Don't resign AB

[NorthCoast]

So you want to punish him for large gains? I never got that argument.

Catching 9 of 15 targets against the Broncos is a great stat line.

said it was a good game for him... where am I punishing?

Let's look closer against AFC North teams, teams that would know them best:

AB averages 8.8 yds/target
MB averages 9.7 yds/target

AB has a 65% catch rate
MB has a 57.5% catch rate

AB averages 80 yds/gm
MB averages 57 yds/gm

AB averages 13.5 yds/rec
MB averages 17 yds/rec

[Shawn]

I think AB is signed to a 3 year 36 million dollar contract with about half guaranteed. He can get more on the open market but I suspect he takes a bit of a discount for us.

[pittpete]

No way AB agrees to 12 mil per year...IMO just isnt going to happen.
$$$$ not coming out of my pocket so i don't care but i don't see how we'll be able to sign both.

[SS Laser]

Don't think they will sign Bell to a contract unless he take a deal that benefits the Steelers. Franchise him for next 2 seasons if possible. Not sure with his injury history he can continue the pounding for to many seasons anyway. And he wants the most money anyway. He has said as much in his rap. Cant 100% count on him either. As far as off the field and getting injured.
I am starting to think and hope AB might surprise us all and take a good deal for both parties.

[feltdizz]

said it was a good game for him... where am I punishing?

Let's look closer against AFC North teams, teams that would know them best:

AB averages 8.8 yds/target
MB averages 9.7 yds/target

AB has a 65% catch rate
MB has a 57.5% catch rate

AB averages 80 yds/gm
MB averages 57 yds/gm

AB averages 13.5 yds/rec
MB averages 17 yds/rec

just reminds me of the FWP arguments from back in the day.

"take out his long runs and his average is..."

I'm still not understanding your point.

For the record I'm against trading AB and making MB our #1. He hasn't earned our trust.

[Coolie Man]

1. Too much $ for a WR
2. He's too much an individual
3. How many good years left?
4. Possible trade with year left on contract(pats/browns)

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2017/01/29/NFL-salary-cap-should-compel-Steelers-to-trade-Brown-Antonio-wide-receiver-NFL-contract/stories/201701290090

I swear I'm not Ron Cook

[feltdizz]

Trade AB who has only kissed one game due to a cheap shot and keep Bell who hasnt played a full season yet and may have another weed infraction this off season?

No thanks.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

I think Cook was right one in laying some blame for AB's problems at Tomlin's feet. Can you imagine Belicheat** or Cowher turning a blind eye to a player intentionally and repeatedly causing 15-yard penalties? Of course not! But by not clamping down he encouraged that behavior, and IMO there's no surprise that the guy is later seen preening and live-streaming during a coach's speech.

Cook brought up that AB ran the wrong route last week, and suggested he may have done it out of spite. Anyone hear anything else about that? Combined with the reports that AB was pouting because he didn't get the call on the TD does make one wonder whether we have a budding Ocho Cinco on our hands for next year.

AB isn't a kid. I don't think it's likely he will all of a sudden change into a team-first kind of guy.

[Coolie Man]

I truly believe this is a major part Ben was talking about before the win streak when he was addressing accountability

[NorthCoast]

NE had a WR (don't recall his name) who had a 4 TD game. Showed up late the next day for team meetings and BB cut him without asking questions.

[Captain Lemming]

Half those yards came on two plays. .

What of it. He had two long gains and a bunch of chain movers. That seems EXACTLY what you SHOULD want. How is that a bad thing.

He was targeted 15 times and caught 9.

And so? It aint like he had a bunch of drops in the game. Whats your point?

It was a good game for him, but it was only one.

Your ONLY valid point. But you made the contention that Bryant would struggle without AB. I gave you what we have ACTUALLY SEEN in that regard. It may be a small sample size but your contention is purely speculative with zero basis in what we have actually seen.

And the Broncos were focused on stopping Wheaton in that game.

Now this is just REACHING my friend. Bryant was the starter and clearly the bigger threat than Wheaton.
You saying the genius coaches said, "Brown is out, don't worry about the athletic freak starter, we've got to make sure the NUMBER THREE guy doesn't beat us?"
Wheaton has had all of ONE hundred yard game in his ENTIRE 4 season CAREER.
HE is the one who is worse when he faces top defenders, his best game was because the Seahawks sold out to defend starters AB and MB and defended him with linebackers and backup DBs ALL GAME LONG.

The previous game?... caught 5 passes for 29 yds with AB in the game.

Did you forget your own point?
You are making the case that MB would suffer WITHOUT AB.
Pointing to the PRIOR game with AB, as contrasted to the VERY NEXT WEEK without AB against a far superior defense only make MY case.
I would contend, ABs very presence limits Bryant because Ben is too reliant on AB. Whenever Ben is out, the other QBs don't have that relationship and passes are more evenly distributed.
Similarly, in the Denver game WITHOUT safety blanket AB, Ben found an open Bryant far more frequently.

[feltdizz]

I think Cook was right one in laying some blame for AB's problems at Tomlin's feet. Can you imagine Belicheat** or Cowher turning a blind eye to a player intentionally and repeatedly causing 15-yard penalties? Of course not! But by not clamping down he encouraged that behavior, and IMO there's no surprise that the guy is later seen preening and live-streaming during a coach's speech.

Cook brought up that AB ran the wrong route last week, and suggested he may have done it out of spite. Anyone hear anything else about that? Combined with the reports that AB was pouting because he didn't get the call on the TD does make one wonder whether we have a budding Ocho Cinco on our hands for next year.

AB isn't a kid. I don't think it's likely he will all of a sudden change into a team-first kind of guy.

wait, they are suggesting AB ran the wrong route in purpose? Smh... that makes perfect sense.

Cowher used to spit at Joey Porter all the time for getting penalties. Hell, Joey Porter missed a game because he fought in warmups.

I swear, this FB live is so overblown it's hilarious.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

wait, they are suggesting AB ran the wrong route in purpose? Smh... that makes perfect sense.

Cowher used to spit at Joey Porter all the time for getting penalties. Hell, Joey Porter missed a game because he fought in warmups.

I swear, this FB live is so overblown it's hilarious.

As a sign of the disrespect he is showing the team, in combination with the other things that have been written about on this forum and elsewhere, I do think it is significant.

[Captain Lemming]

said it was a good game for him... where am I punishing?

Let's look closer against AFC North teams, teams that would know them best:

AB averages 8.8 yds/target
MB averages 9.7 yds/target

AB has a 65% catch rate
MB has a 57.5% catch rate

AB averages 80 yds/gm
MB averages 57 yds/gm

AB averages 13.5 yds/rec
MB averages 17 yds/rec

Who is contending MB is the better receiver? AB CERTAINLY has more reliable hands.
But do keep this in mind:
Deep passes are by their very nature lower percentage passes because it is harder for the QB to hit hit target. A high percentage of passes to Bryant are deep throws.

Again, the original point, there is nothing to support the claim that Bryants game would be hurt by ABs absence. You can make a case that the overall passing game would suffer because Brown is a great receiver. I just KNOW on the open market he will get more than his true value.

[NorthCoast]

What of it. He had two long gains and a bunch of chain movers. That seems EXACTLY what you SHOULD want. How is that a bad thing.

And so? It aint like he had a bunch of drops in the game. Whats your point?

Your ONLY valid point. But you made the contention that Bryant would struggle without AB. I gave you what we have ACTUALLY SEEN in that regard. It may be a small sample size but your contention is purely speculative with zero basis in what we have actually seen.

Now this is just REACHING my friend. Bryant was the starter and clearly the bigger threat than Wheaton.
You saying the genius coaches said, "Brown is out, don't worry about the athletic freak starter, we've got to make sure the NUMBER THREE guy doesn't beat us?"
Wheaton has had all of ONE hundred yard game in his ENTIRE 4 season CAREER.
HE is the one who is worse when he faces top defenders, his best game was because the Seahawks sold out to defend starters AB and MB and defended him with linebackers and backup DBs ALL GAME LONG.

Did you forget your own point?
You are making the case that MB would suffer WITHOUT AB.
Pointing to the PRIOR game with AB, as contrasted to the VERY NEXT WEEK without AB against a far superior defense only make MY case.
I would contend, ABs very presence limits Bryant because Ben is too reliant on AB. Whenever Ben is out, the other QBs don't have that relationship and passes are more evenly distributed.
Similarly, in the Denver game WITHOUT safety blanket AB, Ben found an open Bryant far more frequently.

MB had the highest drop rate (9.8%) of any receiver with 50 or more passes in the last season he played. In 3 games he was targeted 10 or more times he gained 100 yds once. The point is MB hasn't shown consistency you want to see from a #1. Maybe it was the weed?.. maybe something else. I hope he comes back a new player with focus. I get the sense the Steelers need to start finding some good competition for AB, and MB might be their best option right now if he can stay clean.
You don't need to convince me on Wheaton. I don't expect the Steelers will resign him given what looks like better options still on rookie contracts.