First – why choose the Steelers to sign with in free agency last year?
It was just a great opportunity. When they called they wanted me to come in and compete for a role on defense and on special teams. I just couldn’t pass that up and got there and competed every day.
Did you know they had interest – did the active game versus the Steelers rookie season help that interest?
The league is funny. Coaches and teams don’t talk about who they watch and look at. But they are always looking at guys every week. So even if they didn’t actively show interest it doesn’t mean they weren’t watching with an interest.
You were the MVFC Defensive Player of the Year at North Dakota State – were you surprised not to be taken earlier in the draft?
I didn’t care where I went or what round I went in. It doesn’t determine how you are as a player. You want to go as high as possible but in the end you just want to get in there and compete. It’s all about the team in the end – it always has been since I was playing at North Dakota State. The draft position wasn’t important. Wherever I can help that’s where I want to be.
You signed late with the team – in September – yet were ready to step in pretty quickly in a complicated role/defense. Why was that?
A lot of studying and self-study. Coach Dunbar and Coach Denzel were great – I picked their brains after every practice and meeting.
And in the room with T.J. – asking him questions every day and watching his film. You’re expected to be able to produce when you get the opportunity – it didn’t matter when you got there. The standard was “The next man up.” There should be no drop off no matter who you replace on the field – that’s the way I looked at it. Every day you try to get better and learn every day. I came in with that mindset.
You played 22% of all defensive snaps last season and had the third highest sack and tackle per snap ratio of all Steelers outside linebackers. Think people are sleeping on you a bit?
I’m sure they are. You benefit too because when I’m in there teams may be focusing more on Alex or T.J.
But, I’ve always been an underdog, and that’s fine with me. It just makes me work harder. I know there’s not a play I can’t make on the field. Often though it’s not about making the tackle – it’s about doing your job so that other guys can make the play – to make their job easier.
Who were your biggest mentors in Pittsburgh year one – and how did they help you?
T.J. shows me stuff all the time. Hand placement, where you want your eyes to focus on. Those little details that people forget about but that are the difference between a good pass rush and a sack.
T.J. was a huge help – but the whole team helped. There were a number of vets on the team – a number of years played – and they all took me under their wing. They knew we needed everyone in the locker room to contribute. That’s the way they approached it – that made it easier for me.
What do you think you can improve on most? If someone had a magic wand and elevated your game in one area..?
That’s a tough question – there’s not really one thing. You want to improve in all areas of your game – run and pass defense. Special teams too. I wish I had one thing that someone could wave a wand at but the game really is about constantly improving and developing in all areas.
Have you worked with Coach Flores yet? How have the coaches worked with you?
They coached us up but they also let us play. They coach what they need to coach but they don’t over-coach and slow us down. I greatly appreciate it – there are multiple ways to do things, and they let us use our own abilities and talents instead of limiting us and putting us in a box.
Some new additions like Leal, Avery, Kazee and Wallace and the return of guys like Alualu. How excited are you for what this defense can look like this season? Any changes you see coming?
There are a lot of new faces but the standards won’t change. It’s still going to be a hard-nosed Steelers defense. I look forward to it. We’re all more experienced now and have more plays made behind us. I’m looking forward to seeing us build on that.
What do Coach Flores, Denzel Martin and Teryl Austin bring to this defense?
There’s a lot of knowledge at the coaching positions. Flores is bringing in his stuff from New England and Miami. A lot of knowledge there – they are doing a great job teaching the defense and showing us what offenses are doing as well.
How does that work?
When you understand what offenses are doing – the reads they make – it makes it a lot easier for us to help disguise what we’re doing on defense. That helps our game.
What on-field memories stand out most to you from last season?
If any I think my first sack against Tennessee. More than getting it, it was about how great the team was off the field afterwards. So many guys were excited for me. It felt like a team sack, not my sack. The camaraderie you get afterwards is terrific.
What off-field memories/moments stand out to you from last year?
I just love the locker room conversations. Especially on away games, where we’d all go out for dinner together and talk and have fun. There wasn’t a certain moment – you just cherish the time with the guys.
Lastly, what should we know about you that has nothing to do with football?
I grew up in South Dakota and love hanging out outdoors – hunting and fishing. And I’m into aviation as well.
What does that mean?
I got my commercial rating for airplanes in college and just recently got my commercial helicopter rating this year.
Have you flown in Pittsburgh yet?
Not out here no, but in the offseason in Utah I did my helicopter training.
What about fishing and hunting?
I haven’t here yet. Last year the train was rolling when I got here so I was focused on that. Maybe before the season starts I’ll do some fishing – fly fishing.
You make your own flies?
No I just buy them! Making them is just too much work. My uncle used to make them and I have a few of his. But I just buy them – it’s worth it to buy them when you lose as many as I do!
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