PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – George Pickens is frustrated at times. He does get mad. He's not backing down from that. He's had conversations with Mike Tomlin about his actions, but says they come from wanting to win.
"It ain't really fun losing," Pickens said Thursday. "I don't really know what reaction you guys would expect. If you lose at a video game. If you lose at anything you participate in, I'm pretty sure you'll be mad. That's the biggest component of it."
Tomlin said earlier this week Pickens' actions are a problem because they are not solution oriented. He needs to handle it in a professional and mature way, but adds he cares a lot and frustration is a natural human response.
Pickens noted they not only lost, but lost back-to-back games to 2-10 teams. He said a lot of the talk from the outside is because it's what people's profession is, it's the job in his words 'to make up stories'. The second-year receiver said his emotion comes from nothing more than just wanting to win, not about compiling stats.
Although in that vein, Pickens wants more opportunities down the field.
"I can't really produce when you are running five-yard routes, three-yard routes," Pickens said. He added that there are longer routes in practice and he hopes to see that in a game.
"I'm still doing what George does to get open and catch the ball and score," Pickens said. "That's all I want to do."
Currently 52nd in the NFL in receptions with 49, Pickens said he is familiar and comfortable with all three of the Steelers quarterbacks. He knows them all and been around all of them and has a good relationship with Mitch Trubisky.
"It's been great," Pickens said. "Mitch was here my rookie year too. Me and him relationship wise is pretty much the same. It doesn't really matter who is the QB. I'm there to do my part."
Pickens said he's in a good space after the pair of losses. Asked if the team has had a good week of practice, he said he would hope and would also hope it would wake guys up.
"I want to play good," Pickens said. "(I) want to get a victory. I'm not in other guys heads, but I hope they are feeling the same way."
Pickens is optimistic things will change, but said a couple of times he's just there to play. There is a lot of stuff that he would desire would happen, but bottom line.
"I just want to win."
