First, can you let us know what you’re doing now since your time in the NFL?
Starting this year I’ve been coaching at my old high school. I always wanted to be a coach and the head coach here asked me to come in and coach their quarterbacks. So I’m getting my feet wet now and getting started as a coach.
Who were some of your coaching mentors and what lessons did you pick up from them that influenced the way you coached?
I just picked up different things over my career that I was taught. I just coach now the way I play it. I teach my thought process – that’s the best way I know how to teach it.
Each day – especially as a quarterback – you need to make sure guys know that the game is more mental than physical. As a quarterback you have to know what all 22 positions are doing. You need to be one step ahead of the defense and on the same page as your teammates.
Stepping back, what brought you to sign with Pittsburgh in 2017? What did they tell you?
I signed with the Saints first. Pittsburgh actually called the day I was signing with the Saints but I was already in New Orleans so I told them I was going to stay and sign with them.
After that I went to L.A., then was at a workout with the Giants when Pittsburgh called. My agent told me that I should go to Pittsburgh – that they didn’t want to work me out, they just wanted to sign me.
So I went to Pittsburgh from New York – my flight was actually delayed so I didn’t get there until six am. I got fitted for my equipment then went straight to practice that morning. They wasted no time!
They didn’t tell me anything off the bat about my role or anything. They just wanted to see how I fit in.
Who took you under their wing as a new player to the team and being new to the city? How did they help you?
No one really did, necessarily. I was around the wide receiver group since that’s what I was going to play and that was the year JuJu came in as a rookie. Marcus Tucker was there too. Just being around those guys, my whole game got 100 times better. Just watching them and getting more experience and learning the nuances of the position. I took something from each guy – Tucker, Heyward-Bey, AB…
How were you able to make the adjustment to receiver from quarterback – who and what helped you?
Learning to play the position was tough at first. Fact is, what helped me most was that I could run fast, to be honest. My second year I started to feel more comfortable. When I was with the Saints I was still learning how to get off the line in press coverage. I could make moves in open field but I needed a plan to get off the line. It just took time – more reps and practice helped.
Was it frustrating moving from different positions – New Orleans even tried you as a defensive back, right?
I wanted to play quarterback. At my pro day I did it all but I expected to move to wide receiver. No team asked me to play quarterback so I really had no choice. I wouldn’t say it was frustrating. I got to live a kids’ dream and was in the league for two years. So I wouldn’t say frustrated.
You were a gifted multi-sport athlete even in high school – playing football, basketball, baseball – how did that help you as an NFL player?
I think it helped me by getting away from football, if that makes sense. I wasn’t just football, football, football. Getting away from it helped me to appreciate the sport more. I wasn’t drained from playing it. I was ready to play it. I loved all three sports.
Any good memories to share of your time in Pittsburgh – on and off the field? Any roles and matchups on the practice squad that stand out during your time there?
They really all stand out. Going up against Joe Haden every day – someone I watched growing up. Artie Burns… Being on the practice squad was pretty special. Playing against those guys every day you’ll beat them sometimes too – they made me better. Iron sharpens iron.
You were released and picked ups numerous times in Pittsburgh – how do you manage through that emotionally/psychologically?
Part of what made it easier was that it wasn’t like I was being cut and having to go home and back. I knew when it would happen based off guys getting hurt or who was out. If they brought in an offensive lineman due to an injury.. But when I was cut I stayed in Pittsburgh – they told me I’d be back soon and not to go anywhere. So I knew.
Do you watch the NFL today – think about being a little ahead of your time seeing how multi-tool guys are used today?
Yeah, I do think about it quite often. If I was given a shot to play quarterback in the league today, I think I would have made it, maybe as a backup. But that’s a tough mindset. If you play the “What if” game and live like that, you’ll be upset all the time.
But I’m appreciative of my experiences there – I’m thankful to them for my opportunity there.
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