Mike Tomlin says Steelers WRs have ‘immaturity issues’
Many of the best receivers in the NFL have garnered the "Diva" label. You know, a stereotype given to alpha wideouts who demand the ball and get upset, act selfish or lash out when they don't get their targets. But even "Diva" wide receivers show consistent effort, something Pittsburgh's dynamic but troubling duo are failing […]
Many of the best receivers in the NFL have garnered the "Diva" label.
You know, a stereotype given to alpha wideouts who demand the ball and get upset, act selfish or lash out when they don't get their targets.
But even "Diva" wide receivers show consistent effort, something Pittsburgh's dynamic but troubling duo are failing to do, with Coach Tomlin doing more coddling than criticizing:
Unacceptable Effort
Just weeks after Pro Bowl WR Diontae Johnson made headlines for his display of inexcusable effort, Steelers budding star George Pickens doubled down with some bad behavior of his own, although Coach Tomlin didn't take as big an issue with it as many may have hoped:
"I thought he was better, but still has some room for improvement," said Coach Tomlin when asked about Pickens' obvious lack of effort in the above clip.
Tomlin noted that the play in question was one of the areas in which Pickens needs to improve, but he also acknowledged the larger issue among the dynamic duo:
Now, I realize that men mature at different ages and both Johnson and Pickens are young at 27 and 22 years of age respectively.
But Johnson is a veteran in this league, a Pro Bowler, and has been around solid leadership for half a decade at this point.
Not only should his maturity issues be long gone, but he should be setting an example for George Pickens, having the talented young wideout live up to the standard that is Steelers football.
But maybe Big Ben was right. Maybe the Steelers' way is gone and the culture that players like Hines Ward, Ryan Clark, and James Harrison worked so hard to create is eroding by the week.
And that falls at the feet of one man in particular, the one who is viewing a lack of effort as an improvement rather than a chance for discipline.
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