Patience is growing thin.
News broke on the Friday morning of Week 14 that George Pickens would be out of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ home division game to the Cleveland Browns.
Rumours spread instantly across social media that the Steelers organisation had grown sick of the mercurial young receiver’s attitude and had decided to teach him a lesson.
While the diva receiver stereotype is longer in vogue, the Steelers have had their fair share of headaches at the position under Tomlin’s tenure.
Fans will be hoping this is not the latest.
Repeat Offender
Against Cincinnati in Week 13, Pickens infuriated fans with several unsportsmanlike penalties and found himself fortunate not to be ejected from the game.
Images of Broderick Jones and Cam Heyward speaking to Pickens were indicators that perhaps the locker room were growing tired of this kind of behaviour as well.
This has not been the first time that Pickens has showcased behaviour which could be viewed as detrimental to team cohesion.
He was suspended for a half in college after being ejected from a game for fighting. He has also been fined numerous times since entering the league for egregious penalties.
A lack of maturity has been a consistent theme in his young career. His comments in interviews, as well as a lack of growth from these situations, have been indicators of this.
Tomlin has even admitted in interviews that he has weekly meetings with Pickens to help him on and off the field.
Is his talent worth it ?
One of the reasons Pickers originally dropped in the draft was because of character concerns. That was despite the fact he is clearly talented and has been prolific for the Steelers since day one.
His play has definitely given the Steelers a much-needed edge on the field, given the fact that in recent years they were considered soft at times.
The crux of the matter will be if Pickens can cut out some of the unnecessary penalties.
If so, then penalties for over the top blocks and the like are much easier to accept as a byproduct of his tough style.
Will history repeat itself?
Pittsburgh have a remarkably good record of keeping diva receivers on the straight and narrow, for the most part.
Past examples have only capitulating once outside of the environment in Pittsburgh.
There is a reason that players and coaches alike are going out of their way to try and mentor Pickens. He is so talented and crucial to this team that many across the franchise do not want to see him throw his talent away with his behavioural issues.
