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SPORTS Saturday 21 September 2019
Is Antonio Brown's NFL career over? Likely for 2019 at least

By BARRY WILNER tinued, he would have
AP Pro Football Writer been in a lucrative limbo —
So many factors went into at New England's expense.
Antonio Brown's release There also was the very
by the Patriots on Friday. real specter of the league
It would be stunning if he suspending Brown for vio-
draws interest from any lating its personal conduct
other teams as the league's penalty. That also would
investigation continues. have stripped the Patri-
His time in the NFL might be ots of the talents they so
over. quickly signed despite the
As much as Brown's stellar furor Brown created, first in
career has been overshad- Pittsburgh by going AWOL
owed and besmirched among other things, then
by his recent behavior as in Oakland by demanding
a player and allegations and getting his release af-
of his actions as a person, ter feuding with the front
the Patriots also have had office over how the Raiders
their image tarnished in a were treating (and fining)
short but ugly marriage. him. First the Steelers cut
The team probably recog- bait with, by far, their best
nized that when it cut ties receiver of the last decade
after Brown suited up for if not their best offensive In this Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown (17)
one game, contributing player. The Raiders and stands on the sidelines during the first half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in
plenty in a 43-0 demolition Brown didn't last into his Miami Gardens, Fla.
of what the Miami Dolphins first season in Oakland, of Associated Press
have turned into. course, and now he's gone
New England would have from New England. was on board in New Eng- ognized the distractions of an artist who says he sent
been on the hook for It's unlikely there was full land. having Brown on their roster threatening texts to her
Brown's entire $9 million sal- agreement within the Pa- And with all the stuff swirling would be difficult to ignore. and also exposed himself
ary (and possibly more) for triots organization on grab- around Brown, it became What's likely ahead for to her while she was paint-
2019 had he been placed bing Brown when he be- impossible for the Patriots, Brown? ing a mural for him.
on the NFL's commissioner's came available. But coach a team that prides itself on Away from the field, he'll Other complaints about
exempt list. He couldn't Bill Belichick was so swift in insulation from the outside be dealing with a civil law- Brown's behavior have sur-
have practiced or played signing the potential game- world, to hang on to him. suit by his former trainer ac- faced, too — something
for the team, but as the breaking receiver that it They probably will never cusing Brown of rape. There not uncommon in such sce-
league's investigation con- sure seemed like everyone say it, but the Patriots rec- are other allegations from narios as his current one.q

QB Rosen says he'll try to provide spark Dolphins badly need

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — Josh it's only a matter of time Yeah, obviously," Flores
Rosen believes his aggres- before with enough game said. "But if you start think-
sive playing style will help reps and practice reps, ing about five or 10 years
him give the Miami Dolphins we'll get it down and slowly from now, you're not really
the lift they badly need. improve. I'm hoping and locked in on right now. That
Rosen will make his first start rooting for dramatic im- would be my advice to
at quarterback for Miami provement, but I don't think Josh."
on Sunday at Dallas, and we're going to go out and Regardless of how Rosen
he takes over an offense score 100 touchdowns and plays, the rebuilding Dol-
that ranks last in the NFL in throw for a million yards. I phins are expected to use
points and yards. The Dol- think the key is just to keep one of their three first-round
phins were outscored 102- grinding away." picks in 2020 on a quarter-
10 in two games with Ryan Rosen will be without one back.
Fitzpatrick as the starting offensive weapon at Dal- The Dolphins totaled 38
quarterback. las — receiver Albert Wilson yards in the first three quar-
"Obviously right now we was ruled out because of ters of Sunday's 43-0 loss to Miami Dolphins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) looks up to the
scoreboard during the second half at an NFL football game
need a spark," Rosen said hip and calf injuries. Safety New England. Flores said against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami
Friday, "and I'm going to try Reshad Jones was ruled he decided to start Rosen Gardens, Fla.
and provide that spark." out with an ankle injury. this week because of the Associated Press
Rosen believes he can do it Miami's quarterback switch young QB's performance in
by being a bit of a gunsling- was expected at some practice Wednesday and ready. He has shown me to name me the starter,"
er, as has been his nature point, with the 36-year-old Thursday. that he's ready to go." Rosen said. "I just put my
since he played at UCLA. Fitzpatrick never consid- "I think he maybe saw an Rosen said that since train- head down for the last cou-
He also believes his style will ered a long-term solution. opportunity and jumped ing camp began, he has ple months, and I guess I hit
work well in rookie coach Rosen was a first-round at it in practice really well," focused on trying to im- it." Rosen went 3-10 starting
Brian Flores' offense, which draft pick by Arizona in Flores said. "His develop- prove, and not on any as a rookie last year for the
Rosen and his teammates 2018 and is regarded as a ment is very important to quarterback competition. Cardinals, and became
are still learning. possible franchise quarter- me, so I never wanted "In coach Flo's mind, there expendable in April when
"It's a really complex sys- back. to throw him in there too was a threshold which they used the No. 1 overall
tem," Rosen said. "I think "Is there potential for that? quickly. But I do think he's would be enough for him pick to draft Kyler Murray.q