Wide receiver matchup money in bank for Steelers, Broncos

Young Money was good, but New Money may be better.

The Steelers put together an eclectic group of receivers in Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown — the Young Money Crew — in back-to-back drafts in 2009-10 that almost overnight helped forge an identity from a ground-and-pound team to a high-flying contemporary offense.

However, it didn't take long for Young Money to leave for big money, thus opening the door for New Money.

Brown and Sanders will share a field for the first time in two years on Sunday when the Steelers (8-5) host the Broncos (10-3) in an AFC game that's dripping with playoff implications. The Steelers are trying to squeak into the postseason, and the Broncos are hoping to hold off hard-charging Kansas City in the AFC West.

You can probably call it money time for both teams. Fitting, right?

Sanders (Easy Money) left two years ago in free agency, while Wallace (Fast Money) left for Miami for $60 million in 2012 and now plays in Minnesota. Brown (Cash Money) signed a long-term lucrative deal to stay with the Steelers and now is the leader of another dynamic group of Steelers' receivers.

“We all had growth in that time, obviously in that time that's where we were at,” Brown said. “We're at different times now.”

But what a time it was when they were on the same team.

In three years together, the Young Money Crew combined for 441 receptions for 6,638 yards and 38 touchdowns and a Super Bowl appearance.

What if they had stayed together?

“Sometimes (I think about it), but at the same time, I'm happy where I'm at. Pittsburgh was really good to me,” Sanders said. “When I came over here, I got the opportunity to catch a lot of footballs, I got the opportunity to play with Peyton (Manning), got my first Pro Bowl bid last year. It's hard to think about what could've been in Pittsburgh, but I'm having so much success over here, I'm having so much fun over here.”

The departure of Wallace and Sanders allowed a new wave to take over.

Markus Wheaton was a third-round pick the year Wallace left, and Martavis Bryant a fourth-rounder last year. Paired with Brown — arguably the best receiver in the NFL the past two years — the New Money Crew is one of the best groups in the NFL.

“Of course, I see it, I see me, Mike and AB — the Young Money Crew all over again and, trust me, the whole world is taking notice, man,” Sanders said. “I knew what AB could do and he is still doing what he was doing when I was over there. Markus Wheaton is a young guy and Martavis kinds of reminds me of Mike Wallace so you all have the Young Money Crew over there again.”

This group has played a little less than two years together, but their projected numbers over three years are on pace to crush those of the Young Money Crew: 200 more receptions, 3,000 more yards and 30 more touchdowns.

“It's another good group,” Roethlisberger said. “A.B. is A.B. and I think the other guys are young guys trying to be great. ... I think each one just brings something different to the table.”

One distinct difference is the versatility. Wallace was the fast guy, Sanders was the possession guy and Brown the wild card.

The current group does a little bit of everything well.

“The thing about this (Steelers) team is they're balanced,” Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said. “They've got three guys that can really get down the field and make big plays. It's not about one player.”

Mark Kaboly is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at mkaboly@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MarkKaboly_Trib.