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Steelers: Can Vick and Brown connect?

By Zack Goncz

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The Steelers have one of the top wide receivers in the league but for the last 6 quarters or so he’s done far less damage to opposing defenses than we’ve been accustomed to. The most obvious reason is because Michael Vick is the quarterback and not Ben Roethlisberger. The chemistry between Vick and Brown, compared to Ben and Brown, is just not as strong, and it probably never will be, but it can be better.

Let’s look at some of the evidence. Brown began the first half of the Rams game with 9 receptions for 86 yards. In the second half he had only 2 receptions for 22 yards. Both of those receptions came from Ben before he got injured.

Then in the last game against the Ravens, Brown also underperformed. Yes, the Ravens double teamed him or whatever but so does everyone else. It had nothing to do with the Ravens. Regardless, Brown finished with a pedestrian 5 catches and 42 yards. That was the end of Brown’s NFL record 35 straight games with 5 catches for at least 50 yards.

8 yards short. Even still, that was including an extra quarter of play and it had been a while since it was even close to the streak ending.

It used to be said that the only person who could hold Michael Jordan to under 20 points per game was Dean Smith. Is the only person who can hold Antonio Brown to under 5 catches and 50 yards Michael Vick?

Well Le’Veon Bell seemed to be doing very well in the passing game since Vick ascended to the starting spot. Darius Heyward-Bey has not missed a beat in the late career semi-resurgence he’s been having this year. Even Sammie Coates got some action.

On the other hand, Vick in the QB seat does not seem to be doing any favors for Brown, or Heath Miller either for that matter. What is the difficulty with Brown and Vick? Sure, he’s new and he’s had less time to practice with him and learn the plays. But the same can be said of Bell and Heyward-Bey. Why does it seem to be having the biggest impact on Brown?

Of the situation, according to PennLive.com Vick said, “”I didn’t want to force it and I knew that was going to be part of their game plan. They did what they did and we didn’t find ways to put the ball with the best player on our team.”

Brown told Ryan Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “I think they just come out a little bit later than Ben’s. I don’t think Mike Vick has yet adjusted to the timing of how we run things. His balls come out later in the routes, at the top of your route. You just have to get the timing down and make sure we’re on the same page.”

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Brown later struck a more measured tone, defending his quarterback, saying, as reported by Mark Kaboly of Triblive.com, “Last week, it just wasn’t (Vick’s) fault. There is a lot of blame on me. I left a lot of plays out there. All of us are getting more comfortable, not just him. I am more confident and comfortable this week with him.”

It was nice of Brown to say but still, quite a coincidence that Brown starts leaving plays out there right when Vick starts throwing the ball.

The issue seems to be one of practice but also of playing styles. Vick’s biggest assets are his ability to run and his strong arm. Timing and accuracy, even in his prime, were never skills that Vick was particularly strong in. He’s been called a “see it, throw it” type of quarterback, implying his ability to read and have timing are not above average.

On the other hand, Brown is a route runner. He’s the best there is possibly. He’s also fast, but not really the classic deep threat. He has amazing hands, but the ball has to touch your hands to make a catch. If the corner favors a side or isn’t set up right, heck, if he even blinks Brown will take advantage and be open. But this requires the quarterback to anticipate and get the ball there with accuracy when he is inevitably open.

The things that make Vick and Brown great simply do not match. Vick does not have the skillset to take advantage of what makes Brown so unstoppable.

A lot of it though can be fixed with practice. Timing is difficult for anyone who has been in an offense for only a handful of weeks. The situation can certainly be improved.

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette had Tomlin saying, “Vick’s getting comfortable at our quarterback position … And obviously all of the eligible players developing the necessary rapport with Vick, to have the type of timing that’s going to allow us to win in tough, combative situations like the ones that occurred at the end of the game. I am excited about watching them work and ultimately doing that in San Diego.” Haley seems to agree in interviews as well.

Vick said, from TribLive.com, “I feel so much better just having more time to practice, more time to build chemistry and learn the offense.”

Will Vick-Brown ever be as good as Ben-Brown? Probably not. But it can get a whole lot better. And with 12 days of practice to work together expect to see improvement tonight against the Chargers.

Next: Steelers Week 5: What to Watch

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