First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your time in Pittsburgh – and was it hard to adjust to life after football?
When I was done playing I landed in the scrap metal business with my father. I’m still in that business today – with Omnisource – it’s a large company owned by Steel Dynamics.
It wasn’t bad, the adjustment. I stayed in shape through 2009 to stay football ready. I had some interest from some smaller leagues. The main arena league went out of business – a number of smaller leagues were competing but the money wasn’t there. I realized I could make more money doing a regular job than banging on my body. I realized that the NFL wasn’t in my future.
Why did you choose the Steelers to sign with as an undrafted free agent?
They reached out to me pre-draft and let me know that if I wasn’t drafted that they would contact me to sign me as an underfed free agent. The Saints had interest in me as well – I just had that connection with Pittsburgh through my dad. It was a dream come true to sign there.
Did the Steelers talk to you about being the son of a former Steeler (Ed Bradley)? What did you dad say when you signed with them?
It was known but they never discussed that with me.
It was an emotional conversation when I told my dad. I was in college still finishing up my last courses when I called him with the news that Pittsburgh was picking me up. There’s so much build up to get to that point – the time, effort and energy. It was an emotional call for both of us when I told him.
Who helped prepare you for your start in Pittsburgh?
My position coach in college – Myron Jackson – he had a brief stint in the NFL. He told me that I needed to make sure I jumped out on the practice camera. To never slow down or stop running. I learned that there’s a big difference between the NFL and college in terms of coaching. There’s not much yelling at players in the NFL. Either you play hard and well or you’re replaced. In college the coaches are always on your ass.
Any of the players take you under their wing?
My locker was between Woodley’s and Aaron Smith’s. Aaron was super nice – he showed me some things. and gave me some good advice. Keisel too. Also, as a younger guy, there’s still the idea I’m here trying to take their position. They want to help but they don’t want to be replaced.
The biggest learning curve was coming in as a free agent. You come in with a short leash. I learned quickly that you have to pick up the playbook fast. You have to think fast to play fast and that means learning the playbook quickly. Aaron and Brett showed me how to identify patterns in the playbook so I play fast.
Anyone you remember being tough in those practice matchups?
Kemoeatu – we called him “Juice” – he was the toughest of the offensive linemen I went up against. That sucker was strong.
What was it like learning under Coach Mitchell?
He was a wealth of knowledge. He had nicknames for each string of the defensive line. The first string was Casey, Aaron and Brett – he called that the Hertz line. The second string line was another rental car company, then the third string line was me, Steve McClendon and Sunny Harris. He called us the rent-a-wreck line! Our leash was short – we were just flying around looking for opportunities.
It’s great, by the way, seeing how successful Steve has been over his career. He is a great guy.
Any memories of your time there stand out most?
The bond all of the rookies had – we all stuck together. I was tight with A.Q. Shipley and Tom Korte as well. I really enjoyed my time hanging out with them.
One of the funnier moments was when Coach Pastoor worked with the overweight players to get them back in shape. Woodley, Casey… Casey would act like he’d go stand on the scale and place one foot on, then take it off like a pump fake and walk away! I think the roster weights listed of Casey were never accurate!
How difficult was the 3-4 to pick up for you?
The 3-4 was new territory for me. I was a 4-3 lineman in college. I was 290 pounds – a traditional 4-3 lineman who could play some tackle. I wasn’t Aaron Smith size – I wasn’t a 6’5″, 310 pound guy. I tried to adapt. It’s very different playing the guard-tackle gap versus the tackle-tight end gap. My quickness is what I relied on. Especially with a zone blitz defense where the defensive linemen are moving all over the place with different gaps, being able to beat the offensive linemen to the spot was good.
What did the team tell you once you were released?
I was out at the South Side facility doing some extra workouts. I saw a couple of guys get called in, then I heard my name called. They just shared with me that they had to get their numbers down but I should hold my head up. There wasn’t much of a swan song or sob story. It’s a business. It was eye-opening being how different the pros were versus college. It’s all business in the pros.
Any advice for guys coming in to the NFL like you did?
I’d tell them to soak it all in and don’t hold anything back. Spend as much time in the playbook and facility as you can. The quicker you learn the system the quick you play fast. Coming in in shape and with a strong work ethic should already be established. If you don’t have that and somehow made it this far anyway, you won’t be there long. It takes a lot of self-discipline to make it. I think I had that and still am an avid weightlifter today.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
