First Call: George Pickens denies Instagram shot at Kenny Pickett; Pitt product shines on ‘MNF’
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Tuesday’s “First Call” looks at the George Pickens-Kenny Pickett Instagram drama. An ex-Pitt star shines on “Monday Night Football.” Former Pittsburgh Steeler Chase Claypool has yet to find himself in Chicago. And more trouble for Adam “Pacman” Jones.
I know. I know. Try to contain your shock.
Instant Instagram denial
Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is denying that he “liked” a comment on Instagram that suggested the Steelers were doing a poor job of getting him the football.
After the team lost 30-7 to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, with Pickens getting just five catches for 36 yards, Pickens appeared to favor a comment that read, “nobody to get that man the ball.”
That could have been a jab at quarterback Kenny Pickett or offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Or both. But either way, it appeared that Pickens gave the comment his approval.
George Pickens is on Instagram liking a post that criticizes Kenny Pickett. WTF. pic.twitter.com/F9eIVKuSqP
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) September 11, 2023
When asked about it Monday, Pickens insisted he did no such thing.
“I saw that. My comments aren’t even on my Instagram,” Pickens said. “Somebody must have screen-shotted or at’ed it theirself. You can’t even tag me. … I’ve got no comments on my Instagram. You can’t mention me or tag me.”
George Pickens on the alleged social media “like” of an anti-Kenny Pickett comment pic.twitter.com/PZm12tHrfD
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 11, 2023
As someone who never used Instagram to comment on anything, I’m not sure what to believe here. But I know many who heard Pickens’ answer were dubious of the mechanics he outlined, and others poked some holes in his answer.
All I know is that Pickens is right in at least one sense: He should be getting the ball more often and in better positions. But it certainly wouldn’t hurt if he ran himself open more instead of just hoping Pickett fires him a contested ball that he can win in traffic with the theory of “even when George isn’t open, he’s open.”
That may be accurate. But also maybe try just getting more open more often. See if that helps.
More sports
• Tim Benz: Amid injuries, Steelers’ highly praised depth will now be put to the test
• Pat Narduzzi on Pitt players being heckled: ‘It doesn’t really matter’
• Report: Steelers’ Cameron Heyward could miss games with groin injury
Whitehead’s hat trick
When talking about guys from Pittsburgh getting hat tricks, it usually involves Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. Monday night it was all about Central Valley High School grad Jordan Whitehead.
The former Pitt Panther racked up three interceptions during the Jets’ 22-16 overtime win versus the Buffalo Bills on “Monday Night Football.”
Picked by Jordan Whitehead! @jwhite_333
: #BUFvsNYJ on ESPN/ABC
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/6SstXq1rq7 pic.twitter.com/FTTDJRgZ8L— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2023
.@jwhite_333 with the drive stopper!!
#BUFvsNYJ on ESPN pic.twitter.com/Y6QuE99ptk
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 12, 2023
HAVE A NIGHT @jwhite_333
#BUFvsNYJ on ESPN pic.twitter.com/rADTtdlQsY
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 12, 2023
Whitehead had just seven picks over his first five years as an NFL player. The Jets won the game on an overtime punt return touchdown from Xavier Gipson.
THE ROOKIE XAVIER GIPSON WINS IT! #BUFvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/lC26hn74bm
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2023
According to the ESPN broadcast, it was just the third overtime punt return TD in NFL history. The Jets victory partially offset the loss of new quarterback Aaron Rodgers who left the game with an apparent Achilles injury during the team’s first series of the year.
More ‘Pacman’ problems
Every Steelers fan’s favorite former Cincinnati Bengal is in hot water once again. This time he was at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Via the Cincinnati Enquirer, the West Virginia Mountaineer product is facing charges of alcohol intoxication, disorderly conduct and terroristic threatening.
According to the outlet, airport police were called at 6 a.m. to assist the flight crew on an outbound flight about an unruly passenger who turned out to be Jones. He was allegedly upset about charging ports at his seat that weren’t properly functioning.
In an expletive-filled video from WKRC-TV, Jones insisted he was not drunk and refuted the allegations. Jones was released around 11 a.m. Monday after paying bond.
It’s Jones’ third criminal incident in the Cincinnati area since becoming a Bengal in 2010.
Chasing an explanation
Former Steeler Chase Claypool had no catches on only two targets Sunday for the Chicago Bears during the club’s 38-20 defeat against the Green Bay Packers.
Kyle Brandt of “Good Morning Football” on the NFL Network certainly noticed.
There is a player on the Bears, and he’s just sleep walking out there. We all see it. He plays offense.
I’m not even gonna name him. If you’re watching, you know.
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) September 10, 2023
NFL draft analyst Mike Renner put together this video compilation to show how ineffective Claypool was during the game.
Pick 32 https://t.co/T1WJdH6s5c pic.twitter.com/MB636VIaov
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) September 11, 2023
Last fall, the Steelers dealt Claypool to Chicago for what ended up becoming the 32nd selection in this April’s draft. That pick became Joey Porter Jr. During the summer, reports from Chicago were that people in the Bears front office had, for a while, been unimpressed with Claypool’s offseason motivation.
The Notre Dame product had just 14 catches for 140 yards in seven games with the Bears after last year’s trade.