Brown will still be the Steelers' punt return man in 2015

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By Jeff.Hartman

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2014 special teams were far from spectacular. Their return game might have been the weakest link among all the special teams units. If you look at the Steelers' punt return statistics, you will see decent numbers, but those statistics are above average for the simple fact of who was returning punts, and not necessarily the return unit as a whole.

Antonio Brown is one of the best return men in the NFL, and his statistics back up those sentiments. In 2014, Brown averaged 10.6 yards per return, which ranked him 8th among NFL returners. Brown's 319 return yards ranked him 4th in the NFL among punt returners. All great numbers for an elite player in the league, but how long will the team be willing to keep putting their Pro Bowl wide receiver in a position to be injured in one of the more demanding plays still in the NFL?

Mike Tomlin addressed those questions at his yearly meeting with media at the owner's meeting a few weeks ago. His answer is one of his favorites: "I don't live in my fears I'll say that."

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I'd prefer if Brown didn't return punts. In my opinion, the risk far outweighs the reward.

Risk/reward is true. Still, I think of some special players who were able to do both. Deion Sanders and Eric Metcalf off the top of my head.

I heard somewhere they would try Dri Archer at punt returns. I also wonder if they'd put Markus Wheaton there, as he took over kick return duties later in the year too?

A great return guy can be a game changer. I just don't like having the No. 1 receiver be that guy. If Archer was able to step into that role this year, that would be fantastic.

If Brown was to get hurt, that would mean more playing time for DHB. Yak would have a meltdown having to cheer for DHB.

Wallace108 wrote:

A great return guy can be a game changer. I just don't like having the No. 1 receiver be that guy. If Archer was able to step into that role this year, that would be fantastic.

If Brown was to get hurt, that would mean more playing time for DHB. Yak would have a meltdown having to cheer for DHB.

I'm with you on that. Would also help justify taking Archer, who we all felt would be nothing more than a utility player. Time to utilize him that way!

He's my fantasy league keeper...let that man return punts and kickoffs for TDs as often as he likes!!!

I actually support brown returning punts if it increases our changes of winning. I have vivid memories of Santonio Holmes swinging tightly contested games in our favor by running a punt back for a TD or long gainer.

Who knows if we would have lost some of those games if not for him returning our punts? Who knows, there was a playoff game against the ravens that looked like we were getting our butts whipped, but a TD on special teams swung momentum our way. If we lost that game we'd still be chasing #6.

stlrtruck wrote:

He's my fantasy league keeper...let that man return punts and kickoffs for TDs as often as he likes!!!

Super Bowls are overrated. It's all about winning that fantasy league.

Fire Arians wrote:

I actually support brown returning punts if it increases our changes of winning. I have vivid memories of Santonio Holmes swinging tightly contested games in our favor by running a punt back for a TD or long gainer.

Who knows if we would have lost some of those games if not for him returning our punts? Who knows, there was a playoff game against the ravens that looked like we were getting our butts whipped, but a TD on special teams swung momentum our way. If we lost that game we'd still be chasing #6.

I don't think there's any question that Brown is the best returner on the team and that he can change the course of a game in that role. I'm just not sure that the number of limited big plays he makes returning punts warrants the increased risk that goes along with playing on special teams. If he's still the best option, it's hard to argue against it, but I'm hoping for Archer or someone else to step up and take over the role.

Wallace108 wrote:

Yak would have a meltdown having to cheer for DHB.

NO!!!!!

Let's chip in and get Yak a custom #85 jersey

Ah you a funny man Underground....

SteelCityUnderground wrote:

Let's chip in and get Yak a custom #85 jersey

I'm still saving up to buy Drizz an Ike jersey.

If only we drafted someone with break away speed for "splash" plays...

oh wait..

@Lokki

I'm glad to see you've hit the ground running. Unlike Archer, who just hits the ground.

Haha I am so disappointed in Archer that all I can do is laugh. I had such high hopes for him last year and then he plopped like a turd.

SteelersYak wrote:

Haha I am so disappointed in Archer that all I can do is laugh. I had such high hopes for him last year and then he plopped like a turd.

Same. I thought that he was going to be the steal of the draft. That turned out to be Bryant though and I'm ok with that.

It's the second time a late round RB let me down. The first was Rainey.