First, what does the offseason look like for you?
My plan is to train here in Las Vegas. I still have a house here from my time playing with the Raiders. I’ve formed some great relationships and met some great people so I’m considering staying here and training. If not I’ll go back and train in Houston with my college trainer.
I also have a child on the way – I’ll have a daughter this month. So a lot going on right now!
Have you been in contact much with the team on what you should be focusing on for next season?
I haven’t had much conversation on expectations on what they want to see from me. I think I was able to show some of what I could do and they liked who I was – my size and versatility. I was blessed with natural talent and I’m hoping to be able to use it to their benefit.
I do hope I have more conversations with them soon though.
Of course there’s a new Defensive Coordinator now in Teryl Austin – what has he brought so far to help the defensive backs and what do you think he’ll add to the defense?
I wasn’t there for a lot of time so I was really observing him and the defense – saying less and watching more. I was able to watch him and how he taught and related to the players. He’s a great guy – I think he’ll help lead that defense to more success. He relates to guys so well and is patient and teaches so well. He’s a great teacher.
How did playing receiver up until your Junior year at Houston help you know as a defensive back?
For me it helped a lot. It helped to me learn how to track the ball better and how quarterbacks made their reads and progressions. As a receiver I understood what a quarterback was looking at when they made those reads and progressions. Now I am able to use that to my benefit as a defensive back.
Now when I line up I look to see where the weaknesses are in our defense – what the quarterback is reading pre-snap – to help me.
What was the most difficult aspect of that change and what made it easier?
A lot of guys don’t realize it but I played defense and offense in high school and middle school. I was a starting safety and receiver – I played both ways. I had scholarship offers to play both positions but I chose to play receiver at Houston. I just lost my love for the position over time though and decided to do what I did and loved best and play defensive back.
You had four team moves in 2021 – how hard is that and how do you manage that stress and change?
To be honest and transparent as I can be – I was cut four times and worked out for 10 teams and heard no numerous times. I had a child on the way. I just got perspective and a better foundation of myself and who I was. You find yourself more in the lows than in the highs, I feel.
So that process got me grounded. It gave me perspective. I learned that when others in the locker room are going through things – I feel now I can empathize and sympathize with them. I can use that to relate to people in the locker room. In football success is often dependent on how you relate to people. I feel like those experiences helped me to be a better leader on and off the field. That I can help people more.
Why sign with Pittsburgh in first place?
Everything about Pittsburgh! Coach Tomlin – I’ve seen numerous systems and cultures on other teams over this past year and Pittsburgh felt the most like home. I had some great interactions with Coach Tomlin – he is a great leader of men. I never felt tense there in that building. I always felt comfortable. They treat you like professionals – they know what it takes to be successful.
I was cut during the season and was secretly hoping to come back. Right after the playoffs they called me and re-signed me. They told me when they let me go they wanted to being me back but other teams have said that before and it never happened. Pittsburgh showed how they treated players though- they were loyal. They showed me their integrity.
Anyone take you under their wings in Pittsburgh?
I was embraced by so many guys. Cam Sutton – he had a great influence. Karl Joseph and I had a great friendship when we were with the Raiders – he showed me where to go and gave me rides and showed me around.
Joe Haden – he showed me how to be a leader – how he was able to do that for so long in the NFL.
Anything specific that stands out?
One thing I was just told a lot was to be a professional. To “Be you.” It’s easy to do in that environment. They helped show me how to be a professional.
What were some of the best practice squad matchups there?
To be transparent, that was the best receiving corps I have seen. Even the practice squad players like Anthony Miller and Steve Sims – they gave such strong competition every day.
Diontae, Claypool, Washington – they all played at a high level. You never wanted to be embarrassed so you had to play at a high level every day.
18 – Johnson – he brought s different type of aspect to the game. Once he caught the ball he’d put you on skates. Claypool’s ceiling is huge – he can do so many things. The sky is the limit for both of them when they are fully unleashed.
What have been your best experiences so far in Pittsburgh?
Just going and having fun playing football again. Not everywhere is a great place to play football. I definitely loved playing there and being with those guys on and off the field. Just the way we all interact – it’s a family environment. And that really is a key to success for any team. How the staff and players are with you – those relationships – are key for teams.
What were some of those interactions you spoke about earlier with Coach Tomlin?
Just the number of times he interacted with me. The amount of times – it just showed he really tried to get to know me. It showed how he cares for his players and wanted to know who he was coaching. Kevin Colbert too. When guys of that high status take that much time with a new practice squad player like I was – that was crazy. It was mind-blowing and just makes you want to play as hard as you can for them.
What does success in 2022 look like for you?
The sky is the limit. I’ve seen every low my first season – including two back surgeries, one in April and when it didn’t go right after rehab, another in June. That put a big damper on my season – it left me in a hole I was in.
I’m glad it all happened. I saw the lows and now after all of that am ready to embrace the work and highs in 2022.
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