First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself now – how life is in the CFL and how you got there?

Life is great. Anytime you’re able to play at a professional level and get paid to do what you love is a blessing. My CFL team has had an eye on me since college and contacted me after my last year with the Dolphins after I was cut. They told me if I don’t make an NFL team the following training camp then I would have a home up in Montreal. After I was released by the Steelers, I jumped on the opportunity.

How does the CFL differ from the NFL – both on the field and culturally?

The field is bigger and wider. The game rules are slightly different. For instance there are three downs instead of four and you can gain a point by missing a field goal if the ball goes out of the endzone or the returner does not bring the ball out of the endzone after a missed field goal. Slight rules like that make the game interesting and sometimes weird. However, there are some guys that can really play football up there. Now a days more CFL guys are going down to the NFL and making an impact.

What do you like most about the CFL game – and do you want to get back to the NFL? Is that “the goal”

I like having a home in the CFL. Being a team leader and not having to worry about making a team each year. When I first got to the CFL, I wanted to get back down to the NFL but a knee injury prevented me from doing that. I’m happy where I am now and am going to play my career out up there.

You were undrafted but, after time with the Giants and Dolphins, you found your way to Pittsburgh. What made you decide to sign with the Steelers in 2010?

I had a good workout with them and felt like I had the best shot to make the squad with them. At the time I signed, before the draft and free agency, they didn’t have many wide receivers on the roster and I felt like I could beat some guys out for a job.

Coming from a relatively small college football program, how did you adjust to the NFL game and what was your biggest adjustment?

The practice and game speed was a lot faster than I was originally used to. Muscle memory eventually kicked in and made me change the speed in which I worked out and learned the game.

Who helped mentor you as a new Steeler – both on and off the field – and how did the do so?

At the time Antwaan Randle EL did a great job of helping me out learn plays and keep a positive outlook on the game and my journey. The same with Arnaz Battle. They were two guys whom had been in the NFL for sometime and gave knowledge when needed. I hung out with Mike Wallace off the field a lot playing videos games and such.

It was a stacked wide receiver corps then with Hines Ward, Antonio Brown, Mike Wallace, Antwaan Randle El, Sanders and Arnaz Battle all there then. What did you learn from those guys and how competitive were they?

I’ve always been a competitor so I didn’t “learn” anything in terms of how to be competitive. I learned that my only chance to make this team was to really try and out play those guys any chance I got.

How stressful was it being on the “bubble” and struggling to make the team. How did you handle that kind of pressure?

It’s beyond stressful at time. You’re constantly wondering if the pass practice was good enough to keep you around or if you drop a ball, were you going to get that opportunity back to make a play and show that the drop was a fluke. The pressure was great but at times it helped you create some sort of motivation inside that maybe wouldn’t have been there had you knew you were already on the squad.

How much did humor play a part on those Steelers teams, and how so? Can you give a couple of examples of some funny things that occurred, on or off the field?

Mike Wallace used to joke on everyone a lot. We used to get into joke sessions and crack on each other.

What do you think of the way the game has changed over the past few seasons?

I know the general public thinks the game is getting softer with some of the new rule changes, but I believe at times, some of those exact rules are going to save a players career by taking some unnecessary hits off his body. Because of that, some bogus calls are being made but the overall job of protecting the players ridiculous hits is becoming somewhat successful.

What advice would you give to young players entering the game today?

Someone is ALWAYS watching. There’s no such thing as “I’ll do better tomorrow.” In the NFL there could be no tomorrow for you if you get cut today.

Any last thoughts for readers?

I loved the city of Pittsburgh and mingling with the people. I learned what ‘Yens’ means and got to see Bucs game. The roster was crowded in the wide receiver corps so I wish I had been able to stay on because that is an organization where guys would love to play for.

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