Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Deon Cain

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

First, how is the offseason gong for you – what’s the plan for you?

Oh man, lots of things going on. I’m trying to keep my weight down and stay fit. I want to stay in great shape – Spring ball is just around the corner. I want to be ready for camp – maybe get a little looser in my hips. I’m just excited for the offseason and to get ready for camp!

Did the coaches give you some areas to improve upon for next season in the exit interview?

I was there for five weeks so they got to see a lot. Coach Tomlin said he just wants me to become a more complete wide receiver. Lots of guys want to make big plays downfield, but he wants me to be  good on the interior routes too – slants and in-routes. To step that up to another level.

I’m working to improve my footwork now – I have a great trainer to help me do that – to help me come out of my breaks better – stuff like that. I’m excited. Coach Tomlin gave me what I needed. I just have to put in the work with the other guys.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Deon Cain”

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

Exclusive with Duquesne Defensive Back Draft Prospect Reid Harrison-Ducros

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

First, how are you prepping for the draft and pro days?

Right now I’m working getting ready for the combines – trying to get into the national combine and looking at the regional ones and pro days too. I just want to get the most eyes on me as I can get.

I’m working out at the Michael Johnson Performance Center – they work with guys on combine skills like the 40 yard dash, cone drills and position skills drills. They are great and helping me to perfect my craft.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Duquesne Defensive Back Draft Prospect Reid Harrison-Ducros”

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Darrin Hall

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

First, how is the offseason going so far and what are you working on as you get ready for the next season?

I feel like thing are going really well. I’m just trying to get a head start for next season – I feel like I had my offseason already. I’m just working out and getting my body right. My emphasis this year is to work on my route-running and getting a head start om practicing NFL routes. I’m confident in my ability to catch the ball I just need the repetition.

How hard is it going from team to team and being released and picked up like you experienced?

It’s not easy – it’s kind of hard. At some point it takes it’s toll on your mentally and you can question your ability.  But my dad, family and agents all got it into me that I’m capable of playing at this level. I just had some bad breaks. That guy in Arizona was cut six times and had a breakthrough season. When the opportunity comes you just have to have fun with it and run with it.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Darrin Hall”

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

Exclusive with Former Steelers Outside Linebacker Arthur Moats, 2014-2017

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

First, give me a quick rundown on all that you’re doing sine you just retired?

Currently, I’m doing media work for the Steelers – the two-hour radio show and I also do my own podcast – the Arthur Moats Experience. That’s twice a week. And i recently wrote a book – MOATS Theory of Life. And a ton of media stuff!

Tell us more about the book – why you wrote it and what message you were hoping to deliver to readers?

My thought process was that I wanted to be an author – Arthur the author! I didn’t want to write an autobiography – I wanted to write something that would help people be inspired and impactful in life. I learned a lot of lessons from football and life in general and wanted to help educate people on how to be better as people.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Outside Linebacker Arthur Moats, 2014-2017”

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Line Coach Jack Bicknell Jr, 2013

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

First, tell me a bit about where you are right now in your coaching career and what your next steps are?

Well  I’m at Ole Miss right now and am really enjoying it. It’s a beautiful town and great people. I’d be happy to finish my career here – 10 years more and call it a day.

You prefer college over NFL coaching? Why if so?

The big thing with college, and it may sound corny, but I got into this business to have an impact on young men and their development. In the NFL you have grown men more set in their ways, so to speak.  In college, you have 17 or 18 year old kids. You can have more of an impact on their life. That’s the biggest difference.

Guys mess up at all levels in football – at all levels our job is to correct them. But in the NFL when you close your office doors you don’t have to think about the game. In college it’s 24 hours a day. You have to recruit and watch our for your players more. That’s what makes it difficult. Guys have classes, tutors, you have to deal with alumni and eight million other things recruiting-wise.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Line Coach Jack Bicknell Jr, 2013”

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

Congratulations to Donnie Shell for being Voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

Here are some select quotes from interviews with players who have praised Donnie Shell for his on-field play and locker room leadership and mentoring:

Tony Dungy: “Noll put me in a room with Donnie Shell and told me  Donnie would teach me how to play the position. He told me to do what he does. Donnie taught me how to be a Christian – a good man and husband as well as a competitor.”

Larry Griffin: “Donnie Shell was there too. He mentored me at safety – to see the scheme – what the offense was trying to do to us. I played a bit of cornerback and safety so Shell and Woodruff both helped me the most.”

Joe Greene: “I’d argue L.C., Donnie Shell, and Andy Russell all should be in the Hall of Fame. “

Rod Woodson:My roommate as a rookie was Donnie Shell. That was great for me.  We’d go to the hotel before games and go over the gameplan.  His biggest advice was about being a pro both on and off the field.”

Continue reading “Congratulations to Donnie Shell for being Voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame”

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Dante Brown, 2003-2004

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing with yourself since your time in the NFL?

Well, actually, I’ve been working for a railroad company now – Norfolk Southern. Friends of mine got me interested and into the work. I’m fixing stuff for them – tracks and stuff like that. It’s not too bad. I’m used to the physical stuff from playing football, so it hasn’t been that bad.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Dante Brown, 2003-2004”

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

Exclusive with Steelers Running Back/Kick Returner Kerrith Whyte, Jr.

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

First, let me know what the plans fore the offseason are for you?

Honestly, I’m just taking a bit of time off to let my body recover. You get a few nagging injuries and I don’t want to train with a hurt body, so I’m just giving it a little time first. But I’m still exercising, stretching – staying in shape.

It was a crazy season for you – what made you decide to accept the Steelers offer to sign you off of Chicago’s practice squad?

They just told me they really wanted me, For me, it was a great opportunity to showcase my skills and put some things on film. I’m thankful that they chose to sign me and believed in me.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back/Kick Returner Kerrith Whyte, Jr.”

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

Congratulations Bill Cowher on Being Selected to the NFL Hall of Fame

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

The players, Steelers and rival coaches who have praised Bill Cowher in our interviews is endless – here are some select quotes and memories they have of Bill:

 

Brian Billick: “Bill was very gracious and respectful towards me. He didn’t try to demean me as a new coach.  After we won the Super Bowl. he saw that rivalry grow and we all bought into it. But compared to other coaches, while I was known for saying some stupid shit at times about other guys, that never happened with Bill. I never went back and forth like that with him.”

Marvin Lewis: “I learned a great about coaching and how to deal with players at a professional level from Dick LeBeau, Dom Capers, and Bill Cowher.”

Dave Shula: “I remember at an owners meeting, Leslie and I challenged Bill and Kaye to a tennis match, Bill just got new shoes and he was bleeding – you could see his socks. But he wouldn’t quit…”

Ron Zook:Working with Coach Cowher, and meeting with and getting to know the Rooneys – that was a great experience for me.”

Dave Hoffman: “I remember when Cowher finally had to let me go. Here was this great big, strong guy in front of me, his eyes watering up. It wasn’t easy for him. I was almost comforting him during the talk, He was a unique man. He had a good Christian heart.”

Continue reading “Congratulations Bill Cowher on Being Selected to the NFL Hall of Fame”

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

In His Own Words: Dick Conn

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail

First I want to thank Ron Lippock for keeping up with us old guys and letting us share some memories. Next I want to thank the Rooney family for always treating me and my family as a part of the Steelers family. They were and still are the class of the league!!

I was truly blessed to have played for the Steelers and Coach Noll. I was only there for one great year but it was a life changer for me and my family. I was a member of the greatest rookie class of all time in any sport and won the Super Bowl in my first year as a pro.  Those things stay with you your whole life. No matter where you go or who you meet, you are always introduced as a Super Bowl Champion. Your children and grandchildren are always known as the children and grandchildren of someone who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Continue reading “In His Own Words: Dick Conn”

FacebooktwitterreddittumblrmailFacebooktwitterreddittumblrmail