First, what’s the offseason plan for you?
Currently, I’m back here in Southern California where I’m from, working to get my body right, training to keep my body strong and right. I have the typical bumps and bruises you get during the season, so I’m just getting right and staying focused for next season.
I’m also opening up a card shop here in Westlake. The card market is going crazy. We’re going to do all the live breaks, Pokemon breaks – all those things. I’ve been a major Pokemon influencer for a while now. It’s a big niche market for me.
What did you think when your agent told you the Steelers wanted to sign you off the Colts practice squad?
I was psyched. The defense is awesome – it’s a true 3-4 and they let the guys rush the passer. I was excited to play for Coach Tomlin and there are such great fans in Pittsburgh. I was psyched to go.
You played well and stepped right in – how were you able to step in so quickly?
The coaches and players helped make it easy. They made me feel welcome and helped me with the playbook. I think I have a high IQ for picking things up but they helped me a lot and made it fun.
Anyone help you the most? Take you under their wing, so to speak?
Denzel Martin and Cam Heyward were great. Jayrone Elliott, Haden….I mean, I don’t want to leave guys out. They were all great – everyone in the locker room was awesome.
Coach Martin helped me with the playbook – we met every day and went over practice film. He always made sure to be free if I called and had a question. They were all crucial to the transition. It was great being a part of the team even though the season there for me was short-lived.
What did the coaching staff tell you in the exit interview about next season, coming back, etc…
They coaches all had good things to say. They liked that I came in and hit the ground running and was able to make plays on short notice. It was all positive. They told me they were interested in bringing me back and I’m interested in coming back. The feelings are mutual.
Now, I know it’s a business and anything can happen. But I’m hopeful it will work out for next season.
How competitive is the linebacker room and how much do you appreciate the willingness to help one another out even as you compete for playing time?
It’s super-supportive in that linebacker room. We help each other out and keep each other accountable. We over-communicate to make sure we’re all on the same page and locked in
We all watched film together and correct each other and gave each other advice. It’s a great room to be a part of. They are great guys who want each other to succeed and be great.
How is TJ in all of that? More of a quiet leader or is he more vocal?
He’s by no means loud or in your face, but he communicates with you when he sees something. He lets you know when he has tips or keys in practice, and he’s always communicating and vocal on the field, calling out adjustments and calls. He’s helpful on the field and in practice.
You have played both defensive end and outside linebacker now. Which do you prefer and what do you excel at and what can you work on most?
I just really want to get comfortable in one defense. I think I can improve in my coverage comfortability. When I know what I’m doing I think I’m good – I have good hands and feet and good hands. I just need time in a defense to know where my help is in coverage and where my leverage is. I think for sure if I can do that I can become a starter.
For me, it’s all about getting an opportunity. I’ve had some success over my seven-year career, but I had an unfortunate circumstance when I got the chance to be a starter and I’d just like another opportunity to start.
Looking at the Cleveland game – what happened in that game from your perspective – did Cleveland’s offense surprise you in any way?
We definitely had some communication issues and mental errors. It’s what happens when you have bad games – guys are out of gaps or coverages get blown. It just takes one guy and we made some mental errors and the Browns were on a roll and took advantage. It just takes one mis-communication, That definitely played a big part in it.
I asked Jayrone if he felt when the team was down some guys tried too hard to make some big plays on defense. Think that played a part in anything?
I can only speak for myself on things like that. From how I go about it – my point of view – is that it’s crucial in high-pressure situations – it’s important then to go and just do your job. Not to try and do more. So for me personally, that wasn’t a thing. I can’t speak for any of the other guys,
Now, you may not be aware, but you I believe are only the third son of former Steelers player to play for Steelers – and you played more snaps than any other as Colquitt punted for just a few games this season and Ernie Brown didn’t play many games either. Did you know that, and did your dad give you any advice on playing for the Steelers?
Wow I didn’t know that no.
My dad didn’t have a lot of advice – he’s been out of the game a while. And he was a receiver – he was only able to play one year in Pittsburgh before he got hurt. He had different coaches – it was a different group of people.
So, he didn’t have a lot to say other than being excited for my opportunity and that it was cold as hell there!
He was happy though. He knows the pedigree of the organization and it fits me as a player. He was just more excited for me to go to a place like that and told me the usual advice – to stay focused and locked in.
Any memories of your time in Pittsburgh stand out most to you?
Playing my first game with the Steelers and it being against the team I just came from – the Colts – that was exciting. It was a tight game and we just pulled it out. It was an overall team win and to be able to be a part of that and play with so much energy and bond with the guys was great. That stands out to me.
Give the Colts guys any grief?
Nah – my time with the Colts – it was all love. They gave me lots of love back – complimented me. It was a great locker room there too – a positive experience for me. Bit it was a positive experience for me getting the win over the Colts – beating the team I just came from.
Is it difficult, going from team to team? Have you thought at all about post NFL life as well?
It is hard. By nature I’m a loyal person. Unfortunately there’s not much loyalty in general in the NFL. So that’s kind of a struggle. I get invested in teammates and coaches, and being part of a community. I have a big heart. So for me to have to re-start and get to know new teammates and coaches and re-connect and start over in a new organization – that’s the most difficult part for me.
But it’s all part of the NFL. Man, it’s great to learn that now too. Being able to learn how to adjust and adapt to that kind of thing now makes me more adaptable to life in general. Every hardship is a lesson. My family has always there to support me. I take pride in being mentally tough.
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