Latest news with #Pickens
Newsweek
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Rival Coach Weighs In On Cowboys' Major Offseason Addition
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As the teams in their division stacked up in the offseason, the Dallas Cowboys didn't sit on their hands. They got in the mix as well, pulling off a big trade to add to the cast of weapons around Dak Prescott. By far their biggest splash was trading for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. Though he's had his issues off the field, Pickens is still a high-level talent at wide receiver. Playing alongside a QB the caliber of Prescott, the former second-round pick could put together a career year in Dallas. Given the baggage he's bringing with him, the Cowboys' acquisition of Pickens has been met with mixed feelings. That said, many still believe he could be an upgrade for the iconic franchise. Utilize the bet365 bonus code WEEK365 to activate a welcome bonus for Cowboys-Steelers, where Pittsburgh WR George Pickens is one of the most popular picks to score a touchdown. Utilize the bet365 bonus code WEEK365 to activate a welcome bonus for Cowboys-Steelers, where Pittsburgh WR George Pickens is one of the most popular picks to score a more: George Pickens Gives First Impressions of Playing Alongside Cowboys Star In a recent column for ESPN, Jeremy Fowler spoke with various people across the league for their opinions of the offseason's biggest moves. While speaking anonymously, one coach in the NFC East weighed in on the Cowboys' big trade. They feel having a pair of dynamic receivers should yield big dividends for Dallas' offense. "Dealing with CeeDee [Lamb] and him opens things up for them," a coach in the division said. One coach in the AFC is much higher on Pickens going to Dallas, stating that the new situation should be good for him. Added an AFC personnel man: "He'll be a big piece there. When he's covered, he's really open. I know the concerns are there, but I think having an already established passing game with veterans to help him along, and the fact he's in a contract year, will help keep him in line. If you can tap into what he can do fully, his major ability will shine through." Read more: Cowboys Star Dak Prescott has Clear Goal Heading Into 2025 NFL Season As stated above, Pickens has a lot riding on playing well this year. Seeing that he's in the final year of his contract, he'll be auditioning for his next deal either in Dallas or elsewhere. That said, if Pickens can limit his off-field antics and be productive for the Cowboys, it should result in him being compensated handsomely. Before his injury-ridden 2024 season, Prescott was playing at an MVP level. He'll be aiming to return to form this year, and Pickens can help him with that. Based on how his time with the Steelers ended, the Cowboys wideout is a player many will be watching closely to kick off the 2025 campaign. For more Dallas Cowboys and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
How Steelers factored Aaron Rodgers into George Pickens trade
The Steelers traded George Pickens a month before signing Aaron Rodgers, but the team made the deal with the star quarterback's arrival in mind. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Pittsburgh was wary of how Pickens would have meshed with Rodgers, given the wide receiver's history of 'maturity issues.' Shortly after the Steelers traded Pickens to the Cowboys on May 7, reporter Mark Kaboly noted that 'significant locker room guys were fed up with Pickens' antics' and that some felt it would be 'counterproductive' to keep the 24-year-old. The Steelers traded wide receiver George Pickens to the Cowboys on May 7. AP After Pickens drew two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in a 44-38 win over the Bengals in Week 13 last season, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said the wide receiver 'has got to grow up.' Pickens was also reportedly late to the Steelers' Christmas Day game against the Chiefs and got into an on-field scuffle with Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis in the Steelers' 20-17 Week 5 loss to Dallas. Moments like those, the Steelers front office hypothesized, would not go over well with Rodgers. Rodgers, who was released by the Jets earlier in the offseason, had long been rumored as a potential signing in Pittsburgh, though he did not officially ink his one-year, $13.6 million deal with the Steelers until June 7. Still, if Pittsburgh's front office took Rodgers into account for its decision-making on the Pickens trade, the organization must have been very confident the 10-time Pro Bowler ultimately would sign with them. Aaron Rodgers signed with the Steelers on June 7. AP With Pickens off the roster, the Steelers' receiving corps heading into training camp consists of wide receivers DK Metcalf, Robert Woods and Calvin Austin III, plus tight end Pat Freiermuth. Pickens, on the other hand, is joining star wideout CeeDee Lamb as a key target for Dak Prescott in Dallas, along with wide receiver Jalen Tolbert and tight end Jake Ferguson. A former standout at Georgia, Pickens hauled in 59 passes for 900 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games with the Steelers in 2024.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
George Pickens Could Be Cowboys' New Bob Hayes
George Pickens Could Be Cowboys' New Bob Hayes originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When in doubt in the 1960-70s, the Dallas Cowboys told Bob Hayes simply to "go long." They have a similar weapon in 2025 with newly acquired George Pickens. Advertisement Hayes obviously benefitted with world-class speed that won him a gold medal in the 100-meter dash at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and allowed him to lead the NFL twice in touchdowns and twice in yards per catch including a staggering 26.1 in 1970. Pickens, acquired in a trade last month, doesn't possess Hayes' blinding speed. But he has proven to be one of the league's best deep threats. According to Pro Football Focus, Pickens was the highest-graded receiver on go routes last season with a 95.6 mark, just edging out the Washington Commanders' Terry McLaurin and the Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb. Not only did Pickens lead the league with 19 deep routes, but his 26% target clip was the highest on his route tree. Advertisement "He was the only receiver to record double-digit catches from go routes, securing 10 passes for 352 yards and a touchdown," PFF writes. "Pickens logged 36% of his receiving yardage (987 yards) on go routes last season, with each catch gaining 20-plus yards." Over the last three seasons, Pickens leads the NFL with 48 go-route targets and 23 catches for 822 yards and three touchdowns. While Hayes used his raw speed, Pickens' makes downfield catches using his size, athleticism, body control and elite hand-eye coordination. The deep ball from Dak Prescott should be back in the playbook for the Cowboys this season. Advertisement Related: Micah Parsons Gets Major Endorsement For Contract Extension Related: Cowboys Starting Lineup Predicted After High-Energy Offseason This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens owns fastest softball pitches ever thrown
Tennessee softball pitcher Karlyn Pickens is the undisputed flamethrower in history heading into the Women's College World Series. Pickens owns the three fastest pitches ever recorded in a softball game, tossing each during the Lady Vols' 2025 season. Advertisement On Feb. 21, Pickens threw a fastball against Oregon that hit 77 mph. That tied the record for the fastest pitch in softball history, set by former Tennessee star Monica Abbott in 2012 during a National Pro Fastpitch game. On March 25, Pickens took sole possession of the record by tossing a pitch 78.2 mph against Arkansas. But that mark didn't last long. On May 24, Pickens threw a pitch 79.4 mph against Nebraska in the NCAA super regional. But Pickens, the two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year, doesn't just throw heat. Her poise and control helped post a 23-9 record, 1.03 earned run average and 270 strikeouts in 197 innings. She leads the Lady Vols into their ninth appearance in the Women's College World Series. Advertisement No. 7 seed Tennessee (45-15) faces No. 2 seed Oklahoma (50-7) to open the WCWS on May 29 (2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) in Oklahoma City. Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens owns fastest softball pitches ever thrown
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys' Pickens Reveals Creativity Trick ‘Others Don't Do'
Cowboys' Pickens Reveals Creativity Trick 'Others Don't Do' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. FRISCO - Our truth about "creativity'' in playcalling? If your team moves the ball, scores a touchdown and wins the game, it's "creative.'' Advertisement When it doesn't do those three things? It's "boring'' and "vanilla'' and coaches get fired. But ... there is a game within a game when it comes to offensive design, and Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens is speaking out about the advantages to coach Brian Schottenheimer putting something into Dallas' gameplan that "a lot of coaches don't do.'' 'A lot of motions, a lot of things that give you an indicator on what the defense is doing before you say hike,' Pickens said on Wednesday in describing a Cowboys advantage. 'A lot of coaches don't do that.' Previous Cowboys offenses under head coaches and coordinators from Jason Garrett to Kellen Moore and Mike McCarthy were often criticized for their - you guessed it - lack of creativity. Our view all along was that, for example ... Advertisement - In the three straight 12-win campaigns under McCarthy ... - During QB Dak Prescott finishing second in MVP voting ... - With CeeDee Lamb making four straight Pro Bowls ... - With Ezekiel Elliott winning two NFL rushing titles ... Somebody around here must've been doing something right. But if "Schotty'' believes that a foundational feature of Dallas' offensive identity is about motion and deception and "creativity''? And if Pickens, who comes here in a trade from the Steelers to join Lamb as an elite receiving duo, is a believer? "Belief'' and trust are half the battle. The truth is, motion (and option routes and other "creative'' tools) can sometimes be confusing to an offense, too; it wasn't that long ago that Lamb and his receiving buddies were being ripped for being poor route-runners. Advertisement But now? Lamb is an NFL trend-setter. 'Most definitely,'' Pickens said. "I've played (with) a lot of other receivers, but he plays a little more of everything, so it kind of affects a lot of stuff in a good way. ... A lot of guys can't do that ... a lot of No. 1 guys just kind of play where the coaches got them playing. But he plays everything." Schotty has said he wants to be "multiple.'' And Prescott is in Year 10 at the helm, so he should have a mastery of it all. So, in the end, "creativity'' is fun. But not as fun as winning games. Related: Cowboys' Trevon Diggs Trade Rumors Cool With 'Positive Signs' Update Related: Stephen A. Smith Asks for Prayers for Cowboys Icon Deion Sanders Want more Cowboys? Jump into the Fish Report! This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
