Pickens Questionable

[swissvale72]

I realize this may be a questionable judgement, but I'm not sure that having Pickens out is a bad thing. This makes "our favorite coach" /s have to play other receivers. It forces the O.C. to use his delighted T.E.s. If this team does make it into the playoffs ("Playoffs? Playoffs?") then having a slightly seasoned receiving corps would be a good thing.

I don't think it's a good thing, steelhead, but I'm getting a little confident about this trip of games upcoming. To me, it's getting an 08 vibe ("it's a 5-star matchup...cuz we in it"-James farrior). I think Mike Williams comes up big, reasonable replacement for GP...and...this is where we reap the benefit of Tomlins skill...his prep during the week and his "exceedingly well developed line of bullshit." I think Steelers, at WORST, take 2 of the next 3.

[955876]

I realize this may be a questionable judgement, but I'm not sure that having Pickens out is a bad thing. This makes "our favorite coach" /s have to play other receivers. It forces the O.C. to use his delighted T.E.s. If this team does make it into the playoffs ("Playoffs? Playoffs?") then having a slightly seasoned receiving corps would be a good thing.

I’m leaning this way as well in a way to be optimistic bout the situation.

One thing Tomlin has shown over the years is that he can’t get too comfy and reliant on his big time players making big time plays. When they don’t, the entire ship sinks.

Think a good DC isn’t going to have a plan for GP come playoff time?

Just like a good OC will have a plan for TJ.

Up to Tomlin/Smith to utilize scheme and multiple receivers to beat the defense rather then hey George, run down the sideline and make a circus catch for us here.

This is also the best game for him to miss on our remaining schedule.

[bradshaw2ben]

I did the playoff generator

Best I can tell the Steelers will win the division and take the 3 seed as long as they finish 2-2 including a win over either Ravens or Bengals. Obviously if they beat the Ravens or Ravens lose any of there other games there odds go up quite a bit.

Overall it looks like tiebreakers favor the steelers as long as they have the same division record as Ravens. Gonna be a stressful end to the season.

Hopefully they don't have to rest Pickens too long

If they beat the Ravens they lock up the division no matter what else happens.

[anpsteel]

This is regarding Roman Wilson

Joe Starkey of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette offered this update in his most recent mailbag:

The last I spoke with Ray Fittipaldo, one of our Steelers writers, he told me he did not expect to see Wilson at all this season… When you draft a guy 84th overall, you expect to see him, especially in times of need. And with George Pickens facing an uncertain immediate future, this week would appear to be one of those times.

On the other hand, it doesn’t take much detective work to conclude that Wilson did not exactly make a huge positive impression on Tomlin. I’m not even sure Tomlin has left the light on for him.

It doesn't sound even remotely positive.

Shitty draft pick is shitty

I simply don't buy it.

Wilson dominated on the best college football team just one year ago.

Dude is 5'11", 185 and ran a 4.39 at the combine. Was JJ McCarthy's favorite target at UM and made countless big catches for Michigan against basically everybody they played.

Wilson was known to have some of the best hands in the draft and was about as good at getting open as any WR in the draft.....and Mike Tomlin can't find a way to help make this kid successful?

Yeah...not buying it at all.

2023: Second-team All-Big Ten Conference. Team's Co-Offensive Skill Player of the Year. Led the team with 48 receptions, 789 receiving yards (16.4 per). Tied for ninth in the FBS with 12 receiving TDs. Started all 15 games for the national champions (1-10-10.0 rushing).

Given the number of receivers that have come through the organization under Tomlin... receivers that have performed well here, and failed on their next teams... I'm going to side with Tomlin. Receivers are about the only position he's regularly gotten "right".

He's an undersized possession receiver. In college his speed got him open. In the pros he's going to have to learn how to run routes, find open spaces in zone coverage, and win contested catches.

and he probably needs to put on about 10-15 pounds.

Anyway, I think Wilson likely needs some humility and to recognize, he's not all that, on the pro level. He's no Pickens, who Tomlin gives a lot of leniency to, because he's an athletic freak of nature. Roman Wilson, is going to have to be a Hines Ward type receiver, to make it in the NFL, imo.

So, that's why he's on IR; because he's nowhere near ready for that role.

[bradshaw2ben]

This is regarding Roman Wilson



It doesn't sound even remotely positive.

Shitty draft pick is shitty

I simply don't buy it.

Wilson dominated on the best college football team just one year ago.

Dude is 5'11", 185 and ran a 4.39 at the combine. Was JJ McCarthy's favorite target at UM and made countless big catches for Michigan against basically everybody they played.

Wilson was known to have some of the best hands in the draft and was about as good at getting open as any WR in the draft.....and Mike Tomlin can't find a way to help make this kid successful?

Yeah...not buying it at all.

2023: Second-team All-Big Ten Conference. Team's Co-Offensive Skill Player of the Year. Led the team with 48 receptions, 789 receiving yards (16.4 per). Tied for ninth in the FBS with 12 receiving TDs. Started all 15 games for the national champions (1-10-10.0 rushing).

Given the number of receivers that have come through the organization under Tomlin... receivers that have performed well here, and failed on their next teams... I'm going to side with Tomlin. Receivers are about the only position he's regularly gotten "right".

He's an undersized possession receiver. In college his speed got him open. In the pros he's going to have to learn how to run routes, find open spaces in zone coverage, and win contested catches.

and he probably needs to put on about 10-15 pounds.

Anyway, I think Wilson likely needs some humility and to recognize, he's not all that, on the pro level. He's no Pickens, who Tomlin gives a lot of leniency to, because he's an athletic freak of nature. Roman Wilson, is going to have to be a Hines Ward type receiver, to make it in the NFL, imo.

So, that's why he's on IR; because he's nowhere near ready for that role.

Roan Wilson got free looks in the middle of the field in a college offense, where the hashes are wider and there's generally more space in MOF. Also, his team's OC schemed him running starts on most of his downfield plays... a hard motion to the slot and then upfield at full speed.

I thought he looked lost at the Senior Bowl scrimmages-- he was fine in 1on 1s––and for those reasons I speculated he might not be as good in the NFL right away.

[StillerDownSouth]

Pickens has been ruled out this week against Eagles, hopefully he can play against Ravens next Saturday.

[swissvale72]

Elliott and ofunjobi out too

[jebrick]

Steelers taking a bye week for injured players because this game matters a lot less than the Ravens game.