Steelers' Jaylen Warren Praises George Pickens' Incredible Blocking: "He's Not The Selfish Player People Make Him Out To Be"

The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a huge victory in Week 17 over the Seattle Seahawks. There were two huge factors from the offense that contributed to the win, and that was the running game combining for over 200 yards and George Pickens having over 130 yards receiving. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren combined for three touchdowns on the ground, and the duo showed why they are the best in the league. Warren had the first touchdown of the game, and it happened in large part due to the terrific blocking from Pickens. 

Steelers' Warren Praises Pickens' Downfield Blocking

Many remember the turmoil surrounding Pickens and the Steelers when he seemed to give up on a run play in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts. Warren was the ball carrier on the run, and had Pickens finished blocking the defender he was responsible for, the play would have resulted in a probable touchdown for Warren. Instead, Pickens gave up on his block, and later gave a much criticized excuse for his actions that he was trying to avoid an injury. 

That was weeks ago, and whatever issues that stemmed from that incident have been resolved. Since then, Pickens has had two incredible games in a row where he has had a combined 326 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He has also been a force when it comes to blocking for his running backs. Warren took note of this on his 18-yard touchdown run against Seattle. 

"It was cool. That's GP, he will do that, I knew he was gonna do that. He's not the selfish player that people make him out to be."

Pickens is a young player, and he made a mistake against the Colts in giving up on his block. It was reported that he and Warren spoke about it afterwards and they are on good terms, which is clear after Pickens sprung Warren loose for a long touchdown run. Pickens has been proving all of his doubters wrong after the last two weeks. He nearly had 200 receiving yards against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16 and followed it up by recording 131 yards against Seattle, which included a catch for a first down on the Steelers' final drive that essentially iced the game.

The wide receivers and tight ends were helping the running backs out all day against the Seahawks. The downfield blocking from the receivers was evident, and the tight ends did their part by pushing Harris into the end zone for his second touchdown of the day. In total, the Steelers rushed for 202 yards. Harris accounted for 122 of them, while Warren chipped in for 75 yards on 13 carries. Harris averaged 4.5 yards per carry, and Warren averaged nearly six yards per carry. The Steelers were unstoppable on the ground, and it helped them control the pace of the game. 

Although the blocking from Pickens and the rest of the pass-catchers was phenomenal, both Harris and Warren had to earn a lot of their yards on the ground. Harris was carrying defenders for extra yards all game, and Warren was running through defenders. Both backs were doling out stiff-arms throughout the game, and they each earned multiple nominations for Kyle Brandt's "Angry Runs" segment on Good Morning Football. Harris wound up winning the award for the fifth-time in his career, but both Steelers running backs took up all four nominations. 

The Steelers' running game is finding its groove. A lot of it has to with both running backs' willingness to earn extra yards, and receivers like Pickens springing them loose on blocks downfield.

What did you think of Warren's comments? Let us know in the comments below!

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