First, what does the offseason look like for you?
The plan is to take a little time off – maybe six to eight weeks – depending on how my body feels. Then start again. I want to work on getting stronger and on my muscular endurance so I can kick at 100% the whole season. It’s a long season starting with OTA’s and camp so I really want to work on my endurance.
I’m working with a kicking coach in Atlanta – he’s the one who taught me how to kick, just to clean up a few things.
What made you decide to sign with the Steelers?
I worked out for a few other teams before signing a futures deal with Pittsburgh. I wanted the chance to compete no matter what and to learn. Boz is phenomenal – one of the best kickers in the NFL. For me. I just wanted to come in and compete and show the league in OTAs and in games what I can do.
Looking to get some film on you basically?
Yeah – I just want to use OTAs and camp to the the fullest to help me perform to the best of my ability. And to be ready because you never know if you’ll be needed. You have to be ready.
Also, being in that environment – in a real practice setting and a live operation – it’s easy to look past the importance of those things. But being around these great specialists, I need to soak that all in and learn how to keep getting better.
Danny Smith too – I heard about him before I got there. He’s a great coach. When my agent talked to the guys in the Steelers front office about coming, I jumped on that opportunity. It’s a top notch organization and they take care of their guys. It was a great opportunity too come in and learn.
What did they tell you to work on in the exit interviews?
The biggest thing is consistency. It’s not just about making kicks – it’s the form – the steps you take and the way you approach kicks. It’s easier said than done to get that consistency.
My rookie year I went from L.A. to Tennessee and the coaches would change this and that and drill me for consistency at the same time.
How do you gain consistency with that constant change?
That’s just it – its tough to do. You do what’s said as a rookie but you may not feel comfortable with it.
What did Pittsburgh ask you to do?
Danny Smith told me to just focus on the flight of the ball and ball rotation. All he wanted was consistency. No one ever told me that before. He told me to do what I felt comfortable doing to get that consistency. He didn’t try to change much – he just helped me when I needed it. He helped me to be more consistent but let me find a way to do it in a way I felt comfortable with.
So, being a Jewish player in the NFL. How do you manage some of the religious stuff that happens with players before and during games?
That’s a great question. Every team I’ve been on they’ve said the Lord’s Prayer before each game. My mother is Jewish and my dad Christian so I had some experience with both. But as a Jewish athlete in the NFL – there aren’t a lot of Jewish athletes in the NFL. I know the religious stuff is part of the culture – an easy way for guys to get their minds off the stress for some guys. A comfort thing. We pray too as Jews. So when I hear things like the Lord’s Prayer I kind of just twist in around in my head to be more similar to what I know.
You were given the nickname “The Kosher Cannon” – how did that come about and do you like it?
I love it! I had a lot of nicknames in college but in my Junior year Doug Costin – he played with the Jaguars and now the Bengals – I’m not sure if it was after a kick I made or not, but he retweeted a post on social media about me and called me “The Kosher Cannon” and it blew up. I think it just kind of rolls off the tongue!
It’s a fun nickname to play with – it’s really fun. Props to Doug – even my parents love it!
Any fun memories yet of your short time in Pittsburgh so far?
Pressley Harvin – just being there with him – he and I knew each other since high school. We had the same kicking coach. So being there with him.
And the fun card games and playing cornhole after the day is over. Nothing too crazy. All the specialists, we have a good dynamic. We all have different personalities but the way we banter together is fun. We all can dish it out.
How much has Chris helped you and how is it being helped by a guy you are really competing for a job with?
I am appreciative of it. It’s a weird situation. In L.A. I was in competition with two other guys and Tennessee had Gostkowski. It’s easy to treat the other guy poorly – I’ve heard stories of that around the league. But Chris told me the first or second day I got there that he knew I wanted to play as much as he did, but he would be there to help me. I respect him as a person so much because of that – just knowing he’s willing to help.
In the Hall of Fame game he gave me some pointers that helped. Things about what I was doing when I was warming up – I wasn’t swinging through my kicks and I was bringing my head up too fast. He told me that which was great. That doesn’t happen everywhere. Some guys just keep their distance and don’t help the younger guys. At the end of the day we all want the job but Chris did a great job of handling it.
Lastly – what does success look like for you next season?
My ultimate goal is to be on a 53-man roster. With my prior experiences and now having a taste of playing in games, that enhances that goal and changes the way I approach the offseason – the lifting and training. I know I’m capable – I just have to put it all together. Hopefully it starts in OTAs and making the most of my opportunities here. I just want to be in the best situation to succeed. It was an experience last year being able to work on some things in Pittsburgh. Now I’m just looking to be on a 53-man roster.
Hopefully so – but not to kick a winning field goal against the Steelers right?
Ha right! Hopefully it doesn’t come to that!
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