George Pickens didn’t appreciate his head coach’s placement.
Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer picked Pickens after their Week 6 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The veteran coach challenged Pickens to make more of an impact in the run game by taking on the safeties and blocking the cornerbacks. Schottenheimer called it a “team-first mentality” that Pickens understands but has to adapt to more.
Pickens was asked about the comments Friday, and said it was unacceptable.
“Well, I do what they tell me to do,” Pickens told reporters when asked about Schottenheimer’s message. “So, do as they tell me.”
“I feel like if you cut down on the comments, you’re talking about the team,” Pickens said of the need to block more of the run plays. “Most definitely, I feel as a team, just keep improving.”
Schottenheimer’s decision to publicly call out Pickens was bold, rather. Pittsburgh Steelers fans vividly remember Pickens’ relationship with his previous team before he was eventually traded to Dallas.
So far Schottenheimer has gotten the best of Pickens in their year-and-a-half together. Pickens set career highs across the board last season and remained productive in Year 2 with 428 yards and a touchdown in six games.
H/T: Pro Football Talk