George Pickens

[955876]

Pickens is #2 in receiving yards.

DK 31.

But but but we run a TE centric scheme. You gotta factor that.

Begs the question, why the fuck do we run a TE centric scheme when it leads to a shitty offense?

Related question: why do we run a TE centric scheme when we have one of the shittiest roster of TEs in the entire league? Not a single true TE1. A bunch of TE2s...

B
I
N
G
O

And BINGO was his name-o

[Stillerz Bar]

I expected them to lose today and I expect they'll upset Buffalo next week.

That's just how shit works out for this team, somehow and for Mikey T.

Yup - they'll lose winnable games and then go beat a better team.

Buffalo has been almost as big of an enigma as the Steelers this year. They've lost to worse teams than the Steelers so who knows what will happen next week.

They lost to NE, Atlanta, Miami & Houston.

I know PGH beat NE but I would not say we are better and I can't say for a fact that any of the other 3 teams are worse than the Steelers.

New England is clearly better and if have no idea how we beat them.... oh yeah, boatloads of takeaways.

Houston and the Steelers are probably comparable at this point.

As bad as we've looked from time to time, it's hard to make a case that either of the 4-7 Falcons and Dolphins are not worse teams than the Steelers.

That's not to say we aren't capable of losing to the Dolphins - we absolutely could get dominated just like the Bills did.

At the same time, wins against the Bills, Lions and Ravens wouldn't surprise me when NHALS is on the line.

[swissvale72]

This could be worse than the San Antonio homes for a bucket of mud trade. At least then. The wide receiver room still included Hines Ward, Antonio, Brown, Mike, Wallace, and I believe in Emmanuel Sanders were still on the team.

Dumb mother-fuckers,

We certainly were deeper then than now. However, Brown, Wallace, and Sanders (the young money crew) were green as fuck.

I fully believe (as I know you do) that Holmes absolutely would have helped us in that game. Maybe to the point we win.

So that trade was worse because it quite possibly cost us a SB.

The Pickens trade was just a stupid fucking team doing stupid fucking shit.

We weren’t winning anything with Pickens because Jibbs and Dunce insist on running whatever this dumb form of offense is.

You're right… CK is too. It's just that now we're left with running patterns of pick up two fucking yards at a time. Then, we still had been throwing the AB on third & 19 to beat Baltimore in the playoffs. But yeah, that Chinese fucking fire drill at the end of the Super Bowl will never forget.

[955876]

Holmes was a baller too. That guy showed up.

He and Ben might have done something great a second time had they been allowed to pursue it.

But he wake n bake. He must go.

When is Jibbs going to be able to manage a WR?

The guy saves time outs like he has been converting them into Bitcoin yet can’t figure out how uber talented guys like Santonio Holmes or George Pickens can possibly fit in his offense. They must go for the sanctity of his precious locker room.

Which begs the question, why is his locker room so feeble and weak minded where it needs to be protected all the damn time?

This cat needs to go. It’s far past time.

[RealSwiss]

There's a difference between whether we needed him and whether he would have anywhere near those numbers on the Steelers.

He didn't need to have the same numbers or anywhere near. If he was on the field, there was a "chance" he could get open and make a big play. Opposing teams would have prepared and done things differently defensively just by having him on the roster.

We will see how the season play out but Im already thinking that keeping Pickens would have done more to preserve NHALS than most all of the other garbage roster moves they made in the offseason.

[DumlinBumlinStumlin]

More indictment of a failed organIzation:

https://x.com/mlfootball/status/1992774 ... 99492?s=42

Pickens yards receiving : 1044

Entire Steeler receiving Corp : 1009

[TimmayLake]

More indictment of a failed organIzation:

https://x.com/mlfootball/status/1992774 ... 99492?s=42

Pickens yards receiving : 1044

Entire Steeler receiving Corp : 1009

But does that include all the receiving yards of our elite TE unit?

[RealSwiss]

I start to wonder if the Pickens trade may be what finally ends Tomlin. The highest paid defense thats ranked near the bottom is embarrassing in itself. If Pickens and Dallas make the playoffs, while Pittsburgh does not, that will really have to sting in the front office. Even more if Pickens starts racking up notable achievements.

Id love to know how this trade was "sold" to administration as being advantageous for the Steelers.

[Rod & Wire Mill]

A target, eight catches, 122 yards and a touchdown.

But we didn't need him

There's a difference between whether we needed him and whether he would have anywhere near those numbers on the Steelers.

But it’s all plug and play fantasy football nowadays!

[CoolShades]

I start to wonder if the Pickens trade may be what finally ends Tomlin. The highest paid defense thats ranked near the bottom is embarrassing in itself. If Pickens and Dallas make the playoffs, while Pittsburgh does not, that will really have to sting in the front office. Even more if Pickens starts racking up notable achievements.

Id love to know how this trade was "sold" to administration as being advantageous for the Steelers.

Especially since coach “Leader of Men” couldn’t reel him in.

If I remember correctly, Jibbs had Pickens over for Thanksgiving dinner last season. I remember the happy photographs.

I’m glad Pickens forced his way out of town. His career was dead in the water in Pittsburgh. Everyone knew it. He is in the last year of his contract, and just imagine if he was stuck here this season? His next contract will be a monster, and it should be. He’s an amazing, elite talent. The Steelers screwed themselves by drafting a thoroughbred and trying to make him a plow horse. The Steelers brass seem to be as bewildered as the fans... “How can he not want to be a Steeler? Fuck him!” Yeah, it’s hard to imagine any player who has motivation and wants to win getting sick of watching the same shit every year, zero accountability, nepo draft picks like Baby Heyward and JPJ and an accepted culture of mediocrity wanting to get the fuck out of town.

I root for Pickens to succeed because he is yet another indictment of this pathetic coaching staff and the guy who sits at the head of the coaching and personnel table in Pittsburgh.

[TimmayLake]

Pickens may be a genius. He foresaw that the Steelers, even with Aaron Rodgers, was a wasteland for WRs. Playing in this shitcan of an offense he would be lucky to break 500 yards receiving and 5 TDs.

Now in Dallas he's a legit contender for OPOY. He's probably going to eclipse 1800 yards receiving and 12 TDs. Pro Bowl, All-Pro likely. He's going to land a huge $120M+ contract and could turn into a perennial All-Pro.

Meanwhile in Steeler land we're salivating over the prospect of Darnell Washington catching a 20 yard pass

[Gonzo]

thats the main concept in this whole story
These guys (rightfully IMO) are all aiming for that big C2 and those contracts right or wrong are often keyed on stats. Its why we see WRs complain so much. Pickens knew as did we all -- that if you want to be a high-paid WR in the league - that the Steelers without Ben is a dead-end. He knew that even as the #1 in this offense he wasnt going to generate what he needed for a big contract.

while this is a sort of crappy reality for fans -- Pickens is a bot different IMO ... because he isnt some JAG jackass looking to purely maximize dollars - he has the potential to be a Star WR a real difference maker if he can control himself. we will see soon if he is head-case doomed to fail or purely a business decision to misbeahve with the steelers

The steelers will generally only be able to attract c2 and c3 guys they overpay for or re-treads/young guys just hoping for any chance to play and earn. guys who are content with 50 catches

I like to blame Tomlin for most everything -- but I am pretty confident they had no chance to keep Pickens ... he was going to misbehave and drag ass until they moved him.

the real underlying issue is the Steelers refusal to run an offense that utilizes all skill positions and the middle of the field. When faced with criticism of their predictability, playoff losses and TOP offense they doubled down and went bigger, slower and more conservative ... as was predicted by most. This HC will refuse to admit mistake and change unless forced by the Owner ... even then he may choose to leave instead of that admission

[W&M_Steeler]

Pickens may be a genius. He foresaw that the Steelers, even with Aaron Rodgers, was a wasteland for WRs. Playing in this shitcan of an offense he would be lucky to break 500 yards receiving and 5 TDs.

Now in Dallas he's a legit contender for OPOY. He's probably going to eclipse 1800 yards receiving and 12 TDs. Pro Bowl, All-Pro likely. He's going to land a huge $120M+ contract and could turn into a perennial All-Pro.

Meanwhile in Steeler land we're salivating over the prospect of Darnell Washington catching a 20 yard pass

They're stocking and selling Pickens Cowboys jersey at the sporting goods store in my town, which is far from both Pittsburgh and Dallas. Never saw a Pickens Steelers jersey. I give credit to GP if that was his thought process.

[CoolShades]

Pickens may be a genius. He foresaw that the Steelers, even with Aaron Rodgers, was a wasteland for WRs. Playing in this shitcan of an offense he would be lucky to break 500 yards receiving and 5 TDs.

Now in Dallas he's a legit contender for OPOY. He's probably going to eclipse 1800 yards receiving and 12 TDs. Pro Bowl, All-Pro likely. He's going to land a huge $120M+ contract and could turn into a perennial All-Pro.

Meanwhile in Steeler land we're salivating over the prospect of Darnell Washington catching a 20 yard pass

They're stocking and selling Pickens Cowboys jersey at the sporting goods store in my town, which is far from both Pittsburgh and Dallas. Never saw a Pickens Steelers jersey. I give credit to GP if that was his thought process.

Had to be. And if George didn’t have this in the front of his mind, his agent would have been derelict not to put it there.

I can’t wait to see what he signs for this off season.

[TimmayLake]

No doubt idiot Steelers fans will be screaming "SEE WE COULDN'T AFFORD HIM ANYWAY!!!!" when Pickens (deservedly) signs a huge contract befitting a top WR1 in the NFL.

[Deebo]

No doubt idiot Steelers fans will be screaming "SEE WE COULDN'T AFFORD HIM ANYWAY!!!!" when Pickens (deservedly) signs a huge contract befitting a top WR1 in the NFL.

My position:
1. Yes it's incongruent that they seemingly went "all in" by signing Rodgers and the merry band of defensive FA idiots, yet sent GP out.
2. GP being here or not being here made no difference from a production standpoint. Whatever R Wilson/CA3's statlines are, would have been gobbled up by GP being present.
3. GP being here would have made this team even more of a clown show.
4. GP was a damaged asset, so his value was probably a 3rd round pick. The Steelers thought a 3rd was better than minimal production from a position that doesn't get utilized here AND (probably most important) the distraction wasn't worth the production

It's pretty simple. The best analogy I can think of is I have a classic car in my driveway that if I fixed it up could be worth $10k. My wife badgers me about it every single day, but I love the car. Someone stops by and offers me $5k. I don't want to part with it, but I also know I'm not going to have the time to fix it and the headaches that come along with fixing it. So by selling it, my wife is off my back and I at least got something for it.

[TimmayLake]

The idea of GP being damaged good is way overblown. Did he have a bad attitude a few times? Sure.

But beyond that what exactly did he do that made him so toxic? Mikey T himself said there was no bad blood.

[Deebo]

The idea of GP being damaged good is way overblown. Did he have a bad attitude a few times? Sure.

But beyond that what exactly did he do that made him so toxic? Mikey T himself said there was no bad blood.

He pouts when he doesn't get targets. He doesn't run routes fully. He doesn't block on run plays anymore.
This hasn't been "a few times".

But this behavior CAN be managed with an actual coach. Mikey T ain't that coach

[TimmayLake]

The idea of GP being damaged good is way overblown. Did he have a bad attitude a few times? Sure.

But beyond that what exactly did he do that made him so toxic? Mikey T himself said there was no bad blood.

He pouts when he doesn't get targets. He doesn't run routes fully. He doesn't block on run plays anymore.
This hasn't been "a few times".

But this behavior CAN be managed with an actual coach. Mikey T ain't that coach

This "bad behavior" is par for the course for almost every top WR in the NFL. You deal with a few temper tantrums in return for 1800 yards and 12 TDs. Otherwise you have field a lineup of Ben Skronweks who I'm sure never show a bad attitude.

[langer]

20 years in the league and he gets worse managing players...that's just nuts.

[Orangesteel]

20 years in the league and he gets worse managing players...that's just nuts.

His ego is the size of the Hindenburg. It’s all about him not about anything else.

[CoolShades]

20 years in the league and he gets worse managing players...that's just nuts.

As time passes, I’m starting to think that he was never good at managing players.

The Cowher culture was embedded, and the players/locker room managed themselves. There was a tremendous amount of respect for LeBeau, and Ben most likely managed the offensive ship, at least on the field. If anyone acted up, maybe someone like Harrison would quietly pay them a visit.

Tomlin has always been a joke. I don’t think players respect him. I know they pay lip service to this, but it seems that this is more for business reasons. It has to be known league wide that if you want to get a final payday, just make it known that you think Mediocre Mike is a great “leader of men” and you’ll find yourself getting a big fat contract when you are washed.

The post Ben Steelers are now collecting old free agents like a kid collecting football cards. They don’t need to be managed or coached, which is perfect for Mediocre Mike. They are all components of the collective.

What has happened to this franchise? Tomlin is a cancer and he has metastasized.

[RealSwiss]

I’d agree. Driven, competitive people want to be in the action. They aren’t content to sit around and watch. They don’t like losing - especially when they feel they could have changed the outcome. At least that’s my experience.

If a person is skilled and limited by their surroundings it is extremely frustrating. Maybe even infuriating if a personality leads that way. I think Pickens is in that category.

I’d be very surprised if the Steelers made any attempt to “manage” or coach him through that situations. I don’t think he felt respected or as if he was being taken seriously.

Could he have handled himself differently? Probably. A “leader of men” should have been able to handle this though. To me, it’s one of the biggest black marks in Tomlin.

This "bad behavior" is par for the course for almost every top WR in the NFL. You deal with a few temper tantrums in return for 1800 yards and 12 TDs. Otherwise you have field a lineup of Ben Skronweks who I'm sure never show a bad attitude.

[TimmayLake]

Jamar Chase just spit a giant loogie in Ramsey’s face last week and got himself suspended a game. Think the Bengals are thinking of trading him due to a bad attitude?

[TTP]

This thread seems like the best place to dump this info:

The Steelers didn't complete a pass over 20 air yards in the month of November. 0/11, 2 INTs.

For a comparison, 3rd string QB Jameis Winston completed 5 such passes this week alone for a team missing its 2 best offensive players (Nabers, Neal) and had just fired it's head coach.

[Steeldrama]

This thread seems like the best place to dump this info:

The Steelers didn't complete a pass over 20 air yards in the month of November. 0/11, 2 INTs.

For a comparison, 3rd string QB Jameis Winston completed 5 such passes this week alone for a team missing its 2 best offensive players (Nabers, Neal) and had just fired it's head coach.

Point made

But if you’re referring to Bama’s Evan Neal dude’s not one their 2 best players he’s a major bust

[LakecrestSteeler]

Keep in mind, Tomlin let that WR room become distraction diva central. Pickens was the last of the bad seeds that had to go to right the ship.

Talented or not, you don't win championships with guys like Pickens. You just don't. So the idea that he was a piece to "going all in" is just laughable.

Where does AJ Brown sit with you when compared to Pickens? The Eagles seemed to go into dynasty mode when he arrived from TN. Obviously this comparison is not identical, but it is not apples to oranges, it is Granny Smith to Honey Crisp.

His career is littered with fines and penalties too.

[K_C_]

The idea of GP being damaged good is way overblown. Did he have a bad attitude a few times? Sure.

But beyond that what exactly did he do that made him so toxic? Mikey T himself said there was no bad blood.

Pickens has been in Dallas for over half a season. He was a good soldier in Pittsburgh for the most part, his first 2 years.

Dallas gave CeeDee Lamb huge money. Let's see if they're willing to pay Pickens. Remember, Jerrah didn't want to play a generational talent like Micah Parsons.

Pickens is in the right system and is producing big. I'm not surprised but he's got some Antonio Brown in him (both the good and the bad AB) so it's going to be interesting to see which team ponies up the close to 35 million it's going to take to land Pickens on at least a 5 year deal.

Good luck to whoever makes that move.

I'll bet Dallas franchises Pickens after this year. Might even do it 2 years in a row,, before they kick him to the curb.

GP ain't gonna like being franchised.

[955876]

Pickens was the last of the bad seeds that had to go to right the ship.

But did he actually “right the ship”.

I mean, ya it’s great we have choir boys like Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek playing.

Defenses love it too though. And that ain’t a good thing.

Funny shit that Pickens by himself is going to outperform our entire WR unit.

Gotta love Jibba’s offense.

[TimmayLake]

Bingo. Steelers might win the “Best Behaved “ award to pair with their “Easiest Offense to Defend” award.

There are zero players on this offense who strike fear in opposing defenses’ hearts and this includes DK and Washington.