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ALAMEDA — The press conference began 25 minutes late, which will be duly noted in Pittsburgh. It seems Antonio Brown is notorious for being less than punctual when it came to obligations with the third estate.
Not that there was anything nefarious at work, given that Brown arrived with his family in tow, including three small and energetic children.
The newest Raider, from his stylish suit to sparkling earrings, oozed star power — the kind that comes with six straight seasons of 100 or more receptions and a contract extension which will put another $30 million in his bank account.
There hasn’t been a press conference like it since March 3, 2005, the day Randy Moss arrived by police escort after being traded to the Raiders in exchange for the No. 7 pick of the draft and Napoleon Harris.
Four years earlier the Raiders took on Jerry Rice, who had grown embittered with the 49ers after being phased out in favor of Terrell Owens.
Moss soiled his legacy, if only temporarily. Rice enhanced his status as the best of all time.
It could go either way in Oakland, although the smart money is on a productive and relatively drama free first season with the Raiders as Brown seeks to silence detractors while continuing to play at a Hall of Fame level under coach Jon Gruden.
“I’m just here as a sponge to soak up every information coach got, to be as successful as I can be and to help the team take it to a new level,” Brown said. “I’m just excited to be in the same building as guys who’ve been great from the past.”
Brown, as new players are wont to do, said all the right things. He promised to be a man of deeds rather than a man of words. And it is Brown’s deeds on both the practice field and on game day that made him so coveted by Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock.
“When we came here, Jon and I talked about finding passionate football players that love the game, that practice hard and play hard,” Mayock said. “And all I’m going to tell you is we got a little better today and it’s all because of the way this guy plays football.”
Gruden has already been knee-deep in game tape with Brown, scheming and plotting ways to make the 31-year-old wide receiver even better. Mayock spoke of adding an “Alpha Male” into the locker room who would demand daily effort, focus and accountability from others, mostly through his actions.
Brown is different from the 2005 version of Moss in terms of practice performance. But like Moss, Brown was prone to sideline theatrics and bad publicity which finally led to a one-way ticket out of town.
The ending with Moss was so ugly it’s easy to forget how incredible he was during his first training camp and through the first four games of the season under Norv Turner.
There was a miracle a day in Napa, with Moss making plays that even left seasoned veterans slack-jawed. In the first four games, Moss caught 19 passes for 466 yards, averaging 24.5 yards per catch. Then he leaped for a catch against the San Diego Chargers, came down with rib and tailbone injuries, and that was the last time we ever saw the real Randy Moss in silver and black.
First Moss was hurt, and then after Art Shell became head coach and brought along Tom Walsh as his offensive coordinator, Moss simply lost interest. He was so indifferent the Raiders shipped him to New England for a fourth-round draft pick.
Moss got his way by caring too little. Brown was jettisoned by the Steelers despite $21 million in dead money under the salary cap because he cared too much.
Rice, however, had an advantage Moss never had. His coach was Gruden, who made it his personal mission to wring every last reception and yard he could out of the most productive receiver in the history of the NFL.
Gruden was constantly in Rice’s ear, telling him how great he was but at the same time pushing for more. After yardage figures in the 800s his last two years with the 49ers, Rice caught 82 passes for 1,157 yards and nine touchdowns in 2001, then had 92 for 1,211 yards and seven scores after Gruden was traded to Tampa Bay.
Brown, when asked how long he wanted to play, even said he’s shooting for Rice’s records. Given he needs 712 receptions for 11,688 yards and 123 receiving touchdowns, Brown would need to post 100-catch seasons for the next eight years and average 1,466 yards just to be in the ballpark.
While that’s not going to happen, it’s an admirable goal from a former sixth-round draft pick who has exceeded all expectations except his own.
It’s fuel for a fire that sometimes has burned too hot, and the trade is not without its risks.
“Obviously, people listen to the things that are being said and written,” Brown said. “End of the day, it’s all about how you make people feel. I think I made people feel really great and really inspired, the way they watched me go to work, the way they watched me play.”
Brown will immerse himself in his new surroundings initially and be all in. After the newness has worn off, it bears watching whether he’ll still be the same guy should the Raiders have a losing season or Derek Carr loses sight of Brown open in the secondary.
For now, it’s another honeymoon period between one of the great receivers of the game and one of the NFL’s iconic franchises. Only time will tell if Brown sees his career hit a stall like Moss or enhances his legacy like Rice.
“I’m here to make guys better around me. I’m here to elevate everything around me,” Brown said. “I’m here to just be a surge of energy and positivity and a good force, a great teammate, and bring out the best of everyone around me. Cause we all know it’s not just about me.”
There are plenty of people in Pittsburgh who will read that quote and react with a derisive snicker. The Raiders are counting having the last laugh.
