mega Merged AB nonsense thread

[COR-TEN]

TO wore out his welcome quickly wherever he went. The Raiders will soon tire of AB’s ego and mental illness.

Sending this piece of shit packing is going to wonders for our entire team.

And he'll end up in NE with BB for a year.

[Kodiak]

When talking about replacing AB's production, there's a few things people ignore (which is probably why every prediction of guys struggling when various receivers left proved false).
1) Some of those times AB is getting the ball, other people are open...that's what makes HOF QB's less reliant on receivers than other guys

2) Some of those times AB is getting the ball are pretty routine plays that a JAG could be making.

There's a horrible assumption that only AB can make most of these plays he's made. I'd peg it probably closer to only 15-20% is "AB being AB". It would be very subtle when you actually miss a guy of AB's caliber. A key conversion here and there. It could certainly impact 1 or 2 games in the W/L column, but on the overall offensive stats it's not going to be a very noticeable impact.

[Donnie Brasco]

Swiss unfortunately suffers from AB blindness. He actually thinks that all of ABs production is caused by AB alone, and has nothing to do with playing with a HOF QB for his entire fucking career and, last year, playing opposite a rising WR NFL star in JSS.

AB will be shit next year, and the Steelers will be better.

I don’t believe Swiss is putting enough stock in what Antonio Brown contributed in the way of disfunction in the locker room and what level a distraction he made himself the last few years with the Steelers. His bullshit has been brewing for a good while.

AB since the Facebook Live fiasco really, has been a blithering fucking idiot. Plain and simple. His ego went absolutely out of control and when you add in the biggest factor, his unhappiness over his contract (a big contract he had just signed himself, mind you) and the dude was a cancer. No two wars about it.

I don’t give a flying fuck about his talent or TD’s. AB became exactly like his recent mentor, Terrell Owens.

That fuckface was every bit as talented and productive as AB and yet, TO couldn’t keep a job. He was a team/coach killer.

TO wore out his welcome quickly wherever he went. The Raiders will soon tire of AB’s ego and mental illness.

Sending this piece of shit packing is going to wonders for our entire team.

I can't believe Swiss underestimates the camaraderie that permeates ANY sports team.

Losing is 1 thing. But losing AND having dickhead teammates is quite another. It's completely infuriating

I'd rather lose with try hard guys vs lose with selfish pricks. I don't understand how this is such a difficult concept?

[Kodiak]

I can't believe Swiss underestimates the camaraderie that permeates ANY sports team.

Right. People look at all that production leaving, but what you're actually losing is a sort of "Value Above Average", which is a not insignificant but still a number much less than his total stats.

Then when you factor in being a distraction, the sub-optimizing the offense to get him his touches, wasted time and energy to deal with his ego, etc.....all that is certainly capable of more than offsetting the loss of the Value Above Average he brings.

[955876]

One aspect (aside from aviators) that has likely played a role in this team continuous underachievement is very likely those selfish players.

2005 Steelers had a clear goal and were unified in achieving that goal.

This team had stars that only cared bout their personal stats, wallet, and whoring themselves out for attention.

[Legacy User]

One aspect (aside from aviators) that has likely played a role in this team continuous underachievement is very likely those selfish players.

2005 Steelers had a clear goal and were unified in achieving that goal.

This team had stars that only cared bout their personal stats, wallet, and whoring themselves out for attention.

BINGO

We had AB and LB on this team together for years with a HOF 2X Super Bowl winning QB, and we didn't FUCKING SNIFF a championship with those 2 fucking losers.

Give me JC/JSS over AB/LB every day of the fucking week, and definitely twice on Sunday

They are WAY WAY BETTER to help us achieve the real goal - winning SUPER BOWLS, not meaningless receiving and rushing "titles"

We will be WAY BETTER this year without all this cancer permeating the locker room -- and Swiss will come back here and say "I was wrong, sorry fellas"

[swissvale72]

You asshats feel free to continue with your revisionist history about Antonio Brown. You're the same crew that contended that he was the greatest receiver in Steeler history, better than Swann, better than Stallworth, better than Hines Ward, prior to December 30, 2018. Then...all of a sudden, he's a piece of shit no account that owes all of his production to his QB and the Steeler system.

[Jobu]

You asshats feel free to continue with your revisionist history about Antonio Brown. You're the same crew that contended that he was the greatest receiver in Steeler history, better than Swann, better than Stallworth, better than Hines Ward, prior to December 30, 2018. Then...all of a sudden, he's a piece of shit no account that owes all of his production to his QB and the Steeler system.

Every great receiver owes his production to his QB.
I not only still credit AB as the greatest receiver in Steelers history, I think he’s at worst, top three NFL all time.
That doesn’t mean that he’s not an asshole traitor and that I’m not glad that he’s gone.
But that’s just me...

[K_C_]

You asshats feel free to continue with your revisionist history about Antonio Brown. You're the same crew that contended that he was the greatest receiver in Steeler history, better than Swann, better than Stallworth, better than Hines Ward, prior to December 30, 2018. Then...all of a sudden, he's a piece of shit no account that owes all of his production to his QB and the Steeler system.

T.O. was great too.

But the teams he played on never won shit.

Came close once.

That'll pretty much be AB's tenure with the Steelers too.

Hall of Famer? Sure. Winner? Not so fucking much.

Diva, malcontent, scumbag who threw whoever he could under the bus for the sole purpose of getting a new contract? OH YES.

Swiss, I look at you as probably the biggest Steeler fan on this board. We all thought Antonio Brown was a great player but HE murdered what would have been a very special legacy. You know it and I know it.

His social media escapades, his disrespect for both the coaching staff and the ownership is SICKENING and attacking a kid like JuJu who only praised AB to the high heavens on a consistent basis has ensured his permanent banishment from Steelers lore.

The guy was a helluva talent but he's replaceable. You'll see. Oh and AB is about to find out just how perfect a match Ben Roethlisberger was for him. Book that.

[Jobu]

It’s as simple as this...Steelers fans have turned on AB...but not til AB turned on them first.

[Legacy User]

You asshats feel free to continue with your revisionist history about Antonio Brown. You're the same crew that contended that he was the greatest receiver in Steeler history, better than Swann, better than Stallworth, better than Hines Ward, prior to December 30, 2018. Then...all of a sudden, he's a piece of shit no account that owes all of his production to his QB and the Steeler system.

Every great receiver owes his production to his QB.
I not only still credit AB as the greatest receiver in Steelers history, I think he’s at worst, top three NFL all time.
That doesn’t mean that he’s not an asshole traitor and that I’m not glad that he’s gone.
But that’s just me...

It’s not just you. I have exactly the same attitude and hold exactly the same position.

[swissvale72]

You asshats feel free to continue with your revisionist history about Antonio Brown. You're the same crew that contended that he was the greatest receiver in Steeler history, better than Swann, better than Stallworth, better than Hines Ward, prior to December 30, 2018. Then...all of a sudden, he's a piece of shit no account that owes all of his production to his QB and the Steeler system.

T.O. was great too.

But the teams he played on never won shit.

Came close once.

That'll pretty much be AB's tenure with the Steelers too.

Hall of Famer? Sure. Winner? Not so fucking much.

Diva, malcontent, scumbag who threw whoever he could under the bus for the sole purpose of getting a new contract? OH YES.

Swiss, I look at you as probably the biggest Steeler fan on this board. We all thought Antonio Brown was a great player but HE murdered what would have been a very special legacy. You know it and I know it.

His social media escapades, his disrespect for both the coaching staff and the ownership is SICKENING and attacking a kid like JuJu who only praised AB to the high heavens on a consistent basis has ensured his permanent banishment from Steelers lore.

The guy was a helluva talent but he's replaceable. You'll see. Oh and AB is about to find out just how perfect a match Ben Roethlisberger was for him. Book that.

Thanks KC. I consider that a compliment, and I'm honored that you think so.

I admittedly have a hard time accepting that this special a talent, this great player, is gone, and that the Steelers got fuckin' fleeced in the exchange.

I think you guys are making some assumptions that are unprovable....
*AB cared only about his stats...this guy's production, and his efforts, won some huge fuckin' games for this team. Think back to Christmas Night 2016.

*None of AB's teammates wanted hm around. I don't think this is true. Some of the Steelers have said as much.

*Ben fed AB the ball to keep him happy. Can't quantify this. Could just as easily be the case that Ben fed AB the ball because AB made fuckin' plays.

*Only AB is to blame. I didn't post this at the time, but I remember being concerned around mid-season when Ben was giving JuJu mega props post-game, saying nothing about AB. We know that Ben can be passive-aggressive, and then there were his postgame comments after Denver when most of the assorted populace herein were saying WTF with Ben not taking ownership for the game-ending pick. I'm not buying that the Sacred Fuckin' Cow Ben Roethlisberger doesn't bear some responsibility.

Bottom line, two things...
1. I still think this fuckin' situation was resolvable. There's been alot made lately about my being a Steeler optimist so why have I lost faith? My optimism extended to this situation being resolvable.
2. I think you asshats, once again, are being delusional thinking that we lose a guy of this pedigree, keep the same fuck coaching the team, and somehow Steelers come out better due to camaraderie. You don't think that some of AB's ex-teammates aren't questioning Steeler management due to AB being gone?

Oh...and this warped mindset, blaming AB for the Steelers lack of playoff success during his tenure is plain idiotic.

[stillthere]

Antonio Brown's resentment grew with each JuJu Smith-Schuster reception
Apr 9, 2019

Jeremy FowlerESPN Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH -- Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster had a clear plan from the moment the season ended: Don't dip into the Antonio Brown mess.

Smith-Schuster wanted to focus on his development on and off the field. He showed support for his fellow wide receiver from the Pro Bowl but made clear he wouldn't be involved. Beside, Smith-Schuster never had a problem with Brown, and any issues Brown had with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn't really concern him.

It concerned Brown, whose first snip at Smith-Schuster two weeks ago was subtle. Brown's double-up left Smith-Schuster little choice but to respond.

To be clear, Smith-Schuster wasn't at the core of Brown's undoing in Pittsburgh, which included feeling like a scapegoat for the team's late-season implosion. Brown had more relational issues with coach Mike Tomlin and Roethlisberger. The two receivers were cordial, with Smith-Schuster deferring to Brown at every turn, out of respect for his All-Pro pedigree.

The presence of Smith-Schuster -- what his rise represented -- was very much the issue.

Nearly everything in the NFL comes down to money, and Smith-Schuster was messing with Brown's bottom line. Smith-Schuster's targets were increasing, his adoration from Roethlisberger growing, and with that, a mega-extension in 2020 inching closer. Brown was nearing his 31st birthday without guaranteed money while Smith-Schuster was dancing his way into Brown's own endorsement deals.

"JuJu was in AB's Pizza Hut commercials -- you don't think that got to [Brown]?" one team source said. "JuJu was coming up and that became a problem for AB."

Smith-Schuster winning the Steelers' most valuable player award, as voted on by teammates, seemed to make matters worse. Many inside and outside the building believed Brown harbored resentment over that voting, though it was never really talked out. Roethlisberger's support of Smith-Schuster throughout the season, even failing to call Brown his No. 1 receiver after Week 12, loomed large.

What's curious to teammates now is many felt they had a great relationship with Brown. Despite his issues with punctuality and star treatment and sideline flare-ups, they respected his jovial encounters with even the lowest locker-room rungs and the way he worked.

Leaving the team in Week 17 hurt, but players cautiously welcomed him back. His bizarre social media behavior in the weeks after rendered those efforts futile.

Now, former teammates who were over the maelstrom months ago are left wondering if Brown can get any more petty than posting screenshots of an impressionable Smith-Schuster sending a direct message to Brown in 2015, asking for help.

Smith-Schuster once recalled that message during his first offseason workouts with the team. What he said about Brown's response was unmemorable now, presumably because he didn't get one.

Ask almost any Steeler about what went down late last season and they instantly want to move on. But they know this: Two Steelers receivers have come at Smith-Schuster publicly (Brown and Martavis Bryant), and he's the only one left.

Despite the obvious talent drain in Pittsburgh with Brown, Le'Veon Bell and Ryan Shazier all out of the lineup, the Steelers believe rallying behind young players such as Smith-Schuster, T.J. Watt and James Conner will usher the team past the grudges Brown clearly still holds.

"Quality men who happen to be quality players," Tomlin said. "It starts there."

[K_C_]

You asshats feel free to continue with your revisionist history about Antonio Brown. You're the same crew that contended that he was the greatest receiver in Steeler history, better than Swann, better than Stallworth, better than Hines Ward, prior to December 30, 2018. Then...all of a sudden, he's a piece of shit no account that owes all of his production to his QB and the Steeler system.

T.O. was great too.

But the teams he played on never won shit.

Came close once.

That'll pretty much be AB's tenure with the Steelers too.

Hall of Famer? Sure. Winner? Not so fucking much.

Diva, malcontent, scumbag who threw whoever he could under the bus for the sole purpose of getting a new contract? OH YES.

Swiss, I look at you as probably the biggest Steeler fan on this board. We all thought Antonio Brown was a great player but HE murdered what would have been a very special legacy. You know it and I know it.

His social media escapades, his disrespect for both the coaching staff and the ownership is SICKENING and attacking a kid like JuJu who only praised AB to the high heavens on a consistent basis has ensured his permanent banishment from Steelers lore.

The guy was a helluva talent but he's replaceable. You'll see. Oh and AB is about to find out just how perfect a match Ben Roethlisberger was for him. Book that.

Thanks KC. I consider that a compliment, and I'm honored that you think so.

I admittedly have a hard time accepting that this special a talent, this great player, is gone, and that the Steelers got fuckin' fleeced in the exchange.

I think you guys are making some assumptions that are unprovable....
*AB cared only about his stats...this guy's production, and his efforts, won some huge fuckin' games for this team. Think back to Christmas Night 2016.

*None of AB's teammates wanted hm around. I don't think this is true. Some of the Steelers have said as much.

*Ben fed AB the ball to keep him happy. Can't quantify this. Could just as easily be the case that Ben fed AB the ball because AB made fuckin' plays.

*Only AB is to blame. I didn't post this at the time, but I remember being concerned around mid-season when Ben was giving JuJu mega props post-game, saying nothing about AB. We know that Ben can be passive-aggressive, and then there were his postgame comments after Denver when most of the assorted populace herein were saying WTF with Ben not taking ownership for the game-ending pick. I'm not buying that the Sacred Fuckin' Cow Ben Roethlisberger doesn't bear some responsibility.

Bottom line, two things...
1. I still think this fuckin' situation was resolvable. There's been alot made lately about my being a Steeler optimist so why have I lost faith? My optimism extended to this situation being resolvable.
2. I think you asshats, once again, are being delusional thinking that we lose a guy of this pedigree, keep the same fuck coaching the team, and somehow Steelers come out better due to camaraderie. You don't think that some of AB's ex-teammates aren't questioning Steeler management due to AB being gone?

Oh...and this warped mindset, blaming AB for the Steelers lack of playoff success during his tenure is plain idiotic.

I'm not sure the Steelers got fleeced and I'll tell ya, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Raiders are starting to get buyers remorse.

If you don't see Antonio Brown's behavior as beyond troubling (and I'm not talking only in the last few months) you might be the only one on the planet that doesn't have a problem with him.

AB is a professional football player. Ben has blown him countless times in interviews and after games. This past season? You know the one where it was reported he quit on his team 3 separate times? Yeah that one.

Did it ever occur to you that maybe Ben was fucking sick and tired of AB's bitching and moaning and maybe he found JuJu's modesty and team oriented attitude pretty refreshing? Again, it's possible not every teammate wanted AB gone, but league-wide, right now, Antonio Brown is seen as a pariah. Exactly in the same way Terrell Owens was seen as a pariah. NFL players had cautioned him to be careful what he wished for, when he forced his way out of Pittsburgh. He's looked upon as a FUCKING CLOWN.

Methinks Ben had had enough of AB's circus and I will 100% guarantee you that as good a player as Brown is, NOBODY IS HAPPIER HE'S OUT OF THAT LOCKER ROOM MORE THAN BEN ROETHLISBERGER.

Something is seriously wrong inside Antonio Brown's brain. Very wrong. You're insane to believe the situation was salvageable for 2 reasons. People were done sucking AB's dick, especially the franchise QB AND the Steelers weren't going to give him another dime.

Antonio Brown had worn out his welcome. He's a head case, I'm utterly flabbergasted you don't see it.

You don't believe the Steelers will be better off without AB. I believe this will be a textbook case of ADDITION THRU SUBTRACTION.

Lastly, while Antonio Brown was busy getting DESTROYED on-line for attacking a great kid (and a great player) like JuJu Smith Schuster, I have to give Le'Veon Bell props (even though I'm 100% happy as fuck we didn't re-sign him).

He spoke glowingly of James Conner and told Conner he appreciated how he handled the the last year and especially all the Bell questions. Conner said nothing but wonderful things about Le'Veon the entire year.

JuJu has only said wonderful things about Antonio Brown whenever he could. Antonio repaid him in a very different way.

Give me kids like Conner and JuJu any day of the week. Fuck Antonio Brown.

[swissvale72]

I've said that AB has been a knucklehead this off-season. Again though....wasn't anyone on this esteemed website had a bad word to say about Antonio Brown when his FIFTEENTH touchdown of the season gave his team the lead late 3Q vs. New Orleans, only to have his dumb as fuck Head Coach blow the game.

I'm sure nobody's happier than Ben that AB is gone. Honestly, I think that's WHY AB is gone!!

Yeah, I know about addition by subtraction. I think addition by addition works way better. I can't be happy, nor encouraged about losing a talent like Antonio Brown. Sure is alot of revisionist history going on here about how shitty Antonio Brown was, what an awful teammate. Gee...was AB drawing the double teams, and now we're to believe he owes his success to JuJu.

As I've said, sure as fuck hope you asshats are right. I especially hope you're right, KC, and that Steelers are somehow improved because of this.

As for dopes like Lit & TB, who would talk this bullshit about integrity, and needing to have a personal fuckin' relationship with a player to root for him, who would rather root for a 6-10 team of likables than a Super Bowl team of assholes...well, fuck that shit. For my money, Ben was better when he was more a jagoff.

[Lynch]

Good point about Bell. He wasn't a cockknocker about the situation. I wish no injury on him.

[955876]

I still think this fuckin' situation was resolvable.

How?

[swissvale72]

I still think this fuckin' situation was resolvable.

How?

Easy. Point out how Ben & AB need each other, and tell them both to cut the shit & play ball. Tell AB you're not trading him. He either plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers or doesn't play at all. Had months to resolve it.

[Scunge]

There was no resolution to this Swiss. I rightfully said from the beginning that this was all about money and that if traded a new team would have to give up more money to Brown. That is exactly what happened.

There was never going to be a resolution to this. The Steelers were not going to give Brown more money with 3 years remaining on his contract. Brown orchestrated all of this from the beginning, manufactured hurt feelings, slights to him, his integrity, whatever, then brilliantly used his veto power and calculated behavior and shenanigans to get his way and go to his hand picked team.

As far as I am concerned Ben and JuJu and Tomlin and Rooney, Colbert have nothing to be sorry about. None of them had to apologize to Brown because what did they do really?? They did nothing wrong. When you have a player that is delusional and mentally unstable and is looking for more money and will do anything to accomplish that goal, what more is there to talk about???

Also, I have been one of Brown's harshest critics the past couple seasons. I have been banging the table for years that we have been targeting him too much to the detriment of the offense. I felt the same about Leveon Bell too.

I was right that the offense would be fine without Bell, and they will be fine without Brown. The only person on offense that is irreplaceable for 2019 is Ben. If Ben goes down to injury the offense is screwed. Funny how people place so much emphasis on a RB or WR when those positions at the end of the day pale in comparison to having a top level, HOF QB. As long as you have that QB, the other skill positions will work itself out.

[swissvale72]

There was no resolution to this Swiss. I rightfully said from the beginning that this was all about money and that if traded a new team would have to give up more money to Brown. That is exactly what happened.

There was never going to be a resolution to this. The Steelers were not going to give Brown more money with 3 years remaining on his contract. Brown orchestrated all of this from the beginning, manufactured hurt feelings, slights to him, his integrity, whatever, then brilliantly used his veto power and calculated behavior and shenanigans to get his way and go to his hand picked team.

As far as I am concerned Ben and JuJu and Tomlin and Rooney, Colbert have nothing to be sorry about. None of them had to apologize to Brown because what did they do really?? They did nothing wrong. When you have a player that is delusional and mentally unstable and is looking for more money and will do anything to accomplish that goal, what more is there to talk about???

Also, I have been one of Brown's harshest critics the past couple seasons. I have been banging the table for years that we have been targeting him too much to the detriment of the offense. I felt the same about Leveon Bell too.

I was right that the offense would be fine without Bell, and they will be fine without Brown. The only person on offense that is irreplaceable for 2019 is Ben. If Ben goes down to injury the offense is screwed. Funny how people place so much emphasis on a RB or WR when those positions at the end of the day pale in comparison to having a top level, HOF QB. As long as you have that QB, the other skill positions will work itself out.

I respect your take, Scunge. You watch and analyze far more completely than I do. I've taken two positions since all of this went down, the second far more forcefully than the first:
1. Situation could have been resolved to keep AB on the team.
2. No way are Steelers better without AB.

I can cede #1; no way an I ceding #2. That's primarily what I've been saying. I'm not buying that the Steelers will be an improved team without Antonio Brown. I think it's make believe to think otherwise.

[K_C_]

I'm sure nobody's happier than Ben that AB is gone. Honestly, I think that's WHY AB is gone.

Nope.

Antonio Brown is gone because of Antonio Brown and this was always all about money.

AB’s dumb as a post and Scunge used the perfect word to capture what really happened. This was orchestrated by Brown’s agent because the fucking imbecile wasn’t happy anymore with a contract he had JUST SIGNED.

Antonio Brown is his own worst enemy and now the entire NFL sees and understands what a blithering idiot he most certainly is.

[Jobu]

I'm sure nobody's happier than Ben that AB is gone. Honestly, I think that's WHY AB is gone.

Nope.

Antonio Brown is gone because of Antonio Brown and this was always all about money.

AB’s dumb as a post and Scunge used the perfect word to capture what really happened. This was orchestrated by Brown’s agent because the fucking imbecile wasn’t happy anymore with a contract he had JUST SIGNED.

Antonio Brown is his own worst enemy and now the entire NFL sees and understands what a blithering idiot he most certainly is.

Exactly. The ex-player media guys that originally backed him, are turning on him now. Even Shannon Sharpe was going off on him the other day.
The more the guy runs his mouth on social media, the more he reveals what a giant tool he is.
Everyone is finally seeing what the actual problem was...

[955876]

Easy. Point out how Ben & AB need each other, and tell them both to cut the shit & play ball.

I would have played hard ball with him myself.

But that doesn’t guarantee a positive outcome.

I think you are underestimating the depths AB has sunk to already and how much further he could go if he didn’t get his way

[swissvale72]

Easy. Point out how Ben & AB need each other, and tell them both to cut the shit & play ball.

I would have played hard ball with him myself.

But that doesn’t guarantee a positive outcome.

I think you are underestimating the depths AB has sunk to already and how much further he could go if he didn’t get his way

Maybe so, but again, not buying that his being gone improves the team.

[Scunge]

There were many times over the past couple years where I would see Ben force the ball to Brown when other players were WIDE OPEN. So open that they could have made huge chunk plays, maybe even for a TD.

I remember a number of times where Jesse James was really wide open and could have had a 25, 30 yard reception and the ball instead went to Brown for... 8 yards.

I keep going back to Leveon Bell of 2017 and the combo of Conner/Samuels in 2018. Our new RB duo combined for 16 TDs and yet touched the ball 54 times less than Bell did in 2017. Bell had 54 more touches yet only scored 11 TDs.

Of those 168 targets that Brown had last season, we do know that Ben probably threw half of his interceptions in targeting Brown. How many of those targets to Brown that ended up being 3, 5, 8 yards catches, what if they went to somebody who was actually more open???

What if Brown, just like Bell was actually hurting this offense?? All of those targets over the years and he had 74 touchdowns in just 9 years?? 8 TDs a season??

I can't help but feel that Ben spreading the ball around, with Fitchner getting everybody involved, that the TDs will dramatically increase. It sounds ridiculous but then I look at last season and see how Conner/Samuels combined to be more productive than Bell in fewer touches. There is something to this idea. For too long we as an offense were more concerned with giving two players their touches, making sure they got their fantasy football stats but it did not really equate to scoring points or having a great offense. Then when Bell is gone, two young players emerge at RB and the offense gets better?? Sets team records for red zone efficiency?? Again, further proof that Bell was not all that.

I see Brown being the next bit of evidence that our offense was misled by focusing on these 'once-in-a-generation' players.

I pointed out last offseason that there is a fine line between the top 15-20 WRs, that any one of them is capable of putting up gaudy, insane production just like Brown if they were in the right situation and got the targets. I talked about how JuJu could have over 100 catches and 1,400+ yards if he were targeted enough, people thought I was crazy, but that is exactly what happened.

James Washington. He was targeted 38 times as a rookie and had 16 catches for 217 yards and 1 TD. I believe he turned a corner at the end of the season. In those two games against NE and Cincy Ben targeted him 7 times and James had 6 catches for 129 yards.

For 2019 what if Washington is targeted 100 times and has a catch rate of 65%? Washington could have 65 catches for over 1,000 yards in year 2 and maybe 8-9 TDs.

Those 168 targets that Brown had last season, what might happen with those targets this season? Say Washington gets 100, say Vance McDonald gets more targets, say Jaylin Samuels get more targets, say Moncrief gets targets.

Samuels has 3 TD catches on 26 receptions, imagine if he has 45-50 catches this season. Might that be 5-6 TDs? Maybe.
McDonald, what if he had 90 targets this season and had 65 catches? Might he up his TDs from last season?? Sure, 7-8 TDs is realistic.

Moncrief?? I can see him catching 25-30 balls this year and scoring 4-5 TDs. He has 21 TDs the past 5 years but never really had a stable QB who could get him the ball. He is really an intriguing player, sort of reminds me of Jericho Cotchery in the way that he could have a really sneaky season where he might have 9 or 10 TDs. Ben did that with Jericho and Donta has more speed.

And if the Steelers add another WR in the draft?? Somebody in round 2 or 3?? Sorry, but I really think Brown's absence will be quickly forgotten. All Ben and Randy have to do is spread the ball around, take advantage of the talent on offense and get away from the myopic tunnel vision that doomed this offense and squandered Super Bowl opportunities.

[Legacy User]

Easy. Point out how Ben & AB need each other, and tell them both to cut the shit & play ball.

I would have played hard ball with him myself.

But that doesn’t guarantee a positive outcome.

I think you are underestimating the depths AB has sunk to already and how much further he could go if he didn’t get his way

Maybe so, but again, not buying that his being gone improves the team.

Do you think it's possible that AB's off-field antics were causing other players on the team to play worse?

[K_C_]

Easy. Point out how Ben & AB need each other, and tell them both to cut the shit & play ball.

I would have played hard ball with him myself.

But that doesn’t guarantee a positive outcome.

I think you are underestimating the depths AB has sunk to already and how much further he could go if he didn’t get his way

Maybe so, but again, not buying that his being gone improves the team.

Yes because last year’s squad played like gangbusters with this diva fuckface and his jealousy on full display. I mean it’s normal to have one of your star WR’s quit on the team (reportedly multiple times).

Christ you yourself said you believed the face of the franchise wasn’t kissing Mr. Big Chest’s ass anymore publicly.. Is it really that big of a stretch for you to understand that this team wasn’t exactly firing on all cylinders due to a very fucked up locker room and that jealousy over both money and attention made Mr. Big Chest a very large reason for that dysfunction?

Cris Carter now just publicly came out and trashed Brown as being some kind of egomaniac hatchet wound. EVERYONE is trashing this fucking imbecile.

Seriously Swiss, we missed the playoffs and from the Bell stuff early to the Brown stuff late, major changes had to be made.

They were. Thank God.

[FortyThree]

Now Mendenhall's on Twitter calling Ben racist.

This should lead to some deep, intelligent discussions I'm sure.

[swissvale72]

There were many times over the past couple years where I would see Ben force the ball to Brown when other players were WIDE OPEN. So open that they could have made huge chunk plays, maybe even for a TD.

I remember a number of times where Jesse James was really wide open and could have had a 25, 30 yard reception and the ball instead went to Brown for... 8 yards.

I keep going back to Leveon Bell of 2017 and the combo of Conner/Samuels in 2018. Our new RB duo combined for 16 TDs and yet touched the ball 54 times less than Bell did in 2017. Bell had 54 more touches yet only scored 11 TDs.

Of those 168 targets that Brown had last season, we do know that Ben probably threw half of his interceptions in targeting Brown. How many of those targets to Brown that ended up being 3, 5, 8 yards catches, what if they went to somebody who was actually more open???

What if Brown, just like Bell was actually hurting this offense?? All of those targets over the years and he had 74 touchdowns in just 9 years?? 8 TDs a season??

I can't help but feel that Ben spreading the ball around, with Fitchner getting everybody involved, that the TDs will dramatically increase. It sounds ridiculous but then I look at last season and see how Conner/Samuels combined to be more productive than Bell in fewer touches. There is something to this idea. For too long we as an offense were more concerned with giving two players their touches, making sure they got their fantasy football stats but it did not really equate to scoring points or having a great offense. Then when Bell is gone, two young players emerge at RB and the offense gets better?? Sets team records for red zone efficiency?? Again, further proof that Bell was not all that.

I see Brown being the next bit of evidence that our offense was misled by focusing on these 'once-in-a-generation' players.

I pointed out last offseason that there is a fine line between the top 15-20 WRs, that any one of them is capable of putting up gaudy, insane production just like Brown if they were in the right situation and got the targets. I talked about how JuJu could have over 100 catches and 1,400+ yards if he were targeted enough, people thought I was crazy, but that is exactly what happened.

James Washington. He was targeted 38 times as a rookie and had 16 catches for 217 yards and 1 TD. I believe he turned a corner at the end of the season. In those two games against NE and Cincy Ben targeted him 7 times and James had 6 catches for 129 yards.

For 2019 what if Washington is targeted 100 times and has a catch rate of 65%? Washington could have 65 catches for over 1,000 yards in year 2 and maybe 8-9 TDs.

Those 168 targets that Brown had last season, what might happen with those targets this season? Say Washington gets 100, say Vance McDonald gets more targets, say Jaylin Samuels get more targets, say Moncrief gets targets.

Samuels has 3 TD catches on 26 receptions, imagine if he has 45-50 catches this season. Might that be 5-6 TDs? Maybe.
McDonald, what if he had 90 targets this season and had 65 catches? Might he up his TDs from last season?? Sure, 7-8 TDs is realistic.

Moncrief?? I can see him catching 25-30 balls this year and scoring 4-5 TDs. He has 21 TDs the past 5 years but never really had a stable QB who could get him the ball. He is really an intriguing player, sort of reminds me of Jericho Cotchery in the way that he could have a really sneaky season where he might have 9 or 10 TDs. Ben did that with Jericho and Donta has more speed.

And if the Steelers add another WR in the draft?? Somebody in round 2 or 3?? Sorry, but I really think Brown's absence will be quickly forgotten. All Ben and Randy have to do is spread the ball around, take advantage of the talent on offense and get away from the myopic tunnel vision that doomed this offense and squandered Super Bowl opportunities.

I'll tell you what I remember. I remember against New Orleans, on the infamous JuJu fumble play that ended the game, seeing AB on the outside, seemingly with single coverage. I remember watching that play over and over, as I'm wont to do, thinking that if Ben had gone to AB instead, that maybe AB has three scores, 16 on the season, the Steelers win the fuckin' game and control their own playoff destiny. That's what I remember.

I also remember AB scoring the winning TD vs. Cinci with scant seconds remaining. I remember that, too.

I think there's a couple things going on here....

*Alot of revisionist history about Antonio Brown

*Alot of wishful fuckin' thinking about this team's possibilities going forward.

Hey...maybe if we give Steven Ridley the ball 15 times a game, he'll stop fumbling, average 4.5 a carry and make the Pro Bowl.

Maybe it we give Roosevelt Nix the ball more, he'll gain the 5 yards that he thought he gained.

Sorry, not buying that we lose a player of Antonio Brown's stature, douchebag as he might have been, get two shitty draft picks in return, remain coached by the same Dumb Fuck, owned by the same Dumber Fuck...and somehow come out of it a legit Super Bowl contender.

Hope the fuck I'm wrong...really do. Hope the fuck you asshats are right...really do. But I don't think so.

[Legacy User]

Now Mendenhall's on Twitter calling Ben racist.

This should lead to some deep, intelligent discussions I'm sure.

Lulz

Good ol’ Mendy.

He was woke long before it was cool.

Rashard Mendenhall
@R_Mendenhall
Alright, I’ll end the mystery... B’s racist and @AB84’s black. He had to catch balls from a racist quarterback. Every honest player knows it, it’s not a big deal. He was just supposed to take his lickings and move on, like a slave for real