Kenny Pickett APPRECIATION Thread

[Mojouw]

Just like they do on Josh Allen and Joe Burrow. I mean the proof is right there on the TV screen. Funny how no QB can make a perfect throw every single time.

And for his first few years, it was a serious question about Allen’s game. And then he earned the right to have those overlooked. KP May very well do the same.

For me it goes back to the “murky” comments I made earlier this season. With Canada holding things back, it’s just so hard to tell what’s what.

I have no expectations of perfect. Bad throws happen. Ben’s going to walk into the HOF and he made his share and threw a handful of INTs every year that were almost totally incomprehensible.

KP sailing a few or airmailing a couple 5 yards out of bounds may end up meaning nothing. Or it could be a sign of a hole in his game or mechanics or whatever else. Time will tell. I expect he spends the offseason working and getting better and it may totally disappear.

[DesertSteel]

Just like they do on Josh Allen and Joe Burrow. I mean the proof is right there on the TV screen. Funny how no QB can make a perfect throw every single time.

I know. I watch a lot of condensed games on game pass and I see the same kinds of throws from the top guys. All i know is that KP has been throwing some dimes in that mid range lately.

[teegre]

It’s PFF… so take it with a grain of salt, but Kenny’s win over the Ravens was the “6th highest grade” for ANY quarterback in ANY game all season.

[DuckHodges]

It’s PFF… so take it with a grain of salt, but Kenny’s win over the Ravens was the “6th highest grade” for ANY quarterback in ANY game all season.

I don't understand the hate for PFF. Then again I'm a stats / numbers guy, I think they're kinda cool

[tube517]

As far as I'm concerned, he will forever be referred to as Kenny F. Pickett.

[Craic]

I know. I watch a lot of condensed games on game pass and I see the same kinds of throws from the top guys. All i know is that KP has been throwing some dimes in that mid range lately.

Lately is the key word here. I sincerely hope that is part of his upward trajectory we have seen rather than an anomaly. (And, no, this isn't being negative, just an observation. Personally, I do think it is part of his growth.)

I'm still not totally convinced he is our next franchise guy. But I am convinced that we need to give him two or three years to become that regardless of down spots and weaknesses that may develop later on.

One thing is for certain, when Pickett steps on the field, I am starting to feel confident that we'll move the ball; in the fourth quarter, if we're within 10 points, there's also growing confidence that we will win the game. That says a lot right there.

[Born2Steel]

I honestly really like what I have seen from KP over the last month. He has shown pretty much every element that makes a very good NFL QB. I am not ready to crown him the next franchise just yet, but I do really like what I'm seeing from him. IF...he continues to play and make plays, especially late in games, next season and the season after, then I'll start to call him the next franchise QB. Let's see how the rest of the league adjusts to him defensively now there's game film. Again, I really do like what I see and how he has played. Year 3 is usually the defining season. Usually.

[Craic]

As far as I'm concerned, he will forever be referred to as Kenny F. Pickett.

Or just "KFP"

[stillers4me]

Or just "KFP"

[tube517]

Or just "KFP"

There's also a t-shirt for that.

[polamalubeast]

[Mojouw]

https://youtu.be/PqY9tLF-J4Y

I am too dumb to make the little window come up. I copied into the video tags...whatever...I'm gonna go yell at clouds.

[teegre]

Kenny when throwing to Pickens connection: 139.7 passer rating (min. 50 targets).


That is the HIGHEST rating (min 50 targets) between a rookie QB-WR duo in NFL HISTORY

[Edman]

What was once a major question mark at the beginning of the season has been answered in the mean time. Kenny Pickett is clearly the guy moving forward in 2023. Started out slowly, but has rounded into an acceptable QB with the arrow pointing up. Let's see what Pickett does as the definitive #1 going into the offseason and a full training camp with the 1's.

The Steelers won't need to roam the Quarterback desert as we all initially feared as in Post-Bradshaw. Hopefully for the next 10+ seasons.

[Orion]

What was once a major question mark at the beginning of the season has been answered in the mean time. Kenny Pickett is clearly the guy moving forward in 2023. Started out slowly, but has rounded into an acceptable QB with the arrow pointing up. Let's see what Pickett does as the definitive #1 going into the offseason and a full training camp with the 1's.

The Steelers won't need to roam the Quarterback desert as we all initially feared as in Post-Bradshaw. Hopefully for the next 10+ seasons.

redskin fans were thinkin the same thing after RG3's rookie year.....just sayin.

[fansince'76]

Early returns on KP are promising. Be nice to see what a legit OC running a bona fide NFL offense can do with him.

[Rotorhead]

All you guys “not sure” about KP need to remember he has been successful his rookie year despite a ridiculously bad OC and play designs. His big issues early were TO’s and he promptly cleaned those up. He makes accurate throws when needed. What else do you need to see?

[Orion]

All you guys “not sure” about KP need to remember he has been successful his rookie year despite a ridiculously bad OC and play designs. His big issues early were TO’s and he promptly cleaned those up. He makes accurate throws when needed. What else do you need to see?

another full season that includes more than 187 passing yds a game and more than 7 TD passes ...

i'm not shitting on Pickett , just sayin based on what i saw i'm not ready to predict huge things from him. he definitely showed improvement over the season but so did canadas offense. it still didnt raise my confidence in Canada. i dont need to see any more from him. Pickett wasnt throwing intermediate passes his first few starts. was that because those plays werent called or because he always took the safe stuff ? we still didnt get to see many deep balls.

lets put Picketts season in context.
i'm sure we can all agree that andy dalton is not really a good QB and the saints are not really a good team. dalton is a backup at best.

dalton threw the rock 378 times over 14 games.
pickett chucked it 389 times in 13 games.

dalton completed 66..7%
pickett 63%

dalton threw for 2871 yds for an avg of 7.6 yds.
pickett 2404 for 6.2

dalton threw 18 tds
pickett threw 7

dalton threw 9 picks
pickett threw 9 picks.

this is obviously an apples to oranges comparison because pickett is a rookie and dalton is a backup at the tail end of his career. this is just showing that a QB we would have lost our freakin minds over had he been brought in to be the starter, outplayed the guy you guys are already anointing as the franchise. had mitch taken all the snaps this season and had the same exact results on every play as pickett , we would be clamoring for a new QB. people would be pointing out the 7tds vs the 9 ints and saying they won IN SPITE of mitch.
the knock on pickett predraft was he is the most NFL ready, but has a low ceiling . he had a derrick carr comparison. obviously it would be silly to write him off after 13 games and the pedestrian stats this year , but i think it is also silly to claim him a franchise QB based on the same sample size. i draw the line after saying i expect him to be better in the future, but how much better remains to be seen. i'll let the people with the crystal balls and the black -n-gold glasses do the predicting.

[teegre]

Stats are fun. Let’s look at a guy with whom we are familiar…

Ben as a rookie: 187 yards/game
Kenny as a rookie: 187 yards/game

Kenny = Ben … it’s science!!!

[polamalubeast]

another full season that includes more than 187 passing yds a game and more than 7 TD passes ...

i'm not shitting on Pickett , just sayin based on what i saw i'm not ready to predict huge things from him. he definitely showed improvement over the season but so did canadas offense. it still didnt raise my confidence in Canada. i dont need to see any more from him. Pickett wasnt throwing intermediate passes his first few starts. was that because those plays werent called or because he always took the safe stuff ? we still didnt get to see many deep balls.

lets put Picketts season in context.
i'm sure we can all agree that andy dalton is not really a good QB and the saints are not really a good team. dalton is a backup at best.

dalton threw the rock 378 times over 14 games.
pickett chucked it 389 times in 13 games.

dalton completed 66..7%
pickett 63%

dalton threw for 2871 yds for an avg of 7.6 yds.
pickett 2404 for 6.2

dalton threw 18 tds
pickett threw 7

dalton threw 9 picks
pickett threw 9 picks.

this is obviously an apples to oranges comparison because pickett is a rookie and dalton is a backup at the tail end of his career. this is just showing that a QB we would have lost our freakin minds over had he been brought in to be the starter, outplayed the guy you guys are already anointing as the franchise. had mitch taken all the snaps this season and had the same exact results on every play as pickett , we would be clamoring for a new QB. people would be pointing out the 7tds vs the 9 ints and saying they won IN SPITE of mitch.
the knock on pickett predraft was he is the most NFL ready, but has a low ceiling . he had a derrick carr comparison. obviously it would be silly to write him off after 13 games and the pedestrian stats this year , but i think it is also silly to claim him a franchise QB based on the same sample size. i draw the line after saying i expect him to be better in the future, but how much better remains to be seen. i'll let the people with the crystal balls and the black -n-gold glasses do the predicting.

You just look at the stats.You should watch more the game or at least the video in post 401 and 402 of this page.....

[86WARD]

another full season that includes more than 187 passing yds a game and more than 7 TD passes ...

i'm not shitting on Pickett , just sayin based on what i saw i'm not ready to predict huge things from him. he definitely showed improvement over the season but so did canadas offense. it still didnt raise my confidence in Canada. i dont need to see any more from him. Pickett wasnt throwing intermediate passes his first few starts. was that because those plays werent called or because he always took the safe stuff ? we still didnt get to see many deep balls.

lets put Picketts season in context.
i'm sure we can all agree that andy dalton is not really a good QB and the saints are not really a good team. dalton is a backup at best.

dalton threw the rock 378 times over 14 games.
pickett chucked it 389 times in 13 games.

dalton completed 66..7%
pickett 63%

dalton threw for 2871 yds for an avg of 7.6 yds.
pickett 2404 for 6.2

dalton threw 18 tds
pickett threw 7

dalton threw 9 picks
pickett threw 9 picks.

this is obviously an apples to oranges comparison because pickett is a rookie and dalton is a backup at the tail end of his career. this is just showing that a QB we would have lost our freakin minds over had he been brought in to be the starter, outplayed the guy you guys are already anointing as the franchise. had mitch taken all the snaps this season and had the same exact results on every play as pickett , we would be clamoring for a new QB. people would be pointing out the 7tds vs the 9 ints and saying they won IN SPITE of mitch.
the knock on pickett predraft was he is the most NFL ready, but has a low ceiling . he had a derrick carr comparison. obviously it would be silly to write him off after 13 games and the pedestrian stats this year , but i think it is also silly to claim him a franchise QB based on the same sample size. i draw the line after saying i expect him to be better in the future, but how much better remains to be seen. i'll let the people with the crystal balls and the black -n-gold glasses do the predicting.

But your comparing a rookie with a ton of upside in a proven suffocating offense, a veteran with tons and tons of downside (in the same offense) and a veteran who is close to retirement…

[DesertSteel]

another full season that includes more than 187 passing yds a game and more than 7 TD passes ...

i'm not shitting on Pickett , just sayin based on what i saw i'm not ready to predict huge things from him. he definitely showed improvement over the season but so did canadas offense. it still didnt raise my confidence in Canada. i dont need to see any more from him. Pickett wasnt throwing intermediate passes his first few starts. was that because those plays werent called or because he always took the safe stuff ? we still didnt get to see many deep balls.

lets put Picketts season in context.
i'm sure we can all agree that andy dalton is not really a good QB and the saints are not really a good team. dalton is a backup at best.

dalton threw the rock 378 times over 14 games.
pickett chucked it 389 times in 13 games.

dalton completed 66..7%
pickett 63%

dalton threw for 2871 yds for an avg of 7.6 yds.
pickett 2404 for 6.2

dalton threw 18 tds
pickett threw 7

dalton threw 9 picks
pickett threw 9 picks.

this is obviously an apples to oranges comparison because pickett is a rookie and dalton is a backup at the tail end of his career. this is just showing that a QB we would have lost our freakin minds over had he been brought in to be the starter, outplayed the guy you guys are already anointing as the franchise. had mitch taken all the snaps this season and had the same exact results on every play as pickett , we would be clamoring for a new QB. people would be pointing out the 7tds vs the 9 ints and saying they won IN SPITE of mitch.
the knock on pickett predraft was he is the most NFL ready, but has a low ceiling . he had a derrick carr comparison. obviously it would be silly to write him off after 13 games and the pedestrian stats this year , but i think it is also silly to claim him a franchise QB based on the same sample size. i draw the line after saying i expect him to be better in the future, but how much better remains to be seen. i'll let the people with the crystal balls and the black -n-gold glasses do the predicting.

<yawn>

[Mojouw]

Not sure if this goes here or in the fire Canada thread...but I can not find a worse rookie season TD# then what Pickett just turned in. Even Aikman had 9 in 11 games. Rosen had 11.

Ryan Leaf. Akili Smith?

Not saying that is who KP is...but that is how low-wattage this passing attack was. Like historically terrible.

[polamalubeast]

Not sure if this goes here or in the fire Canada thread...but I can not find a worse rookie season TD# then what Pickett just turned in. Even Aikman had 9 in 11 games. Rosen had 11.

Ryan Leaf. Akili Smith?

Not saying that is who KP is...but that is how low-wattage this passing attack was. Like historically terrible.

This offense have no big play and very yards after the catch...When they are in the red zone inside the 5,it was often a running play,the big reason why the steelers had 16 rushing TD

The steelers will need more big play next season,it will help a lot!

[Psycho Ward 86]

Kenny when throwing to Pickens connection: 139.7 passer rating (min. 50 targets).


That is the HIGHEST rating (min 50 targets) between a rookie QB-WR duo in NFL HISTORY

Hmm. Let's feed Pickens less than 5 targets a game.


CANADA LOGIC

[86WARD]

How does Diontae Johnson not get schemed open for a TD through 18 GAMES…???

People keep saying he’s a master at getting open…okay. Then why no TD? Because Matt Canada’s basic offense didn’t allow it.

[Craic]

All you guys “not sure” about KP need to remember he has been successful his rookie year despite a ridiculously bad OC and play designs. His big issues early were TO’s and he promptly cleaned those up. He makes accurate throws when needed. What else do you need to see?

Me being not sure has nothing to do with the OC or play designs. Instead, it's about

1. Time. Part of one season is way to little time to be sure long term about a rookie QB. Many QBs looked promising after their rookie year and then regressed or didn't develop.
2. Passing. I've beaten this horse to death and then came around with a new whip for a second round. But I want to see him hit guys in the numbers rather than above the head on mid-level throws
3. Elevating the players around him. Right now, he's putting the ball in positions to allow receivers to make great plays. But can he elevate the players around him? In other words, can he make the whole better than the sum of its parts. Ben was doing it for the O line with his quick releases. He did it for his receivers by extending plays earlier in his career and giving receivers a chance to work open. Pickett has shown glimpses of this. But before I am "sure" of him, I want to see more.

What I am sure of, however, is that he's earned the right to be the starting QB for the next two years to prove his can be the franchise QB we need.

[Mojouw]

Me being not sure has nothing to do with the OC or play designs. Instead, it's about

1. Time. Part of one season is way to little time to be sure long term about a rookie QB. Many QBs looked promising after their rookie year and then regressed or didn't develop.
2. Passing. I've beaten this horse to death and then came around with a new whip for a second round. But I want to see him hit guys in the numbers rather than above the head on mid-level throws
3. Elevating the players around him. Right now, he's putting the ball in positions to allow receivers to make great plays. But can he elevate the players around him? In other words, can he make the whole better than the sum of its parts. Ben was doing it for the O line with his quick releases. He did it for his receivers by extending plays earlier in his career and giving receivers a chance to work open. Pickett has shown glimpses of this. But before I am "sure" of him, I want to see more.

What I am sure of, however, is that he's earned the right to be the starting QB for the next two years to prove his can be the franchise QB we need.

In post #402 above, JT O'Sullivan (https://www.pro-football-reference.c...O/OSulJ.00.htm) has a detailed breakdown of all of the good things KP is doing but all of the meat he is leaving on the bone - so to speak. It echoes a lot of what you have been discussing.

[DesertSteel]

I’m not a Pitt fan so I only saw a couple of his games and some highlights. But I’ve seen enough this year to believe that his maturity and leadership will elevate him to an elite status within two years. He needs a good OC to play call to his strengths. I’m very bullish with my Kenny Pickett stock right now.

[Craic]

In post #402 above, JT O'Sullivan (https://www.pro-football-reference.c...O/OSulJ.00.htm) has a detailed breakdown of all of the good things KP is doing but all of the meat he is leaving on the bone - so to speak. It echoes a lot of what you have been discussing.

That's a good video. If I were to sum it up, it'd be: Pickett's doing pretty good, with some work and experience, he can do better and here's how. I would completely agree, and it's that next two years that will tell if he actually learns how. But again, I absolutely believe he's earned those next two years to prove himself.