Former Steelers starter says it might already be too late to save George Pickens from himself
Better late than never is a statement that Pittsburgh Steelers fans are desperately holding out for when it comes to the maturity of WR George Pickens. Seemingly more troubled than ever, Pickens was called out by his head coach following the Cincinnati Bengals game, and he faces what is sure to be another set of […]
Better late than never is a statement that Pittsburgh Steelers fans are desperately holding out for when it comes to the maturity of WR George Pickens.
Seemingly more troubled than ever, Pickens was called out by his head coach following the Cincinnati Bengals game, and he faces what is sure to be another set of fines this weekend.
But according to former Steelers RB Merril Hoge, Pickens may already be too far gone:
Merril Hoge Gets Real With George Pickens
"Well, it’s all on George. The people go, ‘well, he’s young.’ Okay, what is he? 24, 25. Okay. 24, 25 years old, been in the league, what, three years? Okay. He clearly understands and knows right and wrong what to do and what you can’t do," said Hoge on the Randy Baumann and DVE Morning Show. "He knows what he’s gonna get punished for. He knows what he should do and he should not do. You could bench him. You could do everything you want. Mike Tomlin could sit him for good, and then you put him back out there, it’s still on him. At some point you just gotta take ownership of it and be a real pro."
Pickens is 23 and some change, but Hoge's point rings true nonetheless. This is year three for Pickens, a pivotal one in terms of his future earnings. And while his play on the field has warranted a hefty extension, it's his antics after the whistle and off the field that will have the Steelers and any other team questioning his long-term viability.
"Will he ever get there? That’s the biggest mystery," added Hoge. "Now, history will tell you people like this, they just never get it until it’s too late. That’s the scary part, ’cause man, I’m telling you, that guy…I watch every wide receiver in football, there’s nobody as fluid. And he gets in and out of breaks. As athletic and pure as him, period? Nobody.”
It's a sad but true sentiment from Hoge regarding Pickens. He might honestly be the most talented WR in the league, but there is a reason why he fell to the Steelers in round two of the draft. And to this point, that part of the equation rings true.
Will Pickens grow up? That remains to be seen.
