Antonio Brown's career has been defined by star production at a remarkably consistent level. That reputation has made his early returns with Mike Vick particularly eyebrow raising.
Brown, who obliterated a Steelers team record with 129 receptions in 2014, has collected just nine passes for 87 yards in two Vick starts. Those are the numbers Brown typically has in three solid quarters with Ben Roethlisberger.
"He's got to take some shots," Brown said of Vick on Wednesday, according to ESPN.com. "I told him, trust me a little bit. Let me make some plays. Let's get a victory. It doesn't have to be that hard."
Things were extremely hard for the Steelers' offense for most of their 24-20 win over the Chargers on Monday night. The team didn't score an offensive touchdown until Vick connected on a 72-yard score with Markus Wheaton with less than eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter.
Brown has been targeted just 15 times in Vick's two games compared to 35 targets in the season's first three weeks.
"It's very important," Vick said of getting the ball to Brown. "I'm still working on that. This week we said we're not going to put an emphasis on it. We're just going to let everything happen naturally, go out there and play to win, that's the most important thing. ... Trust me, those plays are going to come."
Brown's message is a fair one. He's money in the bank, as evidenced by the streak of 35 games with at least five catches for 50 yards that ended once Vick entered the lineup. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley isn't going to allow Vick to throw the ball all over the field, but when he does get the chance he should be looking Brown's way much of the time.
