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Thursday, December 26, 2013

Brown named MVP and other stuff

Antonio Brown was named the Steelers MVP by a vote of his teammates Thursday.

Brown, of course, is third in the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and punt return average, but some are viewing Brown winning the award as a snub for Ben Roethlisberger.

I'm not in that camp. Realistically, a team's starting quarterback could be named MVP every season.

Roethlisberger has been very, very good this season. But he was also a big reason behind the team's 0-4 start.

Brown has been very consistent this season, catching at least five passes in every game. The argument could be made that he wouldn't be putting up the numbers he has without Roethlisberger, but good receivers are good receivers. Look at A.J. Green or Larry Fitzgerald over the years for an example of that.

To me, Brown's game-breaking ability in the return game is what helps set him apart.

If Roethlisberger had won, it wouldn't have been a bad choice, either. But saying that Roethlisberger is being snubbed by the choice of Brown discounts what Brown has done this season.

@ Guard David DeCastro did not practice Thursday due to a back issue. He was limited at practice on Tuesday, so this would be a step backward.

@ Terence Garvin, Emmanuel Sanders and Jason Worilds did not practice on Thursday. I don't expect Garvin or Sanders to play Sunday, but look for Worilds to do so and play Sunday.


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