BALTIMORE (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers notes and quotes from the Steelers 28-14 Wild Card loss to the Ravens. What George Pickens said about the offense. Russell Wilson on the offensive issues, plus how Najee Harris said the media impacted the team.
Plus, the best quotes including how the season ‘sucked’ after the 28-14 loss.
George on O
Receiver George Pickens bounced back from an invisible performance last week to finish with five catches for 87 yards and a touchdown Saturday. Now ending his third season, Pickens was asked about signs of growth from the Steelers offense.
“I seen sights of growth for sure from the first year I’ve been here, way more growth for sure,” Pickens said.
So then I asked him if that made him optimistic about next season, his final year of his rookie contract.
“Nah,” Pickens said.
OK, show stopper there. ‘Nah’! So, what did he really like about this year’s offense?
“Everybody, O-line, running backs, receivers, defensively as well too,” Pickens said.
Pickens said they tried to come out fast, but it was an issue ‘getting the guys ready’.
Asked if he might get or want a contract extension with the Steelers next year, Pickens said he hadn’t thought of that yet.
Slow starts
Yet another slow start for the Steelers offense on Saturday. They had 59 yards of offense and no points.
“I think the big thing is, we didn't make enough plays in the first half for whatever reason,” said quarterback Russell Wilson. “I have to watch the film and see what it is. I thought our mentality, especially in the second half, we weren't giving up. I’m proud of these guys in this locker room, how we went and approached it. We were down, we gave ourselves a chance and a little glimpse of hope for a little while there in battle, and guys didn't quit. Guys gave it their all every play.”
He said they were more aggressive in the second half, but didn’t explain why they weren’t in the first half.
“We just hadn’t moved the ball consistently enough or scored enough points,” said head coach Mike Tomlin. “Particularly in January football, you got to score points. We weren’t able to do that.”
What Tomlin thought of Wilson, who finished his first season, and the only one he’s under contract for, going 20-29 for 270 yards with two touchdowns, almost all of that coming in the second half.
“It was like our play, it wasn’t good enough,” Tomlin said of Wilson. “I love the spirit with which he continued to fight. The way he led the group out of the locker room after the half. None of us were good enough tonight.”
Outside noise
Among the issues internally, soon-to-be free agent running back Najee Harris said some of the chatter and criticism in the media impacted what happened on the field.
“Really just staying together as a team, not listening to much of the outside noise and outside attention,” Harris said. “That’s the fastest way to break up a team. I think that on this four-game losing streak, I think paying attention to what the media says rather than just doing what we got to do.”
His fifth-year option not picked up, Harris said he hasn’t given much thought yet to next year.
Quotes
“Losing sucks. Losing 5 in a row to finish the season out sucks.”
OLB TJ Watt
“A five-game losing streak to end the season is not acceptable, especially in Pittsburgh. Guys who are going to be around have to fix it.”
TE Pat Freiermuth
“I know that in the past we’ve played well in the beginning of the season and s--- the bed at the end and the same s--- happened this year.”
S DeShon Elliott
“We just weren’t good enough to be quite honest with you. A drop here and there when you are playing good people, it really gets highlighted.”
Head coach Mike Tomlin
“I love playing with every guy on this roster. A good defense is going to win the championship. I think we have pieces to do that, but have to step up in the playoffs. There are a lot of things we have to clean up”
DT Cam Heyward
“It’s been a pretty rough last month of football for the Pittsburgh Steelers, especially defensively. Tonight was unfortunately no different.”
TJ Watt
“How well we played all year. All of that goes out the window when you don’t get the job done at the end of the day.”
CB Donte Jackson
“We had a plan. A plan we worked on all week. I thought it was going to be a good play. We didn’t execute it like we should have.”
S DeShon Elliott
“We’ve been trying to find the answers for too long. To end the season with 5 losses is not acceptable at any level of football.”
TJ Watt