“Backs on Backers” is perhaps the most anticipated drill each year during Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. This year, though, the pass rush-and-blocking drill was upstaged for a moment by a play made on the opposite side of Chuck Noll Field.
Video of a one-handed catch by George Pickens went viral across the internet soon after he made the play over top — literally — of rookie Joey Porter Jr. during a one-on-one drill matching wide receivers against defensive backs with a quarterback throwing the ball approximately 25 yards down the field.
omgggg George Pickens is an ???? ???? pic.twitter.com/2Q78T182HW
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 1, 2023
Pickens was almost parallel to the ground and about 5 feet in the air down the left sideline closest to the bleachers when he reached up to grab a pass from Kenny Pickett. Porter Jr. was in good coverage (some might even argue Pickens could have been flagged on the play if it was in a game), but Pickens’ knack for the spectacular play on a so-called “combat catch” again allowed him to make the play.
“I felt bro on my shoulder and was like, ‘Where did the ball go?’ ” Porter Jr. said. “Then he came down with it. It was crazy, definitely crazy.”
Oh my, George Pickens …. SHEESH. ????
(???? @Mazursky8895)
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 1, 2023
It was a catch reminiscent of one Pickens made during a Week 3 game last season in Cleveland. Pickens has a highlight reel of catches from games and practices, dating to his time at Georgia and during last year’s Steelers training camp when he was a star rookie.
As the crowd of several thousand at Saint Vincent cheered loudly after Pickens’ catch Tuesday, he demonstratively handed Porter Jr. the ball in a form of celebration. Porter Jr., a second-round pick and son of the former popular Steelers star, quickly used two hands to lob it back at Pickens, who was besieged by offensive teammates and gestured to the crowd.
“At the end of the day, we are teammates, and we want the best out of each other,” Porter Jr. said, “so we are going to talk, doing a little extra hand there. But it’s never going to get past that point. Like coach always says, ‘We’re a professional team, not an MMA team,’ so we are gonna keep it like that.”
After practice, Pickens avoided all areas of the fields were media are permitted.
Backs on backers was taking place simultaneously in the in the far corner of the end zone to the right side from the perspective of the fans.
That drill is coach Mike Tomlin’s purview, so he did not see Pickens’ catch.
“But you know, they’re young guys, both trying to find a place for themselves in this thing and improve daily,” Tomlin said. “And it’s a natural thing that they come together and compete against each other.”
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