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PITTSBURGH – Steelers coach Mike Tomlin disciplined Wednesday All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown for lack of work on Monday.
"He and I met yesterday for a long time," said Tomlin after Wednesday's training. "I'm going to let the nature of this conversation between us." There was a discipline involved for his missed meeting on Monday.
Tomlin did not ask any questions. Brown is scheduled to speak to the media on Thursday.
The end of the game, Jesse James, said Brown was training fully on Wednesday and was in the game plan for the Monday night's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Cornerback Artie Burns said the discipline was "between him and the coach," but the team supports Brown and expects him to play.
Brown was a no-show at Steelers' headquarters the same day he tweeted "Trade Me Finds" to a former Steelers PR staffer who said Brown would not be the same without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Defensive end Cam Heyward, one of the team's four captains, said he had talked with Brown this week, but will keep the details private. "I do not make those decisions but, shoot, I'd be a little surprised if he's not there [Monday night]Heyward said.
Antonio Brown does not want to be traded by the Steelers and was not in the squad on Monday because he was dealing with a personal problem, his agent said on Tuesday.
From potential insurance policies to troubled fantasy owners, Bell's stalemate with the Steelers goes beyond the third week.
The unpredictability of Brown could be something else for the Steelers to handle in an already grueling season. But he also showed that the conflict can be good.
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Brown also faced offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner on the sidelines of Sunday's 42-37 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, who dropped the Steelers to 0-1-1 this season.
Roethlisberger said that he spoke to Brown and did not take his actions personally.
"He's the best in the world," Roethlisberger said of Brown. "When you are the best in the world, you want to help to participate, you want to win football games, we are all a bit frustrated because we are not winning now."
Brown was clearly angry at his role in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs and did not discuss the media after the match. On Monday, he did not show up for what agent Drew Rosenhaus described as a "personal problem" in a statement.
Roethlisberger said Wednesday in his locker that Brown's tweet was not directed against him, and he does not care about Brown's behavior so far.
"AB is a very passionate football player, I think we all know, fans know it," said Roethlisberger. "That's what makes it special, it's his passion for this game and the passion to be great.We do not want to take it away."
"When he's frustrated in games, just tell him to stay with me, talk to me, communicate with me … If you missed me on something, if you're open and I do not I have not seen, speak and communicate, it does a great job in this area. "
Brown leads the league with 33 targets, but none of his 18 catches have exceeded 22 yards. Brown could not get out on Sunday with 67 yards on nine catches despite 452 passing yards and three touchdowns from Roethlisberger.
Brown was seen leaving the field on his own, head down, while the rest of the offense celebrated a Roethlisberger touchdown at 1:59.
Brown and Roethlisberger have become one of the most powerful duos in the history of the NFL; Brown has five consecutive seasons of 100 shots.
Brown's antics and backtracking The absence of The Veon Bell on the franchise label has brought to light the culture of the Steelers locker room under Tomlin. But Roethlisberger emphasizes the stability of the organization – the team having only three head coaches since 1969.
"I love this franchise, this organization, and it starts at the top with the Rooneys," Roethlisberger said. "Art is a great leader for all of us – there is a reason why there have only been a few coaches here." There were problems at this level, we would have a lot more numbers in there. I think the coaches have to do their thing, but it's also up to the players who make theirs. "
This could include staying out of social media, as Roethlisberger has said. On occasion, he asked his teammates not to approach the "trolls or others" that bait players in their responses.
"It's just talking about your business, your work, your practice, your meetings, your deadlines and making sure you hold the men accountable," said Roethlisberger.
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