Pickens, the talented fool

JPJ is more of a concern than GP

 

I think "taunting" is such a garbage call in ANY professional sport. I can get behind calling unsportsmanlike on stuff like throwing the ball at an opponent or contacting/throwing a punch at an opponent.... but penalizing a player for celebrations in an entertainment league is super lame.

 

I agree - Pickens must realize that anything borderline is going to be flagged at this point.

Pickens has a high profile and the refs are sensitive to his shenanigans.

 

I mostly agree with this. I don’t have as much issue with the celebrations, but can see where there is a line where it becomes taunting.

If it is personally directed then it can continue escalating into a fight. I understand the perspective that the refs are also trying to manage the game and don’t want things getting out of control.

 

I highly disagree. Porter has had a couple of rough games this year, but he's been a good player for us. There are 0 character or effort concerns from him. The level of play we get from GP is better. but effort and character concerns can derail a career regardless of how good you are. Porter has just gotten too many flags. Not only is it correctable, but he's otherwise been a quite solid player for us so far.

 

The "gun hand motion" thing was the lamest. Like every player makes the two finger "gun" point on just about every first down they get. It was a wild flag tbh and an embarrassment to the league that it was thrown. Jawing is part of the game and as long as there is no escalating physical contact (like punches thrown, or hits well after the whistle) or no throwing of equipment (helmets, football, pylon, etc.) at the opponent... then what are we doing?

 

I would say my comment was more general and not about any one incident.

For what’s it’s worth, I agree that the gesture was a weak call (given that it happens frequently in the league).

 

True. I understand trying to keep fights from breaking out, but man, there is enough garbage that the NFL screws up from an officiating perspective. Leave these types of flags out of it haha

 

They were bs calls. I do agree with you on that. The problem for both of those guys is that they are developing a reputation. And for both of them, that reputation has the refs watching them more closely and being more critical of their actions.

Pickens is the bigger problem imo. The reputation he is developing is that of a showboat who is going to do some kind of taunting action whenever he has a big play. They're going to shut that down every time. This far into his career, I'm not sure if he can stop doing it. He's a showboat. He has phenomenal talent, but he's still a showboat. That's his core personality. Look at me, look at me, look at me, I'm so awesome and you suck. That's his attitude and I don't know if he has a mental fortitude to be able to change that.

Porter is developing a reputation as a guy that's handsy. Sometimes it's going to get called and sometimes it's not. That's just normal play and it's not at the level of Pickens issues since it's generally not going to lead to a fight or involving the crowds.

 

It’s only a matter of time before Pickens stupidity actually costs us a game. Let’s hope it’s not in the playoffs. We will probably be down by 2 in FG range with the game on the line his antics will move us out of FG range. The calls yesterday were weak especially after the lame no call mugging for a pick 6. Bottom line this guy can be so much better if he just grows up a bit.

 

The league loved Ocho Cinco for the same stuff that Pickens does.

 

I get it, and Tomlin obviously agrees. Unfortunately, without these headcases, the offense is not sound enough to do anything. I'd prefer a stronger character filter. Regarding Tomlin, we just disagree that his approach to the game is old school.

 

If he grows up a little bit starts acting like a mature adult, that guy is going to get a record contract for wide receivers. He has phenomenal talent. He just doesn't have the emotional and mental responsibility to go with it.

 

JPJ has caused more teams to be first and goal because of his penalties, than GP has hurt the team in penalities

 

To be fair. I didn’t know we were comparing those two but you are right. JPJ doesn’t act a fool though. He just does foolish things during the play. GP does foolish things after the play. Both are not helping the team in that respect.

 

Those DBs know it's easy to get under his skin, and he can't help himself he falls for it every time.

 

correct! He is weak minded

 

The Steelers aren't going to pay a free agent WR that big money, they will probably re-sign Russell and a few other priority players that will take up much of their cap space.

 

It’s amazing how easy it is to mess with weak minded people

I enjoy this message board

 

Only time will tell?

 

This isn't just another first down celebration even Stevie Wonder could see this .

 

The gun thingie only uses one finger

That should not be a penalty

 

The taunting rule is good because players will go too far if there wasn't a rule in place.

 

the RULES have changed.

the league loved James Harrison too, once upon a time - the way he and Ray Lewis used to pummel people - but the rules have changed

 

If Chad Johnson stepped onto the filed tomorrow and picked up right where he left off with his on field antics the announcers would all praise it. They always stood behind his entertainment value.