Steelers Daily Links: Pickens Shines, Pickett Takes Control

🏈 NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah was at Steelers training camp and is officially on the George Pickens hype train.

“Pickens hype is real. He has everything it takes to be elite WR. Burst, body control & hands +++,” Jeremiah tweeted, who was at Saint Vincent College on Saturday.

Pickens made another highlight reel catch at Saturday’s practice.

Another day… another George Pickens highlight 🤯

(via @TommyJaggi)pic.twitter.com/04TgazeCqF

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) August 5, 2023

Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett revealed to James Palmer and Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network that he had a major say in the direction of the offense this offseason. He also had a lot to say about the new offensive line in front of him, George Pickens and how Mike Tomlin pushes this talented roster to compete in everything. 

The #steelers are Kenny Pickett’s team now. He had a major say in the direction of the offense this offseason. He also had a lot to say about the new OL in front of him, George Pickens and how Mike Tomlin pushes this talented roster to compete in EVERYTHING. @movethesticks and I… pic.twitter.com/mjgPFMq72u

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 5, 2023

Former Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas’ son Jack ribbed Steelers fans during the Hall of Fame parade in Canton, Ohio. Thomas tweeted, “Dude is an assassin for his @Browns.” Thomas was 3-18 in his 11-year career with the Browns against the Steelers. Thomas never missed a start – or an offensive snap – over the course of his  Hall of Fame career. He started in each of his career 167 games and amassed 10,363 consecutive snaps – widely believed to be an NFL record – before a career-ending triceps injury in Week 7 of the 2017 season ultimately led to his retirement in March 2018.

Dude is an assassin for his @Browns 🤣🤣 https://t.co/NqnB5yHHlA

— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) August 5, 2023

🏈 In response to Warren Sharp’s question on Twitter about which team predicted to finish last in their division this year does not finish in last place. Scott Kascmar pointed out that the last time the Browns finished ahead of the Steelers, “Back to the Future Part III” was five months from its release date of 5/25/1990.

Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward discussed superheroes, Star Wars and more during an episode of Cart Talk.

Talkin’ superheroes, Star Wars & more in this episode of Cart Talk

🎤 @CamHeyward pic.twitter.com/pyYRZwAly1

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 6, 2023

📅 On this day in 1947, the Steelers sent star halfback Bill Dudley along with tackle Jack Dugger to the Detroit Lions for halfbacks Bob Cifers and Paul White plus the rights to Michigan tailback Bob Chappuis, who still had a year of college eligibility remaining, and an additional first-round draft choice for 1948 that was used to take Texas quarterback Bobby Layne (whose rights were traded to the Chicago Bears but who would eventually conclude his Hall of Fame career with the Steelers).

Dudley, who took a beating due to his heavy use, expressed concern with the grind of playing pro football at his size (not helped by his difficult relationship with head coach Jock Sutherland, who didn’t appreciate his brashness) and indicated his desire to retire and return to the University of Virginia as an assistant backfield coach. Dudley turned down a $20,000 contract offer from the Steelers in 1947 and retired. The retirement lasted only two weeks, however, as the Lions persisted in a trade and he eventually agreed to terms with them for $20,000 plus a $5,000 signing bonus.

“I respect Dudley tremendously as a player,” Sutherland said. “I’m sorry he didn’t see fit to come back to us. Had he decided to retire as he promised, we wouldn’t have had anybody in return. Now that he’s signed with Detroit, we get two players right away and two more next fall.”

🎂 Happy Birthday to former Steelers offensive tackle Marvel Smith, born on August 6, 1978 in Oakland, California. Smith, who was selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft out of Arizona State, won two Super Bowls with Pittsburgh during his nine-year career. Back injuries hampered Smith at the end of 2007 and limited him to a handful of games in 2008. The Steelers chose not to re-sign him after his 2003, 6-year, $26 million contract lapsed in the 2009 offseason. Smith signed with the San Francisco 49ers on March 27, 2009, but retired in late August. Smith started 108 games for the Steelers and made the Pro Bowl in 2004.

🎥 Steel City Star posted exclusive footage of Mike Webster facing Ernie Holmes and Steve Furness in one-on-one blocking drills during Steelers training camp in 1976.

EXCLUSIVE @Steelers footage

Mike Webster vs Ernie Holmes

Also Webster vs Furness @Bigweb52

1976 Training Camp pic.twitter.com/fslTrGHxZC

— Steel City Star (@steelcitystar) August 5, 2023