Tim Benz: Art Rooney II should forget about 'smoothing things over' with Antonio Brown

The first time I heard about Steelers owner Art Rooney II desiring a meeting in Florida with Antonio Brown, it was during a sports radio top-of-the-hour update. It included the phrase, “in hopes of smoothing things over with his star wide receiver.”

On TV and radio talk shows, social media and in casual conversation, I heard that phrase and other similar ones.

• “Work things out”

• “Bury the hatchet”

• “Calm the waters”

I hope that’s not the case. I don’t want an iota of time in this pigskin summit — if and when it happens — dedicated to “smoothing things over.” This sit-down between Brown and Rooney should be exclusively aimed toward the goal of greasing the tracks to get Brown out of town.

Brown’s relationship with the Steelers can’t be repaired. If this wasn’t clear as of Friday, it should be now after some of Brown’s social media activity this weekend.

Rooney can’t bring Brown back into that facility after the way he ripped quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and coach Mike Tomlin on Twitter.

No conflict just a matter of respect! Mutual respect! He has a owner mentality like he can call out anybody including coaches. Players know but they can’t say anything about it otherwise they meal ticket gone. It’s a dirty game within a game. #truth https://t.co/MsSyBVd3Ny

— Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 16, 2019

After the coach tell the team I quit while nursing some bumps then invite me to watch the show with same guys thinking I quit i can not stand with that! I’m the bad guy doe we miss post season think about it https://t.co/imrJ8jnnBc

— Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 16, 2019

Also, keep in mind how Brown “liked” a tweet from someone taking a shot at Roethlisberger by referencing the sexual assault allegations, which did not result in charges, that got him suspended in 2010.

Brown’s recent online behavior puts his name directly on criticism of Tomlin and Roethlisberger that heretofore had been levied only by his defenders. In the past, those sentiments had been speculated by others on Brown’s behalf. But now he’s doing it himself.

Let’s hope Brown’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is part of the meeting. Based on the confusion resulting from Brown’s #AskAB Twitter Q&A on Saturday, someone is going to need to translate Brown’s incoherent and contradictory thought bubbles into the English language.

Here’s how the meeting should go. Rooney should say to Brown: “Antonio, we are going to try to trade you. Make it easy on us. Stop dyeing your mustache, winding up on the police blotter and acting like a jerk on social media. If you do, we’ll get it done.

“But if you don’t and make it impossible for us to swing a trade because you scare off the rest of the NFL and undermine your value, we’ll just keep you. If you don’t like that, don’t show up. We’ll happily keep your money in our pocket just like we did with Le’Veon Bell.”

Maybe that’ll wake up Brown. Those G.O.A.T. rings don’t pay for themselves.

One of those rambling #AskAB tweets from Brown referenced the meeting with Rooney. It appears as if Brown is lamenting that he and Rooney have never interacted as anything but owner and player and that he’s looking forward to meeting with him man-to-man.

Best interest this be my first meeting with Mr Rooney ever as Antonio Brown the man not AB84 the player in locker ?! never been to my house ; there house ; like what AM I Really doing ! Less then what you bargain for more than real #Truth https://t.co/Xiitf0si2I

— Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 16, 2019

Here’s the thing: this is as owner-player as any meeting these two could ever have. Contrary to what Brown appears to believe, Rooney still owns the receiver’s NFL playing rights. Brown can declare himself “open for business” as much as he wants.

But he isn’t.

Rooney may be. A.B. is not, unless he helps the Steelers accomplish trading him.

Maybe to a team that is willing to give him a new contract?

Hopefully, someone can translate this reality to Brown. Words don’t seem to be doing the trick. Perhaps a string of emojis in rebus form will work.

Forget “smoothing things over.” The only point of discussion between the organization and “Team AB84” should be about the quickest way to push Brown out the door.