Steelers Daily Links: Canada Criticized by Ex GM; Pickett Ranked 25th

Former Steelers executive and ex-Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley ripped Matt Canada during a recent appearance on 93.7 The Fan. “The offensive system and game planning leaves a lot to be desired,” Whaley said. “Do you ever see the Steelers offense setting up a play 50 minutes before? Do you ever see the Steelers offense putting a guy in motion to expose what the defense is doing and being able to take advantage of that weakness of the defense that they found out by motioning? No. They just use motion to say I am doing motion to give guys extra steps on their watch.”

Whaley also had some strong criticism for Diontae Johnson. “His lack of consistency is what holds him back, not only with hands, but with effort and route running,” Whaley said.

NFL.com: Kenny Pickett came in at No. 25 on Nick Shook’s quarterback rankings from the 2022 season. “The Steelers can feel good about the future after seeing their rookie starter come into bloom inside an evolving offense,” Shoot wrote. “Pickett shined in crunch time, becoming the only first-year passer in league history to throw final-minute, game-winning touchdowns in back-to-back starts against the Raiders and Ravens. Sporadic and slightly unhinged out of the gate, the first-rounder finished as PFF’s top-rated thrower from Week 14 on. Time will tell if he can overcome a lack of elite physical talent, but Pickett gives Pittsburgh something to build around.” Mitch Trubisky was ranked 33rd by Shook.

The 33rd Team: New York Giants safety Julian Love listed Minkah Fitzpatrick among his top-5 defensive backs in the NFL, along with James Bradberry, Darius Slay, Patrick Surtain II and Kevin Byard.

Footbahlin podcast: Ben Roethlisberger thinks Andy Reid is one of the best head coaches of all-time. “I have to just congratulate Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy, they just are so stinking good. They are different level coaches; they are up here,” Roethlisberger said. “They are going to be up there as long as Andy Reid’s there and Patrick Mahomes are there. To me, Andy Reid should go down as one of the best of all time. I heard he lets players like design plays, and he will contemplate putting them in. To truly have an open door and listen to guys and not just say, ‘Oh yeah, I’ll think about it.’”

The Pro Football Hall of Fame official Twitter account paid tribute to former Steelers defensive tackle Ernie Stautner on Thursday. “In the 1950s, there was no more beloved (or punishing) force on the Steelers than Hall of Famer Ernie Stautner. On the 17-year anniversary of Stautner’s passing, we pause to remember his career.”Pi

Watch: Steelers.com takes an exclusive look at this past season’s highlights of the Black and Gold.

On this date in 1983, Steelers linebacker Jack Ham retired after a 12-year Hall of Fame career. Along with being in Canton, Ham is a member of the NFL 75th Anniversary Team, the NFL All-Time Team, the NFL Team of the Decade 1970s and the Steelers 75th Anniversary Team.

Kenny Pickett continues to work with his personal quarterback coach Tony Racioppi in Florida.

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett working full field drill playing left to right. Eyes before feet, back foot/hip married together always stacked sliding to next area to align base to make straight, balanced throws with consistent sequence to all levels of field.… https://t.co/iOtFyH7HDD pic.twitter.com/fkX3h0Z5PY

— Tony Racioppi (@Tonyrazz03) February 17, 2023

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