Kickers Reed, Brown not enemies, but fans may have different view
PITTSBURGH – They share the same profession and the same number, but Jeff Reed and Kris Brown will be on opposite ends of an epic battle between good and evil Sunday at Heinz Field. At least that’s how most Pittsburgh Steelers fans will see things.
Reed, the rookie hero who’s coming off a 6-for-6 performance in a 2-point win, will have a different perspective.
“He’s a good guy,” Reed said of Brown, who was virtually booed out of Pittsburgh last season. “I competed with him when I was in New Orleans. We played him in the preseason. I wish him luck. I hope he does well. If it comes down to a game-winner and he’s out there, I hope he misses. The thing about it is he’s a good guy. He’s earned my respect.”
Reed spoke briefly with Brown after the Saints played Brown’s Houston Texans in the preseason, and Reed came away impressed.
“I cheer for all kickers because we’re such a small breed. Everyone puts us in a different category, so I want all of them to earn respect because kicking’s not easy. A lot of people think it’s easy as hell.”
Reed has made it look that way by knocking home 9 of 10 since joining the Steelers off the street two weeks ago. Brown, of course, didn’t make it look so easy last season. He led the league with 14 missed field goals and became the city’s second favorite whipping boy to quarterback Kordell Stewart.
As a restricted free agent, Brown was a Steelers signing priority last March, but they wouldn’t match a contract offer that included guaranteed salary for four years in addition to a $1 million bonus. With the Texans, Brown is 13 of 18 kicks for a 72.2 percentage, which is just less than his 77 percent career mark.
With the Steelers last year, Brown made 67.4 percent of his field-goal attempts. The career low has generally been attributed to the shoddy playing surface and tricky winds at Heinz Field. Brown was asked if last season was an aberration.
“I don’t think or talk about last year,” he said. “The only thing I am focusing on is what I can do to help this football team win this year.”
Brown said the most important thing is that he’s happy to be working near his hometown. “I had my first Thanksgiving with (my family) in seven years. Those are the things that you can’t put anything on. Those are the moments that you cherish for the rest of your life.”
Reed knows all about those moments. He’s in the middle of one right now. “I’ve noticed a little bit of a change,” he said of his life since signing with the Steelers.
“There are a couple people who’ve approached me knowing who I am. It makes me feel good, like I have an impact. One reason God put me here is not just to make field goals, it’s to have an impact on people’s lives. That’s what’s important. For someone to come up to me and say ‘We’re so proud of you,’ that makes you feel good inside. It makes me feel even better that people care. So, yeah, I’ve noticed a little bit of a change. Nobody knew who I was. No one in the locker room knew who I was, so it’s a good feeling.”
It can disappear in a snap. It’s the life of a kicker. Ask Brown.
“I don’t expect to get a real warm reception, which is fine,” Brown said. “Last year I was on the team and I got booed. I am not worried about what the fans think. They are entitled to their opinion and that is fine and I respect that. The only thing I worry about is what the guys in our locker room think and I am going to get myself ready to play this game this Sunday.”
Let the epic battle begin.