First, how are you handling the trade and the logistics amidst all this craziness – how is the team helping?
It’s definitely a strange time. I had my physical last Monday at the Redskins offices – they were a neutral party the Steelers trusted – the guy there worked with the Steelers for a number of years before.
I haven’t been to Pittsburgh yet – I’m still in Baltimore – quarantined here. It’s been a challenge time finding a place in Pittsburgh – people just aren’t renting or showing places right now.
The operations people have been trying to help – – telling me what neighborhoods to look at. But it’s all slow. We’re taking it slow – we’re not in too much of a rush to get out of Baltimore right now. I’m sure it’ll be a fire drill once we can though – to get everything lined up and get to Pittsburgh.
How shocked were you to get traded – especially to a rival?
When they signed Campbell and Brockers – who I know they in the end didn’t actually sign – I knew I was going to have my playing time cut down a lot. I’m in the last year of my rookie contract so… I played 50% of the snaps last year. I figured if I stayed I’d play maybe 15 to 20%. There were three things that could happen – my playing time would get cut down, or i would either get traded or cut.
My agent started working on a few things but kept it hush-hush with me so I didn’t get my hopes too high. I was shocked I went to Pittsburgh – a rival team like that. The Steelers I guess came in with the best offer, and that’s where I was traded!
How did you find out and what did both teams say to you ?
I got a call from DeCosta – the Ravens general manager. Then my agent called, and Kevin Colbert after that, Kevin told me he was excited to have me here when the dust all settled.
Tomlin also called me a couple of times, and Butler did too. Just basic We’re excited to have you” stuff. It was like all hands on deck. It was like I was drafted again.
Excited to play with former Michigan guys like Bush, Gentry and Kinney?
I played with Bush and Gentry – and Tyree too in Michigan. It’ll be good to get back together with those guys and to play with Bush, who had a great rookie year. It’ll be fun playing in front of him with him calling the plays.
You’re, so rumor has it, a bit of a prankster as well, which fits in with the Steelers culture – best prank so far?
The famous one was in camp last year. Our rookie defensive lineman were supposed to bring us snacks and I had a special snack I wanted – those Texas cinnamon rolls. Daylon Mack was the rookie and he kept coming up with excuses for not bringing them in. He said they were coming from Amazon…then his wife was supposedly getting them from Costco. It got into the second week and guys start to get a bit upset at that point in camp.
So, I bought six bags of packing peanuts and filled up his truck with them. It took him forever to clean it all up!
So, where do you see yourself fitting on the Steelers defensive line – any specific area they are asking you to play?
I was a 3-4 end in Baltimore – I imagine I’ll be in a lot to help stop the run and pass rush some on third downs. I know they lost Hargrave who was a terrific nosetackle, so maybe they’ll have me gain a few pounds and have me play nose!
I’m excited to see what the coaches have in mind for me. I was a 3-4 end in Baltimore that stopped the run – so I expect that’s what I’ll do in Pittsburgh. But we’ll see.
Anyone tell you about Coach Mitchell yet? He can be tough on new guys!
No not yet – I’m sure we’ll get a chance to talk soon. I’m looking forward to it.
Any good memories or battles from the Steelers-Ravens rivalry come to mind most for you?
It was a really great game – one we lost – but a great game versus the Steelers at Heinz Field on Sunday Night football – I remember that game well. We went 2-0 against them last year – a lot of good battles with that offensive line.
The last game of the season in Baltimore I battled Zach Banner a lot. He is a massive human being. We got close at the combine so going up against him was fun.
Zach’s a bit of a cult hero now in Pittsburgh.
Oh yeah, that’s right up his alley. I’m sure he loves that cult following!
How much does it help having played for the Ravens and practicing with them – knowing tendencies of the offense and offensive line a bit?
Yeah I’ve gone against some of those guys for a couple of years now – Ronald Stanley, Orlando Brown, Matt Skura… I had plenty of battles against those guys.
You do pick up some tendencies in practice. But they pick up some of mine too and get to know what I do well also. So it’s a bit of a wash.
Lamar Jackson – how do you stop that guy?
Ha – that is a good question! In camp – in practice we’d run to him but tag off. All 11 guys really have to fly to the ball when you play him. Teams that slow him down – not that many do – they hold the edge and all the guys run to the ball.
I’m sure we’ll have a great plan for him in Pittsburgh and I hope we can slow him down too.
Lastly – what should we know about you that’s not football related?
I love my family – I have a wife and three-month old daughter. We love to travel, though with the quarantine stuff we can’t obviously do that right now.
I like to cook a lot and have been doing more of that which has been fun. I’m a dessert guy so it can get fun and creative. I’m just generally a laid-back guy who enjoys his family.
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