First, how are you holding up and preparing for the season amidst all this craziness?
It’s tough – especially since everything is shut down here in Michigan. I’m just trying to find gyms I can work out at. My dad is a former high school principal so he has some connections – some places other people may not know about. That’s kind of what I’ve been doing for now.
Have you spoken to your Western Michigan guys -Chuks and Spillane? What did they tell you to prepare for most
I talked to Chuks a couple of times and texted Spillane. They said I’ll love the organization – that it’s a first class organization and I’ll enjoy my time there. They haven’t really told me a lot of what to do or expect – I’ll know more once OTAs start next week. I talked to the offensive line coach and I’m excited for when they start installing plays and I get to start learning some of the basic stuff there.
What did you learn playing in the XFL – how did it help you?
The XFL was a good experience for me – I’m sad to see it go. I never played guard until I was in Minnesota last year, as strange as that sounds. So getting reps there was good. I got to play center for the scout team and started at guard on gamedays, so getting those gameday reps was really helpful. The experience I was able to get there was very good.
Why did you choose to sign with the Steelers -what did they tell you?
I think it was just a good fit for me and the team. I think it’s a good opportunity and that’s what I was looking for. I just needed someone to give me a shot. Now it’s up to me to take advantage of this opportunity.
What versatility do/can you bring? Guard? Long snapper? Special teams?
I’m willing to do anything they ask me too. Center, guard – I’ll do whatever helps me make the team.
I also played on the field goal unit on special teams and am willing to do anything they need for me to do on special teams too.
Tomlin last week said centers would be the position that benefits most from expanded rosters. Thoughts?
I haven’t heard him say that but it makes sense. Center has to know all the positions on the line, I just need to learn as much as I can and use those reps I get to give me the best chance to make the team.
You climbed the ladder it seems at every level of your playing career to finally start – what about you has enabled that?
I think that is just how I was raised. I was never the biggest, fastest, or strongest guy on the team, but I was willing to outwork people and continue to get better.
And Coach Fleck at Western Michigan – he was great at motivating me as well and keeping me in that mindset.
What are the best traits you think you bring – and what do you think you need to work on most?
I think my two best areas I do well in are that I’m smart – I know what I’m doing. I know what to do – to push the right buttons in different situations. And I’m willing to put in the time and outwork people to get better.
As far as what I need to improve on – probably my pass sets at guard. I just need to get more reps there – I never played it before I was in Minnesota last year.
What should we know about you that’s not football related?
I love to eat. I know every offensive lineman probably says that. We used to plan our vacations around local restaurants. Hot dogs, wings, tacos…. I’m looking forward to getting to Pittsburgh and trying out the local cuisine.
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