In the last post in this series, I talked a lot about Ben. The question of this series is to try and answer the argument of “who made who?”

Is Ben so good because of Antonio, or is Antonio so good because of Ben?

We started out the last post looking at some of the highlights of Ben’s 12-year career, so let’s do the same now and look at some of the highlights of Antonio Brown’s rather young 6-year career:

• Owns 2 16 reception games (only player in the history of the league)
• Tied NFL record by recording at least five receptions and 80 receiving yards in each of the first nine games of a season in 2014.
• Set an NFL record by recording at least 80 receiving yards in 14 straight regular-season games
• Set an NFL record for most games with at least 5 receptions and 50 receiving yards.
• Set an NFL record for most games with at least 5 receptions and 70 receiving yards.
• 2014 ESPN AFC North Offensive Player of the year.
• 2014 AFC Co-offensive player of the year.
• 4 Pro Bowl selections and 2014 AP All-Pro (and probably in 2015 again.)
• As of right now, his 355 catches since 2013 are the most by any wide receiver in NFL history over a 3-year span!
• First player in NFL history to have two 15 catch games in a season. (NOTE: Only 3 have 2 15 catch games in their careers!)
• 2nd player in NFL history to record 2 straight 1,500 yard seasons.

AB has a chance to break the all-time yardage record this year: heck, he was really close last year despite the fact that Ben missed 4 games and parts of 2 others.

In six seasons he is steadily climbing the Steelers record books, and already owns franchise records for most receptions, receiving yards and all-purpose yards in their first 4 years. He is the only Steelers receiver to record back-to-back 110 catch seasons, the first to record back-to-back 1,400 yard seasons – and remember: he has only completed his 6th year!

There are more accolades and records that I’m not even discussing, and perhaps even more than all this, AB’s work ethic is one that will keep him performing at a high level for years to come. There is no question that AB is a special talent, and a special receiver. Everyone talks about how crisp and accurate his routes are, which comes from all the work he puts in.

People are calling him “uncoverable.”

Deion Sanders called him “a grown man and arguably the best in the game. A 4 down receiver is rare.”

Last season against Denver, Chris Harris, Jr. hadn’t given up a touchdown in forever. AB torched Chris Harris, Jr. for 189 and 2 touchdowns: Harris said “It was the best against the best, and he won.”

All of those things are true. AB is fantastic. Maybe unstoppable (unless your Richard Sherman and are allowed grab him anytime you want, and throw him to the ground without a penalty!)

AB makes good, even great corners (not named Sherman) look, well, bad. As I’m writing this, I’m listening to the Redskins pre-game broadcast on SNR (Steelers Nation Radio) and all they can talk about is Josh Norman vs. AB.

It’s going to be that every week.

Whomever the top corner of the opposing team, the talk is going to be about AB vs. that guy. Call him “the faceless grey person of the week.” And AB’s impact isn’t limited to the field either.

AB has become the inspiration and example for every receiver not named Brown on the Steelers. As I said above, his work ethic is beyond compare. He is the best because he works to be the best, and he is instilling that work ethic in his teammates. Markus Wheaton, Eli Rogers, Martavis Bryant and Sammie Coates all are being helped by having the good fortune to work around and with AB.

Even someone like Darrius Heyward-Bey, who has been in the league a year longer than AB, is learning from him.

The fire that burns in AB, and drives him to keep pushing himself to be better is not something that every player has. Some get by on natural ability, and when they have to work to be better, don’t. Some work just enough to keep their skills adequate.

And then there is AB, who works tirelessly to get better. In so doing, he makes everyone around him better, including Ben, and everyone else on the team.

Another example of that is proven on the defense side of the ball. Our number one pick this year, Artie Burns has been asked to cover AB all throughout the preseason. Yes, he was slowed a bit by injury, but just last week, defensive coordinator Keith Butler mentioned that he saw improvement in Burns. When he was asked how he knew, he replied “He’s covering 84 a little bit better.”

Steel sharpening steel – iron sharpening iron.

If you’re a defensive back for the Steelers, and you have to cover AB, the best of the best, you are going to get better because of the level of competition.

There is one more thing I want to say about AB which I think has helped to make him a fan favorite, and that is that he gets US. He gets Steelers Nation, and he appreciates it.

During training camp in 2013, AB told people he would sign anything anyone sent to him, and return it. He got overwhelmed with things, but he kept his word. He is active in social media, often putting shout outs to Steelers Nation on his Facebook page. I think he is more active with the fans than any other Steeler on the team, and of course, we love him for it.

AB certainly has shown that, for him, “Business is Boomin!” He’s a unique talent, and I, for one, am sick of people saying he’s the best “little” receiver ever – by the time he is done, he will be the greatest receiver in the history of the league.

I don’t think that the stuff that burns inside him will allow anything else.

He isn’t going to be a normal “prima donna” receiver who, once they get paid, start to be a little more lax in their work. He’s going to do what he does, and I believe he always will. I have stated this in different posts, but I think we are in for a treat this season. AB is going to put on a show. And the fact that he has 7 throwing to him is part of why he’s going to do that.

In the next post, we’ll wrap this all together, and take a real look at who made who.

Is it Ben?

Is it AB?

Is it Todd Haley?

Is it nobody?

While that question may not be answered to anyone’s satisfaction, you will at least get my take on it.

Until next time Nation!