PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Forget the emotional part of it for a minute, we'll get to that. The Steelers are looking ways to get George Pickens open more often so he can make a bigger impact. They just won't force it.
"You're not going to ask Kenny to throw it in there when there is double coverage," said Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada Thursday. "There's certainly a balance of what that is. We can certainly schematically help him to do that. There is also a balance, if they are going to put so many guys on him, we better be successful in other areas of football."
QB Kenny Pickett offered that they can't leave him on the boundary. If he's standing still out wide, it's much easier to double team him. Pickett suggested moving him around, having him do some different things. What they don't want to do is have him be a sitting target where he's only in one place.
Steelers are facing a Green Bay pass defense that has only given up eight touchdowns and sixth in the NFL in passing yards allowed. That likely means they also will try and clamp down on Pickens, probably with a pair of players to avoid the big plays. Pickens needs to understand and Canada thinks they can then exploit other areas.
"If you look at the attention he's drawn in the last couple of weeks, especially on Thursday, what happened?" Canada said. "The run game opened up. Why? Because there are two guys on George almost every play. Diontae (Johnson) had another big night because there are two guys on George."
"We can't let him just be minimized completely. That's a balance there. We understand both sides of that. Again, ultimately, all we care about is winning but we want to maximize all of our guys potential."
What's key for Canada and the Steelers offense is making defenses pay when they spent so many resources following Pickens. If that's the case, it's when it will open up for the second-year receiver.
"At some point they shouldn't be able to do that," Canada said.
No tension
Different team leaders have talked with Pickens during the game against Tennessee and since then. Canada said he has no issues with his receiver and they talk often.
"Me and George get along great," Canada said. "I think George loves football. He loves to play. He loves to win. I talked to George after every series. George was happy we were playing well and wanting to win."
"Obviously he's a super-talent, he wants the ball. Everybody who plays football at a skill position wants the ball and wants the ball more. I don't think you will find anyone who doesn't."
Steelers think as they move forward through execution and scheme they will be find more opportunities to get Pickens the ball while also winning games.
