Cook, Hoke, Starkey on Pickett

Pickett needs to play better. It doesn't take ten years in the league or breaking down the All 22 to realize that. It takes objectivity. Those who didn't like the pick are more apt to pick him apart, while others will find fault with everyone else. It's not all that hard to understand where the deficiencies are on this team. They're all over the place.

 

And there are those of us who are pro KP that are more than willing to criticize him for his failures while also blaming his inept OC and enabling HC for putting a rookie quarterback in a position to fail miserably making him sustain 15 play drives with an east to west offensive strategy and making him throw 40+ times a game.

 

If you listened to the audio though Chris showed that he was put in positions to succeed he just didnt make the right read or his passes were offline. Here I was under the impression his accuracy was supposed to be one of his strong suits. I haven't seen a whole lot of it when it counted most. Only one pass to date stands out more than any other and that was a over the middle pass to freiermuth. His offensive line could be better and the running game hasn't helped much, but people are going to have to be more patient and content with the run run pass.

They are going to have to force the run even if it's not being successful as its blatantly obvious they cant succeed with Kenny throwing it as many times as he does. Possibly better blocking schemes and traps can help move this running game along, but lack of innovation on the part of Canada doesnt make me very optimistic.

 

You both are correct.
He hasn't played long ....so hope He sees this more, and has time, but He has missed some plays that are there.

 

Bingo

 

He’s completing almost 70% of his passes so he’s plenty accurate. I know that number may be a little skewed based on his YPA/YPC but I don’t think accuracy is a problem. Every QB misses passes and open receivers, even seasoned vets.

 

This! Take a look at the offense Ben stepped into vs what Pickett has.

I'm not absolving Pickett of some of his mistakes but damn he's throwing to much plus with an almost non existent running attack and a below average offensive line. And a play caller that has plays on one post it note.

And a running back who is not sure of himself dancing and prancing. But the other one that hits the hole with vision and ferociousness. They need the latter to get more snaps.

The Constant told Pickett to stop staring down Pickens. The last I checked he is a playmaker. Now with Claypool gone I hope to see more of the Pickett/Pickens show.

 

Agreed if Highsmith keeps leaving his gap assignment (as an example) and over-pursuing on pulling play and then get gashed on the cutback or running past the QB out of control and the QB goes inside and right by him we won't get off the field on 3rd down. Or Bush getting destroyed by blocks. Some of the goal line situation our LB's just get owned!!

 

If you have only seen one outstanding throw, you have missed quite a few. My big concern is that the problems around him got to him against the Eagles. He looked like he was too worried about throwing interceptions most of the game. He also missed badly on that one throw to Freiermuth. The mistake on the sideline ball to Pickens wasn't a lack of accuracy. It was the decision to throw to his back shoulder rather than lead him down the field. I agree with the notion that he really needed the bye week to take a step back and see what is going on. He is also having way too much dumped on his shoulders way too quickly.

 

This is where his college trajectory gives me hope. He went through this already. He played like this early in his Pitt career, when he wasn't ready and the team around him wasn't very good. He overcame that to become an elite quarterback in his final season. The difference here is that he needs to do that a lot more quickly. He needs to show some progress now and he needs to take a big step forward next season.

 

That's a good point. Comparing the 2004 team vs the 2022 team:

2004 vs 2022
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ben >>> KP
RBs > RBs
WRs > WRs
OL >>> OL
OC >>> OC
HC >> HC

KP is totally screwed and we should simply not expect anything close to 2004/2005 seasons, or KP growing the same way Ben did.

BTW, D in 2004 was also much much better than D in 2022.

Man... this comparison is very depressing...

 

We have to, HAVE to upgrade multiple OL positions in off-season. That said, we desperately need improved ILB (let Bush walk) and improved ROLB (Highsmith should be a backup only). While I would hope for one of - top OL/OT in draft, top pass rusher that fits Steelers future schemes or the top shutdown CB, I'd be giddy if in the 2nd round they take a top ILB to replace Bush.

We need to be aggressive in FA this off-season. We'll be a top 5 or team with cap space available and need to aggressively pursue one or TWO of the top OT, OG, ILB, CB, NT or ROLB. Then use 3 top 55 or so picks to upgrade what remains. There is almost no Steelers player I want to see extended or re-signed. Okafor has been...okay, but there isn't a lineman on either side of the ball that should be resigned, save for deep depth, vet minimum type.

 

At this point I honestly expected to see more 'flashes' from KP. I think out of all the passing he's done I can count on one hand the number of 'wow' throws he's made. That is a concern for a future franchise QB. All the great ones show it even in their rookie seasons. And all I read about KP prior to draft was his incredible throwing with 'anticipation'. I'm still waiting on the anticipation throws hitting WRs in stride for big gains. These are things KP can control regardless of the OC and scheme.