Antonio Brown is a New England Patriot!?

Antonio Brown is a New England Patriot. No, this is not Madden 20 Franchise Mode. No, this is not a fantasy football team. This is real-life, NFL football news. Antonio Brown is a New England Patriot. 

Antonio Brown as a Raider

When he was sent off for a 3rd and 5th round pick, people thought the Steelers were out of their minds. That little return for a top-5, or at worst top-10, wide receiver in Antonio Brown after the Amari Cooper deal was made, was more than questionable. That was the first unnoticed red-flag, the lousy return. But back to that later. 

Raiders head coach, Jon Gruden, has been known to absolutely adore the offensive skill players, more-so than defensive, so his excitement was expected. His prized possession in Derek Carr would be throwing to the golden child of the NFL’s receivers, Antonio Brown. It was Gruden’s dream. This was only just the beginning of the downfall. 

Antonio Brown’s Frostbite

Ahead of training camp, we all learned that Brown had used improper protection using a Cryogenic Chamber, which is used for workout recovery. He got frostbite on both his feet, which led to him missing the early part of camp. Then came the helmet situation. 

While recovering from his frostbitten feet, a new rule was officially put into place that would take effect immediately to start the 2019 regular season. It basically changed helmet regulations, with older helmets no longer being safe enough to play with. 

Antonio Brown’s Unsafe Helmet

Antonio Brown’s helmet was ruled ineligible to use, as it is no longer safe. He threw fit number two, filing a grievance against the NFL for not allowing him to wear an unsafe helmet. He lost the grievance and threw another fit, not showing up to training camp if he was not able to wear his old helmet. 

So, he refused to play because he was not allowed to wear an unsafe helmet and then this happened: he complained about being fined for not showing up to mandatory practices. He complained that he was being treated unfairly and that the team that traded for him just a few months earlier, didn’t want him anymore. 

Antonio Brown’s Fines

Then he finally did show up to practice, and punted a football and told the new general manager, Mike Mayock, to fine him, while also yelling, swearing and threatening him. Mayock did fine him, and again, he complained about being fined after literally asking to be fined. 

Antonio Brown, along with several teammates (who were also team captains) standing with him, apologized to the rest of his teammates, coaches and manager Mike Mayock. It was said that Brown, who was initially going to be suspended by the team, would no longer be suspended. 

Recorded Phone Calls

Soon thereafter, Brown posted to his social media a recorded phone call with head coach Jon Gruden, presumably without his consent. That led to the removal of his guaranteed money, as he also didn’t show up to mandatory practices. He then posted that he was underappreciated for being himself, requesting that the Raiders released him. 

Antonio Brown’s Off-Season: A Quick Summary

So, to get this all straightened out, allow me to explain. Brown was angry that Smith-Schuster was named team MVP and requested to be traded by the Steelers. The Raiders wanted him, trading what, at first, seemed like a small package of draft picks for him. He got his wish. 

Then, he got frost-bitten feet for being careless in a recovery tank. Then he complained about the NFL caring for his well-being by taking away his unsafe helmet for a better, safer helmet. He refused to practice if he couldn’t wear his old helmet, which is an automatic fine for anyone in the league. He then complained about unfair treatment because he was fined. 

When he returned to practice, he threatened to punch the manager, Mayock and asked him to fine him again. Mayock fined him again, and Brown complained again. Antonio Brown then apologized for his actions to the team, then went on to post a recorded phone call, illegally, and posted it on social media, against the teams’ consent. 

Finally, Brown asked for his release from the Raiders, which he was granted. Now, he is a New England Patriot. That was certainly a roller-coaster, but here’s why he could actually work out in New England. 

Antonio Brown as a Patriot?

The Patriots are a no-nonsense organization, led by the emotionless and intimidating Bill Belichick. They were able to contain Chad Ochocinco for a bit, which was pretty impressive. They also kept Randy Moss in check, which paid off big-time as he went on to break records with Tom Brady while leading them to a 16-0 regular season. Now imagine Chad Ochocinco and Randy Moss put together, with their ego’s and skillset’s combined. That’s a big ego and a tantalizing skill-set. Is it possible to silence this ego and maximize his abilities? 

Questionable Receiving Core

The New England Patriots already have a question mark-filled receiving core. Edelman is 33-years-old, coming off a thumb injury that kept him out for nearly all of training camp. Edelman is Tom Brady’s most trusted option, no doubt. However, he has only played a full season twice in his career. 

Then there’s Josh Gordon, the likely number two option for Brady, who was recently reinstated into the NFL. He has been suspended several times for substance abuse. Because of this, Gordon has not played a full season since his rookie year in 2012. 

The New Guys

Demaryius Thomas was the presumed third option before Brown was signed. However, he is coming off of a ruptured Achilles from late last season. He also is coming off his worst statistical season since his second season in the NFL (2011). 

N’Keal Harry was the very first receiver that Belichick has selected in the first round. At least, since joining the Patriots. Unfortunately, he was placed on Injured Reserve and will miss the first 8 weeks of the season. Cameron Meredith has been on the Physically Unable to Perform list all summer. He isn’t able to return to games until week 7. 

Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski are undrafted free agent rookies, who are more than unproven to this point. Finally, there’s ol’ reliable, Phillip Dorsett. However, Dorsett has yet to eclipse the 530-yard mark in a season. He also has never reached 40 receptions and 5 touchdowns in a season. He fits the prototypical 4th string emergency receiver bill. 

Who Gets Cut To Give Antonio Brown Room? 

Where does Brown fit in and what is a reasonable prediction to what he can do with the team? Well, for one, it likely means the Patriots will have to release another player. Likely a receiver, though that can be debated. 

Thomas was already released by the Patriots in the past, before being brought back soon after. However, he actually got a bigger contract when they brought him in the second time around, so I find it hard to believe they would release him after that bit of commitment. 

They could release Gunner Olszewski, the undrafted long shot that was told he hadn’t made the 53-man roster before a last-second trade allowed him to stick around. But that is also hard to believe, as he takes punt returning duties away from the 33-year-old Edelman. 

The decision on who to cut will be a big one if it is, in fact, a receiver who gets sent away to free agency. I’m leaning more towards the release of Olszewski, as Brown has punt returning capabilities. 

Antonio Brown’s Fit On New England

Considering the unpredictability and complexity of the Patriots offense, along with the fairly competitive group of receivers he is battling against for reps, it’s hard to really gauge the workload and effectiveness Brown would actually have. 

If Antonio Brown were to keep a cool head and not be a clown, as he has all off-season, then it’s likely he will slot in as the new number one receiver. He would line up as the “X” receiver, which is fancy for the top outside receiver. 

What Antonio Brown Means For Other Receivers

That would mean Gordon would move to the “Z” slot, which is technically the number two outside receiver, and the third receiver on the depth chart. Edelman would fill in at the slot position, as expected, and as number two on the depth chart. 

Plus, there’s Dorsett and Meyers slotting in on occasion, based on the situation. Add in the eventual return of N’Keal Harry adding to the competition, that’s a loaded group. But also Rex Burkhead, James White, Sony Michel and Damien Harris can all catch passes out of the backfield. Remember, White actually led all receivers in receptions last year. 

With all the competition, it’s likely he will get about 85 receptions with 850 yards and 8 touchdowns. He could get more than that if Gordon doesn’t stay clean for the full season, but he could also get less than that, as there’s a lot of mouths to feed and only so much to give. 

In Conclusion

He has so much upside; tons to be honest. If he can “Shut up and play football” as his now-former coach Jon Gruden exclaimed to him, then he could be lethal with Brady tossing him the ball. But just like with Edelman, Gordon, Thomas, Harry, Meyers, Dorsett and Olszewski, he has a big question mark on his back. Can the self-proclaimed “Mr.Big Chest” be contained by Bill Belichick? Nothing is impossible, but only time can tell.

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