Teams starting to show interest in AB

[BlackAndGold]

Raiders are will to deal one of their first round picks.

If there is a team willing to give up a 1st is them. I'd take pick #24. (Brian Burns and Bryon Murphy FTW!!!!)

[Craic]

Colbert’s comments mean 28 teams have shown no interest in Antonio Brown

Didn't even bother clicking on it with that headline. How stupid. It's February 23. Teams were able to designate Franchise players only four days ago and the combine is coming up in three days. The 2019 league year doesn't even begin until March 13, which is when trading first opens. So why would teams reach out now when they're focused on the combine and it's still three weeks from being able to trade someone anyway?

[Bluecoat96]

Didn't even bother clicking on it with that headline. How stupid. It's February 23. Teams were able to designate Franchise players only four days ago and the combine is coming up in three days. The 2019 league year doesn't even begin until March 13, which is when trading first opens. So why would teams reach out now when they're focused on the combine and it's still three weeks from being able to trade someone anyway?

Shhhh.....stop with these posts that make sense!

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

[Iron Steeler]

I heard Jon Gruden is willing to trade any of his first-round picks he has three of them

[steelreserve]

I heard the Patriots are offering a buttplug.

[86WARD]

Colbert’s comments mean 28 teams have shown no interest in Antonio Brown

Posted by Michael David Smith on February 23, 2019

The leading receiver in the NFL over the last five seasons is available in a trade, and 28 teams have shown no interest at all.

That’s the flip side of Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert’s recent comments: Colbert said three teams have reached out to express interest in a trade for wide receiver Antonio Brown. Meaning 28 teams have not reached out.

Brown has 576 catches over the last five seasons, by far the most of any wide receiver in the NFL. What does it say about Brown that Steelers owner Art Rooney II declared on January 10 that the Steelers were like to trade Brown, and as of February 22 only three teams had even bothered to pick up the phone and call the Steelers to ask what it would cost to acquire him?

It says that teams think Brown is a problem in the locker room. It says that teams think Brown, who will turn 31 in July, isn’t going to be the same kind of player in his 30s he was in his 20s. It says that teams think Brown isn’t worth the $12.625 million base salary and $2.5 million roster bonus they’d have to pay if they traded for him.

to read rest of article:

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...antonio-brown/

Lol...it couldn’t mean that teams think they are set at the WR position. It couldn’t possibly mean teams are maybe close to the cap limit. Couldn’t mean teams maybe want to wait closer to draft day or see how free agency starts forming. Couldn’t mean there’s just one team that called and Colbert arbitrarily threw out the number three for the hell of it. No. It’s because 28 teams, they know AB is a locker room problem. But those other three, they haven’t figured that out yet. Lol.

Journalism has just gone so wrong...

[teegre]

My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows a guy who is going with a girl who saw those 28 GMs at Baskin Robbins last night... and she heard them say that they’d never trade for AB. I guess it’s pretty serious.

Similarly, my “unnamed source” told me that the other 3 GMs are willing to trade their entire draft in order to acquire AB.

Lastly, Varys’s little birds told me not to trust anyone in the media.

[pczach]

I heard the Patriots are offering a buttplug.

Is it pre-owned?

Is it autographed by the owner?

[steelreserve]

Is it pre-owned?

Is it autographed by the owner?

The first goes without saying. Although I think when dealing with this particular item, "used buttplug" is the preferred term over "pre-owned."

The second, odds are against it. They have so many of those that if they were all autographed, Mr. Brady would be spending his entire day doing nothing but autographing buttplugs.

[86WARD]

Colts are supposedly now the favorites to land AB...

[vader29]

[teegre]

Colts are supposedly now the favorites to land AB...

I have averred for months that the Colts have the cap space to sign Bell to a huge contract.

Then, when the AB mess started, my thought was that they’d also try to acquire a receiver for Luck (whose team would have three more wins of his receivers could catch the effing ball). Plus, the Colts have the cap room to immediately extend AB (guaranteed money, become the highest paid WR in the NFL, etc.).

But... right after AB started his theatrics, the Colts came out and declared that they wanted no part of that type of shenanigans.

Well, here we are a month later, and we are seeing that teams might just feel that AB’s (& Bell’s) talent outweighs the risk factor.

NOTE: The Colts also have the cap room to “extend” a player, right before trading him to the Steelers... which would help offset the $21 million dead-money cap-hit that the Steelers would suffer by trading AB. For example, give Malik Hooker a $21 signing bonus, and then immediately trade him.

[86WARD]

I have averred for months that the Colts have the cap space to sign Bell to a huge contract.

Then, when the AB mess started, my thought was that they’d also try to acquire a receiver for Luck (whose team would have three more wins of his receivers could catch the effing ball). Plus, the Colts have the cap room to immediately extend AB (guaranteed money, become the highest paid WR in the NFL, etc.).

But... right after AB started his theatrics, the Colts came out and declared that they wanted no part of that type of shenanigans.

Well, here we are a month later, and we are seeing that teams might just feel that AB’s (& Bell’s) talent outweighs the risk factor.

NOTE: The Colts also have the cap room to “extend” a player, right before trading him to the Steelers... which would help offset the $21 million dead-money cap-hit that the Steelers would suffer by trading AB. For example, give Malik Hooker a $21 signing bonus, and then immediately trade him.

Luck, Hilton, AB and Ebron is a nice passing attack.

[AtlantaDan]

Peter King lists Carolina, Washington, Tampa Bay, the Jets and Oakland as his likely suspects for a trade this morning

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...?cid=nbcsports

In discussing trade possibilities I was encouraged by this comment from Albert Breer in his MMQB column

I’d be stunned if the Steelers woke up one morning and decided to stand down on what they want in exchange for Antonio Brown. One reason why is that they have as sharp an analytics team as any in the NFL, with Omar Khan, Samir Suleiman and Karim Kassam all invested in that area.

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/02/25/ro...s-kyler-murray

Given the refusal of the Steelers to provide support for such basic functions as helping Tomlin on replay reviews my assumption was the Steelers were too old school to have a top analytics group

[steelreserve]

Well, here we are a month later, and we are seeing that teams might just feel that AB’s (& Bell’s) talent outweighs the risk factor.

Perhaps this is a message that the Steelers themselves would be wise to pay attention to, assholes. If other teams are willing to take the risk of dealing with drama, that should tell us something.

Almost like a catch-22 in reverse: The better the offers we get, the bigger the sign that we're making a mistake.

There is still no reason we are under any obligation to trade Mr. Big Chest, or eat $21 million for the privilege.

[AtlantaDan]

Perhaps this is a message that the Steelers themselves would be wise to pay attention to, assholes. If other teams are willing to take the risk of dealing with drama, that should tell us something.

Almost like a catch-22 in reverse: The better the offers we get, the bigger the sign that we're making a mistake.

Or that there always is someone in the NFL willing to overpay

[Mojouw]

Love how Peter King gets to just change his reports and statements on an almost weekly basis with no need to reference the previous item his new "nugget" invalidates. I thought no one was interested and hey would would be lucky to get a 4th round pick? Now it is at least a half-dozen...whatever.

The impact of Antonio Brown suiting up and taking the field for an offense seems to be continually understated. Your #2 and #3 WRs jobs automatically get 2-3 times easier as coverages rotate to AB. Your QB can basically hit AB on the sideline against anything short of triple coverage whenever he wants. If your QB has any ability to run a scramble drill -- forget about it. AB freelancing with a QB on the move -- basically an automatic completion, no DB can stay with him.

Personally, if I ran a team, as long as he continued to catch 100+ and score 8-16 TD's a year, I would let the dude livestream from the damn sidelines and rent whatever the hell he wants during training camp. But that's just me.

If I owned an NFL team and my GM was not actively putting together a moderately competitive trade offer for AB, I would be searching for a new GM. This is like when everyone wrung their hands and over-thought trading for Khalil Mack. Then the Bears did it and he transformed their already good defense into a wrecking crew.

[Rotorhead]

Perhaps this is a message that the Steelers themselves would be wise to pay attention to, assholes. If other teams are willing to take the risk of dealing with drama, that should tell us something.

Almost like a catch-22 in reverse: The better the offers we get, the bigger the sign that we're making a mistake.

There is still no reason we are under any obligation to trade Mr. Big Chest, or eat $21 million for the privilege.

Look, we all know AB is the best in the biz right now, but he is also getting more and more unruly here because he thinks he is bigger than the team. There are many reasons to trade him and one to keep him. However the best reason to trade him is simply we can get better as a team if we get top value for him. Replacing the talent of Shazier with White fixes the biggest issue with our team right now. Getting another 1st rounder gives us the ability to fix the CB position also, and address WR or TE in the second round. We traded up to get Troy, and that set our defense for a decade and got us 2 SB’s in the process. I am not saying White is the next Troy, but we were heading in the right direction with Shazier until he was injured and our entire def plan was set back. I think we can get at least 1 more ring with Ben, maybe 2 if we can get our defense back on track. Trading AB gives us that chance.

[Rotorhead]

I still think we should have cut ties with Bell and did everything in our power to get Mack. I honestly believe we could have had the #1 seed just by adding him, and have no issues thinking we would have went to the SB. Imagine Mack instead of Dupree wrecking it from the OLB position!

[Born2Steel]

This team scored 17pts against the pitifully depleted Bengals defense. Yes we still need a sideline to sideline ILB. YES we still need a RCB. But we also better address the offense and the void in production being left by AB leaving. I don’t see another 1500 yards on this team. We are already sacking QBs. What we need are guys that can defend passes. We need guys that can cover cut back lanes. And we need play makers on offense.

[NCSteeler]

Peter King lists Carolina, Washington, Tampa Bay, the Jets and Oakland as his likely suspects for a trade this morning

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...?cid=nbcsports

In discussing trade possibilities I was encouraged by this comment from Albert Breer in his MMQB column

I’d be stunned if the Steelers woke up one morning and decided to stand down on what they want in exchange for Antonio Brown. One reason why is that they have as sharp an analytics team as any in the NFL, with Omar Khan, Samir Suleiman and Karim Kassam all invested in that area.

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/02/25/ro...s-kyler-murray

Given the refusal of the Steelers to provide support for such basic functions as helping Tomlin on replay reviews my assumption was the Steelers were too old school to have a top analytics group

I agree. Who would think they can't hire extra coaches but have a crack analysis team. Beside since when does analytics play into wether you give up on getting a high pick?

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

This team scored 17pts against the pitifully depleted Bengals defense. Yes we still need a sideline to sideline ILB. YES we still need a RCB. But we also better address the offense and the void in production being left by AB leaving. I don’t see another 1500 yards on this team. We are already sacking QBs. What we need are guys that can defend passes. We need guys that can cover cut back lanes. And we need play makers on offense.

Actually, the team scored 16 points. 1 passing TD and 3FG's. I would think that the pro bowl caliber QB and team leader should be able to generate more than 1 TD pass in his 45 passing attempts that game. In addition to the running of #30, there are good receiving threats in JuJu, Vance McDonald, Eli Rogers, Jesse James, Jaylen Samuels, Ryan Switzer, James Washington back in that Decmeber game. Should have been able to do more against such a depleted defense as you say.

ILB and CB are 2 glaring holes on the Steelers team. Sure, another WR is needed, but with 1 pro bowl WR under contract already, do the Steelers just need to find another solid option in round 2 or 3 that the HOF QB can pass to. I think that is most prudent.

[Born2Steel]

Actually, the team scored 16 points. 1 passing TD and 3FG's. I would think that the pro bowl caliber QB and team leader should be able to generate more than 1 TD pass in his 45 passing attempts that game. In addition to the running of #30, there are good receiving threats in JuJu, Vance McDonald, Eli Rogers, Jesse James, Jaylen Samuels, Ryan Switzer, James Washington back in that Decmeber game. Should have been able to do more against such a depleted defense as you say.

ILB and CB are 2 glaring holes on the Steelers team. Sure, another WR is needed, but with 1 pro bowl WR under contract already, do the Steelers just need to find another solid option in round 2 or 3 that the HOF QB can pass to. I think that is most prudent.

I think that is a solid plan in round 2or3. I also think it depends on the board and who is available that will have the biggest impact, not necessarily the biggest need. The first 2 rounds are where you get Watt and JuJu. When Decastro fell it was an obvious choice. If Metcalf or Hockenson fall I think I could be very happy with either in the 1st also. There are good players out there that a trade like AB could garner. I truly want a RCB out of this trade.

[86WARD]

So Peter King reports the Bucs are interested? Lol...really? They pay Mike Evans a boat load already, Arians called AB a diva, I believe AB took shots back at Arians? And not to mention, what QB do they have back there? Winston? Lol.

[teegre]

Given the refusal of the Steelers to provide support for such basic functions as helping Tomlin on replay reviews my assumption was the Steelers were too old school to have a top analytics group

I agree. Who would think they can't hire extra coaches but have a crack analysis team.

But, they do indeed have a very good analytics team.

[AtlantaDan]

But, they do indeed have a very good analytics team.

According to the SI writer - not certain how you measure that. Maybe the analytics team picks the WRs and Tomlin/Colbert pick the DBs.

If that writer actually knows what it takes to have a good analytics team my guess is he would be making more in some NFL front office by cashing in like former NFL Network's Mike Mayock did rather than posting for a sports website.

- - - Updated - - -

John Clayton pitches his candidates to trade for AB.

You have to figure the Steelers are asking for a first-round draft pick, with the idea of taking a second-rounder as a fallback. But some front-office executives around the league think that some teams won’t offer Pittsburgh anything better than a fourth-rounder....

San Francisco 49ers, for a third-round pick...

Green Bay Packers, for a second-round pick

Oakland Raiders, for a third-round pick

Denver Broncos, for a third-round pick and a swap of sixth rounders

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sport...=.f778eb9add1e

[Dwinsgames]

According to the SI writer - not certain how you measure that. Maybe the analytics team picks the WRs and Tomlin/Colbert pick the DBs.

If that writer actually knows what it takes to have a good analytics team my guess is he would be making more in some NFL front office by cashing in like former NFL Network's Mike Mayock did rather than posting for a sports website.

- - - Updated - - -

John Clayton pitches his candidates to trade for AB.

You have to figure the Steelers are asking for a first-round draft pick, with the idea of taking a second-rounder as a fallback. But some front-office executives around the league think that some teams won’t offer Pittsburgh anything better than a fourth-rounder....

San Francisco 49ers, for a third-round pick...

Green Bay Packers, for a second-round pick

Oakland Raiders, for a third-round pick

Denver Broncos, for a third-round pick and a swap of sixth rounders

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sport...=.f778eb9add1e

John Clayton smokes the good stuff apparently .... for those kind of returns he rots on my bench if I am the man in charge ( damn would be a great gig wouldn't it ? )

[86WARD]

I wouldn’t accept any of those deals that Clayton proposed. Basically, Brown is worth what Bryant was worth? Less than a struggling Amari Cooper?

No thanks unless that’s compensation in addition to a first round pick.

[Born2Steel]

Just another thought. AB’s under a 3 year contract that is VERY team friendly in years 2&3. He may be worth much more if we wait to trade him in 2020. Pay him a bonus for this season to appease him and let him play this year. Trade him for more next year.

[steelreserve]

Just another thought. AB’s under a 3 year contract that is VERY team friendly in years 2&3. He may be worth much more if we wait to trade him in 2020. Pay him a bonus for this season to appease him and let him play this year. Trade him for more next year.

The contract is extremely team-friendly now, to anyone but us, since they don't eat all the bonus money.

He has $15 million already sitting there if he wants to grace us with his presence, in addition to the advance he's already gotten. He doesn't want it, he can EABOD. I don't see what adding more money does to even move the needle on his part, unless it's some absurd amount thst we can't afford. Either he's willing to play or he isn't.

Trades work out much better for us anyway next season due to the dead money. If all we're truly being offered is mid-round junk, then fuck that. We're not losing any value by refusing that bullshit and waiting a year, and we're improving our cap situation a lot.