PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The first team offense excelling so far in the preseason, but it's not that Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett feels they've got it figured out.
He's good with playing Thursday night in the preseason finale, not matter how long it is. He's only played three series, but they've scored three touchdowns including Pickett scoring passes of 33 yards (George Pickens) and 25 yards (Pat Freiermuth).
"The only way to get better is to keep playing," Pickett said Tuesday. "You only get in football shape by playing football. I think we are all excited to get back out there Thursday night."
Mike Tomlin wouldn't say how long they would potentially play. He said he would know when is the right time to pull the starters. Tomlin did say he treats the third preseason game in a three-game schedule the same as the former format with four preseason games. That would mean Pickett and the first team could play the first two quarters.
"I just want to show consistency," Pickett said. "We've had a good first two games. Let's stack another one on there and go into the season. Just playing, gotta keep doing it."
Steelers introduced some game-planning into last week in facing Buffalo. Would the guys get more tape of Atlanta, a team they will not face in the regular season?
"It's a short week, so I wouldn't say there is a lot of game-planning," Pickett said after the second of two practices for the week. "We are just trying to continue to what we've been doing all preseason and working on some small things we can work on. It's the same model we've had this preseason."
That's led to a 2-0 exhibition season and it matters to receiver George Pickens. Not that he's over the moon about preseason stats, but he said his goal is to come out of the Falcons game with a win. He added he'd like to score a touchdown, saying everyone wants that though.
Pickens believes composure is a big reason the offense is having the success it's had.
"When you are more decisive and more composed, you come out with a better win and in a more comfortable fashion," Pickens said.
He notes again that it's just the preseason, but they continue to work hard every day. That's not just with the receiving part of the game, he said the coaches have been working with them on run blocking. The prime example would be the Diontae Johnson block to help spring Jaylen Warren's 62-yard touchdown run in Saturday's win over Buffalo. He was excited for that block and said the receivers can be key to opening up the big run plays.
"I feel like we are in a good spot," Pickens said. "I feel like guys come in to work every day."
