You opted out this year after signing with Jacksonville. What brought on that decision for you?
The reason why is that my wife is pregnant – she’s due in March. My entire season I would have been worried about her – and my daughter too who has asthma. I didn’t feel comfortable – I couldn’t focus on football – I’d have been worried about them both all season.
So that was the reason for opting out. I got a lot going on in my life now still, with kids in school, a pregnant wife – and I have a couple of businesses I’m hands on with too.
You plan on playing next season? You think the NFL is doing a good job on handling COVID so far?
Oh yeah. I plan on playing for two more seasons. I think the league and players are doing all they can. If not, there wouldn’t be any games this Sunday.
Have you had a chance to even get to know the guys in Jacksonville – you just signed with them before COVID hit?
I didn’t have a chance to meet anyone – the deadline for opting out hit before i got to meet everyone. I knew some guys but I never got the chance to go to the locker room and meet any of the defensive linemen in person and shake their hands. I miss that comradery – the locker room – meeting guys from all walks of life and forming bonds with them and learning about them.
Stepping back, in 2010 you signed with the Steelers after being drafted by New Orleans – what prompted your ending up in Pittsburgh?
I was released and Pittsburgh immediately claimed me off of the waiver wire. They put me on the practice squad and I fit right in, They were cool guys – Ziggy, McClendon…. Cam wasn’t there then but when I went back the following year I got to know him – he was a cool guy.
How was playing for Coach Mitchell – what did he teach you?
He was tough but cool. He’d mess with your head so that everything was easier on Sundays. The things he taught I still apply to this day.
Like?
It was always the simple and small things he said – the way he said them. “Don’t let anyone outwork you”, or “Don’t let anyone take food off of your children’s table.” Things like that.
Chris Hoke was cool too. He taught me how to choose the perfect play. To line up correctly and get my technique right. I’d write everything down in my notebook.
Was Hoke the biggest mentor you had there – both of you having worked your way up the ladder, playing the same position?
Hoke for sure. I was a sponge to everyone. He and Casey – I gravitated to them – we played the same position. A. Smith, Keisel…. I was a defensive end first, but when Alameda got hurt they needed to move someone to nosetackle and I was the biggest guy they had. I still use what they taught me – how to go up against big and smaller guys. A lot of lineman today aren’t as big.
How was that transition to nosetackle – how did you adjust to it?
The transition was pretty easy. I had a bigger body. I watched Casey and Hoke – when they’d jog off the field I’d ask them what they saw and had them break it down for me.
You were in Pittsburgh for a year before leaving and coming back. What happened in that whole process?
I was claimed off of the practice squad by Tampa Bay and placed on their active roster. We went 10-6 then we had the lockout year. I was fighting for a job and then they went after Albert Haynesworth – that was when he was at his peak – that knocked me off the roster.
I went to Seattle after that. Todd Wash – the defensive coordinator in Jacksonville now – he was their defensive line coach then. They claimed me off waivers after Tampa Bay released me but then I was released and claimed by Pittsburgh again.
What do you remember most about those Steelers teams you played on?
For me, it was how cool they all were. It was a bunch of stars – Ben, Troy, Foote, Farrior….I watched the NFL on Sundays and then being in the same locker room with them….it took a while for me to get over that – being in awe of them. Walking in that locker room for first time. There’s Hampton. There’s Polanalu. But after a while you just get used to it. And a lot of those guys were goofballs, and I was one as well. So that made it easier.
Any funny things stand out to you?
The funniest thing I remember is when the rookie linebackers didn’t do what they were supposed to. One time they filled up a guy’s car completely with popcorn.
Ah – when Haggans filled up Garvin’s car?
Yeah – that’s who it was!
Any of the guys very different than how you expected them to be?
I thought Casey was this gigantic, mean dude, But he was cool as shit.
Cam said he was the glue that held the locker room together. True?
Definitely – I agree what that absolutely. When he spoke up, everyone shut up.
You played for seven different teams over your eleven-year career – including two stops in Seattle and Pittsburgh., How do you handle that?
It is what it is. I have a sharp memory. When I got cut or traded I kept it in the back of my mind and looked forward to playing for the next team.
Looking at this weekend’s game – any thoughts on how it will play out, knowing both teams?
It’s going to be a dogfight. Both teams give great effort and have great preparation. In the NFL, anyone can get beaten by anyone. The Jaguars give it their all and Pittsburgh does the same thing.
One last question. You played for coach Tomlin. What makes him special, from your perspective?
It’s simple. He lives in black and white. He has no gray areas.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
