Steelers Ink Antonio Brown

**wickedsolo** · 07-31-2012, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by Irish Raven

Jake Long on that list

Wow, now that would be a big signing!

Might never happen but I can dream

Yea, obviously that would NEVER happen. Those guys are slated to be FA's, but I doubt most of them will. Esp the LT's.

**wickedsolo** · 07-31-2012, 05:35 AM

Originally Posted by psuasskicker

Almost every receiver corps in the NFL could say that, so it's not really fair to say "Sit Pitt's #1 and our WRs are better." I mean, I guess I get you're talking about the future whenever he's no longer with the team (assuming they don't sign him long-term). But that's still not really apples to apples. A lot can happen in a year. Last year we didn't think the Ravens had much at receiver behind Boldin...you can say the same about the Steelers now. Between now and next year, it's possible Sanders or someone else breaks out the way Torrey Smith did.

- C -

I don't disagree with you on that at all. I was just very surprised to look at their WR depth chart and see so much unknown when we know that Roethlisberger likes to spread the ball around as much as possible. Todd Haley is probably going to temper that approach significantly, but it is still interesting. What once seemed like a promising and young WR unit for the Steelers now looks kind of shaky.

**wickedsolo** · 07-31-2012, 05:39 AM

Originally Posted by Boulderraven

It's simple. Please follow. They chose Brown. MW grew up dirt poor. Got his tender will sign it in November for 6 games. Like VJ did, will accrue a season. Will he know the NEW offense? Do the Steelers want a headache? 5 months later at worst in March he will have about 10 million in hand for next year if Steelers keep him or alot more if dealt. THEY have to deal him, they can't AFFORD him. Steelers likely get 3rd or 4th for him cause of his contract. Broncos where going to take tender him, but he wanted between 10-11 million per year, they balked also. He in 7-8 months will be stupid rich
And doesn't want to risk a knee in the meantime being his calling card is his Speed. So he won't play
he has too, November and he doesn't have to be active to accrue time and can "pull" a hammy. He's
gone. He has the Steelers by the balls, not other way around. 7 months from now he will have tons of money without really playing.

If he comes back and accrues a season then the Steelers can't "deal" him because he'll be a UFA, IIRC. Unless they franchise him and then trade him, which hardly ever happens. I bet they offered Wallace and Brown pretty much the same contract and said whichever one signs is the long term guy.

**JAB1985** · 07-31-2012, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

If he comes back and accrues a season then the Steelers can't "deal" him because he'll be a UFA, IIRC. Unless they franchise him and then trade him, which hardly ever happens. I bet they offered Wallace and Brown pretty much the same contract and said whichever one signs is the long term guy.

from what i read thats exactly what they did. reports were coming out that Wallace accepted it, but he didnt, there was just confusion because it was the exact same contract, so they assumed it was wallace that accepted it.

steelers make statement give mike wallace contract offer to antonio brown

**The Excellector** · 07-31-2012, 06:40 AM

Wallace can get more than that on the open market. We all know this.

**JAB1985** · 07-31-2012, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

Wallace can get more than that on the open market. We all know this.

hell probably end up around the same as vjax, obviously i dont think hes worth that but id be lying if i didnt think somebody would value him at that.

**psuasskicker** · 07-31-2012, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

What once seemed like a promising and young WR unit for the Steelers now looks kind of shaky.

I don't understand that, though. They're extremely good for what they are. Wallace is elite talent. Antonio Brown is an exceptional #2 and could probably play #1 well...I would bet he'd be nothing worse than an average #1 receiver. Sanders has looked good in limited action as their #4 receiver and I would bet he translates well as a #3. Even if he doesn't, Cotchery is nothing worse than an avg #3 and certainly makes a fine #4. They've got Heath Miller at TE who is a good pass-catcher. Their only weakness in the passing game is not having a great pass-catching RB.

Even if Wallace doesn't re-sign long term, pushing everyone up doesn't give the Steelers a bad receiver corps. It's not one of the best in the NFL, but if you take out pretty much every team's #1 WR that's always going to be the case. Their #2-#4 and TE are better than most of the rest of the NFL's group of the same. And even if Wallace doesn't re-sign long term, the Steelers may still have him for another two years.

Originally Posted by The Excellector

Wallace can get more than that on the open market. We all know this.

He won't get Fitz money, but like I said at the beginning of this thread, he's going to be paid as a top five receiver because that's what he is.

- C -

**JAB1985** · 07-31-2012, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by psuasskicker

He won't get Fitz money, but like I said at the beginning of this thread, he's going to be paid as a top five receiver because that's what he is.

if spotrac is correct he just turned down top 10 money, and i dont doubt that hell get 10/year by some team in desperate need.

Wide Receiver Top Salaries Per Year

**TheJoeFlaccoShow** · 07-31-2012, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

Yea, obviously that would NEVER happen. Those guys are slated to be FA's, but I doubt most of them will. Esp the LT's.

Clady has cut off talks with Broncos.....hmmmm

**wickedsolo** · 07-31-2012, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by psuasskicker

I don't understand that, though. They're extremely good for what they are. Wallace is elite talent. Antonio Brown is an exceptional #2 and could probably play #1 well...I would bet he'd be nothing worse than an average #1 receiver. Sanders has looked good in limited action as their #4 receiver and I would bet he translates well as a #3. Even if he doesn't, Cotchery is nothing worse than an avg #3 and certainly makes a fine #4. They've got Heath Miller at TE who is a good pass-catcher. Their only weakness in the passing game is not having a great pass-catching RB.

Even if Wallace doesn't re-sign long term, pushing everyone up doesn't give the Steelers a bad receiver corps. It's not one of the best in the NFL, but if you take out pretty much every team's #1 WR that's always going to be the case. Their #2-#4 and TE are better than most of the rest of the NFL's group of the same. And even if Wallace doesn't re-sign long term, the Steelers may still have him for another two years.

He won't get Fitz money, but like I said at the beginning of this thread, he's going to be paid as a top five receiver because that's what he is.

- C -

It doesn't matter what kind of talent Wallace is if he doesn't play.

**wickedsolo** · 07-31-2012, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by TheJoeFlaccoShow

Clady has cut off talks with Broncos.....hmmmm

I saw that too.

From what I've read, negotiations aren't going so well between Clady and the Broncos and he's leaning towards playing out this year and hitting free agency.

I know he's not an elite LT, but I would LOVE to see him in a Ravens uniform. He's only 26 I believe.

**TheJoeFlaccoShow** · 07-31-2012, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by psuasskicker

I don't understand that, though. They're extremely good for what they are. Wallace is elite talent. Antonio Brown is an exceptional #2 and could probably play #1 well...I would bet he'd be nothing worse than an average #1 receiver. Sanders has looked good in limited action as their #4 receiver and I would bet he translates well as a #3. Even if he doesn't, Cotchery is nothing worse than an avg #3 and certainly makes a fine #4. They've got Heath Miller at TE who is a good pass-catcher. Their only weakness in the passing game is not having a great pass-catching RB.

Even if Wallace doesn't re-sign long term, pushing everyone up doesn't give the Steelers a bad receiver corps. It's not one of the best in the NFL, but if you take out pretty much every team's #1 WR that's always going to be the case. Their #2-#4 and TE are better than most of the rest of the NFL's group of the same. And even if Wallace doesn't re-sign long term, the Steelers may still have him for another two years.

He won't get Fitz money, but like I said at the beginning of this thread, he's going to be paid as a top five receiver because that's what he is.

- C -

I think you are slightly overrating everyone behind Wallace.

Without him they just aren't that good. It is Antonio Brown (who really is a number 2, not number 1) and a bunch of journeymen/unproven guys. Cotchery is a borderline number 3/4 (just signed a 2 yr 3 mill deal last year, hell that isn't number 4 money much less 3) Sanders can't stay healthy, and is again a decent 3 if that.

The others are late round rookies who will be essentially useless in 2013, hope and a prayer types.

They are extremely thin without Wallace, and it is not a 2012 NFL WR core that scares anyone without him. They would be in the bottom 10 of the league if not lower without Wallace.

Even Steeler fans are now saying without Wallace they need someone else...now.

**JAB1985** · 07-31-2012, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I saw that too.

From what I've read, negotiations aren't going so well between Clady and the Broncos and he's leaning towards playing out this year and hitting free agency.

I know he's not an elite LT, but I would LOVE to see him in a Ravens uniform. He's only 26 I believe.

i think he is one of the best, not sure what classifys as elite but i cant name many better than him, imo. chances are hes franchised, possibly the same with duana brown. i just cant see either letting go of such great young talent at a marquee position.

**leachisabeast** · 07-31-2012, 02:35 PM

Ryan Clady in Baltimore? Yes please.

**psuasskicker** · 07-31-2012, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I know [Clady]'s not an elite LT

Yes he is.

- C -

**arnie_uk** · 07-31-2012, 04:26 PM

he turned down 5 yrs 60, said he wants a joe thomas/jake long deal, or something to that affect, no way we afford him unless ed and ray both retire and flacco takes a cap friendly deal.

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I saw that too.

From what I've read, negotiations aren't going so well between Clady and the Broncos and he's leaning towards playing out this year and hitting free agency.

I know he's not an elite LT, but I would LOVE to see him in a Ravens uniform. He's only 26 I believe.

**The Excellector** · 07-31-2012, 04:45 PM

Well, there aren't too many better than Ryan Clady, but Denver does a good job of keeping quality offensive lines in general. When Shanahan was there, they used his system well. Now that he is gone, they have some good individual pieces.

If you put Clady in Baltimore, you have a significant upgrade over everybody that has played LT for the Ravens, since Jonathan Ogden. The guy is used to playing outdoors and is scheme diverse.

As for Pittsburgh, you really won't know how they fare at WR until you actually see them without Wallace. The attention that defenses gave Wallace, left Brown with room to work with. Now, if Wallace is gone, Brown is going to get that attention. So, you'll have to see how Brown handles that extra attention and how Sanders handles the added opportunities.

**leachisabeast** · 07-31-2012, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by arnie_uk

he turned down 5 yrs 60, said he wants a joe thomas/jake long deal, or something to that affect, no way we afford him unless ed and ray both retire and flacco takes a cap friendly deal.

Yeah, I think our best option is to just find a guy in the draft, plenty of tall athletic guys coming out next year too. Other than that, I know that Wicked agrees with me that Duane Brown the Texans left tackle is someone to watch out for in FA (assuming the Texans don't extend him). I DON'T think (could be totally wrong here) that Duane will ask for Jake Long type money, he will ask for a considerable amount, but not that much, I don't think anyway. Duane is one of the more underrated tackles, but has been a big part of that awesome Texans offensive line, and has helped pave way for Arian Foster.

**JAB1985** · 07-31-2012, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

Well, there aren't too many better than Ryan Clady, but Denver does a good job of keeping quality offensive lines in general. When Shanahan was there, they used his system well. Now that he is gone, they have some good individual pieces.

If you put Clady in Baltimore, you have a significant upgrade over everybody that has played LT for the Ravens, since Jonathan Ogden. The guy is used to playing outdoors and is scheme diverse.

As for Pittsburgh, you really won't know how they fare at WR until you actually see them without Wallace. The attention that defenses gave Wallace, left Brown with room to work with. Now, if Wallace is gone, Brown is going to get that attention. So, you'll have to see how Brown handles that extra attention and how Sanders handles the added opportunities.

Didnt some teams, like us, only single cover him the majority of the time. He had decent games against us 6/100 and 4/70 roughlty iirc, but i thought we pretty much manned up against him. As did some others to varying degrees of success.

**JAB1985** · 07-31-2012, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

Yeah, I think our best option is to just find a guy in the draft, plenty of tall athletic guys coming out next year too. Other than that, I know that Wicked agrees with me that Duane Brown the Texans left tackle is someone to watch out for in FA (assuming the Texans don't extend him). I DON'T think (could be totally wrong here) that Duane will ask for Jake Long type money, he will ask for a considerable amount, but not that much, I don't think anyway. Duane is one of the more underrated tackles, but has been a big part of that awesome Texans offensive line, and has helped pave way for Arian Foster.

Seems like forever since they were known for having the worst ol and david carr was getting destroyed but really it wasnt. They did a great job fixing that.