George Pickens 2023

[Jizz Mop]

If George doesn’t hit at least 70 receptions and at least 1,000 yards AND at least 6-8 TD’s, the reason will be:

Pickett

Canada

Pickens lack of ability

Pickens lack of maturity

Other

Personally Team Jizz Mop is expecting the following stat line:

75 for 1,100 and 7 TDS

Am I being a Homer or does anyone see that as a possibility?

JM

[Kodiak.]

If George doesn’t hit at least 70 receptions and at least 1,000 yards AND at least 6-8 TD’s, the reason will be:

He's gifted at tracking & winning 50/50 balls. But reports last year said his route running needed a lot of work. And in an offense that really doesn't like the middle of the field, you just have to be that much better with defenses shading the U.

As I've said before, we've not seen receivers make significant strides since Mann retired after 2017.

Some are already penciling Pickens in as a superstar, and I'm saying he has a ways to go, and there will be growing pains. And, historically, the Steelers have been content for the X to run like 2 routes, so this probably isn't the offense and coaching staff to maximize his talent.

We'll see if he's good enough to rise above the mediocrity on the sidelines.

[Jizz Mop]

If George doesn’t hit at least 70 receptions and at least 1,000 yards AND at least 6-8 TD’s, the reason will be:

He's gifted at tracking & winning 50/50 balls. But reports last year said his route running needed a lot of work. And in an offense that really doesn't like the middle of the field, you just have to be that much better with defenses shading the U.

As I've said before, we've not seen receivers make significant strides since Mann retired after 2017.

Some are already penciling Pickens in as a superstar, and I'm saying he has a ways to go, and there will be growing pains. And, historically, the Steelers have been content for the X to run like 2 routes, so this probably isn't the offense and coaching staff to maximize his talent.

We'll see if he's good enough to rise above the mediocrity on the sidelines.

Here’s to hoping his route running has steadily improved during the end of last season, and continues to improve through camp and preseason.

I think the talent is there

[Jobu]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... i=89978449

This is one man’s take…doesn’t mean it’ll happen, but expecting that success on 50/50s to continue is probably a bit naive.

[Kodiak.]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... i=89978449

This is one man’s take…doesn’t mean it’ll happen, but expecting that success on 50/50s to continue is probably a bit naive.

Geez, I made that comment earlier based on past perceptions with Wallace, Bryant, etc...These numbers are astounding for a rookie, and I wouldn't have guessed it was quite so unbalanced:

"The rookie ran 176 vertical routes last season (go/fades), 39 more than the next-highest receiver in the NFL, according to Sports Info Solutions. Nearly a third of his routes last season were nine routes down the sideline, making him a bit predictable."

[SteelPro]

If George doesn’t hit at least 70 receptions and at least 1,000 yards AND at least 6-8 TD’s, the reason will be:

He's gifted at tracking & winning 50/50 balls. But reports last year said his route running needed a lot of work. And in an offense that really doesn't like the middle of the field, you just have to be that much better with defenses shading the U.

As I've said before, we've not seen receivers make significant strides since Mann retired after 2017.

Some are already penciling Pickens in as a superstar, and I'm saying he has a ways to go, and there will be growing pains. And, historically, the Steelers have been content for the X to run like 2 routes, so this probably isn't the offense and coaching staff to maximize his talent.

We'll see if he's good enough to rise above the mediocrity on the sidelines.

Here’s to hoping his route running has steadily improved during the end of last season, and continues to improve through camp and preseason.

I think the talent is there

He should be stellar running his routes. The whole playbook only has 4 of them. Not like he has a lot to perfect.

[Jizz Mop]

So the answer to that article is have less contested attempts/catches.

How about we scheme him open better? Or perhaps he develops into a better route running? Larger route tree?

I’m biased since I started this thread, but the talent is apparent.

And also….no one is predicting what his stat line WILL be….

Please go right ahead

[Mick]

I think i had him cracking the 1K mark, maybe 1020 yards, 6 TDs?

[SteelerDayTrader]

Lolololz

Some absolute facts for you:

1) Pickens is easily the best football player on this team. The only player that might surpass him is DW. He easily could end up as the best WR in the NFL

2) Including this year he has exactly 3 years left as a Steeler. Enjoy him while you can. The Steelers won’t even try to make a serious run at him.

3) What the Steelers will do is continue an extremely limited scheme and overwhelmingly have him run go routes down the sideline

4) If you think the Steelers are truly going to do anything different I don’t know what to tell you. Lol. Lucy isn’t gonna take the ball away from Charlie Brown ??? Lol. Jerome Bettis is in the best shape of his career !!!!! Lolololz

[Ice]

With the cap going up, and Heyward's contract coming off the books around the same time, I could see them having the money to have a go at Pickens when his contract's up. He's as prominent in their marketing efforts as Najee at this point, which gives me at least a hint that they'd be interested.

[SteelerDayTrader]

With the cap going up, and Heyward's contract coming off the books around the same time, I could see them having the money to have a go at Pickens when his contract's up. He's as prominent in their marketing efforts as Najee at this point, which gives me at least a hint that they'd be interested.

Never gonna happen. Not in this Rooney’s lifetime

[Ice]

Never is a mighty long time.

[SteelerDayTrader]

Never is a mighty long time.

Stallworth
Swann
Ward

Those are the WRs who were impact players the Steelers made a big commitment to and they worked out well

Antonio Brown

That’s the wide WR the Steelers committed to who was an impact player that didn’t work out well.


Prior to those four ??

Maybe Buddy Dial ?? Ray Mathews ?? in the 60s ??


The Steelers are completely and totally clueless about the WR position in general in much the same way they are at QB

So much so that you can make a case their rare success at those spots has been luck as much as anything else

Unless Pickens starts making regular highlight reel blocks he won’t be here long unfortunately

[Ice]

So, you're saying maybe once every 10 years or so, and it'll have been about 10ish years since AB, so, you know, there's a chance. Sounds like "never" is more like "not very often."

Would like to see more out of Pickens before a long term commitment, but if they worked out a C$2 for DJ, they can probably find a few bucks for a young fan favorite they've been driving marketing around if he continues on his trajectory.

[SteelerDayTrader]

So, you're saying maybe once every 10 years or so, and it'll have been about 10ish years since AB, so, you know, there's a chance. Sounds like "never" is more like "not very often."

Would like to see more out of Pickens before a long term commitment, but if they worked out a C$2 for DJ, they can probably find a few bucks for a young fan favorite they've been driving marketing around if he continues on his trajectory.

Not what I’m saying

[Ice]

Another pertinent question might be, who exactly were the great WRs the Steelers let get away? Maybe Yancey Thigpen? He didn't set the world on fire after leaving. Burress maybe had more post-Pittsburgh success than Yancey, but it was hardly HOF caliber. I guess an argument could be made for Emmanuel Sanders, he (and Mike Wallace) put up a solid career, but I don't think anybody's going to confuse it with Stallworth, Swann, Ward or AB. Other than that, what, Louis Lipps? He was actually in Pittsburgh a while. Juju?

It seems to me that when they see a really good thing, they go all in, and have let go of the merely good when it was time to cut bait. Again, we don't know how things will pan out for Pickens the next couple years, but if he keeps building on last year, he'll get a C$2 in Pittsburgh.

[RemoAZ]

I don't have a lot of criticism with how they've handled receivers over the year. They gave Brown the contract over Wallace and that was clearly the right decision. Would have loved for them to keep both but not sure that was possible. Burress was a head case and freaking shot himself. Sanders had too many drops. I wouldn't have sunk a lot of money into him. What I would have liked them to do, and I don't know if they had something in place or if it is even possible, is have some type of counseling professional, whether it be one person or a staff to work with some of these guys. Could someone have got to Brown early in his career and help steer him to maturity/mental stability or whatever you want to call it? Could someone have helped Martavis? It seems like Pickens could use some direction on how he deals with not getting the ball. Personalities are getting more and more fragile. I think teams are going to need to invest in shrinks, kind of like Ted Lasso. The hard part will be getting players to embrace it.

[Scunge]

Pickens had 52 catches for 801 yards, 15.4 avg, and 4 TDs, with 3 carries for 24 yards and 1 TD.

Now, remember, he wasn't a full-time starter from day one last season. He played in 17 games, but only had 12 starts, and he missed out on probably some 150 offensive snaps. Pickens had only 882 snaps last year, Diontae Johnson had 1,043 snaps.

That 150 snaps difference is like being on the football field for 2.5 games. If George had been in the games for 150 more snaps, what might he have ended up with last season? I think easily over 1,000 yards.

This year I see him getting those 1,000 offensive snaps and I think at minimum he should have 75 catches, 1180 yards, 9 TDs.

I think this team has too many mouths to feed to have one single player have insane AB production. And I don't know if that is even something to aspire to quite frankly. When Ben was throwing for 5,000 yards, Bell was doing his thing, 80+ catches, and AB having 1,800 yards, where was the bling?? None of those players got a Super Bowl ring with that glitzy production.

I was critical of Pickens last season for a couple things. One, I did not like his preoccupation with making even a simple catch more difficult. One play over the middle, the ball came to him, and he placed his hands in a position as if he were unscrewing a jar of pickles. He caught the ball, but it was the strangest routine catch that I have ever seen. It doesn't have to be that difficult.

Also, yards after the catch. You are allowed to continue running after the catch. Too often he was content to catch the ball and show off, look at how I caught the ball, wasn't that the most beautiful catch you have ever seen? Yeah, how about running with the ball after you catch it?? How about eluding some would be tacklers, how about getting yourself in the end zone for the TD?? Pickens averaged 2 yards AFTER the catch. That is almost like catching the ball and getting immediately tackled.

Pickens is raw and he needs to refine his route running, work on his elusiveness and run after the catch skills, and realize sometimes you need to just catch the ball cleanly and not make it more difficult to show off how great you are.

[Kodiak.]

Also, some of the WR stuff is a function of paying Ben top-5 QB money most of the past decade. And Ben made receivers.

If they had a lesser QB not making franchise money, then maybe they would have re-signed a few of those receivers.

And the Steelers MO, even when they extend a guy early and give him that pay day, they almost always stay in line with those final year rookie numbers and the new big money comes in extension years. That means, counting this year, we're 4-5 years away from Pickett carrying a big cap number. Assuming he does, in fact, end-up being a franchise QB.

DJ has a lot to prove this year. I'm not as down on him as others, but based off last year he's going to be overpaid as a FA and the Steelers would probably be wise to let him walk and likely grab an R3 comp for him. And it will be an easy decision IF Austin III does, well basically anything and, more importantly, Pickens takes the next step.

So if Pickens emerges as a #1, and Austin can lock down #3, then it's an easy choice to let DJ walk. And Allen Robinson could be a wildcard. Otherwise, they'll draft another early/mid round receiver to compete with Austin for #2.

Not a bad problem to have. Also, I think this offense would like to feature a lot more 2 TE's. Or, at least, there will be a good bit less 3-4 WR sets in favor of 2 TE or 2 RB sets. They're apparently experimenting with lining Austin up as a RB, and I'm not sure what Little Heyward is but I think he's in the mix. It may be a neanderthal offense, but it also pretty clearly makes DJ expendable if other receivers step up as expected.

[Ice]

As far as DJ goes, in terms of getting a serious deal from Pittsburgh (and I'm also a bigger supporter of his than most), he really needed to have a big year last year, they gave him a lot of opportunities for it, in terms of targets, and he pretty much blew it.

Even if he comes through with an improvement or bounce back this year, in terms of the consistency you're looking for with a long-term deal, he won't have demonstrated it. Sad, because he's got potential and talent, but it's hard to see him as part of the future anymore.

Historically (because we've been going there), he's played his way into that Manny Sanders-ish territory, which probably won't be good enough for a C$3. They did, however, give him the chance. They'll follow the same strategy with Pickens.

Robinson was a really nice little signing, as a vet presence (Pickens/Austin) and a hedge against inconsistency (DJ) or injury (Austin).

[DP39]

What I would have liked them to do, and I don't know if they had something in place or if it is even possible, is have some type of counseling professional, whether it be one person or a staff to work with some of these guys. Could someone have got to Brown early in his career and help steer him to maturity/mental stability or whatever you want to call it? Could someone have helped Martavis? It seems like Pickens could use some direction on how he deals with not getting the ball. Personalities are getting more and more fragile. I think teams are going to need to invest in shrinks, kind of like Ted Lasso. The hard part will be getting players to embrace it.

While I don't disagree with the idea, it won't happen under Tomlin's watch -- it's not in his makeup. He grew up like a lot of these inner-city (skill) players, and grown-ass (black) men don't handle their business that way; they just don't.

All you have to ask yourself is: would Shaft talk to a Therapist? There's your answer.

[Ice]

Additionally, I think Tomlin likes the idea of himself in the "molder of young men" role way too much to turn it over to someone else, or seek help with it. Just like he does with the OC and DC jobs, and probably GM if he could. Gotta love a massive ego.

[COR-TEN]

What I would have liked them to do, and I don't know if they had something in place or if it is even possible, is have some type of counseling professional, whether it be one person or a staff to work with some of these guys. Could someone have got to Brown early in his career and help steer him to maturity/mental stability or whatever you want to call it? Could someone have helped Martavis? It seems like Pickens could use some direction on how he deals with not getting the ball. Personalities are getting more and more fragile. I think teams are going to need to invest in shrinks, kind of like Ted Lasso. The hard part will be getting players to embrace it.

While I don't disagree with the idea, it won't happen under Tomlin's watch -- it's not in his makeup. He grew up like a lot of these inner-city (skill) players, and grown-ass (black) men don't handle their business that way; they just don't.

All you have to ask yourself is: would Shaft talk to a Therapist? There's your answer.

Do you actually believe the steelers - and in your opinion, tomlin - don't have psychiatrists/ therapists/ specialists/ counselors on staff because Tomlin, as a black man, doesn't "handle his business" that way?

The NFL and individual organizations are a multibillion dollar business. Do you actually think the steelers ignore requirements that big business sets up for its talent? Really? I would be flabbergasted if the steelers organization didn't explore all possible assistance as a baseline like every other big business. Whether or not it sticks is another discussion.

[tbsteel]

Pickens is an elite talent. I thought he was our best WR the second he walked onto the the locker room. Route running is usually the biggest thing WRs coming from college have to work on. Shoot, I remember the scouting reports on AB coming out of Central Michigan highlighting his route running as a weakness, and he ended up being one of the best route runners I've ever seen. Pickens has the ability. He's got small man footwork in a big body and plenty of quick twitch movements.

As for being able to keep him, let's worry about that a couple of years from now. We have no idea what our cap will look like at that point, or if we'll even be re-signing Kenny or looking for a new QB at that point. I suspect that if Kenny and Pickens build a dynamic rapport that they'll do what they can to try and lock both of them up long-term, but how Kenny and team perform this year is obviously TBD.

[Deebo]

What I would have liked them to do, and I don't know if they had something in place or if it is even possible, is have some type of counseling professional, whether it be one person or a staff to work with some of these guys. Could someone have got to Brown early in his career and help steer him to maturity/mental stability or whatever you want to call it? Could someone have helped Martavis? It seems like Pickens could use some direction on how he deals with not getting the ball. Personalities are getting more and more fragile. I think teams are going to need to invest in shrinks, kind of like Ted Lasso. The hard part will be getting players to embrace it.

While I don't disagree with the idea, it won't happen under Tomlin's watch -- it's not in his makeup. He grew up like a lot of these inner-city (skill) players, and grown-ass (black) men don't handle their business that way; they just don't.

All you have to ask yourself is: would Shaft talk to a Therapist? There's your answer.

Do you actually believe the steelers - and in your opinion, tomlin - don't have psychiatrists/ therapists/ specialists/ counselors on staff because Tomlin, as a black man, doesn't "handle his business" that way?

The NFL and individual organizations are a multibillion dollar business. Do you actually think the steelers ignore requirements that big business sets up for its talent? Really? I would be flabbergasted if the steelers organization didn't explore all possible assistance as a baseline like every other big business. Whether or not it sticks is another discussion.

I think the NFLPA also provides counselors/therapists if the player doesn't like their options within the team.

[DP39]

What I would have liked them to do, and I don't know if they had something in place or if it is even possible, is have some type of counseling professional, whether it be one person or a staff to work with some of these guys. Could someone have got to Brown early in his career and help steer him to maturity/mental stability or whatever you want to call it? Could someone have helped Martavis? It seems like Pickens could use some direction on how he deals with not getting the ball. Personalities are getting more and more fragile. I think teams are going to need to invest in shrinks, kind of like Ted Lasso. The hard part will be getting players to embrace it.

While I don't disagree with the idea, it won't happen under Tomlin's watch -- it's not in his makeup. He grew up like a lot of these inner-city (skill) players, and grown-ass (black) men don't handle their business that way; they just don't.

All you have to ask yourself is: would Shaft talk to a Therapist? There's your answer.

Do you actually believe the steelers - and in your opinion, tomlin - don't have psychiatrists/ therapists/ specialists/ counselors on staff because Tomlin, as a black man, doesn't "handle his business" that way?

The NFL and individual organizations are a multibillion dollar business. Do you actually think the steelers ignore requirements that big business sets up for its talent? Really? I would be flabbergasted if the steelers organization didn't explore all possible assistance as a baseline like every other big business. Whether or not it sticks is another discussion.

I should have been more clear. I wouldn't be surprised at all that teams (including the Steelers) have some type of p/t/s/c on staff for all employees, it's just that I'm fairly confident that Tomlin isn't wired that way (like Ted Lasso, in the example). So, while it may (probably does) exist, it's not something he would push/encourage. I know the families/streets/community he comes from (much like many of the skill players, which is probably 92%+ black men) very well and it's just not in their DNA (especially the tuff, strong, men) to use those services. There is a certain amount of open-mindedness needed to take that step -- to overcome the trust and fear issues in making yourself vulnerable to that type of service.

On a side note, speaking of trust/fear, one thing I think Tomlin does extremely well for his players is create a very trusting locker room/training/practice area (think of his strong affinity for men bonding in the dorms of Saint Vincent). He knows exactly how many of these guys think and feel...because he lived a lot of it growing up. It's why SO MANY black men in the NFL love them some Mikey T. They relate to him and are more open to trusting him -- even if, at times, they maybe shouldn't for the betterment of their particular career/winning. From an X's and O's/strategy/game management/philosophy standpoint, Tomlin (as a HC) has shown, time and time again, he's below the line, if you will. It's why I use the term "the blind leading the blind" with him, and often say his perfect job would be leading the local, inner-city Boys and Girls Club!

When it comes to opening yourself up to appearing (not my view, but many of theirs) vulnerable (and possibly weak -- again, not my view), black men from the inner-city streets are way, way less likely to take that leap or even encourage it to others. I also recognized our younger generations are softer, more touchy-feely (or whatever you want to call it), so people in general are becoming more open to using those services. But MT is not of that era, and the group of younger men least likely to use (or be open to) those services are probably tough, less educated, single parent (if at all, really (with babies (teenaged women) raising babies for the most part)), inner-city, black men. I'm not saying folks can't change, but from where that group starts it is quite a leap compared to much of society -- especially the group(s) you may be more familiar with, that's all.

In my first post, I should have probably included the old adage: you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

[Rod & Wire Mill]

Question: Wasn’t Pickens about a year out from acl surgery last season? Wouldn’t that perhaps impact sharp cuts and other moves In more refined rout running and even have an effect on yac? Solution: Maybe run straight line until the rebuilt knee is more comfortable with attempting world-class maneuverability? Maybe even Devin Bush (and I’m far from a fan) would have shown out ok just running in a required straight line.

Also, Pickens, despite getting here from a National Champion, still missed the better part of a year of development. I’m solidly in the ‘wait and see’ camp with reasonably high hopes.

In my seventies, I’ve had a gimpy limpy knee since high school, with two subsequent major injuries and one catastrophic. Finally having the replacement ten years ago, I can’t imagine what it would take to compete as a world class athlete even with today’s surgical and therapy advancements.

[Thrillsseeker]

Question: Wasn’t Pickens about a year out from acl surgery last season? Wouldn’t that perhaps impact sharp cuts and other moves In more refined rout running and even have an effect on yac? Solution: Maybe run straight line until the rebuilt knee is more comfortable with attempting world-class maneuverability? Maybe even Devin Bush (and I’m far from a fan) would have shown out ok just running in a required straight line.

Also, Pickens, despite getting here from a National Champion, still missed the better part of a year of development. I’m solidly in the ‘wait and see’ camp with reasonably high hopes.

In my seventies, I’ve had a gimpy limpy knee since high school, with two subsequent major injuries and one catastrophic. Finally having the replacement ten years ago, I can’t imagine what it would take to compete as a world class athlete even with today’s surgical and therapy advancements.

Absolutely it would!