PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It was sailing along to be the same message about Steelers receiver George Pickens effort being good and that it was a load management decision as to why he was on the field for only 34 plays Sunday. But then head coach Mike Tomlin said when asked if a lack of effort led to fewer snaps.
“It’s certainly part of the load management discussion,” Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly news conference.
But again, Tomlin claimed he didn’t have any outlying issue with Pickens effort against Dallas.
Tomlin believes by limiting Pickens snaps, much like you would with 35-year-old Cam Heyward, you are going to get more production out of your 23-year-old receiver. He said in the totality of a 17-game schedule they just want ‘optimum productivity’ by having him on the field less. Tomlin also admitted when in obvious run situations they prefer to have receiver Van Jefferson on the field.
This is a new theory for Pickens. He played at least 12 more snaps in every other game this season and played 26 more snaps against the Colts. Some of that is due to fewer overall plays, but even looking at percentages-Pickens played 58% of the snaps Sunday, the previous low was Atlanta 68% and Indy was 86% of the offensive snaps. Last year Pickens never played fewer than 74% of the total snaps in a game. In every game but three Pickens played at least 80% and five times played over 90%.
“I’m just more sensitive to that broader discussion,” Tomlin said. “I’m sure I played Cam more last year than I’m playing him this year.”
Tomlin said Pickens has not expressed issues with the team’s load management because it’s been explained to him. They believe this will improve his play in the second halves of games and later in the season.
Eye Black
Pickens projected a message about his abilities by writing ‘open f---ing always’ on his eye black Sunday. Tomlin said Tuesday he wasn’t aware of that, but he does address issues with Pickens. He said he was aware of Pickens pulling down a Cowboys player by the facemask at the end of the game Sunday. He said he doesn’t speak publicly of his conversations with Pickens, it’s something that stays between the coach and player because Tomlin believes that aids in his development.
The Steelers head coach confirmed he has seen improvement and growth from Pickens as a player and a person.
More productivity
After catching seven passes for 113 yards against the Colts, Pickens had just three receptions for 26 yards on a team-high seven targets Sunday. It was the second time this season he was held under 30 yards receiving (2 catches, 29 yards vs. Denver).
Tomlin said some of the reasons they haven’t gotten big plays or more production from Pickens are the overall offensive mistakes. Whether it’s penalties, staying on schedule (managing down and distance), missing other big plays to open up the defense.
“We are going to keep working,” Tomlin said. “We are not going to make a big deal out of it. We feel like we are in the right neighborhood, knocking on the right doors.”
It’s a bizarre, potentially disruptive situation where you don’t feel like you are getting the whole story.