New Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley has never been known as a players’ coach, but the reviews out of Pittsburgh this offseason have been surprisingly positive.
The latest review comes from wide receiver Antonio Brown, who suggested that Haley is a better coach to play for than the popular previous offensive coordinator, Bruce Arians.
“It’s definitely a big difference,” Brown told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Todd’s really a cool guy -- shaking guy’s hands, communicating with guys, putting in that extra time for guys, visiting with guys. Bruce wasn’t really that type of guy -- he just went about his business. Todd is more team-oriented and more communicative with players and trying to work together with all the men, so he’s getting to know everyone. That’s something special to be a part of.”
Brown is aware that many players have said they don’t see eye to eye with Haley. And he’s aware that even players who like Haley rarely say anything nicer about him than that he’s “not always a butthole.” But Brown doesn’t agree with those who say Haley is hard to play for.
“He’s a great guy. Definitely not what people made him out to be,” Brown said. “You can’t go off of what you hear about a person until you really get to meet him, and, since I met this guy, he’s been first class.”
Brown has been raving about Haley all summer, and Brown’s comfort with the new offense, combined with his new five-year contract extension, has to have the Steelers feeling good that Brown will be their No. 1 receiver for years to come.
