by Matt Shetler
Entering training camp, one area the Pittsburgh Steelers appeared very thin at was the wide receiving core . Emmanuel Sanders foot injury didn’t do much to strengthen an already thin unit.
The black and gold wisely added veteran Jerricho Cotchery and it has been widely assumed that he would fit in nicely as the team’s number three receiver.
However, Cotchery’s spot on the depth chart shouldn’t be etched in stone. Nothing due to the fact that the former New York Jet won’t help the Steelers, because he will. The amount of reps Cotchery sees though could go down due to the emergence of one man- Antonio Brown.
Brown, the second-year pro out of Central Michigan, came on a bit at the end of last season and is making his case to be in the Steelers regular rotation. Brown finished the 2010 season with 16 receptions, but caught five more in three post-season games; including a big game in the divisional round against the Baltimore Ravens.
Sometimes when opportunity knocks at the door, you have to open it up. That’s exactly what Brown has done so far and in a big way.
From day one of training camp, he’s been nothing short of outstanding. He’s also upped his game against top competition, as he showed against the Atlanta Falcons first unit with a four-catch, 137-yard first half that included touchdown receptions of 77 and 44 yards.
He also proved his worth on special teams by opening the game up with a big kick return.
If there is one word to describe Brown, it’s explosive. He’s a weapon that can take it the distance on any play.
However, is he the real deal that’s primed for a breakout season in 2011 or is Brown on his way to adding his name to a long list of great preseason players? Football is like any other sport in the fact that you have to take preseason numbers with a grain of salt.
My guess is somewhere in between. Only due to the fact that he may still be the fourth or fifth option on the Steelers depth chart. Yet if the youngster has shown head coach Mike Tomlin enough to move him up the depth chart, Brown could be a huge factor in the Steelers success in 2011. Once again the offense is very explosive and the future looks bright.
A pair of young speedy receivers in Brown and Mike Wallace should keep Ben Roethlisberger very happy for years.
If anything, Brown has the ability to make 2011 a very exciting season for Steelers fans.
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