Brown settling into leadership role with Steelers

LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — Antonio Brown doesn’t think the Pittsburgh Steelers need Mike Wallace for them to have a Mike Wallace-type threat.

The way the fourth-year wide receiver looks at it, he can handle the job himself.

Brown is the unquestioned No. 1 guy in Pittsburgh after the speedy Wallace bolted to Miami as an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Brown says he is ready to handle the extra attention from opposing defenses.

With Wallace gone, Brown is taking more of a leadership role this season.

That drive has fueled Brown ever since the Steelers used their second of two sixth-round picks to draft the former Central Michigan product in 2010.

Now, the challenge is to step up in Wallace’s absence.

Brown has more than 2,000 yards receiving in his career. He says he can be a big-play guy even with Wallace gone.