Tag: George Pickens

George Pickens seemingly mocks injured Ravens’ defender

George Pickens is under scrutiny again for seemingly mocking an injured Ravens player during the Steelers’ Week 11 clash against Baltimore.

George Pickens just can’t seem to keep his immature antics out of the spotlight, as he displayed another poor example of decision-making in the Steelers’ Week 11 contest against the Ravens.

Around the halfway point of the second quarter, Ravens DT Travis Jones, who was nursing an ankle injury heading into the contest, went down to the turf clutching his leg. While Jones was surrounded by concerned teammates, Pickens seemingly began to mock the Ravens’ injured player.

It is difficult to make out exactly what Pickens was saying to the Baltimore Ravens defenders; however, fans can infer from his body language that he was not there to check on the injured player, and was intent on trash talking the Baltimore defense.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MLFootball (@_mlfootball)

Jones would ultimately limp off to the blue medical tent and was quickly cleared to return to the Week 11 contest. While the bad blood between the two AFC North rivals was obvious throughout the game, it never bodes well for one’s public perception to openly trash talk an injured player, let alone in the exact moment of injury.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers WR George Pickens fined for Week 10 antics

The NFL fined George Pickens for his Week 10 altercation with Washington CB Mike Sainristil, citing the reasoning as a face-mask penalty.

Just when fans of the Black and Gold thought George Pickens had put the Week 10 grappling match between himself and Washington CB Mike Sainristil behind him, the NFL has decided to intervene on one key aspect of the altercation.

Towards the end of the third quarter in the Steelers’ Week 10 matchup against the Washington Commanders, QB Russell Wilson threw an interception, and Pickens took it upon himself to perform his best rendition of a three-point takedown on Sainristil, who was seemingly all but removed from the play.

While it’s unsurprising that the NFL took exception to Pickens’ actions and decided to fine him, the intriguing aspect is what the league chose to penalize the Steelers’ WR  $16,883 for: a face-mask penalty.

With the 7-2 Pittsburgh Steelers enjoying an impressive start to their 2024 campaign and needing as few outside distractions as possible, hopefully Pickens will treat the situation as a wake-up call.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Should Steelers claim former second-round WR off waivers?

Should the Steelers claim Tyquan Thornton off waivers to bolster their wide receiver room and add more speed to their offensive attack?

What a difference a few weeks make! Heading into the trade deadline, the New England Patriots’ lightning-fast WR Tyquan Thornton was one of many receivers linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers as a potential trade target.

However, Pittsburgh ultimately pulled the trigger on a trade that brought New York Jets WR Mike Williams to the Steel City. Now, it appears the Patriots have moved on from Thornton as well.

On Saturday, insider Adam Schefter reported that the New England Patriots would be releasing their former 2022 second-round receiver. Thornton ran an impressive 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine but struggled to make an impact during his three seasons with the Patriots, recording 39 receptions for 385 yards and two touchdowns in 28 games.

Steelers GM Omar Khan could once again showcase his decision-making prowess by adding Thornton’s speed to an already dangerous Pittsburgh offense.

Steelers’ wide receivers George Pickens, Mike Williams, Calvin Austin III, and the potential addition of Thornton would give QB Russell Wilson the tools to cook any opposing secondary.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Fans react to George Pickens’ latest on-field antics

Fans are split on George Pickens’ on-field actions after Week 10’s interception, as his physicality raised some eyebrows.

In Week 10, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Washington Commanders 28-27 in an incredible back-and-forth matchup. While the team can hold their heads high as they improve to 7-2 on the season, one Steelers player found himself in some on-field drama.

Toward the end of the third quarter, George Pickens added some unnecessary physicality against Commanders CB Mike Sainristil. After Russell Wilson threw an interception on a deep pass intended for Pickens, the Steelers wide receiver took the chance to show off his best imitation of a three-point takedown on Sainristil.

Video clips began circulating on social media, raising the question: did Pickens once again go too far?

Fans seem divided. While his actions may be detestable to some, the physicality reminds others of legendary wide receivers from the Steelers’ past.

Love it or hate it, here are some of the best fan reactions to Pickens’ on-field actions following Wilson’s interception in Week 10.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Russell Wilson, George Pickens shine with improbable completions in Steelers’ Week 10 win

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson had improbable completions to George Pickens and newcomer Mike Williams vs. Commanders.

It’s no secret that George Pickens is an alien. From the start of his rookie season until now, Pickens has consistently made jaw-dropping catches.

In a nail-biting Week 10 victory over the Washington Commanders, Russell Wilson showcased his veteran poise, connecting with Pickens on two of the most improbable completions of the week. The pair’s chemistry proved pivotal in keeping Pittsburgh’s momentum alive and securing the win.

The first of these daring completions — topping Next Gen Stats’ improbable completions — occurred on a 24-yard play and had a mere 14.2 percent chance of success. With tight coverage by cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, Wilson threw it where only Pickens could catch it. It marked another incredible acrobatic catch by the third-year receiver.

The second improbable completion occurred early in the first quarter and got Pittsburgh on the board with the game’s first points. With Pickens single-covered by safety Jeremy Chinn (who had a stellar game), Wilson placed the ball perfectly, and Pickens climbed the ladder to bring it down. The touchdown pass had a 25.8 percent completion probability and changed the game’s tone, energizing the Steelers’ sideline.

Wilson also found new acquisition Mike Williams on a 32-yard touchdown that had only a 26.8 percent chance of success. Williams’ debut performance cemented his impact on the Steelers’ offense, making him an instant fan favorite.

Wilson reaffirmed his reputation as a clutch playmaker with each improbable connection, while Pickens and Williams emerged as key assets. These remarkable plays highlight the Steelers’ aerial potential and underscore their rising confidence as they race toward a playoff berth.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Watch George Pickens haul in another ridiculous touchdown pass

George Pickens has his second touchdown of the season.

No player has reaped the benefits of the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback change than wide receiver George Pickens. Going to Russell Wilson has given Pickens new life as a big-play threat and early against the Washington Commanders, Pickens hauled in another of his trademark freakish catches. This one went for a touchdown.

Pickens caught his first touchdown of the season in Week 7 against the New York Jets. Pickens game was severely limited with Justin Fields at quarterback but you can tell Wilson is going to look for Pickens whenever he needs a big play.

 

Can Calvin Austin fend off the newly acquired Mike Williams for WR2?

The Steelers’ acquisition of WR Mike Williams from the Jets complicated Calvin Austin’s breakout and bid for WR2.

2024 has truly been one of the most exciting times to be a Pittsburgh Steelers fan! From acquiring prominent players in free agency to breaking the Steel City norm with several huge trades, Pittsburgh fans have every reason to love what they’re seeing from their team and the Steelers front office.

However, one Steelers WR, who seemingly broke out in the team’s Week 8 victory, may need to continue his dominance to fend off the newly acquired WR Mike Williams.

WR Calvin Austin III tore through the New York Giants’ secondary and special teams in Week 8, recording 54 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown on just three receptions, as well as shifting the momentum for his team with a 73-yard punt return touchdown.

After his two-touchdown night, fans assumed Austin could step in as the team’s WR2 moving forward. However, when the New York Jets traded Williams to Pittsburgh, it complicated matters for Austin’s offensive involvement.

Can Austin coexist with Williams as potential WR2-A and WR2-B? Or will Mike Tomlin have another “good” problem on his hands with yet another elite positional battle?

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

WR’s season-ending injury halted trade to Pittsburgh, per insider

According to insider Adam Schefter, WR Christian Kirk’s season-ending injury halted a probable trade to Pittsburgh.

Steelers fans eagerly awaiting Pittsburgh to make a potential blockbuster trade almost got their wish, according to insider Adam Schefter.

Schefter reported on Saturday afternoon that league sources indicated that, prior to Jacksonville Jaguars WR Christian Kirk’s collarbone injury, the Steelers had a “reasonable chance” of finally pulling off a WR trade.

Kirk has accumulated 5,176 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in his 93 career games played.

The report from Schefter makes complete sense, as fans were perplexed when WR trades were taking place left and right in the league, yet the Steelers were not among the teams making them. Losing the team’s primary trade target to injury is extremely unfortunate, and it remains to be seen if General Manager Omar Khan can pull off a WR trade before the deadline on November 5th.

Pittsburgh has until Tuesday, November 5th, at 4:00 PM EST to finalize any trades. Will Khan help build an unstoppable receiving corps before the deadline, or will the team continue to rely on WR Calvin Austin III and WR Van Jefferson opposite WR George Pickens?

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Mike Tomlin offers poor excuse for illegal challenge flag in Week 8

Mike Tomlin has made some questionable game-time coaching decisions throughout his tenure, but perhaps the worst came in Week 8’s victory.

It seems like challenge flags bring Head Coach Mike Tomlin nothing but trouble. With the score tied 6-6 in the second quarter, QB Russell Wilson seemingly hit WR George Pickens on a solid touchdown pass to potentially put the Steelers up 13-6. However, as all scoring plays are automatically reviewed, it was determined by replay assist that Pickens did not get both feet in bounds. Tomlin, unaware of the referees stating aloud that further review took the play away, threw a challenge flag he wishes he could have taken back. He was not permitted to challenge a play that had already been reviewed, and a timeout was deducted from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tomlin’s excuse for the botched challenge was less than acceptable, as he claimed ignorance regarding whether or not the play was reviewed by officials. 

All 32 NFL coaches understand that scoring plays are automatically reviewed, and thankfully, the Steelers were able to pull off the win in Week 8, no thanks to the poor decision to challenge the automatically reviewed play.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

George Pickens gets two feet down but not both feet: No Steelers TD

There is a difference between two feet and both feet in the NFL

Interesting and controversial call in the second quarter of Monday night’s New York Giants-Pittsburgh Steelers game.

George Pickens appeared to catch a Russell Wilson pass in the second quarter for a touchdown.

The wideout did have two feet down. The problem? His feet were the right foot twice and the left one never contacted the turf.

Incomplete pass was ruled.