The Pittsburgh Steelers George Pickens is trying to follow in the footsteps of another former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver in the black and gold. The similarities between Hines Ward and Pickens are easy to see on the surface. They both starred at the University of Georgia, both were what would now be considered second-day picks and they are both enthusiastic blockers. Ward is the best blocking receiver of all time, but Pickens seems intent to put his name high on that list.
#Steelers rookie George Pickens intense in practice. After missing one route. He caught the next 4 including a couple of combat catches. He stared at Minkah and others who gave him grief & said ‘don’t say s$&:’ w serious face @937theFan
— Jeff Hathhorn (@jhathhorn) August 8, 2022
Pickens has demonstrated an ability to drop jaws since he joined the Steelers. His draft night video immediately caught fire on social media. The pose in front of the television was nothing compared to what he had in store for the practice fields at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. Pickens took on the best defensive backs the Steelers had to offer and turned them into light work including Pro Bowler Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Incredibly, Pickens might be holding back on his ferocity in games. The rookie joined The Arthur Moats Experience with Deke podcast and revealed that he was trying to take a measured approach to the professional game.
“Probably the fact you really gotta play within the constraints of your game,” Pickens told Moats about what he thought about the NFL gameday experience. “If you play too hard you can get fined, you can lose money. That’s the biggest thing, everything is low key monitored.”
Photo Credit: NFL Network / George Pickens(14) drives the cornerback springing Anthony MacFarland (26) for a first down
Pickens started establishing his physicality in the preseason against the Seattle Seahawks and hasn’t stopped. His enthusiasm for rough play saw him get ejected at the end of the Cincinnati Bengals game for what was determined to be a helmet-to-helmet hit on Tyler Boyd. The NFL did not fine Pickens and he did not elaborate if a team penalty was levied internally for any infractions that may have occurred in other games, notably the Atlanta Falcons outburst.
Photo Credit: The Arthur Moats Experience With Deke YouTube
Arthur Moats, who played linebacker for the Steelers the last time they played in an AFC Championship game in 2016, offers unique insight on his podcast into how professional athletes react, and the business of football is conducted when you are a mid-tier player. He asked with a seemingly never-ending smile where Pickens drew ample confidence in his ability.
“It’s something I kind of always had,” Pickens said about his faith in his ability. “Growing up, my older brother, playing football with older guys all my life, for real. You know the game of football, a lot of people who live on top, the game doesn’t ever humble them. I feel like you know it did at a young age so I kind of worked my way up to the top.”
NFL players often make reference to older siblings who influence their performance. Older brothers have been pushing younger ones into professional sports opportunities that they may have forfeited since the beginning of the last century. It is invaluable for an athlete, even if it is on the sandlot, to be pitted against opponents who are significantly older. Sports is the ultimate meritocracy and if you step on the field and you aren’t ready, you will get your butt kicked. If you come back for more, eventually the roles will reverse and you'll come out better for it.
Photo Credit: Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
The lessons Pickens learned in these situations have made him the player he is today. It isn’t fair to compare him to Ward who was one of the nastiest players of the 21st century. Nasty in the black and gold is not a negative and few players have ever been as beloved as Ward in Pittsburgh, but Pickens has a chance to fill that role. It would be nice for him to start with this weekend’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Do you want to see what happens when Pickens doesn’t hold back? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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