If you haven’t been paying attention to the Antonio Brown Circus, then I don’t know what to tell you. Here’s a recap of last week… On Wednesday, September 4, he posted a letter from Raiders general manager Mike Mayock detailing why the team had fined him multiple times. The reasons were due to the practice time he missed over August. He posted the letter onto Instagram claiming the team was “hating” on him (yeah, no). The next day news reports came out that he and Mayock had an altercation which resulted in Brown threatening to punch Mayock in the face, and called him a cracker (how sweet). After this happened, afternoon reports circulated that the Raiders were planning to suspend A.B. for “conduct detrimental to the team.” This would help the Raiders void the guaranteed money they promised him in his contract (30 Million dollars). The next day, Friday, A.B. made an “emotional” apology to the team in front of teammates and his head coach.
However, later that night, A.B. had a phone call with his coach, Jon Gruden, in which he told Antonio to knock off the distractions and play football. How do we know this? Because he recorded the phone call (which is probably illegal). Then, as the sun rises on Saturday morning news comes out confirming the Raiders were going to fine A.B. at least $200,000, which would void all his guaranteed money. Brown (of course) then asked to be released by the team which they would later do before the 4 p.m. deadline. His reaction to his release? “I’m free! I’m free!” after he posted a video of his reaction to the news on YouTube. Later that night, the New England Patriots announced they were signing Antonio Brown to a one year 15 million dollar deal.
Aside from the conspiracy theories floating around online that say AB, his agent, and Patriots coach Bill Belichick had been orchestrating this move, which I believe to be somewhat true, this presents a fascinating situation heading into week two of the NFL season. Can Antonio Brown last a year under the tyrant of football’s empire? Bill Belichick is well known for treating every single player with the same harshness. Whether it’s Tom Brady or a third-string lineman, all players are to abide by the coaches rules.
Even if A.B. can bring himself under control, and be a part of a team that doesn’t need him, and certainly won’t treat him like a king as he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers… Do the defending champion Patriots need him?
On Sunday Night the Patriots played A.B.’s former team the Steelers, and completely embarrassed them. Tom Brady threw for 341 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions in a 33-3 annihilation. Without A.B. the Patriots will get to the AFC championship, again, as well as probably play in a fourth straight Super Bowl. If A.B. can get in a right state of mind, the Patriots could have one of the best offenses of all time, with Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, and rookie N’Keal Harry when he comes back from injury, along with another year of very good defense.
But that’s not happening. A.B. won’t last the whole season in New England.