PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Splash. It's been a key phrase when describing what the Steelers offense needs. Wednesday quarterback Kenny Pickett weighed in on the importance of getting some big plays on offense.
"When you got 14-play drives, 11-play drives, to go all the way down and score without a false start or something that sets you back (is difficult)," Pickett said. "We saw that happen to us. It makes it hard. Splash plays shorten drives us, gives us better opportunities. The guys are fresh."
"Overall, you see more production from the offense when you have splash plays. It's something we have to get right."
Mike Tomlin discussed it on Tuesday saying they need to minimize negativity to great more big plays. Pickett saying chucking it long is not the only way to get significant gains.
"Getting guys balls on the run, where they can run after catch and get opportunities there," Pickett said. "It's not just about throwing it deep. In the NFL we got to scheme the deep balls, you aren't just going to run by some of these guys. You get guys the ball on the run and let our athletes be athletes and get them in space. That's another way to get splash plays."
"There are different ways to do it. We are working hard at it."
What you can't do is force it.
"We can't press about it," Pickett said. "We have to let it happen. We have to get it in the right coverage, hit the shots when they are there. If they are not there, we have to check it down or hit something underneath and let guys to their thing. You can't press as a player; only bad things happen. We will take it as we see it. If they are there, we will take them. If not, we move on to the next play."
Asked about building a rapport with George Pickens, Pickett echoed his coach, and answers we've heard for years from Ben Roethlisberger, about finding the open man.
"The offense is spread around," Pickett said. "I think the ball does get spread around quite a bit. All of these guys do so many different things really well. It's my job to distribute the football and get them in the right spots to be successful. That's something I'm working at."
There has been hints, Tomlin said he feels the dam is about to burst with the offense. Pickett said there definitely has been some positive, but 'almosts doesn't get you anything'.
As they continue to work at it, know Pickett hasn't lost his confidence.
"If a guy drops a ball, I'm never going to yell at them," Pickett said. "Same thing, if I throw a bad ball, they aren't going to yell at me. It's a really good relationship where we pick each other up when we are down. We are all trying to win. Everyone is trying to win, we are all on the same page. We are working hard to get it right."
"We are going to get it right this weekend."
