First, what are you up to now?
Currently I’m a free agent. I still have a lot left in the tank and am ready to play. I have a small trucking company I run as well – when I come home after working out I work on that.
But I’m staying prepared. I train every day two times a day. I’ve had some interest from NFC and AFC teams. It just takes that one call. Teams are one play or one injury away from bringing me in, and I’ll be ready when they do. I’m eager and hungry and I think a team will be happy to get someone like me.
Were you surprised when the Steelers traded for you in 2017?
A lot yeah. I had just signed with Tampa Bay from Dallas on a two-year deal. I expected to play and start in Tampa Bay. I had a good camp and thought I’d end up starting. Without any notice though – no clues or anything – they traded me. I was blindsided. I was on a flight soon after I was told and in the next couple of hours I was in Pittsburgh. My family just got settled in in Tampa Bay. I was given no insight as to why it happened. I was caught off guard for sure.
Pittsburgh had Mike Mitchell and Robert Golden there but they ended up getting banged up. It was like getting on a moving train since I got there so late though. Golden and Mitchell knew the system and I had to come in late and learn it right away. That side of the business I disagree with – how it all happened. But I felt like I did some great things in Pittsburgh and put out some good film as well.
Did anyone help show you the ropes at all in Pittsburgh when you got there?
To be honest, not really. Mike Mitchell was in the midst of going through his deal with Pittsburgh and figuring that out and was banged up. William Gay was helpful – he and I were from the same area so that familiarity helped me. And Carnell Lake was great.
Mike Tomlin was great too. I learned a lot of good football there. But with me not having been there for camp you have to go with what you know at first.
You were a good running back when you were younger – how did that help you as a safety?
It helps you understand the offensive mindset – formations and how an offense thinks in certain situations. It helped me to understand what an offense was doing in different looks and formations. What a running back is thinking when they get in the open field. It helped to know what they were trying to do. I think that gave me an advantage in understanding how an offense was trying to attack a defense.
You spoke before about Carnell Lake and Coach Tomlin’s influence on you in Pittsburgh. What exactly did they show you?
They showed me what an offense was trying to do. And what makes a safety a good safety. It’s not just about picks – it’s about understanding routes and play recognition and where your help is at at all times. They showed me more on how to be the quarterback of the defense.
Coach Tomlin taught me the analytics of down and distance – how to study and learn what tendencies offenses had in different situations and how to line up the defense around that.
How did you manage the sudden adjustment to a new city and playbook and the frustration you experienced around that?
It was very frustrating. It was tough and hard – I think it was a pretty unheard of situation, how it happened. But you have to know how to live uncomfortable sometimes. Coach Rod Marinelli taught us that – the best players learn to be uncomfortable.
My family and friends – and my faith – they kept me positive and in good spirits. I figured there was a good reason for being there and one of them was learning from a great coach like Mike Tomlin.
It taught me the business side of football. The toughest players make the most out of the toughest situations.
Any memories stand out most to you of your time there?
I played with Hall of Fame and Pro Bowl players in Pittsburgh. Every practice was like game day. Le’Veon and AB were there and in their primes. JuJu was a rookie and contributed right away. The defense was one of if not the best in the league. Unfortunately we lost in the second round of the playoffs to a good Jacksonville team.
I was surrounded there by good players and I don’t take that experience for granted. I cherished being around those guys and learning how to be a better pro there. Like I said, every practice there was like game day.
We played some good football games. The Cincy games with Burfict, the Browns games. It was good football. We played tough football when I was in Dallas but I never saw physicality like I saw when we played those AFC North games against the Ravens and those other teams.
Any moments stand out?
Winning the AFC North was a big moment. And practicing against AB and Le’Veon and Ben. Learning from them and being able to show them some things too when they asked me questions about what I saw in certain situations.
AB – his work ethic is what helped him stand out. He was non-stop. Even when you are successful against him he’d stop and ask you questions about what you did. He was always learning. He was a great competitor – in everything he did. Some guys took a break at times but he took no days off – that stood out to me.
What made Ben special from your perspective when you were there?
Ben was a big statue – he was a big guy. He was like The Last of the Mohicans – there aren’t many 6’4″, 250 pound quarterbacks anymore in the NFL. They don’t make them like that anymore. His knowledge of the game – he was like Peyton and Brady. There wasn’t much you could throw at him that he hadn’t seen before. He could see the whole field and make all of the throws.
What strengths did you bring to the position?
Coach Lake – he knew I came in late so he kept it simple for me at first. I learned from that – if I ever wanted to coach or just show younger guys things – the simpler you can make the game for a player the more they can showcase what they can do.
I think they wanted me because they knew I could contribute right away. They knew I was a hitter but I had ball skills too. I could play all three positions. Many guys saw me as more of a hitter – but I played four years in Dallas as a free safety and played down linebacker with the Jets. And of course I played strong safety too. It’s hard to find players like that.
You came into the league almost 10 years ago now. Do you like the way the game has changed over the years?
I think it has gotten better in terms of safety. Especially with the defense, not being able to launch yourself at players. I saw it from both sides of it. Veteran players having issues with what happened to them on the field and with the young guys being more protected now. There’s a lot of life left after football. Protecting guys is what it’s all about.
As a defensive guy – frustrating though?
It’s changed a lot yeah. Offenses are spreading you out and slinging it around. Big linebackers and safeties have been taken out of the game. It’s like seven-on-seven now. I’m biased as a defensive guy – it can be frustrating. All the advantages are going to the offense. But that’s what makes guys great – that’s why they pay us the big bucks. Great players adapt – that’s what a good professional player does. You have to keep going at it.
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