Steelers won't bench George Pickens but say he will be properly disciplined
Mike Tomlin's in-season press conferences have become so notable they have garnered the name "Tomlin Tuesdays." So when it was announced that Coach Tomlin would be speaking to the media again this week, surely there was something he wanted to get off his chest. It turns out that he wanted to address the recent comments […]
Mike Tomlin's in-season press conferences have become so notable they have garnered the name "Tomlin Tuesdays."
So when it was announced that Coach Tomlin would be speaking to the media again this week, surely there was something he wanted to get off his chest.
It turns out that he wanted to address the recent comments and actions of George Pickens, making a statement in doing so:
Mike Tomlin Addresses George Pickens' Comments
"George is a talented guy but he's growing and growing in a lot of ways in regards to football and life," Coach Tomlin told the media on Wednesday. "We don't run away from that. We run to that organizationally when we draft guys. We're committed to being a component of their growth and development in all areas…
"…I would like him [George Pickens] to be more professional in terms of addressing some of his shortcomings with you guys [media] to further add fluidity to the process. He's not helping himself, he's not helping the process in the manner in which he's dealt with you guys, but the manner in which he deals with you guys is not necessarily a manner in which he deals with us or himself regarding acknowledging where he is and where he needs to go."
The fact that Coach Tomlin felt the need to answer the media's call and discuss George Pickens lets you know just how big of a problem his recent actions have become.
Many fans and media in the Pittsburgh area believe that some sort of action should be taken toward Pickens' but Coach Tomlin had something else in mind:
"Because, again, man, he's got talents," said Tomlin when asked why he wasn't benching Pickens in light of recent rumors. "We want to utilize them. He's very much in growth and development, but it'd be the same if we were winning games or if he said appropriate things with you guys yesterday…
"…And so I don't respond to momentary bumps positively or negatively or things that are going on. I'm just acknowledging that it is a process and our posture based on present circumstance or incidences that occur positively or negatively won't change…
"…When you're winning and doing your jobs, man, a lot of the attention and so forth is on things such as that. When you're not doing your job and losing, you better keep your damn mouth shut and understand that that attracts a certain type of attention as well. And usually that's vulture-like attention."
But even though Pickens won't be benched, it doesn't mean he won't be disciplined, even if it's not shared publicly:
"Not that I'm going to discuss with you guys," said Coach Tomlin when asked if there would be discipline handed down to George Pickens.
So we'll see what comes of this entire situation. I didn't expect anything irrational from the Steelers as it pertains to Pickens, despite many calling for his benching this Saturday.
But I certainly hope the discipline goes further than a couple of laps or some extra up-downs, as Pickens is obviously at a crossroads in his career.
Steelers’ George Pickens digs his own grave trying to justify recent antics
Here is what Pickens had to say about the criticism of his effort.
