Nov 2, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) stiff arms Baltimore Ravens defensive back Will Hill (33) as Brown runs on a fifty-four yard touchdown pass during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-23. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers young wide receiver Antonio Brown is good. I mean really really good.
Before this article takes one microscopic step further, it must be said that Jerry Rice was and is the best wide receiver to ever play in the NFL. Period. Steelers greats Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, Hines Ward – they were a great in their own rights. But, Rice? That guy was untouchable.
The former Central Michigan wide out came onto the scene in Pittsburgh back in 2010 along with his cohorts of The Young Money Crew. Four seasons later, and Brown is the only one remaining on the team from that group – and for obvious reasons that did not become clear to the Mike Wallace sympathizers until Brown’s performance from the last two seasons.
Brown is equalling the MVP-like play from teammate Ben Roethlisberger. This season, Brown already has 71 catches and 996 yards – both league leading stats. He is Ben’s go to receiver, and he is wreaking havoc out in the open flat with his route running. NFL Hall of Fame great Jerry Rice has taken notice and commented on Brown’s quick rise.
"He’s killing it right now. I had an opportunity to talk to this guy, and he tried to get in my head. He wanted to know my workout regimen and how did I sustain for so many years. I just told him it was all about work ethic and never getting complacent and never getting to a point where you can relax now."
So of course a guy like me, who can’t help but wonder the potential of today’s Steelers greats, ponders if Antonio Brown will ever eclipse Jerry Rice not only in numbers, but also in consideration of the greatest wide receiver in NFL history? Would it truly be that absurd to predict it? So many have tried, all have failed. But what of Antonio? Well let’s take a look at the numbers…
Oct 26, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) makes a one-handed touchdown reception over Indianapolis Colts cornerback Greg Toler (28) during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Well looking from this table, Brown has a long way to go. And, he does. Rice would go on to have 10 more 1,000+ yard seasons. But, it’s interesting to see that he’s beginning to make the climb. It’s amazing to see Rice’s offensive presence and influence. 66 touchdowns in only five seasons – incredible. Brown does have an opportunity to have more receptions than Rice by the end of his fifth season. But, the looming questions is, can Brown sustain the type of productivity that can keep him at the same pace now (and increase to make up ground on Rice)? Rice reached that special Hall of Fame level and greatness because he played with other greats – mainly his quarterbacks. Jerry Montana and Steve Young? Pretty easy to rack up stats when you have HOF quarterbacks slinging you the rock.
Antonio Brown currently has a future Hall of Fame QB throwing him the ball. But, for how long? Roethlisberger is signed through 2015, and it Steeler Nation is getting very antsy that the Steelers have not signed him to an extension. Now that he’s turning the dial of his QB play to 11, you have to wonder if he’s going to get just a hair to expensive for what the Steelers are willing to pay. Sounds absurd to even consider, but even players in their prime become too expensive for even the most eager of organizations.
Let’s assume that Big Ben hangs around for another five seasons with the Steelers and is able to keep feeding Brown the ball. The Steelers would need to sign another high performance QB in order for Brown to keep putting up big numbers. Miss a key draft pick (ahem Landry Jones), and Brown could lose valuable seasons. Remember, Rice was in the league for almost 20 seasons. 20! It is astounding how the universe had to be in line in order for Rice to accumulate all the stats – the right QB(s), an offense that is pass heavy, health.
It will take all of that and maybe a bit more (whatever that needs to be) in order for Brown to eclipse Rice’s numbers.
No matter what, I think we can all agree that Brown is well on his way to being the greatest Steelers wide receiver to ever don the Black & Gold.