Pickens

[SteelerInLebanon]

When Johnson was out, he got a lot of targets. Even when bracketed/doubled. DJ comes back and Pickett is back to acting like he hardly exists. I said it earlier in the season, Pickett targets DJ sometimes to the detriment of the offense.
And, it’s not just Pickens he ignores.

DJ gets open. Really open. He is easier to throw too. If Pickens ran routes even half as well as DJ he would be the superstar he thinks he is.

 

[FordFairLane]

Here's the thing about Pickens, he's a stud receiver. He is a guy who can take over a game. He is a top 5 talent at the position. And as such he is a freaking DIVA! The only way to keep these type of guys under control is to get them involved early in the game and don't let big gaps go between targets. I think he was part of the game plan early but a couple bad throws and his head was out of the game. That TD he stepped out on was 100% him. But by that time he was tuned out. This is a juggling act that we haven't ever had to worry about. Because the last Diva we had in AB didn't have to worry about because Ben fed him to the tune of 11 targets a game. And without Pat even with DJ coming back there's no reason to not target George 8+ times a game. Here's some stats for you because I know everyone loves them. When George gets 8+ targets a game he averages 110 yards a game. When he gets less than 7 targets he averages 39 yards a game. Feed the man.

 

[Stainless]

Did you guys see his celebration afterwards? Don't act like you didn't see it. It was pretty impressive. Imagine the moves he might have broken off had he actually made that routine catch. It boggles the mind.

George strikes me as potentially being a lazy, me first, it's not my fault, punk a$$ *****, which is disappointing considering the ability he seems to possess. Here's hoping he grows out of it, but if he doesn't it wouldn't be shocking. If he wasn't part of the shittiest offense in recent NFL history, maybe none of that would matter.

 

[slashsteel]

DJ gets open. Really open. He is easier to throw too. If Pickens ran routes even half as well as DJ he would be the superstar he thinks he is.

I sort of agree . Pickens has better hands but DJ definitely can get open with the best of them. Damn good in and out of his breaks. I think Pickens hasn't topped out, but definitely needs to keep his head in the game to reach his ceiling.

 

[mdk2]

Nope, DJ didn't sulk at all last year. Instead, he punched Mitch straight in the mouth. Maybe Mitch needed it. Maybe Kenny saw that **** and decided he liked having all his teeth so he better get DJ the ball. Maybe Pickens should just punch Kenny in the mouth since it worked for DJ.

Did he do that because he wasn’t getting a TD? or did he do it cause of what Mitch might have said to him? That was early in the season last year, why wasn’t he pissed late in the year and throw tantrums on the sideline like Pickens has done literally since day 1.

There’s a big different between being frustrated in a single moment especially after a loss. Compared to constantly being visibly upset almost every game even after wins, which Pickens always is unless he gets his numbers. There’s really no denying it.

 

[FordFairLane]

Did you guys see his celebration afterwards? Don't act like you didn't see it. It was pretty impressive. Imagine the moves he might have broken off had he actually made that routine catch. It boggles the mind.

George strikes me as potentially being a lazy, me first, it's not my fault, punk a$$ *****, which is disappointing considering the ability he seems to possess. Here's hoping he grows out of it, but if he doesn't it wouldn't be shocking. If he wasn't part of the shittiest offense in recent NFL history, maybe none of that would matter.

So here's the thing. The offense isn't great but what would it have looked like if KP hits DJ for a decent gain right away, George for that big gain on the crossing route, throws an accurate ball to A-Rob in the end zone and CA3 when he was matched up on a freaking LB throw it deep and let him run under it. And George doesn't drop that easy TD. That is easily 100+ yards in passing yards and 3 more passing touchdowns. Listen Canada runs a very vanilla offense, but the team doesn't execute a basic offense. So, putting more layers in it would just be a freaking disaster. Now the reasons why they aren't executing I am not sure. I feel it probably is on several facets. I would say coaching and players are to blame. Some of this stuff is just so basic. Like high school level stuff. I mean look below this guy breaks down the film. He blames A-Rob for not sitting in the zone and yes, I agree he needs to sit. BUT that play is designed to have KP hit A-Rob in the middle of the field giving him room to run. So, it's on both of them. Neither did their job well and we were lucky to get the first down. And in a nutshell that is our offense. We have basic offense and a team that executes poorly.

Second play he shows it is an RPO. Kenny looks to the slot but the slot is assuming run. This is what I think what happened. Kenny recognizes the nickel blitzer. He assumes A-Rob sees it. He pulls it back to throw which I assume should be a slant but A-Rob looks to block the safety. And in fact the entire receiving core goes out to block. If this is a hot route and presnap read what is the call at the LOS to get the team on the same page? Now looking at this play I don't see any hand signals. I don't even know if we use them. But in High School if I saw a blitzing DB and was going to change a play to a slant I would X my arms and show the receivers so they know it wasn't a run and I was calling a slant. Now that is pretty obvious so I would assume we would have something a little more discrete but Kenny doesn't do anything. So either this is a flaw in the offense and Canada should be to blame or this is a flaw in Kenny and he should be to blame. We don't know. My guess is we can blame Tomlin for wanting this vanilla offense. Blame Canada for players not being prepared and coached up. And blame the players for poor execution.

 

[slashsteel]

Did he do that because he wasn’t getting a TD? or did he do it cause of what Mitch might have said to him? That was early in the season last year, why wasn’t he pissed late in the year and throw tantrums on the sideline like Pickens has done literally since day 1.

There’s a big different between being frustrated in a single moment especially after a loss. Compared to constantly being visibly upset almost every game even after wins, which Pickens always is unless he gets his numbers. There’s really no denying it.

If I had to break down the two WRs there really is no concern with DJ. If there is an in the moment situation it leans towards that is all it is.

Pickens on the other hand as I mentioned already needs to be talked to and monitored. Really would be ok with them trading him in the off-season if it returned a 1.

With their pass history with disgruntled players I hope they can get this solved before it explodes into something significant...

 

[SteelerFan448]

A bit of a sidetrack but Chuks said he got benched for stuff he said. Now we have Pickens being upset. I’m reading into things, but I think both stem from the QB play and expecting more from Pickett.

 

[slashsteel]

A bit of a sidetrack but Chuks said he got benched for stuff he said. Now we have Pickens being upset. I’m reading into things, but I think both stem from the QB play and expecting more from Pickett.

I dunno what Chukes said. But I lean more towards Pickens having that issues with any QB not feeding him the ball. When he gets it he is happy when he doesn't he isn't.

We expect more from Kenny just not positive the players are in that mind set.

Chukes should only worry about his spotty play, then again he might be past that point and his new worry is how he gets off bench status.

 

[FordFairLane]

A bit of a sidetrack but Chuks said he got benched for stuff he said. Now we have Pickens being upset. I’m reading into things, but I think both stem from the QB play and expecting more from Pickett.

It was apparently on the field during the Jags game. I was at a wedding reception so I didn't see the game but if anyone remembers who he was yacking with would probably explain a little more on what happened.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

I dunno what Chukes said. But I lean more towards Pickens having that issues with any QB not feeding him the ball. When he gets it he is happy when he doesn't he isn't.

We expect more from Kenny just not positive the players are in that mind set.

Chukes should only worry about his spotty play, then again he might be past that point and his new worry is how he gets off bench status.

I said this elsewhere but Chuks may have been a bigger issue than Moore. I keep him on the bench and keep Jones at RT for this season then switch him and Moore in the offseason or get a new RT. I also look to bring in two more higher end WR's another Center and a Guard. On Defense another Safety, Corner and MLB.

 

[slashsteel]

I said this elsewhere but Chuks may have been a bigger issue than Moore. I keep him on the bench and keep Jones at RT for this season then switch him and Moore in the offseason or get a new RT. I also look to bring in two more higher end WR's another Center and a Guard. On Defense another Safety, Corner and MLB.

I think C,CB and RT are high priorities.

They can address C in free agency and CB.

Then I would go BPA in the draft at RT,WR, DE, and possibly S, ILber.

For value RT and DE would be my round 1 focus.

Keep on that trench warfare!

 

[Steelr4evr]

Did he do that because he wasn’t getting a TD? or did he do it cause of what Mitch might have said to him? That was early in the season last year, why wasn’t he pissed late in the year and throw tantrums on the sideline like Pickens has done literally since day 1.

There’s a big different between being frustrated in a single moment especially after a loss. Compared to constantly being visibly upset almost every game even after wins, which Pickens always is unless he gets his numbers. There’s really no denying it.

Good grief he would really flip his **** if they became a power running team first. I'm glad Hines Ward didn't lose his **** and was the ultimate team player and destroyed people blocking. So bad they changed the rules because of him.

 

[Steelr4evr]

I think C,CB and RT are high priorities.

They can address C in free agency and CB.

Then I would go BPA in the draft at RT,WR, DE, and possibly S, ILber.

For value RT and DE would be my round 1 focus.

Keep on that trench warfare!

And a OL coach, DC,OC. I'd put HC too, but if the other 3 happen with guys outside of the organization they can build a champion.

 

[slashsteel]

And a OL coach, DC,OC. I'd put HC too, but if the other 3 happen with guys outside of the organization they can build a champion.

...well that is an always as far as the coaches with me. Which we will probably only see a new OC and maybe O-line coach.

 

[Aussie_Steeler]

I hope so.
AB was fine his first year or so.

Umm..AB got kicked out of his first college before he even started due to an altercation with a security guard and had quite a bit of look at me in his first couple of years with the Steelers (showing up to training camp in Rolls Royces and helicopters, wearing copious amounts of jewellery if memory serves me correctly).

Maybe not so much with the onfield stuff.

 

[SteveA]

Here's just a few of the issues

1. Diontae gets open quickly, & Pickett usually goes to his first open man
2. Our O-Line has protection issues so KP can't/won't stay in the "Picket pocket" long enough to let Pickens route develop
3. Pickens is covered pretty well & DJ & Warren are easier % completions
4. WR's are paid for production & his targets were WAAAAAY too few, you run your route & NEVER see the ball. Of course it's frustrating
5. He's a kid...Look at his picture, he is sooo young...Very rare a kid knows how to act, react & what life is about at 22...

 

[slashsteel]

You can say that again.

 

[SteveA]

You can say that again.

Hahahah I just noticed the double post...But it's long been a fact that nothing I do before my first cup of coffee is finished counts....

Just like the Steelers 1st Quarter...

 

[Steel Reign]

A little surprised by some of the posts. Pickens does have maturity issues. However, a lot of his acting out appears to come from his competitive side and frustration with the Canada offense. A frustration most of us share. Just not ready to throw him under the bus as quickly as some.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

The fact that HE cost them a TD and himself some much needed press makes his actions even more ridiculous.

He has a right to ***** about the quality of throws but after missing a sure TD this isn’t the week to do it.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

One could tell he was going to be a problem after his first several games in the league. Just the body language when certains things happen or don't happen on the field.

It could be Antonio Brown/Terrell Owens type stuff if he really starts building up money and success in the league.

Kenny is just more comfortable throwing to DJ because he is a far better route runner at this point.

When a team is running the ball well, like the Steelers were last night, it's difficult to feature two receivers, and Pickens still had an opportunity to score a long TD.

He's been open for some big plays over the last two games in which Kenny missed the throw, so there is probably a lot of stuff boiling in his mind right now, but it looks like he's going to be the kind of player for whom nothing is ever good enough.

Not all WR’s are divas but all divas are WR’s.

 

[slashsteel]

A little surprised by some of the posts. Pickens does have maturity issues. However, a lot of his acting out appears to come from his competitive side and frustration with the Canada offense. A frustration most of us share. Just not ready to throw him under the bus as quickly as some.

He is allowed to be frustrated. At the same time he needs to be cheering on victories and his teammates when they make good plays. I am not glued to him throughout the game so maybe he is doing those things. By some of the reports I am not sure he is doing these things consistently.

 

[slashsteel]

Not all WR’s are divas but all divas are WR’s.

And retired Tom..but yeah

 

[ZonaBurgh]

Pickens had similar emotional outburst at UGA. He cools off

I seem to recall a certain UGA receiver and former Steeler that could offer him some advice on how to play the game.