Steelers extensive receiver George Pickens’ penalties outshined his efficiency in a 44-38 win over the Bengals on Sunday.
Pickens, who had threee catches for 74 yards and a landing, acquired two 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalties — and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin despatched him a stern message after their victory at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
“He’s simply gotta develop up, man,” Tomlin stated in his postgame press convention. “It’s an emotional sport. These divisional video games are massive. He’s received a goal on his again as a result of he’s George. He understands that. But he’s gotta develop up, and he’s gotta develop up in a rush.”
Pickens acquired a 15-yard penalty for taunting a defender within the first half, after which one other unsportsmanlike conduct penalty within the second half for making what appeared like a gun gesture.
He additionally punted the ball into the stands after a 17-yard rating within the first quarter.
Pickens defined that refs “received the gesture unsuitable” on the second flag.
“[They] thought it was one thing else,” he stated. ” You can’t harm the workforce. I by no means supposed to harm the workforce, however he simply thought the gesture was totally different. … I used to be doing the primary down; he acknowledged he thought [it was] one thing else.”
Pickens wasn’t disqualified as a result of his second penalty wasn’t taunting towards Bengals gamers, referee Shawn Hochuli stated in a pool report.
Pickens added that he wouldn’t change his response in these conditions.
“No, actually, like I stated, I can simply preserve operating my routes, preserve enjoying,” he stated. “We received refs on the market to make sure requires sure penalties, sure flags. If they don’t make it, then I’m fairly certain they’ll take it up…
“To be sincere, it was type of a ticky-tack sport, and I’m simply glad we got here out with the dub.”
Tomlin clearly had sufficient after a separate incident final week, when Pickens received right into a scuffle with Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II throughout a 24-19 loss.
Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson additionally stated he talked to Pickens on the sidelines about maintaining his feelings in test.
“It’s ardour, and so typically that takes over and I believe that simply having the ability to stability it, I assumed he did a terrific job responding,” Wilson stated. “And I simply suppose that you simply simply received to know that once you’re at top-of-the-line receivers on the planet, all people’s going to have their eyes on you, and simply you bought to know that simply to remain impartial, keep poised in these moments and nonetheless convey pleasure. Don’t change that however simply perceive that.
“I used to be telling him on the sideline once you’re top-of-the-line on the planet, you count on to make these performs, and also you don’t have to do something further essentially. … He’s studying it as we go. He’s received to be smarter, too, although, and he’s going to do this.”
The Steelers (9-3) face the Browns (3-8) in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
