisberger, and Brown may not have Calvin Johnson's wingspan, but good things happen when Brown is targeted.

Those targets are coming plenty often as well. While Mike Wallace leads the team with 51, Brown is a surprising second, just three behind Wallace at 48. Brown was targeted a team-high nine times against Arizona.

To put it into context, Hines Ward and Heath Miller have 39 and 31, respectively, for third and fourth on the team.

It'll be important for New England to remember No. 84 in Week 8, considering the Patriots have given up the most passing plays of 20 yards or more (37) and are 25th in passer rating against (92.0).

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/20 ... #storyjump (http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2011/10/26/2515802/antonio-brown-succeeding-in-versatile-role-for-steelers#storyjump)