The Pittsburgh Steelers gave away 60 free yards to opponents in 2022 due to unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and according to NFLpenalties.com. Opposing teams weren't called for it against Pittsburgh at all. Football is a game of high emotion, but learning to control those sentiments in the moment can ultimately save your team lost yardage and costly fines.
Michael Allshouse / Latrobe Bulletin
Referees prepare for a full day of Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Veteran columnist Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said that officials in training camp are there to be a helpful resource, but once the season starts, they've got their own job to do: to call the game as they see it.
As Dulac explains, it's not unusual for NFL teams to enlist the help of officials during their summer workouts to get players back into the groove and used to having flags thrown again. The referees, however, are not there to have their decisions questioned consistently by the players, coaches, and fans, like in the regular season. Dulac said the number one offender of talking back to the officials so far in camp has been second-year wide receiver, George Pickens.
Pickens plays angry, especially when he's not getting the ball, but there's a level of anger that the Steelers simply can't tolerate when it starts costing them yards. Former Steelers offensive lineman, Ramon Foster said he's started to notice a push-off problem that will need correcting. The team doesn't need to add a discipline problem on top of that.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_Photo)
Steelers pass catcher, George Pickens (#14) goes up to grab a pass during the 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Dulac said that Pickens has been noticeably upset on a couple of occasions in camp at the officials, who arrived on Wednesday, August 2. The young receiver got called for offensive pass interference for pushing off veteran cornerback, Patrick Peterson during the first day with referees and let the ref who flagged him for it know that he was not a fan.
He was also visibly upset when he was ruled out of bounds when he thought he had a touchdown during a 'Seven Shots' drill. He didn't get a flag in either instance, but once Week 1 rolls around, there's a very good chance that he could've gotten 30 yards worth of penalties. Head Coach, Mike Tomlin gave his talented pass-catcher a bit of a lecture to tone down his barking at officials.
"There's going to be calls that you don't like, but the calls are the calls and there's an educational process that goes on in environments like this, whether the call is correct or not or whether you agree or disagree,” he said via Dulac. "We’ve got to move on. That's some of the learning that goes on for young people in an environment like this who are working their tails off to compete, and it becomes somewhat emotional.”
When Pickens made his viral catch over rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr., he probably would've been flagged for handing the ball to Porter after the catch. Dulac said it might've been pandering to the crowd, but that doesn't make it acceptable. Crowds are only going to get bigger and more boisterous as the season wears on and not picking up 15-yard penalties that hurt your team will be key.
Steelers Young Receiver Not The Only Perpetrator Of Unsportsmanlike Play In Camp
Local product, Kenny Robinson has impressed early in training camp with his ball-hawking skills. Dulac noted that after an interception on a pass intended for receiver Ja’Marcus Bradley, the safety quickly walked after his victim and taunted him, drawing a flag from the closest official. Robinson definitely can't afford to draw any more negative attention his way when he doesn't have as strong a hold on a roster spot as Pickens does.
Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Elijah Riley (left) and Kenny Robinson (right) participate in team drills in Latrobe, PA.
Dulac noted that while this might not seem like a huge issue with it only being August and these things being fun and harmless now, it absolutely is. The problem is that they won't be fun during the season when the team wants to make a run at the playoffs. The old adage of, practice as you play, feels very applicable here. Pittsburgh needs to ensure these habits are gone in camp so they don't cost them 15 yards or more in a game where every little bit counts.
Do you think the Steelers have an unsportsmanlike conduct problem? Does it worry you at all? Comment below!
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