JuJu Smith-Schuster is having a tremendous 2018 season for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith Schuster knows that a lot of credit for that goes to teammate, Antonio Brown.
Smith-Schuster’s 77 receptions and 1,055 receiving yards both lead the team. Speaking of his success, Smith-Schuster acknowledged how much he’s been helped by the attention that Brown gets.
“Obviously, he’s been here for (nine) years. … He’s getting double teamed, triple teamed; it’s hard, you know? But he still makes his plays and he still has the explosive plays that he’s making.” Smith-Schuster said, per Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “And for me to be a young guy, me and (running back James Conner) and some of the other guys are being able to eat off his plate because of what he’s done in the past.”
Smith-Schuster is right. Defenses swarming to Brown has given Smith-Schuster and the rest of the Steelers incredibly favorable matchups. That’s helped him not only put up big stats, but make big plays. Without Brown, it’s hard to imagine Smith-Schuster having one career 97-yard touchdown reception, let alone two.
Even with all of the attention Brown has gotten, he’s still hauled in 71 passes for 874 yards. Brown also has 11 touchdowns, tying him with Tyreek Hill and Eric Ebron for the NFL lead. From 2013-2017, Brown’s lowest totals were 101 receptions, 1,284 receiving yards, and eight receiving touchdowns.
Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t seem to know how good Brown is. But it’s good that someone on the Steelers does.