Tomlin: Pickett's mobility can be a weapon ... in moderation taken on the South Side (Steelers)

ABIGAIL DEAN / STEELERS

Kenny Pickett runs against the Saints Sunday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium.

Kenny Pickett has the ability to impact games with his legs. We saw it during his time at Pitt, and we're seeing it play out again as the starting quarterback of the Steelers.

In Sunday's 20-10 win over the Saints, Pickett was responsible for 51 of 217 yards the Steelers racked up on the ground, with virtually all 51 yards coming when the play broke down.

"There were sometimes we got covered up," Pickett said Sunday. "The O-line did a great job. If I see a seam, I feel like I can utilize my legs to move the chains and get positive yardage. I think it's something I can continue to do and build on top of today."

Pickett's ability to attack defenses with his legs can have a positive effect on games moving forward. If opposing defenses let him do it, he can extend drives by running for first downs. If teams begin dedicating a spy to limit his impact on the ground, it should open up coverage or give the line more time for Pickett to break down and read coverages.

It's easy to become infatuated with the type of skill set that Pickett provides. 

However, that's why I made it a point to bring that up with Mike Tomlin during his Tuesday press conference at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, especially since he specifically highlighted Pickett's contribution to the Steelers' big day on the ground.

Yes, Pickett can certainly hurt defenses with his legs. However, don't expect the Steelers to make drastic changes, such as adding a bunch of designed runs for the quarterback.

"I think every time I say, 'quarterback mobility,' I always say the 'prudent use of quarterback mobility.' And I do so intentionally because there's risk associated with that. And risk is something that we all weigh," Tomlin said. "I think any of us that have mobility at the quarterback position, I just think that that's a component of the equation each and every week. Mobility is a good thing, but when and how to use it while managing the risk component of it is also an element in the equation and will always be, particularly at that position."

Therein lies the challenge: Find ways to allow Pickett to improvise and keep defenses honest, knowing he can take off at a moment's notice, but do it without putting him at a higher risk of injury.

In addition, Pickett must find ways to make plays from the pocket if he is to have a successful NFL career. Sunday's game is a wonderful representation of that. There were times Pickett abandoned the pocket too quickly when he had a receiver open downfield. There were also times where he simply didn't get through his progressions fast enough. That's led to sacks that probably wouldn't happen with someone more experienced.

"Sometimes Kenny gets Kenny in trouble," Tomlin said. "But that's just the nature of being a young guy."

Breaking down coverages while having an internal clock in tune with the opposing pass rush is something that takes time. And even if Pickett progresses in this critical aspect of the game this season, it's a good bet he's still got more growing to do in the next couple of seasons.

But, all that can be done this year is taking the experiences learned week after week and make progress. Just keep moving forward. It's one of the reasons why Tomlin was so quick to make the change at quarterback. Progress through game experience is the best way to learn, and Tomlin likes what he's seen in terms of Pickett's growth thus far.

"It's been really impressive," Tomlin said. "If you ask me to summarize the rate of growth, the range of growth, it's been really impressive in all areas. And, I think it's reasonable to expect it to continue."

There are going to be rough moments. There always will be for rookie quarterbacks. The challenge is to not repeat the same mistakes over and over.

And kudos to Tomlin to make sure his first-round quarterback doesn't get too trigger happy on running with the football. Even in Sunday's game, Pickett left with some bumps and bruises, and an ankle that needed some attention in the blue medical tent.

It sure is difficult to make progress on the field if you're injured.

MORE FROM THE SOUTH SIDE

• Speaking of injuries, Minkah Fitzpatrick actually has a chance to play Sunday.

Yes, he just had his appendix removed on Saturday, and even still pushed to play against the Saints. The Steelers obviously didn't let him play, but they plan to keep an open mind regarding his availability against the Bengals.

"Reports regarding Minkah and his inclusion this week are really positive," Tomlin said. "I know that he's already been here and run today. I saw him Sunday at the stadium. Minkah wanted to play on Sunday, but obviously that's not the appropriate thing to do. But, that's just the mentality that he brings, and oftentimes when you're talking about injury or being unavailable coming back from lack of availability, your attitude has a lot to do with it. And so we're really optimistic about him."

I wish I could explain this one, but I can't. The man just had his appendix removed. Football players are built different.

• As for the rest of the injured group, Kevin Dotson is dealing with a hip injury that will limit him in the early portion of the week. As always, participation will be the Steelers' guide for his availability. When Dotson left practice last Friday with an abdominal issue, Jesse Davis filled in at left guard.

Najee Harris is dealing with some lower body and knee discomfort, but the Steelers do not expect it to inhibit his availability against the Bengals. The Steelers are still monitoring Ahkello Witherspoon's hamstring injury, but it doesn't sound promising that he'll be available this week. Tomlin also confirmed that Pickett's ankle is fine.

Matthew Wright will still be the placekicker for the Steelers this week. He undoubtedly had a bad game Sunday, but the Steelers aren't about to start bringing in a carousel of kickers to fill in for the time Chris Boswell is out.

• The offensive line really took a step forward in their run blocking against the Saints, and the pass protection has held up for the most part during the season. However, with a rookie quarterback that's still learning how to fine tune his internal clock, there will be sacks taken that aren't necessarily on the offensive line.

Either way, it's important that the offense continues to streamline communication throughout all groups.

"We're continually sharpening our sword and developing skills relative to our positions -- at all positions," Tomlin said. "Whether it's the collective, or whether it's individual people that have things that creep up in their game. That's why we work every day. The skill development component of practice is a significant one. That's why we don't go straight to group work, even at this juncture of the season. The skill development is significant."

• The Steelers are still working to figure out how exactly they want to run the offense without Chase Claypool. Steven Sims and Gunner Olszewski certainly had bigger roles in the offense, and the Steelers ran two tight end formations more often than they had all season. It'll be a while before they figure out the best way to utilize the collection of talent they have now and how to make up for Claypool's absence.

"We're still very much a work in progress in that area. I saw some signs of it," Tomlin said. "But, I think it'll be several weeks of getting our footing in those areas. I just think that's a reasonable discussion."

• Believe it or not, the Steelers utilized the middle of the field in the passing game more often than they had all season:

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NFL

It was a welcomed change from the first eight games of the season, and helped make the offense more productive through the air. How consistently that can be relied on is a whole other issue.

"We've got a desire to find open space," Tomlin said. "I don't know that it was anything unique, to be quite honest with you, relative to our regular intentions. It might be something that was born out of opportunity. They had some corners go down in game and things of that nature, and they did some things differently as the game unfolded and provided more space in the interior portions of the field as they got into an umbrella, if you will."

• Harris' big day on the ground came with some praise from his teammates about the level of confidence he brought into the stadium. However, Tomlin really thought his play and demeanor was par for the course when it comes to his second-year running back. 

"I don't know that I sensed any different approach on Sunday," Tomlin said. "He and I have a lot of conversations because of his role and the position that he plays. It was normal communication, focus and desire to perform and perform well. This is a guy who's highly competitive, man. He brings that every week. I can't say that last Sunday was any different."

• On the flip side, T.J. Watt's return to the field provided an obvious boost to everyone's level of play on the defense. Tomlin had no issue acknowledging that the return of the reigning Defensive Player of the Year provides so much more than individual production.

"There's an intangible quality to players like him. They do. They bring more than their presence and their playmaking. They instill confidence in those around them. And so, that is a very real thing. You can't necessarily measure it. But, as somebody who's been in this business, I acknowledge that it is real."

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