Pickett Had A Pretty, Pretty, Prettaay Good Game!

[steelclan]

Unfortunately, this is the truth and you can't argue with it. At some point the stats are the stats and they will tell the whole picture. The video is the video, and most have seen Kenny's faults.

But I think there are a lot of folks asking for patience, because there are just these glimpses here and there, and KP8 puts it all together, and what we all see it is a pretty solid NFL QB. And Franco's point about context.

Why is it taking so long to use Warren properly? Why was the last drive so damn easy?

I just don't think it is Pickett!

All we are left with on Fury are unfulfilling pixel arguments and what ifs. If only we could do some true scientific studies like swap Purdy and Pickett, or swap Canada and Shanahan!

The last drive was mostly a bomb. My question for you is if the Ravens were playing a two high safety look do you think KP could've methodically moved the ball down the field to get a TD? He didn't do that once that game. He has down it twice all year.

I don't see how Ravens get in 2 high in that situation for the simple reason they were trying to take Steelers out of FG range. To do so they had to get pressure.

This is also a function of PS having a money kicker...so in a bizarre way you can thank Boz for Ravens blitzing.

Also? Ravens do not have a natural pass rush, so they have to bring ILBs or DBs to get pressure. That leaves them exposed. No teams have really taken advantage of that until yesterday. Not surprising given Ravens D played a rookie, 2 backs up QBs (one of whom was an overwhelmed rookie), a banged up Joe Burrows and KP.

Ravens zero blitzed earlier in the game and PS failed to deal with it, had they have done so? I think it was Austin running wide open down the field. Have to see all 22 though, not entirely sure.

[zeke5123]

Pickett did not have a good game. This is horseshit. How bad is it that folks see that performance and deem it good?

What the fuck game were you watching Orange?

Kenny had a pretty good game. You really have to grade on a bell curve with Canada!

I did not say he was a supernova.

224 yards passing in this offense is like 500 on the 49ers.

18 for 32 is pretty good with DJ and Muth out. Plus there were several drives starting inside the 20.

George Pickens had a monster game…6 for 130 yards and a TD. That is like the 15 catch game JaMarr Chase had on this team, when grading on the Canada bell curve.

But seriously go back and watch the game…Pickett had a ton of nice throws…several nice clutch throws, 3rd down conversion throws and such. Just no points. 15=32 points on the bell Canada curve.

Hence, my hypothesis that Warren could unlock this mess and help stitch these chains of plays together to form scoring drives in the first 37 minutes and 30 seconds of games if Canada could get out of his own way.

Pickett had a pretty good game!

He had maybe five good throws the entire game. So yes, if you change what constitutes a good game to "really bad but not Texans bad" then Pickett had a "good game." In the real world, he had a bad game.

[zeke5123]

Unfortunately, this is the truth and you can't argue with it. At some point the stats are the stats and they will tell the whole picture. The video is the video, and most have seen Kenny's faults.

But I think there are a lot of folks asking for patience, because there are just these glimpses here and there, and KP8 puts it all together, and what we all see it is a pretty solid NFL QB. And Franco's point about context.

Why is it taking so long to use Warren properly? Why was the last drive so damn easy?

I just don't think it is Pickett!

All we are left with on Fury are unfulfilling pixel arguments and what ifs. If only we could do some true scientific studies like swap Purdy and Pickett, or swap Canada and Shanahan!

The last drive was mostly a bomb. My question for you is if the Ravens were playing a two high safety look do you think KP could've methodically moved the ball down the field to get a TD? He didn't do that once that game. He has down it twice all year.

I don't see how Ravens get in 2 high in that situation for the simple reason they were trying to take Steelers out of FG range. To do they had to get pressure.

This is also a function of PS having a money kicker...so in a bizarre way you can thank Boz for Ravens blitzing.

Also? Ravens do not have a natural pass rush, so they have to bring ILBs or DBs to get pressure. That leaves them exposed. No teams have really taken advantage of that until yesterday. Not surprising given Ravens D played a rookie, 2 backs up QBs (one of whom was an overwhelmed rookie), a banged up Joe Burrows and KP.

Ravens zero blitzed earlier in the game and PS failed to deal with it, had they have done so? I think it was Austin running wide open down the field. Have to see all 22 though, not entirely sure.

I would gameplan zone coverage two against KP most of the time. He hasn't shown he can beat it. Obviously, you have to mix it up a bit.

[Orangesteel]

Lakecrest you are out of your mind. That wasn’t a “good game” by any reasonable measure.

[K_C_]

2 game winning drives vs the Ravens in a row.



Lamar, on the other hand.......not so much.

Me likey.

[franco32]

Context...coming off a bum knee against a good and physical defense...no run game support from Najee and that Oline for most of the game. No Muth or DJ.

Canada starts the game run run pass twice. Twice his receivers looked like they ran the wrong route.

Went no huddle and started to get flow and then went away from it.

Cole and Herbig were awful up until the end.

There is nuance here. No one is saying he's Danny Marino or even Ryan Tanneyhill at this point. But, I just see a lot of people ignoring context. I know why. We don't see outlier skills and we fear to death we will waste 4 years on this project. I get it. It's a concern for me too, but I do think we have to give the guy more than 17 games to prove himself.

Of all the criticisms against Kenny right now, I think the fairest is that he is not seeing the that well at times...especially against zone defenses. But, without looking at the all 22, I just don't know how much separation our guys are getting. Darnell Washington has been very disappointing. Allen Robinson really looks slow. Calvin Austin hasn't been integrated yet the way he should. That leaves it mostly all up to Pickens right now.

This is not a recipe for QB success gents.

[Deebo]

Seems many people made up their minds about Kenny before he took an NFL snap. And now they watch games and all they look for is evidence to confirm their opinion.

The reverse is also true. People are refusing to see KP's flaws and go to the extreme in defending him

KP has some things to improve. Unfortunately, this is a terrible environment for him to improve. He's in a shitty situation, but the times he ISN"T in a shitty situation he doesn't recognize it.

Put him in an offensive system that gets more out of him and you'd have, what? Early Steelers-career Tommy Maddox? Tommy had moxie for a while there.

I see Jake Plummer in that scenario

[yygy]

Pickett is 10-7 as a starter. It sometimes takes multiple seasons for highly touted first round qbs to get that many wins.

If you say it’s not Pickett then you have to give Tomlin credit for overall team strength. If you say it’s not that then you have to give Pickett credit.

I give both credit. Canada’s system is very likely the worst in the nfl. Outside of Pickens muth and maybe warren skill players are underperforming. OL has been extremely bad vs peers. Although there was a notable uptick vs the ravens. I think Herbig and Jones played better than the top of the chart. 3 sacks given up isn’t great but it’s better.

Speaking personally, if the Steelers didn’t draft a QB, I would probably be too bored to watch this. I’m pretty excited to see how this develops

[955876]

Saying Pickett played a pretty, pretty prettaay good game is like saying the 96 you shot on Sunday was pretty, pretty prettaay good because you birdied 18.

[yygy]

Saying Pickett played a pretty, pretty prettaay good game is like saying the 96 you shot on Sunday was pretty, pretty prettaay good because you birdied 18.

Not golfer myself but I think there’s something called a handicap. Canada and Tomlin give this offense like a +30 (is that a thing?)

The part I specifically applaud, is the Steelers went and got the young quarterback to build a team around. I know it goes against every fiber of the beings of Tomlin and art2 to do this. But Khan and Weidl give us chance and I’ll say it again I think Kenny is the right qb for this team now

[zeke5123]

Pickett is 10-7 as a starter. It sometimes takes multiple seasons for highly touted first round qbs to get that many wins.

If you say it’s not Pickett then you have to give Tomlin credit for overall team strength. If you say it’s not that then you have to give Pickett credit.

I give both credit. Canada’s system is very likely the worst in the nfl. Outside of Pickens muth and maybe warren skill players are underperforming. OL has been extremely bad vs peers. Although there was a notable uptick vs the ravens. I think Herbig and Jones played better than the top of the chart. 3 sacks given up isn’t great but it’s better.

Speaking personally, if the Steelers didn’t draft a QB, I would probably be too bored to watch this. I’m pretty excited to see how this develops

Easy schedule and some fluke wins. Shitty teams sometimes win.

[955876]

Not golfer myself but I think there’s something called a handicap. Canada and Tomlin give this offense like a +30 (is that a thing?)

You are on the right track but have it backwards. Really good golfers have plus handicaps.

For example, say your handicap is +3. That means on average you’ll shoot a 69 on a par 72 course.

+30 golfers don’t exist.

However, there are plenty of awful golfers with -30 handicaps. That means they get to subtract 30 stokes from their gross score.

You don’t want to golf with these types. Makes for a looooong and painful day. Much like watching the Steelers offense.

And much like the Steelers offense, these hacks will often pat themselves on the back when they have marginal success or something.

There is a sandbagger at my club that gets like 30 strokes. He often wins tournaments.

Hard to beat a guy who makes double bogey on a hole then brags about his net “birdie”.

Kind of like Jibbs chest bumping over one good drive even though his offense was non-existent for the other 58 minutes.

[Steelperch]

But i saw on the internet that the problem with our offense is Pickett needs to throw short of the sticks on 3rd down more often.

Nah, I saw he should take sacks on 3rd downs in FG range. That’s where the smart money is.

[StillerInCT]

Kenny isn’t perfect. His game yesterday wasn’t perfect…but starting Warren would be a tweak I’d implement immediately!

Jump out in front with Warren, then bring Harris in to close out the game. I think both running backs are equally valuable.

This. KP8 has that clutch gene. Patience Willow.

I just don't get why Canada and Tomlin can't see how stretching the field horizontally is a big boost to the running game. And then also Warren creates incredible pressure in the flats that probably will need to be solved with a double team. It is incredible pressure if they spied Warren, and then it is incredible pressure if they are covering that area with zone schemes....Warren can make CBs miss...1 person is not bringing him down.

This is a fireable offense!

We risk getting too many yards by doing this. There's also the possibility that we score too soon and too often. We need to mitigate any risk of being an NFL caliber offense.

[LakecrestSteeler]

Saying Pickett played a pretty, pretty prettaay good game is like saying the 96 you shot on Sunday was pretty, pretty prettaay good because you birdied 18.

LOL…5 under 3 man scramble from the blues. I did have a pretty pretty prettay nice pin seeker that won a skills competition 7’ 0”, but still 0-for in the hole in one department. The golf course was angry yesterday! They were steel ball bearings we were hitting yesterday. We don’t get the summer October Bay weather in Central PA!

Like I said we have to grade on the Canada curve. Anybody that has not adjusted an offense to start Warren at this point needs to be graded on the curve, because they are obviously bearing an albatross. If kick returns were a thing Warren should be back on those too.

The offense is close to stringing these multi-play outings into scoring drives. Will they do it…probably not. Canada doesn’t even see how Warren can unlock this offense…from quick starts in the game to at least flip field position, to then stretching the defense horizontally.

We may regress after the bye.

Kenny needs to work on his zone identification/deciphering as has been pointed out by many and me too. But still not certain those issues aren’t related to how he is being told to read the field.


I will continue to evaluate Kenny on the curve. We might be close to a breakthrough, but we might be close to fetal position, sucking on the thumb, in the corner, rocking back and forth too.

Hope springs slightly semi-seasonal!

[Mick]

But i saw on the internet that the problem with our offense is Pickett needs to throw short of the sticks on 3rd down more often.

Nah, I saw he should take sacks on 3rd downs in FG range. That’s where the smart money is.

down 5 in the 4th quarter you want to play for the field goal on 3rd and medium?

I mean, i hate a sack there, but in that situation i think you have to just hope your protection gives you the time to let your receivers at least get close to the sticks.

[Jtf]

I was at a golf tournament and missed the 1st 3 quarters of the game. Tuned in for the 4th quarter on a small muted TV in the clubhouse. Was dumbfounded by the score and assumed there were a lot of 3 and outs.

Got back home and watched the condensed version before hitting the hay, but was surprised at the lack of 3 and outs by the Steelers offense and may have missed this nugget had I watched the game in normal fashion.

The offense had a bunch of drives with several plays strung together. Kenny Pickett played well and was making plays, moving this offense, and moving the chains. They had the chemistry for the most part out on the field but there is an electron missing that allows atoms to chemically bond, making the element, the molecule, and the scoring chemical this team is seeking.

What or who is the electron that needs to head on out to the outer valence shell to make the magic happen?

The solution is so simple…find someone that can call the existing plays with a feel for the game and players.

Matt Canada can’t feel the difference between Harris and Warren!

This is the problem!

Warren is the electron that will stitch all these atoms and molecules into the scoring chemical! Canada and the RB coach are colossally bad at feeling what Warren is bringing to this offense. Warren stretches the field horizontally and unlocks the rest of the playbook. It is so obvious to anyone with eyes! Warren is the free electron! That doesn’t mean Harris needs to be benched or that he sucks; quite the opposite actually!

Harris is the closer. Warren is the opener!

This is the concise and elegant solution to the Steelers offensive woes.

Warren is Fast Willie Parker and Harris is Bettis!

If you didn’t see the artistry and wizardry on the play Warren jumped over the guy you deserve to be in an environment where 70,000 fans are chanting “Fire Canada”!

Warren’s highlight was actually an iconic NFL moment! It was the Bettis over Urlacher. It was Sander’s turning a sure tackle into sit and spin escape. It was greatness!

A hurdle to a spin to a stiff arm! It was sublime!

Matt Canada, Eddie Faulkner, and Mike Tomlin are ruining this team because they can’t comprehend why tweaking the philosophy to “Warren as the opener and Harris as the closer” will save this team!

Canada will still need to call plays with the proper electrons and be able to envision what needs to happen with Warren to unlock Pickett, Pickens and the ensuing onslaught of points and cohesiveness that would follow!

We need a new play caller!

Dude just stop. Stop man. You and that other guy get the all 22. Pay the extra money. He misses throws all over the field. He is mid. I know you love the Steelers and want to blame anybody but Kenny. But he is a slow processor. He does not throw with anticipation. He doesn’t throw guys open.

Now can you win with that?
With this defense yes. With this schedule ? Yes.
You can go maybe over 10 wins. It’s very possible.

Depends on what you want from your team I guess. This year it will be enough to make playoffs or get close. That isn’t bad.

[Kodiak.]

The Betty White of QBs....but, you know, the problems with the offense have everything to do with everyone BUT the QB

[jmacinwbp]

"I mean, i hate a sack there, but in that situation i think you have to just hope your protection gives you the time to let your receivers at least get close to the sticks."

Agree 100%, not too mention what do you think the general feel is in the stadium at that point, and what would have been the reaction there if he throws the ball to Heyward 6 yards short of the first down , then Heyward with his 4.9 speed gets tackled 2-3 yards short of the first, yielding yet another FG? Dumblin/canafraud football at its finest.

Not much happier, maybe more pissed than the sack. No doubt, it would have produced the typical Tomlin, Canada are brain dead for not calling plays that throw the ball to the sticks commentary.

You don't think KP8 can't feel that energy from the stands, and not feel pressure to do something for his D, and keep the drive going, instead of checkdown BS, that has low probability of getting the first? Go ahead and say he should have thrown the ball away, if the pass pro gives adequate time to do that, don't bitch about him not being check down Charley, e.g. rudolph in his short starting tenure. I can still hear those critiques of MR, in 2020.

How about some context, the Offense, and QB are desperate to get a TD at that point. If the Online does their job, maybe the QB is able to continue the drive for a much needed TD. Kind of like what happened about 6 minutes or so later when KP8 crushed every ratbird player, and their fans's hearts, with a beauty dropped right into Pickens hands. Sorta reminded me of Ben crushing that same team, coach, and fans, with a right sideline deep 58 yard pass to a young (believe rookie) AB, in the playoffs. Both were sweet!!!

[R_S]

The Canada Bell Curve. That's golden. Lol

[Steelperch]

But i saw on the internet that the problem with our offense is Pickett needs to throw short of the sticks on 3rd down more often.

Nah, I saw he should take sacks on 3rd downs in FG range. That’s where the smart money is.

down 5 in the 4th quarter you want to play for the field goal on 3rd and medium?

I mean, i hate a sack there, but in that situation i think you have to just hope your protection gives you the time to let your receivers at least get close to the sticks.

You sure he wouldn’t have run for the first down?


It’s a blitz. Pickett needs to be able to recognize that before the snap and take what the D gives him. Here he had two options.
1. Take the underneath route and hope Heyward can get the first down, if not kick the FG.
2. Hold the ball vs a 5 man pass rush and hope protection is perfect and try to complete a pass downfield.

Like I said, processing and the mental aspect of QB play is half the battle, Kenny took two sacks in FG range on 3rd and medium in the 4th quarter of a one score game. Do you really want to argue that was a good idea?

[steelclan]

Agree, with Perch. There was another play in similar circumstances were Washington was wide open underneath and Pickett held the ball and got sacked. When team blitzes like the Ravens do? You have to take what they give you and? As shown by Perch, Heyward had a ton of space to run into. When teams blitz there will be space so making an immediate hot read can really pay off.

[K_C_]

The Betty White of QBs....but, you know, the problems with the offense have everything to do with everyone BUT the QB

Nobody is saying Kenny is playing great by any means.

He's part of the problem.

....along with a terrible o-line which has the QB spooked and the RB's all but useless, receivers that can't get open (even Pickens, who I love, used the patented Plaxico Burress love shove to gain separation on the long TD pass) and......wait for it....the biggest problem being an OC who seems like he's trying to either get fired or get Pickett benched.

Just waiting for the moment that Mitch can come onto the field with his Superman cape on and take the offense to new heights!!

[steelclan]

The Betty White of QBs....but, you know, the problems with the offense have everything to do with everyone BUT the QB

Nobody is saying Kenny is playing great by any means.

He's part of the problem.

....along with a terrible o-line which has the QB spooked and the RB's all but useless, receivers that can't get open (even Pickens, who I love, used the patented Plaxico Burress love shove to gain separation on the long TD pass) and......wait for it....the biggest problem being an OC who seems like he's trying to either get fired or get Pickett benched.

Just waiting for the moment that Mitch can come onto the field with his Superman cape on and take the offense to new heights!!

Cole aside, the offensive line in pass pro was actually better than I expected it to be. Though they had issues with Ravens blitzes. That is also on Pickett. He needs to adjust protections when it is obvious Ravens are bringing the house. Plus he needs to anticipate that blitz and get the ball to the hot read (as Perch noted).

[K_C_]

The Betty White of QBs....but, you know, the problems with the offense have everything to do with everyone BUT the QB

Nobody is saying Kenny is playing great by any means.

He's part of the problem.

....along with a terrible o-line which has the QB spooked and the RB's all but useless, receivers that can't get open (even Pickens, who I love, used the patented Plaxico Burress love shove to gain separation on the long TD pass) and......wait for it....the biggest problem being an OC who seems like he's trying to either get fired or get Pickett benched.

Just waiting for the moment that Mitch can come onto the field with his Superman cape on and take the offense to new heights!!

Cole aside, the offensive line in pass pro was actually better than I expected it to be. Though they have issues with Ravens blitzes. That is also on Pickett. He needs to adjust protections when it is obvious Ravens are bringing the house. Plus he needs to anticipate that blitz and get the ball to the hot read (as Perch noted).

Herbig struggled like a motherfucker too. He looked like a matador. QB’s hate pressure in their face and with no DJ, no Freiermuth and no Austin, Kenny definitely didn’t handle that pressure well but Canada seemingly intentionally putting the guy in third and long all day is getting real old.

[Jizz Mop]

1st down passes to try and set up easier 2nd and 3rd down conversions is crazy talk

Run Najee into stacked box, 2 yards

2nd and 8, run Najee wide for 2 yard loss

3rd and 10, allowing D to be totally guessing pass and rush the passer

This is the kind of offensive strategy I’m looking for