The Pittsburgh Steelers have had their share of ups and downs from the media, but they received some more ups from an analyst talking to Mike Sullivan. While on NFL Total Access, David Carr talked about the Steelers' upcoming season, and mainly Kenny Pickett's development. Carr mentioned that Sullivan was his QB coach with the New York Giants, so he has an idea of what Sullivan will do to help Pickett's development. According to him so far, Pickett is developing very nicely and could make the Steelers a threat.
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Pittsburgh Steelers former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada.
Carr and Sullivan were texting about Pickett's growth. Sullivan had nothing but good things to say about the second-year quarterback, and Carr read Sullivan's analysis out loud on the show.
"The kid is a GRINDER. Worked his tail off this spring in the weight room, meetings, walkthroughs, fundamental drills. On the field, he's picking up right where he left off in 2022: seeing improved anticipation, ball location, pocket management, always was a cool, confident player. He seems even more so now..."
It sounds like Pickett is poised for a breakout year from what Sullivan said. Carr broke down some of Pickett's film after this, including showing everything Sullivan talked about. He pulled up a couple clips from the Week 7 matchup versus the Miami Dolphins. The first play was what Carr described as a "unique coverage" where George Pickens runs a go route and Pickett seemingly reads Noah Igbinoghene dropping back and leaving Pickens open.
"This is a unique coverage. This is a Cover-2 version. You don't usually see this, but man, he rips into the hole with great anticipation, great velocity."
Rebecca Blackwell, AP
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (8) celebrates a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins with George Pickens (14).
The next play was a slant and go route that the corner read perfectly. Despite the corner not biting on the slant, both Pickett and Pickens read that and adjusted. Pickett starts to throw it right as Pickens turns around and stops his route entirely, hitting him for a first down. If his anticipation was already this good (and it's improving), they sky is the limit for what he can see on the field.
"It's a nice little slant-and-go and they're actually going to read this. For Kenny, this is hard because the corner doesn't really buy it, so now the receiver's going to sit it down, and he still throws it with great anticipation and gets it out of his hand."
His location and anticipation are already solid. His development will just make everything scarier. Carr also brings up the play versus the New York Jets that made Steeler Nation fall in love with him, when he threw a strike while getting lit up by Quinnen Williams, then talking smack to him.
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Kenny Pickett throws a dart to Pat Freiermuth while getting hit by Quinnen Williams.
"You can't coach this toughness: Kenny Pickett staying in the pocket with a guy bearing down on him and delivering a strike up the seam; perfectly thrown, and then he talks some trash afterwards."
Pickett's pocket presence and moxie are already up at an elite level. If he's even more confident and even more aware of the pocket and when to escape, his ceiling is through the roof in multiple facets. With improved pocket presence and the "Pickett Fence" being built up, Pickett might be one of the least sacked quarterbacks in the NFL in 2023.
With the Steelers making improvements all over the roster all year long, the expectation was already double-digit wins and a playoff spot no doubt. If Pickett is developing like Sullivan claims, and he's already as good as Carr showed with his analysis, those expectations could be set higher. Carr also agrees on that, and he even likes the Steelers' chances to win the division somewhat.
"This team is set up now to really compete. We talked about the Bengals earlier, don't sleep on the Pittsburgh Steelers, especially with the way Kenny Pickett's going to play this year."
-544x306.jpg "Steelers Kenny Pickett and Mike Tomlin")
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Steelers' Kenny Pickett and Mike Tomlin discuss strategy.
This team has proven at times that they can at least get close to the playoffs or make the playoffs each year. As long as Pickett keeps developing from an already strong end to the 2022 season and supposedly strong spring, he could catapult himself into the top 10 quarterback discussion and lead the Steelers to more than just a playoff appearance.
What do you think of David Carr and Mike Sullivan's analysis of Kenny Pickett and their high praises? Let us know in the comments below.
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