Steelers OC Addresses Possibility of Benching George Pickens

The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator says he'll continue to push the message about lack of effort.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are dealing with effort issues with wide receiver George Pickens. After admitting he chose not to block on a run that nearly resulted in a touchdown, the thought of benching him has been mentioned by national analysts and former players. 

When asked about his lack of effort on a run play by Jaylen Warren, Pickens said he chose not to block because he didn't want to be injured on the play. 

"I was just trying to prevent the Tank Dell situation, the same thing that happened to (him)," Pickens said. "I ain't want to get an injury. When you stay on the block too low, you can get ran up on very easily."

Offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner said he's addressed the situation with Pickens and is going to be constant with the message that any lack of effort is unacceptable for this team. 

"My reaction is, we have to go out there and execute on every play. To the highest level every play. That's my expectation," Faulkner said. "... How do you handle that? You address it. You present it to the group. You make sure that it's called out amongst the guys and they understand where your stance is and then you move on from that."

That being said, he does have confidence Pickens will turn things around. 

"Being here with George every day. I know he's a guy that loves ball, he works at it, and he wants to be good. That's where you find your peace in knowing that you can bring him along in that regard because he loves ball."

As for benching the young wide out, Faulkner said that's something to ask head coach Mike Tomlin, but acknowledged he's going to coach Pickens the best he could. 

"We're going to coach our guys to the best of our ability out there. That's probably closer to a Coach Tomlin question," Faulkner said. 

How will he do that, and how has he done it throughout the week? He's continue to push the message that it's not acceptable. From there, you "then expect it to change."

"You keep on hammering away at it. That's our job and that's what we'll do," Faulkner said.

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