Hall of Famer Calls Out Steelers' George Pickens

[Shoes]

If I were in the FO, I’d consider trading GP, possibly during the draft.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17, adding a third game to their losing streak and bringing up plenty of questions about the outlook for this team.

https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news...george-pickens

[86WARD]

So why does it have to be about Pickens “effort” and maybe that he got confused and just made a mistake?

Immediately after that play he was on the sidelines with Azzanni looking at the Windows version of the iPad.

But all anyone wants to say is that it was his effort? Imagine if he put forth effort with those one handed catches or fighting through two tacklers on his way to a TD that was short whistled.

[Mojouw]

So why does it have to be about Pickens “effort” and maybe that he got confused and just made a mistake?

Immediately after that play he was on the sidelines with Azzanni looking at the Windows version of the iPad.

But all anyone wants to say is that it was his effort? Imagine if he put forth effort with those one handed catches or fighting through two tacklers on his way to a TD that was short whistled.

Because people like easy answers that fit clickbait narratives.

[DesertSteel]

We’re listening to criticism from TO now? I closed the link as soon as I saw his name.

[Shoes]

My feelings about GP have nothing to do with what TO said, though TO doesn’t seem far off based on RW’s comments. GP seems to struggle regardless of whether he’s playing well or if things are going south for him or the team. I don’t think he’ll last long in the NFL, which is why I would be looking for a trade come draft time.

[86WARD]

Pickens probably needs to watch more film, maybe study harder with Wilson and Azzinni in general. Probably wouldn’t hurt to step up his work ethic but I don’t know that for a fact. But this story about his “effort” on that route is just a narrative that just isn’t true and the evidence was right there on TV.

When you trade Pickens, where that 1000 yards of production coming from? Van Jefferson? Calvin Austin?

Just another case of people praising and loving the hell out of a young Steelers receiver and then turning 180 and saying how bad they are. Been happening for yeeeeeeears…

Emmanuel Sanders
Mike Wallace
Martavis Bryant
Antonio Brown
Markus Wheaton
Plaxico Burress (x2)
Diontae Johnson
George Pickens

And it goes well before Sanders too.

The only one that survived it through the up and down and then back up again was Hines Ward.

[fansince'76]

SI couldn't find any takes from other HoF WRs with a bit more credibility than TO, who was the prototypical team cancer and absolutely wrecked every locker room he was a part of?

[86WARD]

SI couldn't find any takes from other HoF WRs with a bit more credibility than TO, who was the prototypical team cancer and absolutely wrecked every locker room he was a part of?

Takes one to know one “take”???

[DesertSteel]

Pickens probably needs to watch more film, maybe study harder with Wilson and Azzinni in general. Probably wouldn’t hurt to step up his work ethic but I don’t know that for a fact. But this story about his “effort” on that route is just a narrative that just isn’t true and the evidence was right there on TV.

When you trade Pickens, where that 1000 yards of production coming from? Van Jefferson? Calvin Austin?

Just another case of people praising and loving the hell out of a young Steelers receiver and then turning 180 and saying how bad they are. Been happening for yeeeeeeears…

Emmanuel Sanders
Mike Wallace
Martavis Bryant
Antonio Brown
Markus Wheaton
Plaxico Burress (x2)
Diontae Johnson
George Pickens

And it goes well before Sanders too.

The only one that survived it through the up and down and then back up again was Hines Ward.

Goes all the way back to when Al Gore invented the internet. You make a very valid point. That said, this team needs to take at least 2 receivers in the draft. With the first one being in round one.

[Shoes]

Goes all the way back to when Al Gore invented the internet. You make a very valid point. That said, this team needs to take at least 2 receivers in the draft. With the first one being in round one.

It will be interesting to see how they address the quarterback situation. However, a wide receiver is indeed a major need.

[tube517]

SI couldn't find any takes from other HoF WRs with a bit more credibility than TO, who was the prototypical team cancer and absolutely wrecked every locker room he was a part of?

Yeah they should ask AB !!!

[Mojouw]

People like to use Canada to excuse some things and then ignore it for others.

If Canada didn’t design NFL level plays and did no teaching on overall concepts as multiple former Steelers have alleged, then Pickens is basically starting his NFL education this year.

I don’t think it was lack of effort, I think he just blew an assignment.

George Pickens, this year, seems to play harder than anyone save Harris and Frazier on offense.

[fansince'76]

Yeah they should ask AB !!!

'Cause wreckin' locker rooms and tossing furniture off balconies is how you be great!

[86WARD]

People like to use Canada to excuse some things and then ignore it for others.

If Canada didn’t design NFL level plays and did no teaching on overall concepts as multiple former Steelers have alleged, then Pickens is basically starting his NFL education this year.

I don’t think it was lack of effort, I think he just blew an assignment.

George Pickens, this year, seems to play harder than anyone save Harris and Frazier on offense.

Good points.

[Shoes]

Yeah they should ask AB !!!

Maybe they should! To AB's credit, he didn't start as a head case, we all know that. No one worked harder, played harder, or was as dependable as he was. When Ben passed the ball in his direction, you just expected a big play—and more often than not, that's exactly what happened. Then things took a turn for the worse. That’s the pattern to follow, minus the head stuff!

[86WARD]

Maybe they should! To AB's credit, he didn't start as a head case, we all know that. No one worked harder, played harder, or was as dependable as he was. When Ben passed the ball in his direction, you just expected a big play—and more often than not, that's exactly what happened. Then things took a turn for the worse. That’s the pattern to follow, minus the head stuff!

According to his father he has always been an asshole like that.

[hawaiiansteeler]

We’re listening to criticism from TO now? I closed the link as soon as I saw his name.

That was my first thought also.

Dripping with irony...

[tube517]

Maybe they should! To AB's credit, he didn't start as a head case, we all know that. No one worked harder, played harder, or was as dependable as he was. When Ben passed the ball in his direction, you just expected a big play—and more often than not, that's exactly what happened. Then things took a turn for the worse. That’s the pattern to follow, minus the head stuff!

He had issues in college. They just went under the radar until he got bashed in the head.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

[Shoes]

According to his father he has always been an asshole like that.

He had issues in college. They just went under the radar until he got bashed in the head.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

That is certainly possible and it may have been inherited from his father or the hit from Burfict. However, if that is the case it at least shows AB's mental and physical toughness during his early and peak years in Pittsburgh. He had the toughness to become the best wide receiver the Steelers have ever had, and he made a lot of money. Both qualities( mental and physical toughness) are needed for success in the NFL, imo. Unfortunately, he removed the pressure bandage from his head when he reached the top.

[Steel Peon]

Why is TO in the HOF? No idea. Why ISN'T Hines Ward in the HOF? Because the Hall kinda sucks sometimes, and I can give no credence to anything TO says just because he's a HOFer. While it's true that Pickens is a bit of a head case, his supporting cast on offense is a bit suspect, which unfortunately now includes Friermuth, who hasn't come close to what I'd consider to be earning his large contract. There's plenty of blame to go around without singling out Pickens.

[El Kabong]

Emmanuel Sanders
Mike Wallace
Martavis Bryant
Antonio Brown
Markus Wheaton
Plaxico Burress (x2)
Diontae Johnson
George Pickens

There were reasons for criticizing each of these guys.

[DesertSteel]

There were reasons for criticizing each of these guys.

It goes with the position. There are very few Larry Fitzgerald’s.

[86WARD]

There were reasons for criticizing each of these guys.

All guys the fans were loving and couldn’t care less about the last guy, until that changed…lol

[EzraTank]

So why does it have to be about Pickens “effort” and maybe that he got confused and just made a mistake?

Immediately after that play he was on the sidelines with Azzanni looking at the Windows version of the iPad.

But all anyone wants to say is that it was his effort? Imagine if he put forth effort with those one handed catches or fighting through two tacklers on his way to a TD that was short whistled.

Or imagine if we ever hired a f'n offensive coordinator that knew how to draw up routes so guys didn't always have to make a circus catch or a catch in traffic. Imagine having an offense where guys actually got wide open like every team seems to have no problem doing against us.

- - - Updated - - -

SI couldn't find any takes from other HoF WRs with a bit more credibility than TO, who was the prototypical team cancer and absolutely wrecked every locker room he was a part of?

Well in their defense Nate Burleson said the same thing TO said, right after the play happened.

[Steeldude]

When you trade Pickens, where that 1000 yards of production coming from? Van Jefferson? Calvin Austin?

Draft, free agency, trade.

[Shoes]

Draft, free agency, trade.

I agree, but for a #1, my focus would be on the draft. The Steelers have consistently proven they’re very good at drafting WRs.

[86WARD]

Draft, free agency, trade.

Roman Wilson, Van Jefferson, Mike Williams.

How’s that working out for you?

[86WARD]

I agree, but for a #1, my focus would be on the draft. The Steelers have consistently proven they’re very good at drafting WRs.

Are they though?

Go back 18 years worth to 2006:

Santonio Holmes - Hit
Willie Reid - Miss
Dallas Baker - Miss
Limas Swede - Miss
Mike Wallace - Hit
Emmanuel Sanders - Hit
Antonio Brown - Hit
Toney Clemons - Miss
Justin Brown - Miss
Markus Wheaton - Miss
Dri Archer - Miss
Martavis Bryant - Hit*
Sammie Coates - Miss
Demarcus Ayers - Miss
Juju Smith-Schuster - Hit*
James Washington - Miss
Diontae Johnson - Hit*
Chase Claypool - Miss
George Pickens - Hit
Calvin Austin - Hit

Basically less than 50/50. Guys with * we’re only good when with Pittsburgh so are they really a “Hit”? Counting them as a hit for the Steelers though. So they hit on 9/20. Wouldn’t say they are very good at it. The 9 that they found were pretty good in Pittsburgh for multiple years and replaced one another.

[Mojouw]

https://steelersdepot.com/2024/12/wo...-interception/

FWIW,

Reid himself says he was never going to rotate to the backside WR. He was taking middle of the field all the way.

Assuming we should take Reid at his word, this was one Smith and Wilson.

Just more reason to not buy the easy soap opera narrative. Reality is usually more complicated.

[ALLD]

My guess is unless more talent is added in the offseason that Pickens will ask for a trade. I would. He is clearly frustrated and other players have called out fellow Steelers for not being in position to execute.

The Steelers could trade him to the Bears for a high 1st round pick and bring in some veteran talent.

If Pickens could temper his frustration with medical herbs maybe he would not get so bitchy?