Friday Football Footnotes: Kenny Pickett’s 2 big goals; more Brian Flores news; Steelers fans won’t like ESPN’s new 30 for 30
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This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” includes some specific goals stated by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. I’ll share some thoughts on Byron Leftwich’s firing. Another job interview is in the books for Brian Flores. John Harbaugh discusses Lamar Jackson’s future in Baltimore.
Plus, Steelers fans are likely to give “two thumbs down” to the next ESPN 30 for 30.
They may not even make it through the opening credits.
Lining them up
Steelers defensive assistant coach Brian Flores interviewed for a job. But it was not a head coach position.
It’s for the defensive coordinator opening in Atlanta. That’s according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The #Falcons interviewed #Steelers senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach Brian Flores for their vacant DC job, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 19, 2023
Flores also interviewed for the defensive coordinator job in Cleveland. But Jim Schwartz landed that gig. The Arizona Cardinals are reportedly considering Flores for their head coaching vacancy.
The Steelers are not in line for any draft compensation if Flores gets either job. He would have to be on the Steelers staff for two years for that to happen if Arizona hires him. And coordinator promotions don’t yield compensation.
Packing on the pounds
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett announced a specific goal while he was on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday.
He wants to bulk up. Pickett says he may have gotten too thin during his draft prep.
“In the combine training, I got a little too lean,” Pickett said. “I was a little under 220. I want to get a little bit bigger for this season. You’re training for the 40, you’re not training to be a football player, you’re doing the drills. I wanted to perform well in those. So I was playing catch-up after that. I want to gain a little bit more weight and have a little bit more muscle mass on me getting into the season after experiencing a lot of these hits.”
Pickett also thinks his footwork can improve.
“If I can get my feet right, then usually the ball goes where I need it to go. I’ll continue to work on off-platform throws, as well. Getting outside the pocket is something I did a lot better toward the back end of the year — extending plays and giving guys chances down the field,” Pickett said.
The Pitt graduate announced plans to invite the team’s pass catchers to his hometown in New Jersey for summer workouts before the start of training camp.
More sports
• Tim Benz: I’m not a fan of Ivan Provorov’s Pride Night jersey boycott, but also dislike hypocritical media fallout
• Ben Roethlisberger not surprised Steelers decided to stick with OC Matt Canada
• Tim Benz: With Matt Canada staying, here’s where he needs to improve the offense
Looking for Lamar
Despite some concern about the future of Lamar Jackson in Baltimore, head coach John Harbaugh sounds convinced that the quarterback will be returning to the Ravens next year.
After being asked if Jackson was still in the organization’s long-term plan, Harbaugh said, “One hundred percent. Two hundred percent. There’s no question about it. Lamar Jackson is our quarterback. … He’s a very bright guy, he has a big heart, but he’s just a massive competitor. That’s the kind of guy we want to build this team around.”
Jackson’s rookie contract is up, but he can be franchised twice if a long-term deal isn’t signed.
If Jackson does return, he’ll have a new offensive coordinator. Greg Roman stepped down from that position Thursday.
Off the mark
The long anticipated firing of Byron Leftwich is finally official in Tampa Bay. Predictions of his dismissal had been hanging over the Buccaneers organization since the team lost its playoff game Monday night.
Leftwich won a Super Bowl with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers — as part of the coaching staff of head coach and former Steelers assistant Bruce Arians — in 2020. Leftwich was a quarterback in Pittsburgh in 2008 and again between 2010-12.
However, Tampa Bay averaged only 18.4 points per game, 25th in the NFL. By comparison, the Steelers pop-gun offense was 26th at 18.1. The Bucs slogged their way to 8-9, winning a dreadful NFC South.
Tampa’s rushing attack was the worst in football, at 76.9 yards per game. But their passing offense averaged 269.8 yards per game, second best in the NFL. But it was inefficient and often painful to watch.
Leftwich didn’t get much help on the field in 2022. Brady finally started to show his age, and the rest of the unit was ravaged by injuries. That led ESPN’s Anthony “Booger” McFarland to tweet this opinion.
2 years ago Byron won a Super Bowl and interviewed for the Jags head coaching job. This year Brady sucked the offensive line couldn’t block me/sapp and we are 50-45 years of age respectively. But its Byrons fault ? I find this hard to believe We shall see https://t.co/P98BRPP8gt
— Booger (@ESPNBooger) January 19, 2023
Well, Booger, if it was all about Brady and the other players — and not about Leftwich — when they were bad this year, wasn’t it then also all about Brady and the other players — and not about Leftwich — when they were good a few years ago?
This argument is essentially moving the goalposts … about “moving the goalposts.”
Get your popcorn ready
Here’s a sports documentary Steelers fans are dying to see.
ESPN is doing a 30 for 30 on the 2000 Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens.
ESPN Films' latest @30for30 documentary 'Bullies of Baltimore' focuses on the 2000 @Ravens team
Directed by @kenrodgersNFL & @JasonZacWeber
Premieres Sunday, Feb. 5 | 8:30p ET | ESPN
More: https://t.co/Dth7Fm4qyB | Trailer: https://t.co/TaA9sJpkz7 pic.twitter.com/V3LXuq7k5E
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) January 19, 2023
Yeah. That’ll be wildly downloaded in Pittsburgh, I’m sure.
I can hear it now, “ESPN!? Yinz is makin’ a picture ab’aht ‘em dirty birds, and yinz ain’t done one yet on the ‘05 Stillers? Big Ben! Da’ Bus! Peezy, n’at! Howz come no love?”
Actually, rumor has it, ESPN is working on a 30 for 30 about this year’s Steelers team. And why wouldn’t they? It’s the best 9-8 team to ever grace the NFL!
At least that’s what fans and national media keep telling me.