Probably. Brown has the speed and is a homerun hitter but Sanders is the more polished receiver and better route runner. Personally I think Sanders will end up with more receptions this season but that is just a guess.flip a coin?
How about downfield blocking. That is obviously one of Hines Ward's strengths. Plus the energy he brings to the field. Are either of these guy better at those aspects of the game? Here is what I saw on NFL rewind (which is an awesome value for $40 for the season and is free this week) today.Probably. Brown has the speed and is a homerun hitter but Sanders is the more polished receiver and better route runner. Personally I think Sanders will end up with more receptions this season but that is just a guess.flip a coin?
One thing to remember when considering them both as prospects, before Sander's injury in the preseason, he was clearly the #3 WR on the roster. The coaches seemed to like him better than Brown and Ben seemed to trust him more. Now obviously Brown's contributions in the preseason cannot and will not be ignored, but I think Sanders is the better bet to perform over the long term.Also, it should be noted that between the two, Sanders is actually the "speed" guy:Antonio Brown Combine:4.57 40 yard dash6.98 3 cone4.18 20 yard shuttle33.5" vert105" Broad jump (actually worst among WRs at the combine)Emmanuel Sanders Combine:4.41 40 yard dash6.64 3 cone4.10 20 yard shuttle39.5" vert126" broad jump (best among WRs at the combine)Obviously, that's all just numbers on a stat sheet that don't necessarily relate to on field play, but in terms of "measurables", Sanders is the clear cut winner.Probably. Brown has the speed and is a homerun hitter but Sanders is the more polished receiver and better route runner. Personally I think Sanders will end up with more receptions this season but that is just a guess.flip a coin?
I disagree. He had one drop on the sideline on third and 11. Ben pretty obviously just missed him on the rest.Sanders.
He runs the better routes, has better hands and has "more confidence" from Arians.
Not to say that Brown wont see the field, but I think Sanders is the play.
Brown played decent last week (when accounting KR/PR) but had a few head-scratching drops that really hurt in pivotal situations.
Good stuff.How about downfield blocking. That is obviously one of Hines Ward's strengths. Plus the energy he brings to the field. Are either of these guy better at those aspects of the game? Here is what I saw on NFL rewind (which is an awesome value for $40 for the season and is free this week) today.Probably. Brown has the speed and is a homerun hitter but Sanders is the more polished receiver and better route runner. Personally I think Sanders will end up with more receptions this season but that is just a guess.flip a coin?
EMMANUEL SANDERS 5'11" 180 lbs
1st target - Sanders was lined up left with Brown. Wallace and Hines to the right side. Tight end blocking. Out of the gun, Sanders appeared to be first read on the inside slant. Bang-bang play tackled quickly after catch.
2nd target - On the touchdown that was classic Big Ben where he broke outside the pocket and approached the goalline. Sanders' guy broke off but to his credit he kept playing ball and got wide open.
3rd target - The "target" (8:11 of second) was not even really a target. Busted TE screen where Sanders was the nearest guy on a throwaway that was almost picked. Target states DEEP Right, when in fact it was really nothing.
Antonio Brown 5'10" 186 lbs
Nothing in the first quarter.
1st target - First target was at designed screen catch of -1 at the 8:05 mark of the second quarter. Playcall designed to get the ball in his hands. Tackled immediately.
2nd target - Third and 11, be hit him after holding the ball a while. Ball hit his hands beyond the first down marker. He should have caught this ball for an easy first. Good throw.
3rd target - Way overthrown. Split left again with Sanders I think.
4th target - Brown was open, announcers speculate it may have slipped out of Ben's hand.
5th target - Very next play. Pressure on Ben, threw moving backwards and it hit the turf 2 yards short of our hero.
6th target - Three wide with a tight end. Nice bullet inside to Brown. 15 yard gain.
7th target - 4 wide set. Ben just missed him about 16 yards down field.
8th target - Group set right with only Brown to the left. He appeared to be Ben's only choice as he stared him down in the end zone and threw it out of bounds. Brown caught it on the far side of the sideline stripe.
9th target - Looked like the same play. Ben stared him down again and hit him. This time only inches from being in bounds.
Summary in one guy's opinion.
In summary I think it appears Brown was used more. He had plays called for him specifically. He had two shots at touchdowns at the end where the coaches and/or Ben tried to force feed him the ball in the endzone. I think Brown is the definite option here.
I thought about cutting him before I actually went and watched the plays. Now, I'm going to acquire him in the leagues I don't own him in. Plus was the top return guy.
Ben has commented on Brown often "turning the wrong way or being out of position when the ball is thrown", which may make some of those "misses" last week actually Brown's fault. Sounds to me like a QB that is perhaps having his confidence in his WR shaken.I think it's 2 and 2a or however they term it. One game it could be Sanders and the next it could be Brown. Depends on level of play and practice habits as well. A situation to avoid except if injury strikes to one of them.
Sanders targetting 4 times but one was a penalty against the SteelersCaught first pass of the game and another one early second. Also made a throw himself that was completed.Brown not targetted until the third quarter, Steelers already up 17-0 when not threatened all day. 2 catches on the same drive that got them up to 24-0, then targetted 4 times in the last, with 2 of them being caught in the last 10 minutes. Not much to read into the stats either way.Week 2:Antonio Brown - 6 targets, 4/67Emmanuel Sanders - 3 targets, 2/44
I get the impression they are easing Sanders in till he gets into playing shape so he doesn't pull a hammy or other injury.I say Sanders here. I also like Brown, but I think Sanders could be a star.And people using week 1 targets as some kind of indicator need to remember Sanders barely practiced in August.
75 yards is pretty solid.Brown is getting the targets, but not doing much with it. That is discouraging.
One miss was a bounce pass and another was out of bounds. He did drop a pass on a bubble screen, however. Don't remember the 4th miss.Brown is getting the targets, but not doing much with it. That is discouraging.
When you look around the table and you don't know who the guppie is............I'm already starting to wonder when Hines Ward will be droppable in dynasty leagues.
All 4/75 came in the 1st half. For some reason Sanders was in more in the 2nd half.'Sabertooth said:75 yards is pretty solid.'silentcoach said:Brown is getting the targets, but not doing much with it. That is discouraging.