Brown has been a blur in training camp
LATROBE 鈥� Antonio Brown flashed his quickness last camp, won a job and helped the Steelers win some big games.
This year he鈥檚 been even better. In fact, he鈥檚 been a blur.
Is it possible that Brown has actually gotten quicker?
鈥淎 little bit,鈥� he said with a smile. 鈥淵ou know, I鈥檝e been working out, putting on a little speed and pounds. I鈥檓 definitely a little quicker and faster.鈥�
It shows. In fact, one reporter asked coach Mike Tomlin point blank at his morning press conference if he will start Brown over 35-year-old Hines Ward.
鈥淚n August football? Certainly,鈥� Tomlin said with a chuckle. 鈥淏ut we鈥檙e so early in this process, man, that wouldn鈥檛 be smart to make those kinds of assessments, and I won鈥檛.鈥�
It鈥檚 a question that most simply laughed off, but Brown legitimized it again yesterday afternoon at practice. He repeatedly looks like the most electrifying player on the field.
鈥淲ell, you know I鈥檝e been capable of it physically,鈥� Brown said. 鈥淚鈥檝e just got to put my game together mentally and knowing what I鈥檝e got to do. I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 a question about my physical assets, my skills.鈥�
Brown struggled with the mental aspects of the game last season, often infuriating offensive coordinator Bruce Arians on the practice field. Arians was asked about Brown鈥檚 development in that area.
鈥淲ell, he鈥檚 a young player,鈥� Arians started, 鈥渁nd when you ask guys to expand to multiple positions you鈥檇 better have a good knowledge of what you鈥檙e doing and know all the concepts. Last year he knew what he was doing on only one or two plays, and he鈥檚 making really, really nice progress. I鈥檓 real proud of him because he鈥檚 had to play a couple different positions with Emmanuel (Sanders) hurt.鈥�
Does Arians feel the electricity that Brown鈥檚 been generating?
鈥淚 do,鈥� Arians said. 鈥淗e plays hard and he plays fast all the time. He鈥檚 in great shape, just great shape. I鈥檓 excited about him.鈥�
GREAT SCOTT II: Jonathan Scott received love from the organization this offseason in the form of a two-year contract and the starting left tackle job. But Chris Scott 鈥� no relation 鈥� might be joining him on the line.
With Ramon Foster back from a head injury, Chris Scott held serve as the starting right guard Wednesday, and it鈥檚 likely that he鈥檒l start there Friday night in the preseason opener in Washington.
鈥淐hris has earned the opportunity to start so far,鈥� said Arians. 鈥淗e鈥檚 another guy who came back in great shape, a big, physical guy who knows what he鈥檚 doing. I鈥檝e been really pleased with him. He showed some signs last year that he was going to be capable. He鈥檚 obviously put some work in.鈥�
Scott was one of the team鈥檚 fifth-round draft choices last season, but missed camp with an injury. In spite of that, the Steelers kept him on the roster once he was eligible to come off the PUP list in the middle of the season. Their patience appears to be paying off.
INJURY REPORT: The news of the day was the injury suffered by rookie running back Baron Batch near the end of practice. Most are fearing the worst, that the seventh-round pick and camp surprise will go on IR and miss the remainder of the season. However, the Steelers haven鈥檛 released any information out of their training room.
Mike Wallace said he鈥檒l return for Thursday morning鈥檚 walk-through. Earlier in the day, Tomlin ruled out the following for Friday night鈥檚 game: Eugene Bright, Mario Harvey, Chris Kemoeatu, Emmanuel Sanders, Cortez Allen, Bryant McFadden.
FINALLY, A VETERAN RECEIVER: After being turned down twice in their search for a veteran receiver, the Steelers signed Kenneth Moore on Wednesday and released Adam Mims. Both are return men, although Moore fumbled two returns in his last game for the Indianapolis Colts last season.
Moore (5-11, 195) caught an ACC record 98 passes for Wake Forest in 2007. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 draft by the Detroit Lions, but was released and signed with the Carolina Panthers. He stayed there two years and played in 12 games with one start and he caught 6 passes for 59 yards. He played in two games for the Colts last season and didn鈥檛 catch a pass.
MCRAE METER: Terrence McCrae, of Vanderbilt, had a solid practice Thursday. He drew a loud response from the crowd at Saint Vincent College by going way up to haul in one high pass, and later broke up an interception that should鈥檝e been a William Gay touchdown.