During a week where the starting quarterback could be different, the biggest story is about a wide receiver with preserved behavior issues.
A lot has been said and speculated about George Pickens after Sunday night’s loss to Dallas.
Pickens was seen with eye black on that said “open f***ing always”, his playing time was limited (Head Coach Mike Tomlin said it’s part of a load management plan), he was seen throwing his helmet on the ground and several people saw, what they call, a lack of effort on plays he was not targeted Sunday.
Asked about how teams he played on would react, former Steelers defensive lineman and two-time Super Bowl Champion, Chris Hoke says Pickens wouldn’t have made it past linebacker James Harrison.
Hoke says Pickens’ attitude, right now, it’s Pittsburgh Steelers football.
“That’s not a Pittsburgh Steeler football player and so he’s got to fix that,” said Hoke.
The Post-Gazette reported that Pickens has showed up late to practice this season a few times. Hoke says that isn’t new to this season and that he’s been doing that since he arrived in Pittsburgh.
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“The reality is . . . when you get on that football field, when you cross that white like and the ball’s snapped, there’s no excuse to be lackadaisical, there’s no excuse not to be physical and play with a sense of urgency and that’s what you’re seeing on the film,” said Hoke. “It’s obvious on the tape and when it’s that obvious you’re going to see your plays diminished.”
Hoke says Tomlin told them that their tape is their resume’ and what he did against the Cowboys is who he is and that needs to change.
Hoke adds the time for Pickens’ attitude to change is now before he gets a contract with a big pay day.
“That’s money that, they don’t listen to anybody after you get that kind of money,” said Hoke.