Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Diontae

Johnson understands parallels will be drawn between himself and former Steelers star Antonio Brown. The third-round pick http://www.jaguarscheapstore.com/quincy-williams-ii-jersey-cheap , however, is focused on forging his own path.The comparisons and serendipitous circumstances that link the two are almost too conspicuous to believe. But this “D.J.” isn’t actively going out of his way to be the next “AB.”As he walked off the field after completing his first official on-field NFL practice session, Johnson was predictably asked to give his thoughts about the ubiquitous comparisons between him and the perennial All-Pro receiver now with Oakland.“It’s a good thing, because he’s a great player,” Johnson said Friday. “Somebody I used to watch. I still look up to him. He’s a great player.“But I can only be myself only.”What the Steelers have been saying they expect of Johnson would be more than good enough — even if it falls short of the level Brown attained as the Steelers’ No. 1 receiver for most of the past decade.Brown was shipped off to the Raiders for third- and fifth-round draft picks in March after he’d publicly clashed with everyone from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to coach Mike Tomlin to Steelers President Art Rooney II since sitting out the final game of the 2018 season. That leaves a gaping, 114-catch-per-year hole of production on the offense. Brown had 686 receptions, 9,145 yards and 67 touchdowns from 2013 to 2018.By no means do the Steelers expect Johnson to make up for that by himself. But Johnson enters the NFL with a similar game and profile as Brown — and he was acquired as the headlining (if underwhelming) return in the trade of Brown.Johnson embraces the on-field similarities with Brown in regards to playing style: “route running, able to catch ball, get out of my breaks, able to run every route in the route tree.” But Johnson politely downplays expectations he can approach the superstar status Brown reached in Pittsburgh.“I’m just trying to come in and contribute and come in and do what I can do,” Johnson said. “Be myself and help out in any way that I can.”It might forever be difficult for Johnson to simply “be himself” with the Steelers Ryquell Armstead Jersey , if only because many might always compare him to Brown. A look at the roster shows that about the only way Johnson doesn’t share a strong resemblance with Brown is uniform number. Johnson was wearing No. 18 at rookie minicamp; Brown’s former No. 84 was given to undrafted tight end Milan Richard.Brown stands 5-foot-10, 181 pounds. Johnson is listed at 5-10, 183.Brown went to Central Michigan, a Mid-American Conference school; Johnson starred at Toldeo, the Chippewas’ MAC rival.Over his final two college seasons, Brown had 2,096 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns in being voted all-MAC twice. Johnson, over his final two college seasons: 2,039 receiving yards, 25 touchdowns, two-time all-MAC.Each had great success as a punt and kick returner, too.Johnson might not be Brown but he’s already made an impression on his new teammates.“He has a lot of talent http://www.jaguarscheapstore.com/gardner-minshew-ii-jersey-cheap ,” said cornerback Justin Layne, a player the Steelers took with another third-round pick. “Fast, quick guy. He is going to help us a lot.”Steelers fourth-round pick Benny Snell has gotten to know Johnson in recent months because they share the same agent and were roommates in Indianapolis at the combine in February.“Diontae is amazing,” said Snell, a running back from Kentucky. “He’s a cool guy, a cool dude — and he’s got some hands.”Johnson’s hands weren’t as much on display Friday as the Steelers likely hoped; he sat out portions of team drills, then deferred to coach Mike Tomlin, who was unavailable to media Friday, for specifics about any injury. But he allowed that he was “fine.”For his rookie season, Johnson joins a receivers corps led by JuJu Smith-Schuster and also featuring veteran Donte Moncrief, second-year wideout James Washington, and slot specialists Eli Rogers and Ryan Switzer.Where Johnson falls into that pecking order in 2019 is a long way from being determined.“It’s exciting Nick Bosa Jersey , being able to play football again,” Johnson said, “being able to run routes and catch balls and learn the plays.” A former NFL player was sentenced to two years in federal prison Thursday and ordered to repay nearly $1.6 million in bogus worker’s compensation claims.

Marcus Buckley, 46, of Weatherford, Texas, submitted numerous fraudulent claims after the New York Giants initially agreed to a $300,000 settlement in 2010 for cumulative stress injuries from playing football, federal prosecutors said.

Buckley played for the Giants for seven seasons between 1993 and 2000.

He filed false invoices, false credit collection notices for late medical bills and false statements from medical providers to receive additional compensation beyond the initial settlement.

A co-defendant, claims adjuster Kimberly Jones, then arranged for about $1.59 million in worker’s compensation insurance payments to Buckley.

Buckley’s attorney Dwayne Haskins Jersey , Scott Cameron, declined comment. However, he said in court documents that Buckley ”has a rich history of providing for others and is deeply remorseful about his criminal conduct,” as shown in part by 14 letters to the court from his loved ones. He has no prior criminal history aside from traffic tickets.

Buckley once was an award-winning player for Texas A&M. The court documents say he is not only physically damaged from years of football but suffers from short-term memory loss. Moreover, he had an unspecified surgery in July and was rear-ended during an automobile accident in mid-December.

Buckley and Jones were indicted in 2013. She pleaded guilty in 2015 and he in 2016, both under plea agreements.

Federal probation officers had recommended an 18-month sentence for Buckley. Prosecutors sought 33 months in prison, calling it a ”significant insurance fraud scheme” and noting that Buckley also engaged in money laundering. They said Buckley can receive medical care in prison.

Jones is set to be sentenced Feb. 8. She worked for Gallagher Bassett Services Inc., which handled worker’s compensation claims in California for the Giants and the team’s insurer, Pennsylvania Manufacturer’s Association Insurance Group.