Steelers’ Mike Tomlin admits George Pickens has become a problem
The Steelers have developed an eye for talent when it comes to the WR position. But oftentimes, that talent entails a side that most teams don't want to deal with. Pittsburgh believes they have the culture to deal with such concerns, but George Pickens may be giving them a run for their money: Becoming A […]
The Steelers have developed an eye for talent when it comes to the WR position.
But oftentimes, that talent entails a side that most teams don't want to deal with.
Pittsburgh believes they have the culture to deal with such concerns, but George Pickens may be giving them a run for their money:
Becoming A Problem
Pickens actions on Thursday night were just the latest in a string of frustrations that have occurred throughout the season.
Most notably, Pickens was seen not celebrating with teammates after Diontae Johnson's TD against the Titans, and followed that up by scrubbing his social media of anything that tied him to the Steelers.
Coach Tomlin did his best to defend Pickens then, but he changed his tune after Thursday's display:
"It's a problem," Coach Tomlin told reporters when asked about Pickens' behavior. "It's a problem because it's not solution-oriented. We're all frustrated. But we've got to manage our frustrations in a professional, mature way. And when it's not done that way, it's not necessarily pushing us toward solutions….
"…Frustration is a natural human response. But I'm also completely comfortable asking these guys to do unnatural things, because they're professional athletes. That's our job, to do the unique things and make it look regular, to make it look ordinary."
Does Pickens have a right to be frustrated? Of course. He's a heck of a player who's talents are being constrained by the deficiencies surrounding him.
But you name an instance when a WR has lashed out and it worked out for both him and the team in the long run…OBJ was released by the Browns after his frustrations reached a boiling point. Antonio Brown was cut from the Bucs after yelling at his HC on the sideline. The Bills and Stefon Diggs are on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs despite his disgruntled efforts.
So Pickens is at a fork in the road. He can buy in and reap the benefits in the long run, or he keep it up and find himself in another uniform.
The choice is his.
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