Das Forum » The post-Antonio Brown era is off to a bad start

FOXBOROUGH http://www.detroitlionsteamonline.com/jahlani-tavai-jersey , Mass. (AP) — for the Pittsburgh Steelers.Pittsburgh struggled to generate offense in a 33-3 loss at New England on Sunday night in its first game since parting with the four-time All-Pro wide receiver. Without Brown to throw to, Ben Roethlisberger finished 27 of 47 for 276 yards and an interception.This time, unlike last season when he publicly criticized Brown’s performance after a Week 12 loss at Denver, the Steelers quarterback shouldered the blame.“I wasn’t good enough,” Roethlisberger said. “Wasn’t giving guys the balls where they needed to catch ’em. Putting them in front (of them), behind, things like that. I wasn’t good enough.”Pittsburgh’s only points came on Chris Boswell’s 19-yard field goal early in the second half. Roethlisberger had 161 passing yards through three quarters before dressing up his stats in the fourth, and the Steelers went just 3 for 12 on third down conversions.“We’ve just got to make more plays for No. 7 (Roethlisberger),” new Steelers receiver Donte Moncrief said. “It starts with the whole receiver’s room, everybody on offense. We’ve got to be better.”The disgruntled Brown was traded to Oakland last March and signed a three-year extension with the Raiders. He requested and was granted his release by Oakland on Saturday after a tumultuous offseason and training camp.A few hours later, Brown was headed to the Patriots, the Steelers’ top AFC rival.“My professional reaction is I really don’t have one,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin told NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” broadcast before the game. “We’ve been emotionally detached from him for some time now.”Brown’s ex-teammates didn’t take the bait on his move to New England, either.“You know http://www.houstontexansteamonline.com/kahale-warring-jersey , that (decision’s) up to him,” said cornerback Mike Hilton, who played with Brown for two seasons. “That has nothing to do with these guys in the locker room.”Brown wasn’t the only loss to leave a void in the offense. Two-time All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell held out all of last season over a contract dispute and signed with the New York Jets during the offseason.Bell’s replacement, third-year back James Conner, had 21 yards on 10 carries and the Steelers managed only 32 rushing yards. Bell rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown for the Jets against Buffalo on Sunday.“No need to sugarcoat it — man, we weren’t ready for prime time,” Tomlin said. “All of us, not a good enough plan. Not a good enough execution of that plan. . We won’t go undefeated. We’re 0-1.” The Minnesota Vikings were busy in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft.Minnesota acquired a flurry of late-round picks via trades earlier in the draft and used three selections in the sixth round to bring in Arkansas defensive tackle Armon Watts, Wyoming safety Marcus Epps and Elon tackle Oli Udoh.Vikings NFL Draft CoverageHow NFL draft affected Vikings�? 2019 opponentsMinnesota Vikings 2019 NFL Draft gradesMinnesota Vikings 2019 NFL draft capsulesVikings take fliers on CB Boyd, WR Mitchell, WR Johnson, LS Cutting in seventh roundVikings use sixth round to draft DT Watts, S Epps, OT UdohVikings draft USC linebacker Cameron Smith in fifth roundVikings trade up in fourth round http://www.indianapoliscoltsteamonline.com/bobby-okereke-jersey , draft guard Dru SamiaVikings trade down four times, use third-round pick to select RB MattisonPotential Vikings Day 2 picks in 2019 NFL draftVikings select C Garrett Bradbury with 18th overall pick in 2019 NFL draftWatts, selected No. 190 overall, played 28 games for the Razorbacks from 2015-18 and tallied 56 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, but he really didn’t make an impact until last season. The 6-foot-5, 298-pound interior lineman played just seven games from 2016-17 before coming onto the scene as a senior, setting career bests in tackles (42), tackles for loss (7.5) and forced fumbles (3).One pick later, Minnesota chose Epps at No. 191. The Wyoming product was a four-year starter in college, recording 325 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 31 passes defensed, nine interceptions and five forced fumbles. As a senior in 2018 http://www.jacksonvillejaguarsteamonline.com/jawaan-taylor-jersey , Epps made 63 stops (6.5 for loss) and eight pass breakups.To finish off the round, the Vikings added their third offensive lineman of the draft at No. 193 overall in Udoh. The 6-5, 323-pound tackle started for four seasons at right tackle for the Phoenix and helped block for Elon’s rushing attack that ranked second in the Colonel Athletic Association in 2018.Through six rounds of the draft, the Vikings have selected eight players: center Garrett Bradbury (18th overall), tight end Irv Smith Jr. (second round), running back Alexander Mattison (third round), guard Dru Samia (fourth round), linebacker Cameron Smith (fifth round), along with Watts, Epps and Udoh.The Vikings currently own four picks in the seventh round — No. 217, No. 239, No. 247 and No. 250.