First off, what’s the offseason regimen been like for you?
It’s going well – I’m back at my home base outside of Atlanta, training to get in the best possible shape I can be in for training camp. I’m doing speed training, running, conditioning and weights – I want to come in at 205 – that’s my optimal weight.
I want to come in and be as fast as possible this year. I’m studying the playbook now – I want to be able to move and react faster this year.
You signed with the Steelers a week into camp last year – how helpful is it to start from the start this season?
I’m grateful to be able to come back to such a great program. I’m starting at ground zero this time – like you said I came in the second week of camp last year. It was like jumping on a moving train. I think the team appreciated that I was able to get the playbook down so quickly. That’s I think what got me the opportunity to come back this year. And I’m much more comfortable now this year after having a year now behind me.
What do you think caught the eyes of the coaches last year that helped you stick with the team?
I was able to make some plays on the ball – and coming in on a moving train and getting caught up quickly – at such a fast pace. I felt I could have been in better shape last year. I know what to expect now and was able to attend OTAs this time. Last year I came in straight off the couch after missing two seasons due to injury. I’m looking forward to camp.
How did the team bring you in – why did they learn about you and have you come in in the first place?
I had a couple of workouts with them first. I spent my rookie camp with Detroit then worked out for Minnesota and some other teams. Pittsburgh called me back for a second workout and I did that again with Sheldon White. He worked me out the first time too. I felt comfortable and moved better in that second workout after having the first under my belt.
What did you learn from your first camp in Pittsburgh?
I think I need to be able to slow the game down more. I made a couple of mental errors last year and I can’t do that this year. I want to be making more plays on the ball as well. I think I run downfield well with receivers. I just need to be better at getting pass breakups and interceptions.
I think understanding my 1-11 better will help me to prevent errors – knowing my role and the role of everyone else on the backend will help slow the game down for me.
A lot of changes since last season personnel wise. Has the playbook changed a lot since last year and how do those personnel changes affect you?
There haven’t been many changes to the playbook that I’ve seen. For me, it’s bittersweet losing a leader like Minkah, but having guys like Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay come in with a ton of experience between them – I’m looking forward to picking their brains in camp.
Any chance they’d look at you at safety after the moves they made?
I’ll play wherever they want me to play, but right now I think I’m pretty solidified at cornerback. At some point I do want to transfer some of my reps to nickel. Versatility is a cornerstone to longevity and I think it would go a long way to helping me make the team. But if they want to try me at safety I’ll do that if needed.
Where do you think you need to improve the most to make this team?
I need to make more plays on the ball I think. Understanding the playbook more helps with that. You an always improve on that. And you can always work on making open field tackles too.
Are there areas you think you excel most as a corner?
I think my physicality and speed help me in keeping up with receivers downfield. I’m a bigger, faster corner. And I’m physical in run support – I think I do well there.
Who were the guys who helped you last season in camp and how so?
Joey Porter and Cory Trice helped me a lot – they were all supportive though. They knew I was hopping on a moving train and stayed late with me after practice. Minkah too. And the coaches worked with me after practice to get me caught up on the playbook. They were all supportive and I really appreciated that.
Any fun moments that stand out so far over your time there?
The locker room was fun – it was 24/7 cards and guys acting crazy.
Oh yeah. One moment. When we had the community game we played at a local high school during camp – the night game. We all took buses to the game and I hopped on a random bus and GloRilla was on the bus. I didn’t expect that! That caught me off guard. It was a fun, exciting night.
Did you talk to her?
It was a real short conversation! I didn’t know what to say! But we all had fun on the bus – we played music and danced on the bus with her!
Lastly, as a guy who’s been in camp with other teams, what if anything do you find to be different about the Steelers?
The history and the culture are different. It’s an old school, blue collar team. We worked the hardest of all the teams I played on. Camp was a grind. But I came our the best version of myself. Working that hard, when you remember how it was in those other places, it made everything else look easy!