Steelers' Mike Tomlin Not Distressed About Joey Porter Jr.'s Penalties Thanks To His "Serial Killer's Mentality"

While the Pittsburgh Steelers got a huge win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13, some concerns arose from the game. The bulk of those surround the penalties against wide receiver George Pickens and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Pickens drew two huge unsportsmanlike conduct calls, and Porter was flagged six times during the game, although only four of them were accepted. This has fans feeling that even if the officials are targeting the players, the team should still have an issue with the penalties. 

The two players' situations must be viewed differently, as Pickens occurred primarily after the play. Tomlin said after the Bengals game that Pickens needs to grow up. Porter's, however, occurred during the plays, and he continues to get called for being too handsy. This isn't a new concern, and many feel he should be able to play defense without being consistently flagged. 

During his Tomlin Tuesdays press conference this week, Tomlin was asked about Porter and if something about the cornerback's behavior causes the coach to worry less about him.  

"He's got a serial killer's mentality," said Tomlin. "But if you're going to be a top-flight corner, you better. And that's probably one of the things that I knew about him because of our personal relationship that really made me comfortable drafting him. It's not fake, it's real. He's not running from the fight. He's running to the fight. You better have a short memory at that position and he's always had it. He was probably nine or 10 when I met him, and he had it then."

Porter is the son of Joey Porter Sr., who won a Super Bowl with Pittsburgh in the early 2000s. After Porter Sr. retired from playing, he returned to the Steel City to coach for several years. Like many players, Porter Sr. frequently brought his sons to the Steelers facilities, and Tomlin got to know them. 

It is no surprise that Porter Jr. is a fierce competitor because his father was the same way. He is often credited with hyping his team up enough to beat the Denver Broncos in the 2006 AFC Championship. While Tomlin didn't coach Porter Sr., he was certainly familiar with the spirit in which he played the game. He credited that same spirit when asked to elaborate on his comment about Porter having a "serial killer's mentality." 

"Meaning that he's a competitor," explained Tomlin. "He's running to it. He's ill affected by the outcome of plays. His confidence is unflappable. And all of that is needed."

While it is true that he has racked up more penalties than is ideal, he does need to have a short memory. In recent years, the NFL has instituted numerous rules to ensure player safety, and they all work against defenders. Opposing offenses know this and work to make plays and attempt to draw penalties.

Steelers' George Pickens Given Advice By A Surprising Source

Porter is undoubtedly getting all the advice he can handle from his father, his coaches, and the team's veterans, but Pickens is going to get some advice from an unexpected source. 

Former Bengals receiver Chad Johnson said he plans to call Pickens and try to offer him some advice. Johnson said he mastered the art of taunting without drawing a penalty. He said you can embrace being the villain but do it in a way that doesn't cost your team. According to the six-time Pro Bowler, you can talk trash and have fun while still playing football at a high level. 

Johnson knows exactly what it is like to play in the AFC North and just how important that rivalry is. He has been critical of Pickens in the past, calling him lazy, but admits to being a fan of the talented young receiver. 

What do you think about Porter's tendency to draw penalties? Click to comment below. 

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