Steelers Daily Links: Riddick on Pickett, More Red-Zone Throws?

Warren Sharp of Sharp Football thinks the Pittsburgh Steelers will throw the ball a lot more in the red zone this year, which is why he thinks George Pickens’ touchdowns will increase. According to Sharp, the Steelers ranked 25th in the league last year in pass rate (38%) inside the 15.

In 2021 with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback, the Steelers ranked No. 1 in pass rate inside the 15 (64%). Pickett was 18 of 46 (39%) in red zone completion percentage in 2022 (dead last). In addition, the Steelers had just seven touchdowns of 10+ yards in 2022 (dead last).

3 reasons to buy Pickens

1. PIT's pass rate inside the 15:

2022: 38% pass (#25)
2021: 64% pass (#1)

2. Pickett was 18-of-46 (39%) in red zone comp % in 2022 (dead last)

3. PIT had 7 TDs of 10+ yards in 2022 (dead last)

expect all 3 to improve in 2023

via @SportsGrid pic.twitter.com/3KAo3TKIpA

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 25, 2023

🏈 ESPN analyst Louis Riddick thinks Kenny Pickett will silence his naysayers this year.

“Kenny’s going to shut a lot of people up this year who said, ‘he’s just a good college quarterback who wears two gloves and can’t push the ball down the field’ and all that BS,” Riddick said at the Pitt kickoff luncheon

Before the #Pitt kickoff luncheon began, I asked Louis Riddick about his expectations for #Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett in Year 2 in the NFL.

“Kenny’s going to shut a lot of people up this year …” pic.twitter.com/ugQ2UdMOnB

— Corey Crisan (@cdcrisan) August 25, 2023

RELATED: Kenny Pickett Perfect in Preseason

🏈 Ben Fennell of NFL on CBS posted a clip of Keeanu Benton’s dominating performance on Friday night against the Atlanta Falcons. The second-round pick out of Wisconsin continues to be impressive.

This is what you're gonna see from Steelers rookie DT Benton all season – playing on opposite side of LOS, eating blockers/gaps, forcing cutbacks, impressive body control/balance for 320lbs and getting himself in a lot of plays

And in the lab with @CamHeyward – look out. pic.twitter.com/BYHgxTXI0e

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) August 25, 2023

🏈 NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger broke down Steelers left guard Isaac Seumalo’s performance on Friday night, which featured some crushing run blocks.

“(Isaac Seumalo) has been everything the Steelers thought he would when they signed him as a FA. Gotta move big bodies if you wanna gain real estate,” Baldinger tweeted.

.@steelers @IsaacSeumalo has been everything the Steelers thought he would when they signed him as a FA. Gotta move big bodies if you wanna gain real estate #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/jPSG03oOeE

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 25, 2023

🏈 Pro Football Hall of Fame: Friday marked the 35th anniversary of the passing of Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr. Rooney was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1964.

The @steelers would've never become one of the NFL's elite franchises without Art Rooney.

On the 35th anniversary of Rooney's passing, we pause to remember his legacy. #HOFForever pic.twitter.com/bJEKtZRBf5

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) August 25, 2023

🎂 Happy Birthday to former Steelers safety and Hall of Famer Donnie Shell, born on August 26, 1952 in Whitmire, South Carolina. Shell was a five-time Pro Bowler between 1978 and 1982, a four-time All-Pro selection, and was the Steelers team MVP in 1980. He played in 201 games for the Steelers and recorded 51 interceptions (third in franchise history). Even though he went undrafted out of South Carolina State, Shell was a part of the legendary 1974 Steelers rookie class that featured five future Hall of Famers (Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, Mike Webster and Shell). Shell was a part of all four of the Steelers’ Super Bowl winning teams in the 1970s. On January 15, 2020, Shell was announced as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Centennial Class of 2020. He was inducted by former Steelers teammate and close friend Tony Dungy.

🎥 Warren Sharp posted a clip of every single one of Kenny Pickett’s preseason pass attempts. Pickett completed 13 of 15 passes for 199 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 158.3 perfect passer rating in three preseason games.

every single Kenny Pickett preseason attempt pic.twitter.com/q1TmCCOgOM

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 26, 2023

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Pittsburgh Sports Now: Five-star point guard Dior Johnson has left Pitt.

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