Central Michigan University Athletics
Brown Draft Quotes
4/25/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Quotes courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Antonio Brown
Antonio, you're replacing Santonio?
Yeah, I know this, baby. I can't believe it.
What do you like, playing receiver or returning punts and kickoffs more?
I love both of them. I hope I can get on the field with the team. You know, I'm all for it. Returning is my specialty I love doing that. But, I'm also a receiver with catching the ball and getting it in the end zone.
What brought you out for the draft after your junior year?
I mean I had so much success at all my years at Central Michigan. I was (MAC) Freshman of the Year during my first year; second year I gained big success; my third year I had much success, but being my coaches leaving, my head coach to Cincinnati and my receivers coach to Florida, which put value in my decision. With the coaching change and my quarterback leaving, I felt it was the best time and the best move for me.
Do you think you can come in and help special teams quickly?
Of course, I feel like when I get the opportunity to help out, I'll help out. Right away, for receiver, special teams, wherever I'm needed.
How did a Miami kid end up in Central Michigan?
I mean it's opportunity for a kid who finally gets away and make something happen. I was there that day as a walk-on and I had never been there before, and it worked out in my favor. I got the chance to win a championship, build great relationships, and you know that's how I ended there.
You were a walk-on at Central Michigan?
Yeah, I was a walk-on and earned a scholarship. Nothing was given to me. I've been a fighter all my life. This is a blessing to be here. To be part of the Pittsburgh championship culture, and I'm ready to get started. Let's get it in. Let's go.
Did you play the split-end spot or slot guy, what did you do for Central Michigan?
I was the slot receiver, punt-return, kick-return. I played wherever the coach wanted me. I'll motion in the backside, out-side, front-side, I can play any position on the field, I'm just ready.
Pittsburgh wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery
Opening Statement
Once again, another exciting day for the wide receiver room and also the Pittsburgh Steelers. We had the ability to sign an unbelievable player, Antonio Brown, from Central Michigan. Also had him in and had a chance to speak with him. We feel very confident about his ability to play, ability to learn, to fit into the room, and to come in and be in a competitive situation within the room.
He came out early. Any reason for this?
He lost a tremendous amount of his staff at Central Michigan and a lot of the people that he connected with, one being Zack Azzanni who I had a previous relationship with, who is now at the University of Florida, was (Antonio’s) receiver coach. He also lost a good portion of the rest of the staff and where he was in his career with 110 catches in that year and a couple thousand-yard seasons, he felt it was time to go and move on.
He was highly regarded as a special teams player. Can you expand on that?
Yes, he is. He is an exceptional player with the football in his hands. He’s one of those natural guys at fielding punts and kickoff returns. There’s a lot of things you can do from a coaching standpoint, but if they can’t get to the spot and catch it, then you can’t really help a lot of them. He is one of those guys that does have the natural ability to catch it. He has great short-space quickness. He is one of the last guys in a long line of guys to come out that can make a move going forward, being able to put his foot in the ground in a forward motion, meaning not coming to stop or coming to balance in order to make someone miss.
Will both receivers you drafted be competing for punt returns and kickoff returns?
I think that everyone that gets back there is willing to compete for that job. And both these young men are willing to compete. One of the best ways that we evaluate is competitive nature. If we ask them to do it, then I’m sure they’ll get back there and do it and I think we’ll ask both of them to do it because of their dynamic ability to make people miss and go try to score and finish the football.
Do you as a coach like the competition that you’re going to have amongst your guys?
It makes coaching a lot easier. I’ll tell you, everyone likes to eat, and right now it’s super competitive in the room and guys know that every single day, every single play, being a consistent contributor is what it’s going to take to be a part of what we have here. It’s a great feeling. I’m a little bit subdued all the time when I’m around a lot of people. But I can assure you that I am tremendously excited.
