Antonio Brown Wants The Ball

Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Roethlisberger voiced his concerns over Todd Haley’s new offensive system throughout the 2012 regular season, and it looks like “Big Ben” now has some company in the form of Antonio Brown.

The 2011 “Pro Bowler” was apparently unhappy with the number of targets he was receiving in the passing game, and he was at odds with his offensive coordinator during Monday night’s loss according to Ed Bouchette of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The tensions however did not die down, and both were “still seething” about their argument as late as Tuesday according to Bouchette’s article.  Bouchette also mentioned that Brown also complained about the number of targets he received last fall as well, but “not to the extent” of Monday night’s confrontation.

I cannot say I blame Brown for his frustrations.  After he recorded 69 catches for 1,108 yards and two touchdowns in 2011, his numbers sank to only 66 grabs for 787 yards under Haley last fall.  Used as less of a vertical and intermediate threat because of scheme, Brown has also had to share targets with Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery through the first two games this season.

This “in-fighting” seems like the norm more than anything else in Pittsburgh’s organization as of late.  Whether it was “anonymous” comments made about LaMarr Woodley’s work-ethic, Roethlisberger’s aforementioned complaining, Mike Wallace’s concerns over his role in the offense, and now this, the Steelers seem to be a franchise headed into steep decline if this garbage continues.

How this team will address this issue will be interesting to watch, but I cannot imagine that the offensive players do not have much confidence in their offensive coordinator if their starting quarterback and both of their starting receivers from the 2012 campaign have already voiced their concerns with him.

Stats & Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com and Pro Football Reference

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