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Steelers’ Brown poised to top 2014 numbers

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PITTSBURGH – New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has long been known as a defensive genius capable of devising a plan to take away the opposing team’s best offensive weapon.

If the Patriots figure out a way to do that Thursday night when they host the Steelers, it would be something no opponents has figured out how to accomplish in two seasons – slow wide receiver Antonio Brown.

Brown, who led the NFL with 129 receptions for 1,698 yards – both team records – and 13 touchdowns, enters the 2015 season on a streak of 32 consecutive games with at least five receptions and 50 or more receiving yards, already an NFL record.

That came on the heels of a season in which he caught 110 passes for 1,499 yards and eight scores.

How can he improve on a season like that?

“We’ll see. Opinions don’t matter, really,” said Brown, who also will continue to return some punts for the Steelers this season. “It’s all about what you do lately. I’m sure everyone has an opinion. I’m just going to answer that with how I play, how I go about my business and what I put on tape.”

With running back Le’Veon Bell and wide receiver Martavis Bryant suspended against the Patriots because of violations of the NFL drug policy, it might be easier for the Patriots to center their defensive attack around slowing Brown.

But as other opponents have learned, that is easier said than done.

Brown is intent on making 2015 an even better season than he had last year. Can he do it?

“He gets the coverage rolled to him so much that he’s used to it,” said fellow wide receiver Markus Wheaton. “And he still puts up the numbers that he puts up. I think that answers the question for you.”

Brown’s work ethic has reached legendary status among his teammates. He’s constantly in motion for the duration of practice. After practice, he’s often one of, if not the, last player off the field, putting in extra time on the JUGS machine.

It’s all part of the process for Brown, who continues to work as if he’s still trying to earn a roster spot as a sixth-round draft pick, the round in which he was selected by the Steelers in 2010.

“I’ve been working hard. A lot of work and preparation goes into it to get ready,” Brown said. “I’m excited for Day 1.

“There are always new standards. There are always new mountains to cross. I’m just looking forward to getting started.”

The Steelers re-worked Brown’s contract last week to get him an addition $2 million in up front for 2015 after a number of other receivers signed deals in the offseason that doubled the $6 million he was scheduled to earn. Even though there were rumors that Brown might sit out some offseason workouts or training camp in an effort to get a new deal, his participation was never in question among his teammates.

They’ve seen the work he puts in on a daily basis.

“You would think he’s overloading his body the way he works. He just does so much,” Wheaton said. “But with all the work he does, he does a lot of maintenance to balance it out. I think he works very smart. From the outside looking in, it looks like he is just working. But on the outside, he does a lot of maintenance to take care of his body.”

It’s that work that Brown puts in that makes him so good. And so confident in his ability.

That’s why the Steelers not only aren’t concerned about what Belichick and the Patriots might throw at Brown, but what any team might do to try to stop him.

They feel he can put up even more video game-like numbers this season.

“I think it’s possible. He saw a lot of double teams last year, so that wasn’t anything new,” Wheaton said. “He’ll see a lot of the same things. I’m sure teams will try to hit him with some different things, but he’s pretty much seen it all, so I can’t see anything stopping him.”

Odds and end zones

The Steelers on Monday continued making changes to their practice squad. The team signed Barrett Jones, who was released by the Rams Saturday. … They also signed linebacker Anthony Chickillo and cornerback Doran Grant to the practice squad. In a corresponding move, linebacker Shayon Green and defensive end Ethan Hemer were released. Grant was a fourth-round pick out of Ohio State and Chickillo was chosen in the sixth round. Both were cut from the active roster Sunday. … Quarterback Landry Jones did not practice Monday because of a concussion.

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