The Pittsburgh Steelers have made some questionable decisions in the recent past. Letting James Harrison and Keenan Lewis walk are prime examples. Heading into training camp and during the preseason, there were many questions for the Steelers, and many of those questions have yet to of been answered thus far in the season. However, one question that has been answered is the top wide-out position.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Antonio Brown 195th overall in the 6th round of the 2010 NFL draft. Brown made his regular season debut against the Titans, and had 128 yards on three returns (two kickoffs, one punt), including an 89-yard touchdown on the first play of the game. In 2011, Brown became the first player in NFL history to have more than 1,000 yards receiving and returning in the same year.
In 2012, the Pittsburgh Steelers chose to keep wide receiver Brown giving him a five-year contract and letting Mike Wallace walk. Through five games this year, Brown has 41 receptions for 498 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Wallace has 22 receptions for 281 yards and one touchdown. More importantly, Brown has become a leader for the Steelers, a role that Wallace would never embrace. Furthermore, Brown has been electric for the Steelers, and is without question one of the most explosive receivers in the NFL this year.
Nobody knows that better than, Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger is on pace for a career year as he is averaging 299 yards passing per game and is on pace for 4,784 yards on the season.
Brown proved once again that the Steelers selected the right wide receiver with his performance last week against the Jets. Brown ended up with 86 receiving yards on nine catches. Brown is on pace for 126 catches on the season. Even though Brown might not be able to maintain this sort of pace for the entire season, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he approaches 100 receptions by the end of the year.
