Tag: Brooke Pryor

George Pickens’ feud with reporters grows just days before Steelers-Ravens Wild-Card matchup

George Pickens continues to avoid media, raising questions about his motives just days before the Steelers’ Wild-Card matchup.

There is no love lost between George Pickens and media personnel. Pickens’ disdain for reporters and media availability apparently has no end in sight, as the Steelers wide receiver has added another chapter to this never-ending feud filled with immaturity and hard-hitting questions.

Pickens previously avoided reporters after wearing a profane mouthguard during the team’s Week 5 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. It seems reporters are experiencing their own Groundhog Day, as the Steelers receiver has once again completely ignored all attempts by media personnel to ask questions—just days before the team’s Wild-Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported on social media that not only did Pickens decline an interview following the team’s Week 18 loss, but he also avoided the media in the lead-up to the team’s playoff game this week.

Is Pickens acting in his own self-interest, or is he simply avoiding creating more distractions through the sometimes deceptive questioning from reporters?

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Steelers’ defense makes history for all the wrong reasons vs Ravens

Derrick Henry’s 162-yard rushing performance broke records, marking the most yards by a Ravens RB against the Steelers defense.

While the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers defense has enjoyed tremendous success throughout the season, Week 16’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens will be forever etched in history—at the expense of the Black and Gold.

Heading into the contest, the Pittsburgh Steelers boasted one of the NFL’s best run defenses, but Ravens RB Derrick Henry more than put them to the test—rushing for 162 yards on 24 attempts.

Henry’s Week 16 performance against the Steel City was not only dominant but also historic, as no other Ravens player had ever rushed for more yards against any Steelers defense.

To play devil’s advocate, the Pittsburgh Steelers faced one of the NFL’s greatest running backs of all-time in Henry—who is in the midst of his greatest season to date—while also missing one of the league’s best run defenders, DeShon Elliott, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury.

It is not only understandable why Henry set the Ravens’ rushing record against the Steelers, but it is also a valuable lesson during the regular season—allowing the defense to hone their craft ahead of a potential deep playoff run.

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Steelers TE sheds light on mysterious George Pickens Week 14 situation

Pittsburgh Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth shares how he learned of WR George Pickens’ puzzling Week 14 absence, raising more questions.

Following the Steelers’ Week 14 victory, more details surrounding head coach Mike Tomlin’s decision to sit wide receiver George Pickens are beginning to emerge, starting with the moment Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth found out about the situation.

ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor wrote an interesting article highlighting the moment Freiermuth discovered his team would be without their best playmaker on offense, which actually left more questions than answers regarding Pickens’ availability in Week 14.

Pickens popped up on Friday’s injury report as limited with a hamstring injury. However, it was expected that Pickens would be healthy enough to play, and his inactive designation surprised everyone—including Freiermuth, who reportedly found out through the most unlikely of all sources: his father.

Luckily for Tomlin and his strange decision to make Pickens inactive, the Steelers’ offense managed to score 27 points on the Cleveland Browns’ defense. Gameday roster decisions are likely above Freiermuth’s pay grade, but providing the offense with details surrounding the team’s star player should have been on Tomlin’s checklist for the day.

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Steelers fans would never guess what’s fueling defensive takeaways

The Steelers lead the NFL in turnovers is fueled by an unexpected motivator: T-shirts handed out to defenders for creating takeaways.

With athletes in today’s sports making upwards of $50 million per year, what could possibly still motivate them? It could be a mix of motivations—like building a legacy, chasing a championship, or even something as simple as… a T-shirt? You read that right. ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor wrote an intriguing article describing how the Pittsburgh Steelers defense is motivated by earning T-shirts for creating turnovers.

Pryor explained how Steelers outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin hands out T-shirts with phrases like “The Culture” and “Takeaways” printed on the front. These shirts are awarded individually to players involved in takeaways, such as OLB Preston Smith, who recovered a fumble against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13. Smith described how the defense is going crazy over the shirts and how this simple idea has been incredibly effective in giving players extra motivation.

With the Steelers leading the NFL with 25 turnovers, perhaps the other 31 teams should try handing out clothing items. Minkah Fitzpatrick could snag his first turnover T-shirt with an interception against Jameis Winston and the Browns in Week 14.

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George Pickens does his best Marshawn Lynch impression while speaking with reporters

George Pickens delivers a Marshawn Lynch-inspired response to media questions amid recent criticism, opting to avoid addressing the media.

With recent criticism over his antics, issues with reporters, and his overall on the field character in question, it’s no wonder why George Pickens doesn’t want to make himself available when speaking to the media.

However, Pickens offered up an amazing and hilarious statement to kick off Friday’s media availability,  borrowing from the infamous one liner made famous by legendary RB Marshawn Lynch: “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.”

Pickens was criticized following the loss to the Cleveland Browns, when he blamed the weather for the loss rather than Pittsburgh’s own shortcomings.  Perhaps his subtle vow for silence is what’s best to keep distractions out of the locker room.

Pickens will need to keep his mind laser focused on the AFC North divisional matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, as the game is bound to be shootout in Week 13, on December 1st, at 1:00 PM EST.

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Mike Tomlin creates new AFC North competition via Hard Knocks demands

Mike Tomlin aims for the Steelers to outshine their AFC North rivals in handling the distractions brought by Hard Knocks: In Season.

The AFC North is no stranger to intense and competitive matchups for divisional supremacy. However, it appears Head Coach Mike Tomlin is looking to introduce another competitive aspect to the division.

Tomlin wants his team to handle the distractions brought by the new Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North better than their three divisional rivals.

During Tuesday’s press conference, ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor noted that Tomlin views this opportunity, like many others, as a chance to push his team to conquer the challenges that being featured on Hard Knocks would bring.

In what will be the first-ever feature of an entire division, Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North will debut on December 3rd at 9:00 PM EST. In the meantime, the Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for Week 13 to take on a formidable divisional opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals.

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Mike Tomlin teases Alex Highsmith’s potential Week 13 return

Mike Tomlin provides an encouraging update on Alex Highsmith’s potential return as the Steelers prepare to face the Bengals in Week 13.

Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Alex Highsmith rejoice!  Highsmith had tweaked his ankle during the Steelers Week 10 contest against the Commanders, and subsequently missed the team’s Week 11 and 12 contests.

Starting off Week 13’s Tuesday press conference with a bang, Head Coach Mike Tomlin delivered positive news for Steelers fans while discussing Sunday’s matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals: “We got Alex Highsmith leaning in on a return. We’ll let his participation and the quality of that participation be our guide in terms of whether he gets back in or what degree he gets back in.”

This update further supported what ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor stated on Tuesday—that Alex Highsmith would know by Thursday or Friday if he would be available to make his return for the Steelers in their Week 13 contest.

Highsmith’s addition on defense would be greatly appreciated, as the Pittsburgh Steelers defense struggled to contain the Cleveland Browns’ offense late in Week 12’s contest. Fans should keep their eyes glued to the Steelers’ injury report updates for Week 13’s contest against the Cincinnati Bengals.

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ESPN reporter believes Steelers’ WR may be traded by Nov 5th deadline

ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor predicted the Steelers could include WR Calvin Austin in a trade package for a more established veteran WR.

Brooke Pryor, a reporter for ESPN, provided a preview highlighting a potential move the Pittsburgh Steelers could make by the 2024 NFL trade deadline.

In this article, Pryor suggested that the Pittsburgh Steelers might package their third-year wide receiver, Calvin Austin, along with a late-round draft pick to acquire a veteran receiver.

Austin is entering a contract year next season, and the Steelers could benefit from finding teams interested in the speedy, dynamic wideout.

As for which veteran receiver the Steelers might target, that was left to speculation and interpretation. Several of Pittsburgh’s trade targets have come and gone, but one big name has been linked to the team in recent days—Los Angeles Rams’ WR Cooper Kupp.

Could the Pittsburgh Steelers avoid paying the hefty compensation package the Rams are seeking, and instead offer slightly less capital by including Austin in the deal?  Only time will, but it appears a possible trade could happen any day now, as other NFL teams are finalizing trades at a blazing pace.

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