Former Steelers LB Admits George Pickens Should Seriously Work Harder: "[Antonio Brown] Would Have Caught It"

The Pittsburgh Steelers had multiple offensive touchdowns stripped away during their Week 8 victory on Monday Night Football against the New York Giants. Pittsburgh's George Pickens first had a touchdown reception that was brought back due to an unnecessary penalty from right tackle Broderick Jones in which he grabbed a defender's face mask. Shortly after, Russell Wilson found Pickens in the back of the end zone for a second time. However, Pickens was unable to get his left foot inbounds, which resulted in an incomplete pass and a field goal attempt from kicker Chris Boswell.

Pickens' strange play in the end zone was red hot in headlines around the NFL after the Week 8 slate. Pickens managed to tap his right foot inbounds twice, but was pushed out of bounds before getting his left foot in. Per the NFL's rule book, one must land both feet, not just the same foot twice, inbounds to result in a completed pass. Many, especially Pittsburgh fans, believe that the rule should only require two feet inbounds, regardless if it's the same foot. 

One of the many members around the league reflecting on Pickens' play versus the Giants was former Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats. Moats looked back on his playing days and reminded fans of a certain teammate of his that he's certain would have made that play. 

"You know who would have caught it? AB [Antonio Brown] would have caught it. My standard is AB," Moats said on his podcast. "If you got a chance to see how meticulous AB was specifically with that part of his game, on practice days. This dude would take hundreds of reps just - sideline, two feet. Back of the end zone, two feet."

Antonio Brown was a special talent, and one that ruled the rest of the NFL. Brown was the league's best wideout as a Steeler and has countless jaw-dropping catches. As Moats continues about Brown's greatness and work ethic, he begins to express that Pickens must work harder to ensure he makes those type of plays.

"So when you see him do this countless times, over, and over, and over, front of the end zone, back of the end zone, sideline, it don't matter, I look at that and I say, 'Bro, I don't think there's an excuse.' It's like, at what point of your professional career do you decide to say, 'I'm going to learn and do whatever it takes to be the best at my craft?' So when I see his production and how he can be consistent, and we look at GP [George Pickens] and how it's a little bit inconsistent at times, I'm like, 'Hey, there ain't nothing stopping you from working harder.'"

Pickens' footwork is probably the one thing he needs to work on the most. He's got some of the best hands in the league and has improved his routes, so any other additional improvements will begin to separate himself from the rest of the NFL. 

Brown's footwork was so phenomenal that it set a standard around the NFL. As talented as some of these young receivers like Pickens are, they aren't getting cut any slack for the fundamentals. 

Steelers' George Pickens Becoming A Major Problem For Opposing Defenses

The new connection between Wilson and Pickens is starting to terrorize other defenses in the league. Pickens has 10 plays of 20 or more yards and eight catches of 30 or more yards, which puts him at the top of the NFL. The Steelers haven't had a quarterback-receiver duo with a threatening deep ball in some time. 

Pickens is only in his third year and has time to continue his development. If the Steelers' offense continues to progress the way it has, then Pickens just might turn into one of the league's most dominant wide receivers.

What do you think about Moats' comments regarding Pickens and Brown? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation