First, can you let us know what you’ve been doing since your time in the NFL?
Well, not a lot really. I got into eduction and have been teaching for a while. My wife has a private behavioral health business. So just those things really.
As a teacher, I’m sure there are a lot of coaching lessons and coaches that influence your approach?
The things I use now from those days are really about hard work, discipline, and practice. The thing I realized most was that the teaching strategies we utilize most are ones that help kids see and understand things at a quick rate. In sports, if it’s a golf swing or football techniques, you take a lot of time trying to perfect one thing – to get better at one thing, In education the idea is more to go more quickly – so that’s a big difference.
Any coaches help shape your approach?
There are so many guys I could name – so many I played for. Coughlin was all about discipline and making sure all knew what to expect. Cowher – I remember the word he used most was perspective. That we should take a step back to see things more clearly. Buddy Ryan showed how to be aggressive mentally – that mental aspect of things. Dom Capers – he was a perfectionist. He preached planning and thinking through things. So I really did take something from everyone.
What made you decide to sign with Pittsburgh in free agency in 2000?
Back then, to be honest – well, everyone has this notion of free agency and the glamour of it in the NFL. But honestly, the job is the number one thing. People talk about free agents evaluating teams and win-loss records, but it was really just about getting a job – that was the number one thing. It wasn’t complicated for me – I just wanted a job. So you look at the best availability and try to make the best decision for your family. That’s the truth of the matter.
Anyone help you adjust to the team and new city?
A lot of people helped. The one that jumps out most is Kirkland. It was a very veteran team. Washington, Flowers, Gildon, Kirkland – they had more years in the NFL than me – so it was really a family aspect there. It helped me to get acclimated quickly – easy to step in. There were’t a lot of young guys there going in different directions.
I spoke to a lot of guys like Battles and Poteat who spoke highly of your role as a mentor there. Was that difficult mentoring some of the guys who were there to take your spot?
It could be if you overthink it. I’m not sure when that switch came to my mind when I started worrying about young guys taking my job. I just really wanted the best for them. As a rookie in Arizona some of the veterans like Seth Joyner hazed me a bit – picked on me -you could say, but they really helped me and my mentality. They showed me it’s a competition but that everyone is here to help the team. It could be due to athleticism or a business decision of them going with a cheaper player that gets you cut. But all you can do is perform to the best of your ability and hope for the best.
What do you remember most about your time in Pittsburgh?
I’m so disconnected at this point it’s hard to remember. I think the biggest thing for me that I remember is how different it was from some of those other teams – the atmosphere. The team comradery. That doesn’t always exist in the outside world or on other teams even. In Pittsburgh that was an established thing. It was historical – it was tradition. You walked in and were accepted. There weren’t a lot of guys pulling the team in different directions. It made it easier to enjoy going to work every day.
Any players stand out most to you?
I think about Hines Ward. Most people remember him when he became a successful wide receiver and all of the success he had then. But those first few years when he came into the NFL, he did what he had to do on special teams – as a gunner, rushing and blocking on punts returns – whatever it took.
A lot of people remember him as that Pro Bowl wide receiver. But as a rookie he was one of the most well-rounded football players. Remembering that guy that later translated into a Pro Bowl receiver – thinking about what he did in those early years to find his fit in the NFL – you really have to respect him for that. He was a hard-working guy. What he had to do to establish himself. You just have to respect that.
As a safety, one of the biggest roles you have is communication. How did you become a good communicator and play caller for the defense?
Probably just being under some guys that were very commanding in their own right. Terry Hoague in Arizona was like that. I’d just listen to their calls and adjustments and learn to reduce my own thoughts on a play – my own personal opinions and go with the call. Sometimes you think they should do something else but you don’t have that time to question things. You have to make sure everyone is on the same page. You have to learn to listen and understand the importance of your role and make sure everyone is on the same page.
Cowher used to tell me that even if I was wrong, I needed to make sure we were all wrong together. That we were all doing the same thing on the field. If you get it wrong, if everyone was on the same page, it won’t be too bad. That was the importance of knowing your role. Not just being a leader – but to know what is being asked of you and getting everyone on the same page.To make sure no one argues about it. You may get some things wrong, but you come back and talk about it.
Any thoughts on the rule changes and the way the game has changed since you played?
I don’t watch the NFL much – maybe some highlights. But I did see the rules changes. I’m indifferent. I remember when I was a part of the NFL Player’s Association in 2000 and the discussion then was how to increase scoring in the NFL. From a fans’ perspective, that’s what was wanted. It was funny because in the AFC North -Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Tennessee had great defenses. So it wasn’t what we may have wanted, But it goes back to the fans – the NFL doesn’t exist without the fans. Empty stadiums don’t help. And whether you’re an X’s and O’s person or casual fan, the NFL needs to draw all the fans in. So if that’s how you have to do it….
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