Randy Moss knows the ins and outs of what it takes to be a successful wide receiver in today's NFL. The former No. 1 draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings played 14 seasons in the league with seven Pro Bowl selections and numerous other honors.
So when Moss dishes out praise on a wide receiver, he knows what he is talking about. Moss, an NFL analyst for Fox Sports, likes what he sees from Steelers receiver Antonio Brown and had plenty of good things to say about him when I caught up with him recently.
Here is what Moss had to say about Brown.
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The best photos of WR Antonio Brown from the 2015 season.
On what makes Brown the receiver he is:**
"I think it's just his work ethic. Just by being a small guy, from Central Michigan, a sixth round pick, he has always been the underdog. I have always been a fan of underdogs because I was one myself. I was a basketball player, basketball build, skinny, everybody thought I was going to get broken up, wouldn't last long in the National Football League. So I have always been a fan of underdogs. In the short period of time the things he has accomplished, I think that's what keeps him going, striving to be the best. I looked at him this offseason and his work ethic and thought if he can keep this going 10 plus years, the sky is the limit.
"Here in Pittsburgh, this franchise is legendary. I can name 50 players. I told him if you can keep up this work at this pace, and keep being dominant, you will be one of the legends in Pittsburgh. You have Lynn Swann, Franco Harris, and Hines Ward. I don't see why Antonio Brown can't be in that category. There are lot of great things he is doing. I have always been a football fan, and of course my position was wide receiver. Being able to pay attention to the next generation of guys, and he is one of the guys I have always paid attention to from afar but now we are closer. Just seeing him, his development, where he is headed is a good thing."
On if the underdog role is what pushes him to work hard:
"I think you have to understand what got you here. Your ability and your talent is only going to get you so far. I think when you're on a professional level, the coaches and your peers want to see what is going to keep you here. When a player gets drafted, you get drafted for what you did on the college level. Now once you get in the National Football League that is where you earn your keep. I think that the work ethic and the focus you need to develop when you first get into the league is what's going to keep you here. It's either going to get you out of this league, or it's going to keep you in this league."
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On where Brown ranks among today's NFL receivers: **"I have him and Dez Bryant as 1A and 1B. I look at those guys and there are certain wide receivers that if you put them in a certain system they would excel. I think Antonio Brown and Dez Bryant are those types of receivers that you can put them in any kind of system they can go and be dominant."
On if the sky is the limit for Brown:
"No doubt. There is nothing in the game of football from that position that he can't do. That is what I like to see from a wide receiver. We are supposed to block, but that is not our specialty. I was taught just go get in the guy's way. As far as his repertoire from that position, he can go deep on you, he can catch an intermediate ball and score, and he can catch a hitch and score.
"There are a lot of things he is able to do that makes him a complete receiver. He plays bigger than he is and that is what I like about him. You see big hits, you see guys slamming him. He is like the energizer bunny. He takes a licking and keeps on ticking."
