First, how has the offseason been going for you and how are you preparing for camp?
It’s going good. After I left Pittsburgh I went back home for a few days then drove to Tampa to train there at The House Of Athlete – with Yo Murphy there. I’m getting some good training in and am excited for reporting day!
You signed as a tryout player – how did the tryout come about and what did they tell you when they wanted to sign you?
I was at home training, staying in shape and hoping for a call – for an opportunity. Hoping and praying really. The Steelers called Wednesday and I went up on Thursday and Friday through Sunday and got to it. It felt good to be able to show that I belonged at this level – that I could play at this level. Sunday they called me and told me they wanted to sign me. That was one of the best days of my life, knowing that they felt I could play at this level.
Did you look at the roster and try and see how you fit in – what your role could be?
I know I’m a shorter guy – I don’t have the height most do. But I can go inside or outside and play in the return game – I did all of those things in college. I’m not sure where my role will be but at the end of the day I’ll do whatever it takes to make the team. If they ask me to do kicks I’ll do that to the best of my ability. I just want to make the team and will do whatever they want.
In terms of the OTAs and camp – how did those go for you do you think?
As a rookie I’m just trying to get the playbook down. You’re kind of thrown in to the fire – that’s how it is. It’s sink or swim. But I felt comfortable and got some good feedback as well as thing to work on. Now I have the offseason to use to tune up some things. It was a great experience.
There were a couple of plays and drills too that I feel I did a good job in. A lot of the vets helped me and I was there just trying to pick their brains – to see what they are thinking during a play or concept.
What excites you about this playbook?
There’s a lot to be excited about. A lot of routes that I ran in college. It’s a whole different level than college though but I’m excited for the challenge and chance to compete.
The outside routes I can run and had success with in college. I’m learning all the routes so if someone needs a break I can step in and help anywhere. My job is to get open and win on whatever routes I’m asked to run. It’s an exciting playbook.
You mentioned picking some of the vets’ brains a bit – anyone in particular and what did they show you?
I talked to Gunner {Olszewski} a lot. He’s bigger than me but he’s a return man and a slot guy like I am. I just wanted to pick his brain and see how he thinks through concepts and learn his thought processes. We’re similar players and he’s established himself in the NFL so he was a good person to learn from.
But all the vets in the room helped – there’s no one you can’t ask a question and get help from.
You parents and family all have great athletic backgrounds – what did they teach and show you that’s helped you?
Ha yeah! They just showed me to always be competitive – we’re a very competitive family. No matter what we’re doing we’re always competing and trying to win. I love that.
They also taught me about hard work. They all worked hard to get to do what they needed to do to succeed and that rubbed off on me. I’ve had to scratch and claw my whole career and that hard work made the difference.
Looking at your play – what would you say are your strengths and areas you’d like to work on most?
I think my strength is my quickness in space and getting around defenders in routes. Adding stuff to my routes to do so. I think I can always work on my techniques and fine tune those. There’s always something you can do.
As a “undersized player” what is your answer when people discuss your size and press coverage?
A lot of people ask me how tall I am and I tell them “Tall enough.” I can do it – all I do I do it to the best if my ability. I’m competitive. If there’s a 6’4″ guy I want to show I can play bigger than I am and do what they can do. I have proven myself before but it does add a chip – I guess you can call it a boulder – on my shoulder.
You do a good job of getting separation despite size – what is your “secret” in doing so? There’s an advantage to being smaller as well right?
There are definitely advantages. I’m lower to the ground and I move quicker to get separation. My feet are quick – I move quick. Some guys have great straight-line speed and some are quick. I think my strength is my quickness.
Lastly, what should we know about you that has nothing to do with football?
I’m a big family guy – my family all lives close to me.
One funny story is, growing up I played baseball. I’m right-handed but I batted left-handed and like to think I was pretty decent.
Well, I always wanted to get into golf and a couple of months ago I was playing golf and swinging left-handed like I did when I played baseball. I wasn’t hitting the ball well. Well I just switched to hitting right-handed and now I’m hitting the ball much better. I was never a switch-hitter in baseball but I’m a better right-handed golfer than left-handed!
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