Antonio Brown & the "Young Money Crew"



AB and the "Young Money Crew" are Back

 -Mason Noland (@m_noland386)

Now that "Young Money" is back together all will be right with the passing game. If you can find a better 4 man wide receiver rotation than Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, and Jerricho Cotchery, please advise me who they would be. I imagine several teams would love to have Cotchery as a number two receiver, and he'll be the Steelers' fourth. When I think of the young money crew I can't help but think of the man who helped guide them along, Hines Ward. Every Steeler fan loves Hines Ward and it seems like Antonio Brown has taken over that crowd favorite skill position roll. I am in no way comparing Brown and Ward. These two men are different types of receivers. Hines was a very physical blocker and sure handed possession receiver who had the uncanny ability to get open, where Brown is lightening quick with great hands and elusiveness that was never given to Hines. What I am saying is that Brown's playmaking ability, while different, is taking that void in our hearts that was left when Ward was cut.

I think we should give a big thanks to Dan LeFevour of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. Why you ask? One of the Steelers many scouts was at a Central Michigan Chippewas game scouting LeFevour when Antonio Brown impressed him as a return man and receiver. Had LeFevour not been an impressive "Tuesday Night MAC" quarterback, the Steelers would not have Brown on the roster.

I will be the first to admit that I had no idea if Brown was going to be any good. I just saw his 40yd dash time and read that he was a good return man, which was good enough for me since it seemed like forever since the Steelers had a good returner. He has, thus far, out shined his fellow 2010 draft mate Emmanuel Sanders, but I think Sanders is going to put up some good numbers this year as well. It seemed that he was going to be special from the get go. Very few players score the first time they touch the ball in a regular season contest, but Brown can say that. Though used sparingly throughout the 2010 regular season, he came up with some spectacular and clutch catches down the stretch and in the playoffs. His 2011 season was a great Sophomore season. He made the Pro Bowl as a returner, but also had a great season as a Receiver, showing marked improvement in route running.

Not only is he a good football player, but what makes fans drawn to him is his personable nature. He legitimately looks like a young man having the time of his life. Like Ward, he seems to know he's been given a gift and he's taking full advantage of it. He's always smiling and his touchdown dance is pretty hilarious. After a first down early last year, he did some sort of silly celebration to which my Mom said "He's a cocky little guy isn't he." I turned to her and said, yeah he's cocky, but he's backing it up. Steelers fan want you to back it up if you are going to celebrate. I am very much hoping that Brown can build on last year's great season.

I texted Jeff after  watching "America's Game" about the 1979 Steelers saying how I hope Brown and Sanders can be as special as Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. I think the comparison is a reach at this point, but like Swann and Stallworth, they were drafted together in the same class. I hope the comparison doesn't end there. I'm not saying I think Brown and Sanders are going to be Hall of Famers after 2 seasons, but what I am saying is that I hope they can lead successful careers with multiple championships. That is what gets you to the Hall of Fame. Like other hard working, non-mouthy, non-diva wide receivers before him that played for the Steelers, I hope Antonio Brown can keep putting up big numbers and keep the winning tradition.

Lastly, its always interesting to me that a team that is traditionally considered a "running team" the majority of its existence, the Steelers have produced a good deal of excellent Wide Receivers.