OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: 2022 Handball season has arrived!

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Buddy Bizarre

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I read about his issues in the spring, but honestly forget what they were.

Something about he thought he was special maybe…

I remember AB was talked about as this quiet dude who worked hard and once he hit the big time he went insane.

WR is a ‘look at me’ position that attracts showboats and temperamental guys, so I just kind of accept that.

I again get the concern given maturity issues red flags with Pickens and Steeler fans watching guys like AB, Bryant, JuJu and now DJ display diva/immature behavior.

Who really knows how Pickens will be, as long as he is a team guy and doesn’t get into off field problems, whatever.

It's so weird that all this happened during Tomlin's tenure.
The biggest incident that ever occurred with Cowher was Ward threatening to holdout and Bettis' alleged BJ
 

Shaftception

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I'm not worried at all about Pickens supposed questionable character, at least not yet.

I'd wager whatever signs Pickens might be showing of frustration, diva tendencies, etc. are just due to the fact he probably knows had he been drafted to a team with a better offensive scheme and quarterback who'd make him the feature receiver the offense is designed around as his clear talent demands, he'd have the reputation of a rookie Ja'Marr Chase instead of what he currently has, obvious potential, but not being given the opportunity to shine.

That he actually cares about blocking effectively, to the point his coaches have praised him openly for it proves to me he knows and is willing to give appropriate effort to what it takes to win is what I'd care most about.

Making the most of his talent would be the best route to winning in the future for the team, so it's a win win regarding what's best for himself getting paid down the line and team success.
 
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Goalie_Bob

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It's so weird that all this happened during Tomlin's tenure.
The biggest incident that ever occurred with Cowher was Ward threatening to holdout and Bettis' alleged BJ

Joey Porter getting shot in a night club fight was pretty big. Big Ben being smashed by a car windshield was pretty big. And I believe his first rape allegation was during Cowher's tenure.

To some how say that the players were princes under Cowher and nothing ever happened and that things only happen under Tomlin is a f***in joke. There was tons of incidents with Cowher as coach. Same as Noll. It's just players were better protected back then and social media didn't exist back then.
 

xlm34

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It's so weird that all this happened during Tomlin's tenure.
The biggest incident that ever occurred with Cowher was Ward threatening to holdout and Bettis' alleged BJ

Cowher had his fair share of issues too: Link

We also live in a different world than when Cowher was a coach.
 
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UnrealMachine

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Tomlin has no update on Calvin Austin and says he is unlikely to participate against the Eagles. Unless he is put on the roster but made inactive for the game sunday, his season is over.

So what happened? Did they take him off IR before he was ready and they are incompetent or can they really not think of anything to do with a 4.3 40 speed guy to help the worst scoring offense in the NFL and they are incompetent?
Just redshirt him this year at this point. He will have a longer career if he can thicken up a bit like Tyreek Hill (let’s be honest, we are all hoping he turns out to be a discount version of TH, on the field at least).
 

Buddy Bizarre

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Joey Porter getting shot in a night club fight was pretty big. Big Ben being smashed by a car windshield was pretty big. And I believe his first rape allegation was during Cowher's tenure.

To some how say that the players were princes under Cowher and nothing ever happened and that things only happen under Tomlin is a f***in joke. There was tons of incidents with Cowher as coach. Same as Noll. It's just players were better protected back then and social media didn't exist back then.

Fair point and I'll walk back my allegation.
 

TimmyD

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Ya I was thinking Sunday night if Tua had better accuracy that offense would be scary.
Which is hilarious because that was supposed to be what his specialty was. He wasn’t known for having a gun like Herbert or being calm cool and collect like Burrow. He was supposed to be the left handed Drew Brees

Some pathetic offensive stats (consistent trend with Canada) and an obvious question by Benz - what does Tomlin have to lose by firing Canada?

His shield
 

TimmyD

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No need to elaborate, we know what you REALLY mean here.
Yeah it’s pretty obvious what he means…that a guy who has had off the field maturity issues in the past (I mean it’s literally the reason he wasn’t a 1st round pick) has a pretty high chance of having those same issues at some point in his NFL career. It’s pretty easy to understand what he meant
 

Mr Jiggyfly

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It's so weird that all this happened during Tomlin's tenure.
The biggest incident that ever occurred with Cowher was Ward threatening to holdout and Bettis' alleged BJ

All coaches have dealt with problem players, Noll had a guy shooting at police helicopters, so I can imagine how that would have played out on social media today.

Tomlin definitely has created a culture that allows guys like AB and JuJu to act like fools, but I don't think it's completely fair to blame him for all of it.

Some say Tomlin controlled the AB monster, I say he helped create it (sure guy, stay wherever you like during camp!).

So I won't pretend to believe he will keep Pickens grounded if the maturity issues are in fact real, and he becomes a star.

But I don't think it's all on Tomlin either. Be a professional when you are paid like one.

A legit thought I've always had...how do so many DBs have the absolute worst hands. Like it's a critical part of your job description.

You'd think DBs would be spending some time doing catching drills to improve. No pro should let a ball hit their hands clean and still drop it.

They have the same freak skills as WR, just not the hands. Old cliche is true that if they had hands they would be WR.
 
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pistolpete11

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I haven't seen anything from Pickens that would show the immaturity that he was rumored to have at UGA. I actually think all things considered he's been a good team player. Tomlin has applauded his work ethic and focus. This could all change in a quick hurry but I think he's been great despite not seeing the ball anywhere near as much as he should.
AB was applauded for his work ethic, especially early on, too. Working hard doesn't mean you're not going to be a diva.

He said in an interview that he's open 100% of the time and has thrown some mini temper tantrums when he didn't get the ball. The second play in the below video is the only one I could find on YouTube.

I'm not saying to run him out of town over it as either incident on its own is rather minor, but he does come in with the reputation and we're only 7 games into his NFL career. I don't know. To me, it's easy to hand waive away now, but if he becomes a problem, these are the type of things that people will start digging up.

Hope I'm wrong, but nobody should be surprised if it happens.


 

DanielPlainview

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Apr 28, 2009
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A legit thought I've always had...how do so many DBs have the absolute worst hands. Like it's a critical part of your job description.

You'd think DBs would be spending some time doing catching drills to improve. No pro should let a ball hit their hands clean and still drop it.

Part of the reason they play defense is they suck at catching the ball lol

You also figure DBs get a bit wide-eyed when a ball is there to catch. Picks are big deal stats wise but rare in opportunity
 

ChaosAgent

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Receiver is a position where you are a decoy 90% of the time. It would be hard to not get a little egotistical/stir crazy.
 

Pens1566

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AB was applauded for his work ethic, especially early on, too. Working hard doesn't mean you're not going to be a diva.

He said in an interview that he's open 100% of the time and has thrown some mini temper tantrums when he didn't get the ball. The second play in the below video is the only one I could find on YouTube.

I'm not saying to run him out of town over it as either incident on its own is rather minor, but he does come in with the reputation and we're only 7 games into his NFL career. I don't know. To me, it's easy to hand waive away now, but if he becomes a problem, these are the type of things that people will start digging up.

Hope I'm wrong, but nobody should be surprised if it happens.




This is the answer. Dude has talent/ability, and made one amazing catch. Other than that, he's not made a difference at all and he's caught a handful more NFL passes than I have. He really needs to tone down the attitude until he establishes himself at least.
 

OnMyOwn

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You don’t remember playing backyard ball with your friends and bitching about being wide open, just running around getting tired for nothing?

Now think about what it must be like being a pro athlete whose position pays you based off of being productive. It would be incredibly hard NOT to show frustration when you’re not getting looks while open.

I don’t think it’s an indicator of anything, TBH.
 

CheckingLineCenter

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Aug 10, 2018
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Trying to not be reactionary over the shiny new toy, but legitimately don’t get keeping Austin on IR.

This team is 2-5 and has the worst offense in the NFL. Even if there is no reward, idk how there’s any risk in activating him.

Am I missing anything?
 

Andy99

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Jun 26, 2017
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If the offense has another poor performance and he isn't fired after it then he won't be fired this season.
Gerry Dulac keeps insisting that the Steelers dont fire coordinators mid way through the season and won’t fire Canada until the end of the season…fine, then if he’s not fired, he can be stripped of his playcalling duties and turn them over to Mike Sullivan…
 
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xlm34

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If the offense has another poor performance and he isn't fired after it then he won't be fired this season.

After the Eagles game would be the best time to fire him mid season with the bye coming up for sure.

But I can see the argument for just waiting to replace him until the offseason. If you fire him now, he’s going to be replaced by Sullivan which I’m sure everyone would complain about or by someone sitting on their couch which I’m sure everyone will complain.

Then Pickett has to learn another system mid season only to learn another system next year when the interim OC would likely be replaced.
 

Mr Jiggyfly

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If the offense has another poor performance and he isn't fired after it then he won't be fired this season.

Wasn’t Tomlin saying he would turn over every stone a couple weeks ago?

What stone has he turned over, exactly?

I doubt Canada gets fired no matter what because it’s not the Stiller way.

The players are literally calling out Canada and telling everyone he’s a shitty playcaller.

But stones and turned and stuff.
 
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Goalie_Bob

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Silver lining.....Canada continues to suck and the Steelers get a high pick?

And I don't think they would need to install a new offense. Having a guy who understands the cadence of play calling can make a big difference. That being said, I don't think anyone is going to transform this offense into even a decent offense, the O-line just isn't good enough.
 
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Colonel Mustard

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The offense would have to learn a new playbook sure, but its not as if our current playbook is more than 10 plays anyway.
 
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