Antonio Brown Voted Steelers 2011 MVP
by Neal Coolong on Dec 29, 2011 2:22 PM EST
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The Steelers announced Thursday WR/KR Antonio Brown was voted Steelers Most Valuable Player.
Brown, a second-year player from Central Michigan, became the team's single-season leader in all-purpose yardarge with 2,048.
Brown is the first Steelers player to win the Team MVP award in his second year of play since Rod Woodson in 1988.
Going into Week 17, Brown has 1,018 receiving yards, 664 punt return yards (with one touchdown) and 325 kick return yards to go along with 41 rushing yards.
LB James Harrison was voted Team MVP in 2007 and 2008. The award went to Ben Roethlisberger in 2009 and Troy Polamalu in 2010.
Brown was a sixth-round draft pick in 2010, and saw limited time in the regular season, but did come up with two big catches in the playoffs. His 58-yard catch against Baltimore led to the game-winning touchdown that put the Steelers in the AFC Championship game.
Against the Jets, Roethlisberger hit him for 14 yards on 3rd-and-6 to seal the 24-19 victory.
Brown has made plenty of highlight plays this season, and has taken over as the team's most targeted receiver. He was named to the AFC Pro Bowl team as a kick returner.
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My choice too
Well done AB……love to see many more of these to come for the black and gold !!!
You deserve it
Can’t disagree with this pick. Way to exorcise the Santonio demons
Boy, I'm three generations deep, in gangstadom
Exactly
Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...
by StoneColdSteel on Dec 29, 2011 11:38 PM EST up reply actions
I still see him getting better and getting more reps
as I said early this season, I think Brown is the most dangerous player we are fielding right now and his upside is huge! Congrats AB, this is a very well deserved honor.
Please just stop the after 1st down antics, save it for touchdowns. Please?
"My mentality is singular in that I want to be world champs each and every year, so that's what we work toward. I have a tough time acknowledging levels of success short of that. That's just how I'm wired." - Mike Tomlin
Congrats Antonio Brown...
…well deserved, not just from your on-field production, but from the reputation you are gaining as one of the hardest working, hardest practicing players. Now, just hope you can convey such a work ethic to the likes of Gilbert, Wallace, and others.
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
I remember last year reading articles primarily from Ed Bouchette, if I recall correctly, raving about AB’s always cheerful attitude and willingness to work hard. This award is probably as much for what he brings to the locker room as it is for what he brings to the field.
Good for him, and good for the team for voting for him.
I still think his ceiling is higher than Wallace's
I hope this makes Mike hungry though.
I did hear that Wallace voted for Keenan Lewis. Uhhh, what?
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
Well, they are good friends
Thats about the only way I can make sense of that.
Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...
by StoneColdSteel on Dec 29, 2011 3:58 PM EST up reply actions
Brown is the most complete WR on the team.
" To win a game you must first not lose it." - Chaz Noll
by TheStillerWay86 on Dec 29, 2011 3:18 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Great teams don't rebuild. They reload.
Holmes is gone, thankfully. ARE is gone, though we miss him. And Hines is no longer number one, except in our hearts.
And yet the wide receiver corps is exponentially better now than it was last year or two years ago. And the biggest reason is this sixth-round gem.
Congrats to a great player and great kid, A Brown. And congrats to the front office, scouts, and coaching staff for a job extremely well done.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
Well said Homer
"My mentality is singular in that I want to be world champs each and every year, so that's what we work toward. I have a tough time acknowledging levels of success short of that. That's just how I'm wired." - Mike Tomlin
by MDSTEELERSFAN on Dec 29, 2011 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
Time for Sly to step up then…
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
by John Stephens on Dec 29, 2011 3:36 PM EST up reply actions
Or force the issue by drafting another ILB
Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...
by StoneColdSteel on Dec 29, 2011 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
I really think we are going to have to get a FA
Farrior is too old. Foote too slow.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
by John Stephens on Dec 29, 2011 4:09 PM EST up reply actions
Sylvester’s still cheap, a veteran minimum guy, maybe, but Foote’s still got $3 million due next year. Farrior’s right around that amount too. Not sure they could cut either of them and sign a veteran.
Drafting someone is likely, though. Not much depth there.
by Neal Coolong on Dec 29, 2011 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
Foote needs to take a massive pay cut
I like Foote and hope we can keep him, but not at $3 million. We may be forced to keep Farrior around for another year.
Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...
by StoneColdSteel on Dec 29, 2011 11:33 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, I see
Is he the blond one with the scarf, or the skinny one with the green shirt and annoying voice?
by Neal Coolong on Dec 29, 2011 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
well played
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
by John Stephens on Dec 29, 2011 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
ARE is gone
Don’t shoot me for asking this, but who are you referring to? I’m having a brainfart
Boy, I'm three generations deep, in gangstadom
Who did he end up signing with, if anybody?
Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...
by StoneColdSteel on Dec 29, 2011 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
When your brain farts...
…does it come out of your ears, or your nose?
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
by PaVaSteeler on Dec 29, 2011 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Funny thing
We all thought we were getting cheated when Holmes got traded for a 5th round-pick. Well that 5th rounder netted us Bryant McFadden and Antonio Brown. Who got cheated now?!
Awesome!
And by the way I have to brag about the fact that I was high on this kid from the moment we drafted him. The confidence, quick hands and quick feet he displayed at the Combine made me feel like we had found something special there. I didn’t know he was going to be THAT special though!
Dick, what would Woody (Hayes) say to you now: "He'd say, 'LeBeau, get your hair cut.'"
I have to eat crow
I was skeptical of picking Brown right after Sanders, it seemed to me overkill. I was wrong! Anyway, it’s a shame Sanders has been plagued by ankle issues. He’s got a lot of talent and hopefully he’ll get his recognition some time too.
Sanders will get his
Next year, fully healthy, he’s going to be an amazing no. 3 receiver. By the way I had the same reaction when I saw the pick come in, till I went back and checked combine and collegiate footage on Brown. After seeing that, it was hard not to be impressed….
Dick, what would Woody (Hayes) say to you now: "He'd say, 'LeBeau, get your hair cut.'"
Absolutely on the money!
Snatching AB in the sixth round once again shows how freakin’ awesome Colbert & comapny are at evaluating potential talent. This guy has been nothing short of outstanding all year, not to mention his heroics in the playoffs last year, you know, in his ROOKIE season!…I think Manny has the same potential if that nagging foot problem would disappear. Just think about the quality of the WR corps when that happens, we could have best in the league!! I love this organization, I’m more proud to be a Steeler fan every year, and I’ve been a fan since I was 7!
"I don't want to see anyone injured, but I'm not opposed to hurting anyone" - James Harrison
by LifelongSteelerFanInVa on Dec 29, 2011 4:16 PM EST up reply actions
Hines' Heir Apparent?
I can see him being a future face of the franchise. He has a sympathetic background, and he and his brother are an inspiration. Reports have frequently mentioned his effort/work-ethic, desire to learn, positive attitude, etc. On the field, he’s versatile, well-rounded, and does whatever is required. Sounds like the ideal team player. (As he gets a little older, hopefully he’ll drop some of the antics/celebrations – lol)
I wonder how this will affect his dynamic with Wallace?
Personally
I think it will motivate Wallace to be even better….
"I don't want to see anyone injured, but I'm not opposed to hurting anyone" - James Harrison
by LifelongSteelerFanInVa on Dec 29, 2011 4:18 PM EST up reply actions
Will we be able to keep both AB and Wallace?
AB’s agent is Drew Rosenhaus so you know he’ll be demanding top dollar. Problem is…..so will Wallace.
Hell, AB may even hold out next year because he feels he may have already played out his 3yr (6th rounder) contract. This is only me speculating. I don’t think this will happen, but stranger things have happened.
Wallace’s contract will be dealt with next year, and hopefully AB will play out his contract and he will get his day the year after.
They both need each other’s game for both of them to be effective. Add Ward, Sanders and Cotch, and you get a top-tier NFL receiving corps.
We’re putting the cart way in front of the horse here.
1. There’s still at least one season without any kind of contract issue. Wallace gets a RFA deal next year. As for Brown, no one holds out with more than a year left on their deal, and it’s really stupid to hold out when you don’t have free agency ensured after your contract expires. He’s restricted in 2013 (year after Wallace).
2. I love Antonio Brown, and I love Mike Wallace. Brown has two touchdowns, and I don’t believe is even on the field in their red zone packages. Wallace is a catch-and-run receiver who doesn’t run deep in-patterns. Neither right now could be compared from a salary perspective to any top receiver dollar-wise. In fact, Green Bay’s Jordy Nelson has more TDs (12-8) and a much higher yards per catch average (18.7 to 16.6) than Wallace does, and he signed a four-year $13 million deal last year. Nevermind the fact the Packers completely ripped him off, my point is neither are close to the ceiling and the floor is a lot lower than we all seem to think it is.
3. Cotchery isn’t signed after next year, and if anyone is expendable at the moment, it’d be him.
4. They both could easily be franchised one year after each other (2012 and 2013, respectively). The Steelers will have both of them for a while, and by then, thank the Lord if they’re both putting up Calvin Johnson-type numbers, but it’s not only unlikely, but it wouldn’t be for a few years before we’d have to worry about it.
by Neal Coolong on Dec 29, 2011 4:17 PM EST up reply actions
He will get 490,000 for 2012 which is his last year in his rookie contract.
I don’t think I’m pulling the cart that much in front of the horse…….perhaps side-by-side :)
I only fear that he gets delusions of grandeur like Deshaun Jackson of Philly and holds out.
I wasn’t aware that his 2013 contract is restricted.
What I’m saying isn’t that far-fetched as I’m an eternal cynic.
I think Cotch will re-sign given a much larger paycheck, but under what he ultimately wants. Also depends on the status of Hines.
I think that the 2010 Franchise tag will go to Mendy. That is why I didn’t use it on one of “the Bugatti Boys”
The trick with Brown is that restricted free agency after his rookie deal, holding out for a new deal next year is pointless because he won’t be unrestricted in 2013, so any delusions of grandeur will only hurt his next contract; if he’s not ready or he’s not productive, he’ll lose out.
This is why players put so much work into getting drafted as high as they can. Guys like Brown get the shaft for four years before making significant money. Wallace is a little better off, but not by much.
Jackson had a four-year deal, so he’s a free agent next year. He has a little more leverage, because if the Eagles don’t sign him, he can go out next year to whatever team he wants. Instead of holding out, he should have showed up to camp, not looked like a malcontent (whether he is or isn’t is irrelevant) and jacked his numbers through the roof.
Since he didn’t do that, his value is much lower than it was last year, AND he looks like a malcontent. He’ll be lucky to get close to what Hester got a few years ago.
by Neal Coolong on Dec 29, 2011 4:45 PM EST up reply actions
Gotcha..
Thanks for the clarification on AB’s contract.
Did you see where I was going though with my thoughts on AB and Deshawn Jackson?
Thanks for making the differences more clear to me Neal.
490K after this year though…..the Steelers are getting a steal.
Mendy on the Franchise Tag though vs a WR??? What do you think
Did you see where I was going though with my thoughts on AB and Deshawn Jackson?
I do see where you were going…their situations are a little different. Brown’s good, and Jackson’s a punk.
Not ruling Mendenhall out cuz it is still a really cheap price. I can see Mendenhall taking a four year $16 million deal though. May as well get a long-term deal with the team you know. His value isn’t very high. Look at what Demarco Murray did this year, he was a third-round pick. Many people in the Steelers organization are huge on Baron Batch, a seventh-round pick.
Brown is most likely the worst paid player in the NFL, based on production.
by Neal Coolong on Dec 29, 2011 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
Batch.....
Have been following this young man via his blog and updates here on BTSC. He truly showed some promise last yr and can’t wait to see this young man play after intense rehab, film study, and a year’s maturity.
Agreed, Toona ...
Young Charlie should work out this offseason with that kid WR the Steelers have on the bench most of the time. No. 86, I think is his number.
not sure if serious
you do know that we’re not talking about charlie right?
Not sure they need to tag Mendenhall, I think they can sign him for less than what the RB tag will be (even if it’s much lower than what is has been lately).
Who else is going to sign him? The value of a veteran running back is so low now, only Peterson is a top 10 pick and a franchise player. The leading rushers are Arian Foster (undrafted) Maurice Jones-Drew (third round), Lesean McCoy (second round), Frank Gore (third round), Ray Rice (second round), Michael Turner (fifth round), then 7-10 are first rounders (Marshawn Lynch, Reggie Bush, Steven Jackson and Ryan Mathews).
Bush and Lynch are on their second teams (much smaller contracts than their first deals), Mathews splits carries with Mike Tolbert (undrafted).
Overall, clearly, in this league you can see there’s a ton of talent to be found for really cheap in the later rounds. Hell, Mendenhall hasn’t even been able to push Isaac Redman (undrafted) out of the lineup in the time he’s been here. There’s a reason the tag price for a RB has dropped as much as it has.
by Neal Coolong on Dec 29, 2011 4:53 PM EST up reply actions
Good Points
Gone are the days of the RB’s getting the premium bucks.
Kind of puzzled why the Chargers traded up to get Ryan Matthews 2 yrs ago at #12 overall. Guess they had to after they let go of LT and then Sproles.
Mendy
I agree and I am higher on Mendenhall than most. I think that the Steelers can find a good enough running back to replace him if he costs too much.
I would rather have an average/slightly above average running back that runs hard like Redman at a reasonable price and spend the dollars on improvement at the offensive line.
I also wonder how much Mendenhall’s lack of production early had to do with the pounding that he took last year. He lead the league in touches over the reg/post season.
Receivers
Nelson is having a great year, which perhaps was unexpected by most. Many analysts thought he is a good player, but the man is exceptional this year. Jordy is better than all but 2 receivers based upon football outsiders. Jordy’s current contract is a steal but it is due to the fact that he was only a top-30 receiver at best in previous years.
Wallace was the best receiver last year based upon the advanced stats. This year, he ranks 3 or 4 in the major categories.
I like AB. I think he was an excellent find and his ceiling has not been reached. I think that Wallace still has a higher ceiling as well. This crop of young wide receivers is so exciting. I can see the Steelers having three top-20 receivers next year with two of them being in the top 7. I can’t remember a receiving corps that has the potential that this crew has.
Good post.
Great job Tony
Hope to see more of that funny dance he does when he scores.
Now if we can just get Sly and Lewis to step their play up, we’ll be almost fully reloaded.
Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...
I'm talking about him being the starter opposite Ike, instead of us having to start Gay
Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...
by StoneColdSteel on Dec 29, 2011 11:35 PM EST up reply actions
Troy sat out practice again folks...........
Feeling very uneasy about this.
Chris Carter back practicing again, along with Ben, Pouncey, Deebo, Wallace, and Sanders.
Woodley still limited
Maybe we should rest Troy and Woodley. I know it’s not the same when they’re not there, but we can’t go into the playoffs limping…
Dick, what would Woody (Hayes) say to you now: "He'd say, 'LeBeau, get your hair cut.'"
I think you can add Woodley to the "definitely out" category along with Legs and MeMo.
I’m just concerned about Troy. They are always very hush-hush when it comes to injuries and even more so with Troy. His Achilles was much worse last year than we all thought.
And now he has this knee injury.
I really hope they are being uber-conserative with him saving him for the playoffs.
When did Troy hurt his knee?
"He had no teeth, and he was slobbering all over himself. I'm thinking, 'You can have your money back, just get me out of here. Let me go be an accountant." I can't tell you how badly I wanted out of there."
- Denver rookie QB John Elway, on Jack Lambert, after Lambert and the Steelers knocked Elway out of his first game as a pro (1983).
I have to go with Big ben as MVP
But I wont argue about Brown he has been great this year. This offense has gotten crazy good now if we can just had a healthy/good O-line
Eh
I know the losses are not completely Ben’s fault but with all those turnovers it’s hard not to put the lion’s share on him. AB is a good choice if you’re going on the offensive side of the team since he’s been so involved on ST as well.
Defensively, Woodley and Harrison have missed games and Troy, due to his concussion, has been held back by the staff (which is why we’re seeing Clark in on a lot more plays than normal). I think Kiesel’s having a fine year, but he isn’t the force that either Woodley and Harrison are so I think Brown is the best choice.
I know but where would this team be with out him
Our defense let us down against Baltimore in game two they both share responsibility for the first one. The offense get blame against Houston but we were on the road. If Ben wasn’t hurt against SF we would have beat them. I will not give this team any credit for beat St Louis, they could have done it with have the team gone.
Also I will not talk against A. brown he has had a great year and is deserving but my vote will be for Ben until we get a suitable back up
I think the fact that Antonio Brown gets voted team MVP by his teammates says a lot about the Steelers team in general. Another moment when I’m hella proud to be a fan.
And when the ratbirds go down on Sunday I’ll be even happier.
" I think this is probably the best team ever assembled. They talk about the Vince Lombardi Era, but I think the Chuck Noll Era is even greater. " - Mel Blount
That's pretty amazing considering Brown is a second year player. Veterans are all about respect and acceptance
For the guys in that locker room to vote Brown the team mvp is a testament to the respect he’s earned in a very short time.
Yep
dude stepped up on the field which was a great sign, and this is even a better sign. Love this kid.
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Dec 29, 2011 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
I love Downtown Antonio Brown,
i really do! he’s been a treat to watch and an absolute draft steal! BUT- he should hand that award over to Wallace for having the safety roll his way all season. Without Wallace getting the extra attention, AB doesn’t have these numbers.
Pay em both!
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