Pittsburgh Steelers Media Conference

Sunday, October 8, 2023

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

George Pickens

Postgame Press Conference


Q. Looks like you came out of the huddle (audible.)

GEORGE PICKENS: No, we came out of the huddle.

Q. You came into this game knowing you would be a big intended target?

GEORGE PICKENS: I knew I would be a big factor, not knowing how big or how small a factor it would be.

Q. Can you talk about Kenny and the connection you have?

GEORGE PICKENS: I probably noticed a lot more resiliency. The resiliency of the team right there in that last, the last hour was pretty incredible.

Q. Talk about the first and second year guys on the offense, how big is that for your growth, not just individually but collectively?

GEORGE PICKENS: Oh, collectively it's huge, for sure. Guys in good spirits, coming back to work. Like I said, the resiliency in the game we just played it was pretty incredible.

Q. What kind of confidence does it give you guys anytime you see the way that he was able to lead a game-winning drive there at the end?

GEORGE PICKENS: I'd probably say it gave the defense a lot of confidence. Intangibles, the defense is feeding off the offense and the defense was feeding off of them, it's remarkable.

Q. Which was better, this touchdown or the one at the Raiders last year?

GEORGE PICKENS: It was cold as hell at the Raiders. It wasn't as good, but we won. But I'd say this one, for sure.

Q. The first block that you threw, they threw a flag, talk about that.

GEORGE PICKENS: I was looking like -- I hope that's not on me. I just dominated the guy. But I was hoping that wasn't on me.

Q. They said it was a face mask on him. Did they initially say it was on you?

GEORGE PICKENS: No, they initially said it was holding and then they scratched the call.

Q. How have you been able to keep your frustrations from getting the best of you? A sign of growth?

GEORGE PICKENS: I'd probably just say me competing. Really to be honest my energy is always really the same. Because the defense will probably make a play and then I'm back happy. So I probably I just say my emotion to fight and my emotions for the game, that's all it is.

Q. You and Joey Porter have friendly competition. What was it like to see him get his first career interception in that fashion?

GEORGE PICKENS: I didn't even know he got an interception today. I didn't even know. Congratulations to him, for sure (laughter.)

Q. What was hit like Marlon Humphrey across the line?

GEORGE PICKENS: Oh, I kind of -- I don't know about you other receivers around the league, but him going to my high school, him being from Alabama, I would say it's almost like a practice field. It's a guy that I know personally so it's a little different.

Q. Was he impressed today?

GEORGE PICKENS: Yeah.

Q. Two of the last three plays, you went 41 and 21. Surprised?

GEORGE PICKENS: I'm always a little bit surprised when it's just a one-on-one matchup and I'm a safety over the top. With my speed and the back shoulder, if they're not doubling me, I'm a little surprised for sure.

Q. Kenny mentioned staying together this weekend, today, with the distractions, tough at all to do?

GEORGE PICKENS: Not really, I'm not going to lie to you. We're kind of be connected as a team in the building. We connected, we're very, very close. The media and other stuff is kind of hard -- we see it, but it's kind of hard to break up the group.

Q. There were calls for you to be more physical. How did you feel the team answered that call?

GEORGE PICKENS: Especially at the end right there with the defense standing up and us finishing the drive.

Q. How do you think a win like this can spur the offense?

GEORGE PICKENS: It can spring it a lot. Like I said resiliency is the biggest component for our team that will get us through. It's not going to be 30-0, it's not college ball. It's going to be a close game almost every week.

Q. You have a day off (inaudible) does that put more pressure on yourself?

GEORGE PICKENS: Not really, pressure-wise because in college as a wide receiver, it was only me really. I kind of always felt that oh, George, we need you to make a play. That's always just how my life play out.

Q. Did you talk to Darnell or Broderick, first Steelers-Ravens?

GEORGE PICKENS: I talk to them a lot about staying calm. You know when you're a rookie, everything is everywhere. It's hard to get the plays in and know the guy you're blocking, so just trying to keep them calm.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
137737-1-1046 2023-10-08 22:02:00 GMT

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