Load management, a term that has been synonymous with the NBA for the past several years, has now found its way into the NFL and specifically into the vocabulary of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.
Tomlin alluded to load management when discussing receiver George Pickens and the fact that he played in just 59% of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps during Sunday night’s 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Tomlin said that load management was the reason why Pickens played significantly fewer snaps than fellow wideouts Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson despite Pittsburgh’s lack of depth at the position.
“Just trying to grow and trying to get optimum productivity among some individuals and going about it the best means of doing so,” Tomlin said.
Many assumed that Pickens’ limited snaps was a form of punishment. Pickens appeared to give less than his best effort on several plays on Sunday night, a repeat of his actions during the team’s loss to the Colts in Week 15 of the 2023 season. But that apparently wasn’t the case.
Tomlin said the didn’t have any “outlying issue” with Pickens’ effort on Sunday night, but he did acknowledge Pickens’ actions near the end of the game when he slung down Cowboys defensive back Jourdan Lewis after grabbing his face mask.
“I am aware of that,” Tomlin said, “and that obviously will and continue to be addressed.”
Tomlin said he was not aware of the eyeblack Pickens wore on Sunday that said, “always f—ng open.” Tomlin did acknowledge that, while he feels that Pickens has matured during his time in Pittsburgh, he still has some room to grow.
It’s clear that Tomlin will continue to have an in-house approach regarding Pickens. It’s also clear that Pickens’ act is getting old with some of his teammates.
While he didn’t mention Pickens by name, it’s largely assumed that’s who tight end Pat Freiermuth was alluding to during his passionate postgame…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mike-tomlin-says-steelers-will-continue-to-apply-load-management-to-wr-george-pickens/
Author : Bryan DeArdo
Publish date : 2024-10-08 18:51:08
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