Steelers Daily Links: Pickett Ranked 28th, Browns Seeking History

Alan Saunders |

Sep 16, 2023

Steelers Kenny Pickett — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett on the ground against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 10, 2023. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

After a disastrous Week 1 performance, Adam Rank of NFL.com ranked Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett as the 28th-best quarterback in the league. Pickett dropped five spots in Rank’s rankings.

“So much for the preseason hype. After a strong showing in the preparatory period, Pickett regressed to a version that had Steelers fans concerned in the first half of last season,” Rank wrote. “It didn’t help that San Francisco dug Pittsburgh into a deep deficit incredibly quickly, forcing Pickett to throw 46 passes behind an offensive line that certainly didn’t live up to expectations. Pickett didn’t do much to aid his cause, either. His attempt to throw Diontae Johnson open resulted in an interception, and his second pick — a bullet fired into double coverage — was even worse. Fred Warner deserves an assist for tipping that pass to Talanoa Hufanga. Pickett, meanwhile, deserves a prolonged film session to see that he isn’t a superhero. On the bright side, he was much better on quick throws (114.6 passer rating on throws released in under 2.5 seconds versus 49.3 on passes over 2.5 seconds), including the throw he placed perfectly into the hands of Pat Freiermuth for Pittsburgh’s only touchdown. But he can’t try to win the game by himself. Pittsburgh is talented enough to win as long as Pickett plays within himself, which he didn’t do in Week 1.”

? If the Cleveland Browns beat the Steelers on Monday Night Football, they’ll start their season 2-0 for https://twitter.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/1702474843696816544″>the

first time since 1993, when Bill Belichick was their coach. In the last 30 years, the Browns have had 12 head coaches and 38 starting quarterbacks (the most in the league in that span). In addition, the Browns have not beaten the Steelers in Pittsburgh during the regular season in 20 years.

? Former Steelers nose tackle Chris Hoke thought the Steelers’ run defense was flat-out embarrassing against the 49ers. Christian McCaffrey rushed for 152 yards on 22 carries (6.9 average) and had a 65-yard touchdown.

“I don’t know if this defense is serious about stopping the run. There wasn’t a real desire to be physical. They’re not playing with run technique,” https://twitter.com/937theFan/status/1702397927040180665″>Hoke

said on 93.7 The Fan.

? NFL.com released their preview for the Steelers-Browns game on Monday night. Six of the ten analysts have the Browns beating the Steelers.

? Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson spoke to the Cleveland media about Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who’s coming off a three-sack performance.

#Browns Deshaun Watson on #Steelers TJ Watt pic.twitter.com/egm9Wk8fp2

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 14, 2023

? Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky said on ESPN’s Get Up that Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada called the same pass play eight times in Pittsburgh’s 30-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

“One thing Kenny Pickett has to change”

Dan Orlovsky nailed it:

1: His offensive coordinator

2. His ability to read the field

(Same problem from last year for BOTH of them reappeared on Sunday)

Matt Canada and KP have to be better if this team is going to win games. pic.twitter.com/7aKPriV6Fh

— M (@mdrizzy22) September 14, 2023

? Happy Birthday to former Steelers safety Myron Bell, born on September 15, 1971 in Toledo, Ohio. Also, Happy Birthday to former Steelers center and current New York Giant, J.C. Hassenauer, born on September 15, 1995 in Woodbury, Minnesota.

? Browns right guard Wyatt Teller had an insane block on Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt in Cleveland’s win on Sunday. The Steelers’ defensive tackles will have a tough matchup on Monday night with the Browns’ interior offensive linemen, as Teller, left guard Joel Bitonio and center Ethan Pocic are the strength of Cleveland’s O-line.