[LOCKED] 2019 AB Watch: Non-legal Views Only

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mr_smith02

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Nov 29, 2003
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He’s a prima donna WR, the latest in a long and illustrious list. He’s not like...a serial murderer. Spare me the breathless morality.

By the way, in one storied franchise, he battled with its multiple sexual assaulter QB. The other franchise is storied mostly for being disfunctional.
I have not heard or read one characterization of AB over the past 24 hours I would consider unfair or inaccurate; his behavior resulted in these perceptions of him. No, I don't think he is a serial murderer and I have not heard or seen anyone say he was. It is telling that there aren't many/any former teammates and/or coaches coming out to get his back.

To imply the Steelers and Raiders are not storied NFL franchises shows a surprising lack of knowledge of the history of the NFL or of the definition of storied.

Like I have stated a few times already in this thread, this was a no brainer acquisition for the Pats and their fan base should be cautiously optimistic. Still, that does not change that AB has acted, at best, like a petulant child and, at worse, like a horrible teammate (not a murderer).
 

bosockboy

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the idea that Brown wanting to control his destiny like NBA players is not a comparison that fits,

He was traded from Pittsburgh and signed a new contract with the Raiders ... and before playing a game with them apparently worked at getting himself "free" from a contract he willingly signed.

That's a helluva lot different than nearing the end of a deal and using your leverage to get traded to where you want to play. Anthony Davis played years for the Pelicans before exerting his will.
Absolutely. And the team burning exercises are light years past anything Klutch utilized with jarring Davis loose.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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There is no question that Brown is a pain in the ass at the least and likely has larger issues.

That said, some of the language being used to characterize his actions suggest that some people actually do view him as worse than, say, Tyreek Hill or Joe Mixon. I would refer to the latter people and not the former as an "atrocious human being" but YRMV.

To be clear, I know nobody here is arguing this but it just reinforces the idea that some NFL fans don't care about their "away from football" (so stuff beyond the sidelines or locker room) behaviors as long as the players simply shut up and play football.
 

The Needler

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To imply the Steelers and Raiders are not storied NFL franchises shows a surprising lack of knowledge of the history of the NFL or of the definition of storied.
No, I know what storied means. And as I said, at this point the Raiders legend is largely built around its outsized and largely dysfunctional personalities, chief among them Al Davis of course. The franchise's legendary status on the field has long since faded and been surpassed. They were neither one of the original dominant franchises of the NFL, not have they had continued success. They won 3 Super Bowls over the course of 8 years, the last of which was nearly 4 decades ago. They are one of 10 teams to play in at least 5 Super Bowls, and one of 9 to win at least 3. They are 15th in franchise winning percentage. If the Raiders are a "storied" franchise, then so are nearly half the teams in the league, Just Win, Baby and John Madden notwithstanding.

Point is, nothing Antonio Brown could do would have much negative effect on the reputation of the Raiders. Indeed, it's fully on brand.
 

The Needler

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Dec 7, 2016
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There is no question that Brown is a pain in the ass at the least and likely has larger issues.

That said, some of the language being used to characterize his actions suggest that some people actually do view him as worse than, say, Tyreek Hill or Joe Mixon. I would refer to the latter people and not the former as an "atrocious human being" but YRMV.

To be clear, I know nobody here is arguing this but it just reinforces the idea that some NFL fans don't care about their "away from football" (so stuff beyond the sidelines or locker room) behaviors as long as the players simply shut up and play football.
Exactly.
 

lexrageorge

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Jul 31, 2007
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It does not seem at all unbelievable that once Brown started to shoot his way out of Oakland, Belichick asked his cap gurus to come up with a number that they could offer Brown in the event he was released or otherwise became available. That's not tampering; it's just internal preparation. Then, Brown gets released, his agent calls the Pats (or vice versa, doesn't really matter), and the Pats have the offer ready to go. Of course, this scenario is beyond the ability of the hot-takers in the media to comprehend.

Is there a risk this move doesn't work out? Absolutely. As noted, his blowups with Pitt and Oakland are a bit unprecedented in their scope. At best, he comes across as an extremely self-absorbed diva. Hardly unique among wide receivers in the NFL, but he's taken it a step (several steps, actually) further with his actions. There's no guarantee that he doesn't have a blow-up after a tough loss in which he's targeted 3 times by Brady. Yes, Belichick can easily cut him (and will) if that happens. But that is still a less than ideal scenario. We don't know everything that happened behind the scenes, and I do recall that Adalius Thomas not only was a locker room cancer in his final season, but he also got teammates to take his side.

Still, if the offensive line and the defense can hold up this season, you could see some passing records set.
 

DJnVa

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Multiple teams had offers for AB. Did they all tamper?

LeSean McCoy signed with Chiefs same day Bills cut him.

It happens.
 

lambeau

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It would be naive to think Rosenhaus didn't keep apprised of the market while AB was complaining all through August. I think Gunner is a placeholder. By the time AB was cut and Seattle and KC called, Mort says they were told the deal was a fait accompli.
 

InstaFace

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Sep 27, 2016
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I have a dumb question. I know AB is a diva and all, but he hasn’t been arrested/accused of anything, right? There is nothing on his wiki-page. I don’t really care if he has a pot charge. All of these folks taking shots at him and the Pats when the Chiefs just gave Hill a new contract is just pathetic.
He was stopped by the police for doing 100mph late at night on a commercial stretch of the suburbs (McKnight road). It was about a mile from my in-laws house, if he'd run them over I'd cast him a statue myself. But anyway, yeah, speeding. Recklessly. That's all I got.
 

djbayko

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He was stopped by the police for doing 100mph late at night on a commercial stretch of the suburbs (McKnight road). It was about a mile from my in-laws house, if he'd run them over I'd cast him a statue myself. But anyway, yeah, speeding. Recklessly. That's all I got.
The twist made it all worth it.
 

Bernie Carbohydrate

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He was stopped by the police for doing 100mph late at night on a commercial stretch of the suburbs (McKnight road). It was about a mile from my in-laws house, if he'd run them over I'd cast him a statue myself. But anyway, yeah, speeding. Recklessly. That's all I got.
This is what I come to BBTL for. Everyone else needs to step it up.
 

mr_smith02

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Trading Brown for a 1st round pick instead of a 3 and 5, on the other hand...
Trading your best offensive player to the team that could absolutely prevent your team from reaching a Super Bowl is not in your best interests, IMHO. Yes, Brown ended up in NE but no one (unless you buy into the conspiracy theories) saw that coming, so the Steelers got rid of AB for two draft picks and to a team that presents far less of a threat to them than the Pats.

For me, it is the same as the Red Sox not trading Manny to the Yanks when he wanted out of Boston. Why would you hand your chief rival one of the best players in the game who could and would most definitely hurt you on the hope that the 32nd overall pick would solve all the problems your organization was having (loss of Bell, loss of Shazier, PR nightmare of both Bell and AB's sagas). Aside from the on-field impact, factor in the off-field shit show from your fan base...for me, it is not in your best interests.
 

lambeau

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Over the past six years, AB has over 9,000 receiving yards--I don't think anyone else has ever done that.
Julio Jones has 8,000 over five years, and Jerry Rice had 14,000 over one ten year stretch, but I think only AB has averaged 1500 yards for six consecutive year.
Can that continue? Possibly--he did it averaging ten targets, Jules averages nine, and Tom throws ~ 35.
 

johnmd20

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Over the past six years, AB has over 9,000 receiving yards--I don't think anyone else has ever done that.
Julio Jones has 8,000 over five years, and Jerry Rice had 14,000 over one ten year stretch, but I think only AB has averaged 1500 yards for six consecutive year.
Can that continue? Possibly--he did it averaging ten targets, Jules averages nine, and Tom throws ~ 35.
Over the last 6 years, Brown has the most receiving hards in a 6 year period in the history of the NFL. You are correct.
 

Marciano490

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Nov 4, 2007
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I watched Sportscenter on purpose last night for the first time in probably 20 years just for the reactions. Haven’t done that after any of the myriad championships, but this was funnier.
 

DGreenwood

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Feb 2, 2003
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I can't link it but it seems that AB posted a video on his instagram stories today from inside an Asian massage parlor. Could he be trolling Kraft already?

Edit: I can link this and you can click through until you get to it (if you have an instagram account) Link. Or just find him on instagram and watch his stories.
 
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Devizier

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He was stopped by the police for doing 100mph late at night on a commercial stretch of the suburbs (McKnight road). It was about a mile from my in-laws house, if he'd run them over I'd cast him a statue myself. But anyway, yeah, speeding. Recklessly. That's all I got.
I would drive 200 MPH down McKnight road if possible. I hate having to go to the mall.
 

uncannymanny

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Jan 12, 2007
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I can't link it but it seems that AB posted a video on his instagram stories today from inside an Asian massage parlor. Could he be trolling Kraft already?

Edit: I can link this and you can click through until you get to it (if you have an instagram account) Link. Or just find him on instagram and watch his stories.
Looks more like his hotel room, but no reason not to jump to conclusions.
 

DGreenwood

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Considering I realize these guys get bodywork several times a week, it doesn’t surprise me.
It's not the massage, it's the choice to post a video getting a massage from an Asian women on his first day in New England. If you don't think that's an interesting choice, we can agree to disagree.
 

uncannymanny

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Jan 12, 2007
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It's not the massage, it's the choice to post a video getting a massage from an Asian women on his first day in New England. If you don't think that's an interesting choice, we can agree to disagree.
I truly think it’s reaching pretty hard for something to be concerned about.
 

JohnnyK

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May 8, 2007
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I'm still really curious how they make the salary cap work. It is reasonable to assume that they will stretch it out over two years like they did with Revis, but how they are going to structure the incentives to be NLTBE is a mystery to me, seeing that AB had great numbers last year which he will most certainly not reach here while still wanting that money.

They could open up some space by extending DMac, but in order to significantly decrease his cap hit with overall numbers that he is fine with they probably have to go to three years, meaning he would be 35 in the last year of the contract.

I also hope they do not lose any of the younger wide receivers, but with roster needs at other positions it might be inevitable, especially if they need another T for a few weeks.
 

Harry Hooper

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If he didn't sign his contract until next Monday, they wouldn't have to make a roster move this week. I suppose there are limits in the interim on practice time for an unsigned free agent, though.
 

DJnVa

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Dec 16, 2010
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If he didn't sign his contract until next Monday, they wouldn't have to make a roster move this week. I suppose there are limits in the interim on practice time for an unsigned free agent, though.
Why would we want to keep putting it off? Get him in here and get him practicing and in meetings.

I need "AB as a Patriot" press conferences. I need talking heads whining. And I need it now.

(or sometime shortly after 4 pm)
 

bsj

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Dec 6, 2003
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Quick q. I was under the impression he would be in krafts box last night but I never saw a shot of him there. Did that not pan out ?
 
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