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Former teammates Antonio Brown & JuJu Smith-Schuster
Lamar Jackson made some headlines final week when he had a exercise with wideout Antonio Brown, and that transfer set the web ablaze. May the Baltimore Ravens signal Brown to chip in at vast receiver for 2020?
Whereas many thought that may very well be the case after the extremely publicized exercise, it isn’t possible in keeping with ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. As Hensley wrote, the Ravens are ignoring the wideout market this offseason for a reasonably good purpose, and it has every little thing to do with the gamers already on the roster.
Hensley stated:
“This social media connection will trigger many to take a position that Antonio Brown is becoming a member of Baltimore. However the Ravens haven’t gotten concerned within the free-agent marketplace for vast receivers as a result of it’s believed they really feel the NFL draft is one of the best ways to enhance that place group this offseason.
The Ravens are anticipated to improve their vast receiver group within the draft; they’ve 9 picks, together with 5 within the first three rounds. In Baltimore’s run-heavy offense, its vast receivers totaled 115 catches final season, which had been 22 fewer than another crew within the NFL. The Ravens’ high returning receivers are Marquise Brown, Willie Snead, Miles Boykin, Chris Moore, Jaleel Scott and De’Anthony Thomas.”
Certainly, the dangers appear to outweigh the advantages by way of the Ravens signing Brown. The wideout himself nonetheless has some main points to iron out off the sphere, and the Ravens have younger gamers they’re dedicated to together with Brown’s cousin Marquise Brown. The crew might additionally prioritize a wideout in some unspecified time in the future within the 2020 NFL Draft.
It’s not clever to assume the Ravens will take an opportunity on Brown at this level, irrespective of how a lot it appears they might use one other elite participant on the place he performs.
ESPN Analyst Slams Concept of Ravens Signing Antonio Brown
Would including Brown be a good suggestion? Different specialists aren’t certain that’s the case in any way. Within the aftermath of the photographs and video of the exercise hitting the web, it appears everybody had a tackle what the exercise might imply to the Ravens.
Ought to the crew take a big gamble on Brown and signal the wideout given their want on the place? Not everybody is bound of that. ESPN’s Sarah Spain was requested her ideas on the state of affairs on Round The Horn, and as she stated, there ought to be no purpose for the crew to take the chance.
“There’s so many obstacles nonetheless in the best way,” Spain stated. “Whether or not it’s pending investigations, whether or not it’s belief in whether or not Antonio Brown is in a spot to be taking part in soccer and be a part of a crew proper now. And as shut as that crew acquired final yr and as effectively run as they had been, and as a lot as John Harbaugh had every little thing schemed out appropriately. The expertise is tantalizing however the danger is method too huge. You might identify any crew within the NFL and inform me all about their vast receiver wants and I’d let you know ultimately I nonetheless assume a nasty thought.”
The Ravens do have a necessity at receiver and do have Marquise Brown on the roster, however total, there may be plenty of questions because it pertains to Brown’s standing within the league and within the locker room. That’s apparent given takes like this.
It may very well be an enormous purpose for the crew’s reservation.
Lamar Jackson Labored Out With Antonio Brown
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was video taped figuring out with Brown, and firing the controversial wideout and former Pittsburgh Steelers star some passes on the sphere. Right here’s a take a look at a few of their connections with the ball:
Clearly, Jackson and Brown figuring out collectively will make some waves within the NFL neighborhood, however there may be some easy context. Marquise Brown, Antonio’s cousin, performs wideout for the Ravens. It’s possible that the household in addition to the crew connection led to this assembly happening ultimately between the events.
Nonetheless, that gained’t cease of us from questioning or dreaming of the potential of Brown teaming up with Jackson and the Ravens. It’s attainable the one factor the crew is lacking is one other elite cross catcher, and these guys getting collectively in addition to the connections will solely gas the rumors that there’s a potential match with Brown from a soccer standpoint.
Antonio Brown Stats
Brown was an elite participant for the Steelers for eight seasons, racking up 7 Professional Bowls in addition to four first crew All-Professional nods for his work. The numbers had been simply nearly as good, with Brown placing up 11,263 profession yards and 80 touchdowns. These stats put him with the elite of the elite on the place.
Brown, nonetheless, has generated a popularity as a hard locker room presence. His exit from the Steelers was effectively documented, as was his eventual launch from the Las Vegas Raiders, in addition to his signing and subsequent launch from the New England Patriots. This offseason, Brown has discovered himself within the information once more, with the police getting known as to his Florida residence in January.
When he’s on, there isn’t a doubting the previous Central Michigan stud as being among the best within the enterprise. The one query at this level, nonetheless, is how a lot the 31 yr outdated has the flexibility to be on.
The Ravens don’t appear to be the crew serious about discovering out at this level.
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