Iron Sharpens Iron For Porter Jr and Pickens
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
In his ESPN documentary, Man In the Arena, Tom Brady and his teammates recalled referring to themselves as “the edgers.” No, they weren’t referring to the type of sex that Sting specializes in. “The edgers” were a group of team leaders who were always competing among themselves and trying to outdo each other in every aspect of the profession. “Oh, you did 15 reps? I just did 20.” “You caught 30 extra balls after practice? I just caught 50.” And on and on. It’s the sort of healthy competition that elevates good players and good teams to greatness.
Tom Brady & The Patriots were elite for a reason. Great insight from Man in the Arena –
– Hard Coaching
– Competition
– Who are the ‘Edgers’?
– Player Leadership/Accountability
– Not about more, it’s about who can do the most pic.twitter.com/gxU6umZAuE— Brandon Chambers (@chambershoops) November 5, 2021
In two-minute drills last week, Kenny Pickett took a snap and dropped back. As Pickett went through his progressions, Cody White broke back towards the line of scrimmage. The second-year Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback made his decision and fired. Joey Porter Jr. was ready. The celebrated rookie made the read, jumped the route, and intercepted the ball.
The first voice anyone heard was Mike Tomlin’s, but he wasn’t barking at his quarterback about the mistake. He wasn’t riding his depth receiver for a bad break. He wasn’t even celebrating his new defender for the big play. “Hey, GP!” Tomlin said as he turned to George Pickens, who wasn’t even in for the play. “I think Joey Porter won today!”
Tomlin was making a conscious calculation here. The coach, who has a knack for knowing exactly how to uniquely motivate his players, has been fostering an extremely competitive dynamic between Pickens and Porter. He has constantly nagged at Pickens when Porter has gotten the best of him, and vice versa. Tomlin clearly believes iron will sharpen iron. And it’s working.
Since the moment camp opened Twitter has been littered with videos of Pickens and Porter’s battles.
Welcome to the NFL Joey Porter Jr. What a catch by Pickens! #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/UMquU82Y2G
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) August 1, 2023
Tomlin’s ability to understand his players goes far beyond most head coaches in the league. Patrick Peterson cited it as the reason he and other veterans chose Pittsburgh.
“[We] really benefit by the absolute rock-solid leadership of Mike Tomlin. Players want to come here and play. Allen Robinson is here trying to make a comeback as a wide receiver. Isaac Seumalo at guard, and you have a built-in advantage and edge because players really enjoy playing in this city and for this coach.”
The clear trust that players place in the veteran Steelers leader allows Tomlin the leeway to foster growth the way he sees fit — even if that way is trash-talking a second-year receiver on a play he wasn’t even involved in
For those who participate in professional sports, competition isn’t just at the core of their profession, it’s at the core of their existence. There is a drive and ego within those who make it to the top that most civilians can’t even conceptualize.
Last week, social media caught video of Cowboys’ CB Trevon Diggs verbally accosting his quarterback Dak Prescott at the end of a play.
Trevon Diggs got into it with Dak 👀
(via @clarencehilljr)pic.twitter.com/Fx3QSYrmxF
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 2, 2023
Immediately the sports media world was filled with questions about respect. But this is the nature of the business. Most of us would be shocked to truly understand the level of aggressive competition that exists in an NFL practice facility on a daily basis.
However, it’s not quite as simple as just putting two talented guys up against one another and watching them grow. For every group of Super Bowl-winning “edgers,” the NFL has an unending list of fights and contentious relationships that have divided locker rooms. You need the culture to pull it off. Whether the Cowboys have that under Mike McCarthy is a question for its own article altogether. But Tomlin and the Steelers have it for sure.
As we all enjoy the stream of highlights from the super-confident second-year receiver and young stud cornerback, it’s important to remember what their back-and-forth truly means. Yes, these two are developing a rapport that could potentially benefit themselves as well as the entire team, but the dynamic between Joey Porter Jr. and George Pickens is ultimately another positive indicator for the Steelers’ current culture — and their future.
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