First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days, and how you got started in this post- N FL career?

Well I’m the Associate Director of Player Personnel and the Director of Player Development here at LSU. I came back to finish up my degree and ran into Coach Miles and the rest is history.

 How has your time in the NFL helped?

Being in the NFL help me mature and mold me into the man I am today. It makes you grow up fast and hold yourself and other accountable.

At LSU, you found yourself stuck at first behind a top caliber running back in Joseph Addai but were able to make a big impact, becoming MVP of both the 2003 SEC Championship Game and the 2004 Sugar Bowl. What were your thoughts then on going pro and getting drafted?

To be honest with you, it never crossed my mind. I was just a kid from the country who loved football and I always lived in the moment. The NFL never crossed my mind during that time.

You went undrafted in 2007 before being signed by Atlanta as an undrafted free agent. How much did your 2005 knee injury affect your college career and subsequent draft status, do you think?

I think it had a lot to do with it. A lot of teams were afraid of it and rightfully so. Those types of injuries normally scare teams from investing money in you.

You signed on with Pittsburgh in 2007 as a free agent. Why Pittsburgh, and who there helped you to adjust to life in Pittsburgh, both on and off the field?

I was a priority free agent and could have went just about anywhere, but Pittsburgh just seemed right to me. Plus I was a Huge Hines Ward fan and almost signed with UGA because of him. I met a young lady there who befriended me and we began to spend a lot of time together and nine years later she is my fiancé and we are getting married in May.

How competitive were the running backs on that squad – Davenport, Moore, Russell, Parker were all there at the time…and how did they help you?

It was a very competitive room. We all spent a lot of time together off the field as well. We pushed each other and tried to make each other better on a daily basis. They helped me become a professional. Taught me how to prepare for a game week and take care of my body.

You were on the practice squad for three season in Pittsburgh. What was your role as a practice squad player and .how difficult was it for you to be “on the bubble” every week?

My role was to make our defense the best in the world. I ran my ass off every single day and tried to push them to the limits. There were occasional fights, but it was all in good spirit. Being on the bubble was very difficult, but that’s just the nature of the game. Everyone is replaceable.

How did humor play a part on those Steelers teams?  Can you relate any funny experience on or off the field you had with the team?

Humor was a part of everything we did and I wish there were some PG-13 versions.

In 2009, you were on the Super Bowl winning team. How did the team  -and you specifically – prepare for the game? What was the mindset of the team then, can you remember, and what did you do to celebrate when you won? 

We prepared like we always did, nothing more and nothing less. You wouldn’t have even known we were in the Super Bowl. I’ve always been a guy who kept to myself on game days. That season we were battle ready at all times and the Super Bowl was any different.  After the game we celebrated as a team at our hotel. A huge party was waiting for us when we got back.

The game has changed a great deal in the past few years. What are your thoughts on how the game has changed, and what advice would you give young players today?

I get upset sometimes just thinking about how much the game has changed. I’m all about protecting our players, but some of the flags are just being thrown sometimes and it’s awful. I don’t want to get into detail with all my concerns, but the NFL needs to use this past season as teaching tape for the refs during the off season.

Any last thoughts for readers?

I appreciate the love. You kind of get lost sometimes in the shuffle with all the superstars.

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