Antonio Brown - Official Thread

[kutta 5,525]

There’s some local chatter here in AZ that Brown may be an option.

[NYRAGE 1,677]

It's hard to believe that it's gotten to this point.  Some of the most talented WRs are divas. It makes you really appreciate the likes of Hopkins and Fitz even more. 

As great as he is, I'm not even sure that I would want his ego on the Jets at this point and they could really use him. 

[Faust 5,274]

Quote

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the Steelers have not spoken with Antonio Brown since he was deactivated for the team's Week 17 game against the Bengals.

Per reporter Gerry Dulac, Brown has "refused to return repeated phone calls" from owner Art Rooney II and coach Mike Tomlin. He skipped the team's final meetings. "Whether the situation can be reconciled and have him back on the team next year, we’re a long way away from thinking that can happen," Rooney said, expanding on his comments that it was difficult to envision Brown with the team in 2019. "We’re not closing the door on anything at this point." Rooney said the massive $21.2 million cap hit the Steelers would take by trading Brown will not factor into their decision. Rooney sounds 100 percent ready to move on.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 

Jan 10 - 4:28 PM

 

 

[menobrown 3,939]

1 hour ago, ffmail4me said:

If I were a Steelers fan, I'd be really pissed the way they have handled their 2 star players. Bell and AB aren't guys you just easily replace. 

I'm a Steeler fan and not the least bit pissed. Hated to see Bell go, will hate seeing AB go even more, but in both cases I would not change a thing about how the Steelers handled their business.  I wanted Bell to take another one year franchise offer, I wanted AB to try and smooth things over.  That neither happened I don't blame the Steelers.

 

[menobrown 3,939]

1 hour ago, Anarchy99 said:

I read it a lot different than you do. From what I read, the Steelers will have to eat like a $21 million cap hit for the remainder of all his bonus money. His new team would only have to pay him his remaining salaries. I believe that averages out to $12 million a year. Basically, PIT would have already paid him a third of his average cap hit in prior bonuses. 

It would be interesting if a team like the Colts traded for AB and later signed Bell. Compared to what some other receivers have gotten or will sign for, AB from $12 million a year is a relative bargain.

I read it like you do on the money.

Put me down as saying I'd be very surprised if Colts want either of them due to team culture, not because of money.

I think we are in store for a very exciting March.

 

[menobrown 3,939]

On 1/8/2019 at 11:47 AM, menobrown said:

I got this:

Here's what Jon Gruden said about Antonio Brown: `If you get a chance to watch him practice, you’ll see what unlocks the greatness in him. Hardest working player I’ve ever seen practice. I’ve seen Jerry Rice, I’ve seen a lot of good ones, but I put Antonio Brown at the top. '

Raider beat writer tweeted out the full quote earlier today, which I"d not read before:

With Steelers president Art Rooney telling the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette it's "hard to envision" Antonio Brown returning to Pittsburgh, here's what Raiders coach Jon Gruden said about the All-Pro receiver on Dec. 5: "He can run every route you dream up. I say that about other receivers but he can run double moves, he can run by you, he can run crossing routes, he’s very good after the catch. What’s the greatest thing about this man? I’ve told all of our receivers, if you get a chance to watch him practice, you’ll see what unlocks the greatness in him. He’s the hardest working man, I think, in football. Hardest working player I’ve ever seen practice. I’ve seen Jerry Rice, I’ve seen a lot of good ones, but I put Antonio Brown at the top. If there are any young wideouts out there, I’d go watch him practice. You figure out yourself why he’s such a good player."

https://twitter.com/PGutierrezESPN/status/1083517842484539394

[DropKick 1,124]

2 hours ago, ffmail4me said:

If I were a Steelers fan, I'd be really pissed the way they have handled their 2 star players. Bell and AB aren't guys you just easily replace. 

Bell was replaced fairly easily...  I understand these guys are talented but are they worth the other baggage?

[matuski 4,968]

33 minutes ago, DropKick said:

Bell was replaced fairly easily...  I understand these guys are talented but are they worth the other baggage?

Was he?

PIT was the worst rushing team in the league weren't they?

eta - I stand corrected.  2nd worst rushing team in the NFL.

Edited January 11, 2019 by matuski

[DropKick 1,124]

12 minutes ago, matuski said:

Was he?

PIT was the worst rushing team in the league weren't they?

eta - I stand corrected.  2nd worst rushing team in the NFL.

Connor was 6th overall in my league and was a factor in the receiving game.  Throw in 12 TDs...  Not bad at all when you consider he missed 3 games and played a tough schedule.  Would Bell have done significantly better?

[32 Counter Pass 577]

2 hours ago, Anarchy99 said:

I read it a lot different than you do. From what I read, the Steelers will have to eat like a $21 million cap hit for the remainder of all his bonus money. His new team would only have to pay him his remaining salaries. I believe that averages out to $12 million a year. Basically, PIT would have already paid him a third of his average cap hit in prior bonuses. 

It would be interesting if a team like the Colts traded for AB and later signed Bell. Compared to what some other receivers have gotten or will sign for, AB from $12 million a year is a relative bargain.

All I was saying is that teams now know the Steelers want to trade AB. Interested teams may wait and try to low ball the Steelers.

Ya as an AB owner imagining a union with Luck is intoxicating. Being paired with Russell would be a great consolation prize

[matuski 4,968]

37 minutes ago, DropKick said:

Connor was 6th overall in my league and was a factor in the receiving game.  Throw in 12 TDs...  Not bad at all when you consider he missed 3 games and played a tough schedule.  Would Bell have done significantly better?

I think the team is in the playoffs with Bell, yes.

[ZenoRazon 351]

What is with WR's, this needs to be researched.

Rae Carruth

Bob Hayes

Warren Wells

Chad Johnson

Keyshawn Johnson

Terrell Owens

Randy Moss

Dez Bryant

Josh Gordon

Antonio Brown

all those I;m  forgetting.

Edited January 11, 2019 by ZenoRazon

[Ghost Rider 6,311]

4 hours ago, ffmail4me said:

If I were a Steelers fan, I'd be really pissed the way they have handled their 2 star players. Bell and AB aren't guys you just easily replace. 

Maybe not, but they haven't exactly lit the preseason world on fire with those guys, have they?  Having good QB play and dominating in the trenches (protecting your QB and getting to the other team's QB)..that is how you win in the postseason.  Steelers fans should be hoping that the superstar divas are gone and that money is spent upgrading the team in other areas. 

Edited January 11, 2019 by Ghost Rider

[Rhythmdoctor 1,463]

3 hours ago, Anarchy99 said:

I read it a lot different than you do. From what I read, the Steelers will have to eat like a $21 million cap hit for the remainder of all his bonus money. His new team would only have to pay him his remaining salaries. I believe that averages out to $12 million a year. Basically, PIT would have already paid him a third of his average cap hit in prior bonuses. 

It would be interesting if a team like the Colts traded for AB and later signed Bell. Compared to what some other receivers have gotten or will sign for, AB from $12 million a year is a relative bargain.

Assuming you're right, this has to be a no-brainer for a playoff contender.  Because you're right, $12MM in today's market is quite the bargain. I wouldn't even be that shocked to see a team increase his salary if a trade is made, again assuming that you're right.  Man, Packers would be such a great landing spot.

[matuski 4,968]

1 hour ago, ZenoRazon said:

What is with WR's, this needs to be researched.

Rae Carruth

Bob Hayes

Warren Wells

Chad Johnson

Keyshawn Johnson

Terrell Owens

Randy Moss

Dez Bryant

Josh Gordon

Antonio Brown

all those I;m  forgetting.

Also what is it with free safety's, this needs to be researched.

[ZenoRazon 351]

2 minutes ago, matuski said:

Also what is it with free safety's, this needs to be researched.

You really don't get the connection there guy?

[matuski 4,968]

2 minutes ago, ZenoRazon said:

You really don't get the connection there guy?

You don't think Duron Harmon and Will Parks and Brian Dawkins and Shiloh Keo need to be researched?

I mean you really don't get the connection there fella?

[ZenoRazon 351]

2 minutes ago, matuski said:

You don't think Duron Harmon and Will Parks and Brian Dawkins and Shiloh Keo need to be researched?

I mean you really don't get the connection there fella?

This thread is about a WR  amigo, so stay on topic, ok?

[matuski 4,968]

Don't forget safety John Boyett.

Now there is a story worth researching:

Quote

Accused of being drunk, head-butting and hitting a cab driver and trying to hide from police by stealing a shovel and covering himself in mulch.

 

[Godsbrother 7,012]

8 hours ago, ZenoRazon said:

What is with WR's, this needs to be researched.

Rae Carruth

Bob Hayes

Warren Wells

Chad Johnson

Keyshawn Johnson

Terrell Owens

Randy Moss

Dez Bryant

Josh Gordon

Antonio Brown

all those I;m  forgetting.

They may bring all bring lot of drama but Josh Gordon is a complete knucklehead and Rae Carruth is just an evil person.  They are on a different level

 

[JohnnyU 4,065]

53 minutes ago, Godsbrother said:

They may bring all bring lot of drama but Josh Gordon is a complete knucklehead and Rae Carruth is just an evil person.  They are on a different level

 

I hear Carruth is getting out of prison, or already is.

[JohnnyU 4,065]

With the Colts 122 million under the cap Brown just may be the piece they need.  I cannot begin to say how important having a Brown / Hilton / Ebron combination would be.  Their other WRs aren't very good at all.  However, I do have high hopes for Deon Cain.

Edited January 11, 2019 by JohnnyU

[Todem 4,895]

11 hours ago, DropKick said:

Bell was replaced fairly easily...  I understand these guys are talented but are they worth the other baggage?

Brown is not as easy. WR’s development time is longer. RB’s can come right in and plug and play for the most part. Conner did a tremendous job.

JuJu will now draw the double teams etc. We will see how productive he will be without Antonio Brown drawing all the attention. Think what you want about Brown....yeah he is acting like a little #####. But he is a phenomenal player......and it is not because he is some Stud physical talent like a Julio Jones or OBJ. He is because of what Gruden pointed out. No one works harder than AB.

 

Whatever team get’s him will get a first class pro on the practice field and gridiron. The issue is has he become a total malcontent? Or just with the Steelers? I don’t know. I do not have personal insight inside his gray matter. That is for a GM and coach who are paid millions of dollars to figure out.

 

But make no mistake.......they won’t simply replace Brown so easily. He is a ridiculous talent.

Edited January 11, 2019 by Todem

[irish eyes 1,256]

14 hours ago, ffmail4me said:

If I were a Steelers fan, I'd be really pissed the way they have handled their 2 star players. Bell and AB aren't guys you just easily replace. 

What have they won with those 2 on the team, exactly squat. Glad they didnt cave to idiot Bell and adios to cry baby Brown.

[Todem 4,895]

3 minutes ago, irish eyes said:

What have they won with those 2 on the team, exactly squat. Glad they didnt cave to idiot Bell and adios to cry baby Brown.

They have nothing to do with a shoddy defense.

Now Steelers fans.....you may not be able to even stay in games because your offense will be down 2 superb skill postion players.

Good luck with that. And welcome to my world (Dolphins fan 😩)

Edited January 11, 2019 by Todem

[Godsbrother 7,012]

7 minutes ago, Todem said:

They have nothing to do with a shoddy defense.

Now Steelers fans.....you may not be able to even stay in games because your offense will be down 2 superb skill postion players.

Good luck with that. And welcome to my world (Dolphins fan 😩)

LeVeon Bell's shipped sailed last season so they've already moved on from him.  I agree that Brown will be a huge loss though -- the Steelers have had a knack of finding WR talent in the draft but it will be very difficult to replace AB.  

[Anarchy99 6,156]

51 minutes ago, JohnnyU said:

With the Colts 122 million under the cap Brown just may be the piece they need.  I cannot begin to say how important having a Brown / Hilton / Ebron combination would be.  Their other WRs aren't very good at all.  However, I do have high hopes for Deon Cain.

I would think the Steelers wouldn’t trade AB to an AFC contender. My guess is they would ship him to an NFC team (first choice) or a rebuilding AFC team (OAK, NYJ, MIA, etc.).

[Bayhawks 2,232]

11 hours ago, DropKick said:

Connor was 6th overall in my league and was a factor in the receiving game.  Throw in 12 TDs...  Not bad at all when you consider he missed 3 games and played a tough schedule.  Would Bell have done significantly better?

You're talking about FF.  I believe matuski (and the Steelers, presumably) are concerned with real football.  Conner was much better in 18 than he was as a rookie, and he is a very capable runner.  He was capable as a receiving back, as well.  Bell, isn't a receiving back, though, he's a RB who can also play WR.  He forces defenses to play differently.  Conner can't run the same routes or do the same things in the passing gmae that Bell does.  He's not the receiving threat that Bell is, and that allows defenses to play differently.

[menobrown 3,939]

28 minutes ago, irish eyes said:

What have they won with those 2 on the team, exactly squat. Glad they didnt cave to idiot Bell and adios to cry baby Brown.

Well they are just two parts of the team but most of the time the Steelers got put out of the playoffs one or both of them were not playing and might have been able to make a difference.  Seems like they've been around forever but Bell did not break out until year two in 2014 and AB had a mini-breakout in 2011 but did not start putting up AB type numbers until 2013. So really we are talking about a 4 year window we had both together as superstars and again almost every year they got put out one or both were out.

2014- Bell out when Steelers eliminated

2015- Bell and AB both out when Steelers eliminated

2016- only season both played full game Steelers got put out and was AFC championship game

2017- Bell active but fairly worthless and done after 6 carries when Steelers get put out.

 

[Dizzy 803]

29 minutes ago, menobrown said:

Well they are just two parts of the team but most of the time the Steelers got put out of the playoffs one or both of them were not playing and might have been able to make a difference.  Seems like they've been around forever but Bell did not break out until year two in 2014 and AB had a mini-breakout in 2011 but did not start putting up AB type numbers until 2013. So really we are talking about a 4 year window we had both together as superstars and again almost every year they got put out one or both were out.

2014- Bell out when Steelers eliminated

2015- Bell and AB both out when Steelers eliminated

2016- only season both played full game Steelers got put out and was AFC championship game

2017- Bell active but fairly worthless and done after 6 carries when Steelers get put out.

 

Says a lot about the most important ability that a player needs to have, and that is AVAILability.

Good luck to his future employer.

[ZenoRazon 351]

2 hours ago, Godsbrother said:

They may bring all bring lot of drama but Josh Gordon is a complete knucklehead and Rae Carruth is just an evil person.  They are on a different level

 

Bottom line.....all a problem.

[Dizzy 803]

5 minutes ago, ZenoRazon said:

Bottom line.....all a problem.

Agreed. We're now getting to see the next-gen prima donna's... the elite athletes who grew up watching the TO's and Deion's of the NFL world and now, because those personalities were not only tolerated, but celebrated, feel they can do whatever they want because there IS an "I" in team.

[JohnnyU 4,065]

2 minutes ago, Dizzy said:

Agreed. We're now getting to see the next-gen prima donna's... the elite athletes who grew up watching the TO's and Deion's of the NFL world and now, because those personalities were not only tolerated, but celebrated, feel they can do whatever they want because there IS an "I" in team.

Brown is acting like a big baby.  He's so jealous of Ju Ju Smith-Shuster he can't see straight.

[ZenoRazon 351]

1 minute ago, Dizzy said:

Agreed. We're now getting to see the next-gen prima donna's... the elite athletes who grew up watching the TO's and Deion's of the NFL world and now, because those personalities were not only tolerated, but celebrated, feel they can do whatever they want because there IS an "I" in team.

The head coaches need to make it very clear before the season starts what won't be tolerated and start off with......MEITIST.   Make it understood no player will be allowed to get all wrapped up in ....ME. You are a pro now so drop that immaturity.

[Godsbrother 7,012]

3 minutes ago, ZenoRazon said:

The head coaches need to make it very clear before the season starts what won't be tolerated and start off with......MEITIST.   Make it understood no player will be allowed to get all wrapped up in ....ME. You are a pro now so drop that immaturity.

I agree with this.  My guess is that Mr. Rooney has already discussed this with Tomlin and his statements about AB yesterday are a signal that this kind of stuff won't be tolerated any more.   At least I hope that what it was...

[ZenoRazon 351]

5 minutes ago, Godsbrother said:

I agree with this.  My guess is that Mr. Rooney has already discussed this with Tomlin and his statements about AB yesterday are a signal that this kind of stuff won't be tolerated any more.   At least I hope that what it was...

I don't like seeing young players in commercials.  I do think it hurts things.

Brown is a special player one that cannot be replaced so the Steelers do need to try what they can to keep him.  99% of the time I'd....dump the problem....but not this time.

Edited January 11, 2019 by ZenoRazon

[Buttonhook 490]

11 hours ago, matuski said:

I think the team is in the playoffs with Bell, yes.

Really? Maybe if he could make a damn FG.  Or maybe if he could have forced Tomlin to pull his head out of his butt and not think we could beat OAK with Dobbs at the helm.  Or maybe if he could play ILB.

We beat the damn Patriots with an average inexperienced rookie RB who had less than 200 carries his entire college career.

I'll go so far to say that we would have done worse with Bell, because he became a team cancer, had lost a step, and had clearly checked out.

[Sebowski 3,974]

12 hours ago, ZenoRazon said:

What is with WR's, this needs to be researched.

Rae Carruth

Bob Hayes

Warren Wells

Chad Johnson

Keyshawn Johnson

Terrell Owens

Randy Moss

Dez Bryant

Josh Gordon

Antonio Brown

all those I;m  forgetting.

Marvin Harrison 

[Sebowski 3,974]

13 hours ago, DropKick said:

Connor was 6th overall in my league and was a factor in the receiving game.  Throw in 12 TDs...  Not bad at all when you consider he missed 3 games and played a tough schedule.  Would Bell have done significantly better?

What do fantasy stats have to do with anything? You don't think the Steelers offense would be dramatically better with both Bell and Connor? You don't think that's worth the half of a win that would have given them the division title? 

[Dizzy 803]

3 minutes ago, Sebowski said:

What do fantasy stats have to do with anything? You don't think the Steelers offense would be dramatically better with both Bell and Connor? You don't think that's worth the half of a win that would have given them the division title? 

Offense was not the issue with this team. Spotty defense let this team down all season.

[32 Counter Pass 577]

13 hours ago, ZenoRazon said:

What is with WR's, this needs to be researched.

Rae Carruth

Bob Hayes

Warren Wells

Chad Johnson

Keyshawn Johnson

Terrell Owens

Randy Moss

Dez Bryant

Josh Gordon

Antonio Brown

all those I;m  forgetting.

Dude, WTF? One of these is not like the others. Please list out the felonies for each player.

TIA!

[mquinnjr 3,046]

13 hours ago, ZenoRazon said:

What is with WR's, this needs to be researched.

Rae Carruth

Bob Hayes

Warren Wells

Chad Johnson

Keyshawn Johnson

Terrell Owens

Randy Moss

Dez Bryant

Josh Gordon

Antonio Brown

all those I;m  forgetting.

Odell Beckham

[Epic Problem 2,778]

Don't forget about that time Frank Gifford cheated on Kathy Lee

[Sebowski 3,974]

18 minutes ago, Dizzy said:

Offense was not the issue with this team. Spotty defense let this team down all season.

Sometimes the best defense is a great offense. Seems to work for the Chiefs.

They lost the division title by half a game. Bell is worth at least that. They don't tie the Browns week one with Bell. They don't lose to the Raiders by 3 with Bell. Probably same said for thier Broncos and Saints losses (one possession losses). 

[Steeler 2,917]

Why are we are still talking about L. Bell related to the Steelers in 2018?  Bell and the Steelers couldn't agree on a contract for 2018 so Bell didn't play for them - it really is that simple. 

 

 

 

[habsfan 424]

His next employer needs to be wary I think. Maybe this is strictly a matter of specific relationships between certain individuals that have soured beyond repair and it won't repeat with his next team. Then again maybe it's only a matter of time before his next coach/QB/team mate "disrespects" him and the circus resumes.

[kittenmittens 1,286]

There is so much dumb in this situation. I thought this would have blown over by now... 

It seems like the typical public trade request by a top player that then prevents him from being traded.  

Often these top players who stupidly make their trade request public don't seem to understand that doing so reduces their trade value to the point where they are really hard to trade.  Other teams will only low ball at that point because they know that A) the trading team might not have the option to refuse a trade and B) the player is a big risk to acquire because he's a volatile idiot that doesn't even know enough to keep his fricken mouth shut about trade requests until he's traded. 

This happens just about every time we hear a player has requested a trade.  If his current team isn't willing to give him away for a 4th rounder just to get rid of him, then he won't get traded.

My prediction is that Brown either gets traded for way less than his actual value or doesn't get moved at all. 

[Steeler 2,917]

17 hours ago, Anarchy99 said:

His new team would only have to pay him his remaining salaries. I believe that averages out to $12 million a year. Basically, PIT would have already paid him a third of his average cap hit in prior bonuses

It's becoming more and more apparent that AB won't be with the Steelers next year, so I hope this story line starts to become more prominent which would make it more attractive for other teams to trade for AB.  I hope the Steelers and AB can mend the fences - but AB has to be a willing partner in that and it sure looks like he doesn't want that at this time. 

[Steeler 2,917]

7 minutes ago, kittenmittens said:

My prediction is that Brown either gets traded for way less than his actual value or doesn't get moved at all. 

I don't think the Steelers will give him away, so if he stays I expect more drama from him next year.

[chad in Indy 223]

3 hours ago, Bayhawks said:

You're talking about FF.  I believe matuski (and the Steelers, presumably) are concerned with real football.  Conner was much better in 18 than he was as a rookie, and he is a very capable runner.  He was capable as a receiving back, as well.  Bell, isn't a receiving back, though, he's a RB who can also play WR.  He forces defenses to play differently.  Conner can't run the same routes or do the same things in the passing gmae that Bell does.  He's not the receiving threat that Bell is, and that allows defenses to play differently.

Idk.  It's premature to say that Conner is/is not as good as Bell.  Conner only has one year of history.  However, Conner averaged 4.5 YPC this year and 9.0 YPC this year.  Both those are on par with Bell.  Bell was targeted more in the passing game, but not necessarily as efficient with those touches.  Stats show Conner saw an eight man box quite a bit more than Bell, and was better with yards after contact.

I think Brown is much harder to replace than Bell, but sometimes talent doesn't trump the extra baggage.  Will be interesting to see how this shakes out.