The Pittsburgh Steelers have been embroiled in a George Pickens controversy all week long. The Steelers, at least in the media, are being distracted by the story in their preparations for the first meeting of the season with the Baltimore Ravens.
The media and old-school fans have come down hard on the rookie for his outburst and have assessed blame and judged Pickens as a malcontent, diva wide receiver. The case has been made repeatedly that some game plans just don’t call for you to be featured.
George Pickens celebrates a two-point conversion for Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts /Photo Credit: AP Photo
Mike DeFabo, a reporter from The Athletic joined The PM Team/w Poni & Mueller Thursday afternoon to discuss the controversy. Andrew Fillipponi, the bombastic personality the show is built around, shared a significant observation with co-host Chris Mueller just prior to DeFabo’s appearance.
“We have spent a lot of time talking about how does George Pickens only get the ball thrown to him two times,” Fillipponi posited. “Here is the bigger question, George Pickens against the Falcons played fewer snaps than any game he has appeared in this year. For the majority of this year, they had another big wide receiver in Chase Claypool, and this is the game he played the least. He is not against getting his nose dirty in the run game just destroying cornerbacks.”
(Photo Credit: AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
The snap count has been widely ignored by Pickens' critics this week. Matt Canada decided to use the rookie in a bizarre manner and cutting his snaps in his homecoming game may have contributed mightily to his outburst. Canada and the Steelers wanted to run the ball, but why would you sideline your best outside blocker? Incredibly Gunner Olszewski, Steven Sims and Miles Boykin saw the field on 26 snaps that saw the freakishly talented rookie sidelined.
“That’s a good question,” Defabo said about Pickens snap count. “When you are down by the goal line, and you choose to throw the fade to Diontae Johnson instead of the big guy who can win the fifty-50 ball. You ask questions about whether he should be utilized more or featured in the offense, and I absolutely think he should. It is important to feel like playmakers are involved in the offense. Pickens is emerging as one of your most talented pieces he should be featured.”
Ben Roethlisberger Says Steelers Rookie George Pickens 2 Yard Catch Was Just An Attempt To Make Him Happy
James Lofton, who was the analyst, assigned to the game by CBS Sports, and now DeFabo are both questioning why an offensive coordinator would throw the ball to his smallest receiver when Pickens and Pat Freiermuth are available.
Kenny Pickett's touchdown pass was to Connor Heyward the smallest tight end in the Super Bowl Era. Pickett throws the ball, but Canada is calling a play that features a primary read, and too often on Sunday that read was Diontae Johnson. Johnson is a Pro Bowl Level wide receiver and earned a contract extension, but Pickens has All-Pro talent and should not be consciously ignored.
Photo Credit: Chris Adamski/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Canada is a cutesy play caller. He tries to fool defenses to show how smart he is and often the joke is on him. As an old-school curmudgeon who has rooted for the Steelers for six decades, I don’t blame a rookie who is ignored in front of his hometown crowd for being mad. He is the best wide receiver in Pittsburgh and Canada not only ignored him, but he also cut his snaps. The snaps were cut before he got upset and keeping him off the field instead of asking him to take out his aggression on Falcons' corners and block them into the mezzanine was a total misuse of the rookie’s frustrations.
Canada’s play calling against the Atlanta Falcons was designed to win the battle and that is important. However, his cavalier attitude towards premier talent is just one more reason why he is going to lose the war to be the long-time coordinator in Pittsburgh.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Did you notice Pickens wasn’t on the field as much and are you okay with that game plan going forward? Comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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