Fichtner backs up Brown
Says sideline scene was not an issue
His offensive coordinator backed up Antonio Brown’s version of their sideline interaction Sunday at Heinz Field — it was not a tantrum by the Steelers wide receiver.
“It wasn’t a little heated argument,” said Randy Fichtner, serving his first season as offensive coordinator and 12th season on Mike Tomlin’s staff. “Not really an argument because I never really thought about it as that until later it became, I guess, an issue with everyone else. But it wasn’t an issue on the field.”
Fichtner said he has known Brown since high school [Fichtner was offensive coordinator at Memphis then]. They have been together with the Steelers since the receiver became a sixth-round draft choice in 2010. They have had such give-and-take before, the coach said.
Fichtner spoke after practice Thursday afternoon, about three hours after Brown held his own interview session.
“He’s a competitor,” Fichtner said. “I mean, it’s probably more about just wanting to help the team win and his contributions. I don’t think it’s anything more . ...
“I’ve known A.B. for a long time. I want him to be passionate, and I want his communication.”
He also wants people to understand that defenses can throw blanket coverage at Brown, as the Chiefs did Sunday, and the ball will have to go elsewhere.
“Some coverage schemes are going to be designed to actually take him out of play on certain plays,” Fichtner said. “That can happen. We have to be smart enough at times to allow that to happen and make sure the ball goes other places. That’s where I’m proud of Ben [Roethlisberger] and the protection and the other guys making plays.”
DeCastro, Gilbert sit
It isn’t a surprise given how quickly he left Wednesday’s practice, but All-Pro guard David DeCastro (broken hand) didn’t participate on Thursday. Neither did tackle Marcus Gilbert.
B.J. Finney would be DeCastro’s likely replacement, as he was against Kansas City. Chukuma Okorafor and Matt Feiler are the backups at tackle.
“I’m not sure,” DeCastro said of his status for Monday. “We’ll see how it goes this week.”
DeCastro said he’s frustrated, and that he’s “just trying to be patient, which is not easy.” Asked what his issues with the hand are, he said “a little bit of everything.”
“It sucks, man. This game’s hard enough playing when you’re healthy. I did it, and I was just like, ‘nooo,’ because you know what it’s gonna be like down the road. But no one feels sorry for you. I’ve got to do my best to get healthy, get back out there and make sure I’m able to go.”
“It’s tough, man. It’s really hard mentally. You’ve got to talk to yourself. Talk yourself through it. It’s not natural. As football players, you never think you’re gonna be out.”
The complete injury report: Joe Haden, defensive end Tyson Alualu and guard Ramon Foster were full participants; safety Morgan Burnett was limited; DeCastro and Gilbert were out, as was center Maurkice Pouncey (maintenance).