First off, can you let us know what you’re offseason’s been like so far?
Right now I’m just working on staying in shape – whetting stronger and faster and working on my explosiveness.
The only real time off I took was to go to Mardis Gras with some friends. Nothing crazy!
Looking back, did you have any mentors when you first got into the league with the Jets – who and how so?
Folo Fatukasi and John Franklin-Meyers – they both helped me to learn the ropes as a rookie. I’m using the same program now that they showed me then! How to take care of my body and that it’s not always about heavy lifting. You also have to work on movement – to be more mobile.
You have two cousins as well who have played in the NFL – Cedrick Hardman and Cedric Reed – did they give you any advice as well – especially as both were also defensive linemen?
They also showed me that mostly, it’s a business. And you have to take care of your business. If you do it’ll take care of you.
Why sign with the Steelers?
It’s crazy how it happened. They signed me off the practice squad in the last four weeks of the season. I was excited to work with Coach Tomlin and Coach Dunbar. They have amazing people over there and a great organization. And I always looked up to Larry Ogunjobi.
Who in Pittsburgh helped to welcome you and show you the ropes there?
Cam Heyward and Tyson Alualu took me under their wing. They showed me the ropes. Montravius Adams too. They showed me how things were there. I mean, they weren’t that different than New York. It’s still the NFL, but there are a few different ins and outs. Mostly just how practices and meetings are done.
In terms of role – what did they tell you in terms of what they expected of you on the line?
They want us to reset the line of scrimmage. To recreate the line of scrimmage and make plays. It’s similar to what I was doing in my final two season in my college days when we went out there and just ate up blockers. So I like that I can play that way and still be able to play aggressively at times to.
Looking at your game and playing style – what areas would you most like to improve upon – what did they ask of you in the exit interviews last season?
My style of play is a lot like Larry’s. There’s always room for improvement but I’m a quick-twitch guy that can eat up double-teams when needed.
Lots of turnover and new faces on the line this year already – tough to see guys leave? How does it all affect you?
You build relationships with guys and it’s hard to watch them go, yeah. You make connections so that part is hard. They’re friends so you can always call them of course, but it’s difficult seeing guys leave.
I’m a friendly guy though. I can build relationships and make new friends easily, I’m always trying to be helpful to everyone. You hate to see people go but you just have to re-start with the new guys.
As for how it affects me? It does give me some opportunities but every time you go out there you have to make the most of it. That’s all you can really control. If you go out and make the most of every opportunity you don’t have any regrets.
I’m just excited to get to wok and show them what I can do.
Any interesting moments from last season that stand out to you?
Not much. I just remember when I signed, walking into the building for the first time and Coach Tomlin asking me how much I weighed. When I told him he said “That’s what we need right there!” He wanted another big guy on the line.
Lastly, what should we know about you that has nothing to do with football?
I like to hunt and fish in my spare time. I like watching rodeos and people riding horses I’m a country boy!
You do any rodeos or riding yourself?
Oh no – I haven’t ridden a horse since I was thrown off of one in seventh grade!
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
