You came to Pittsburgh as an undrafted free agent last year – what made you choose Pittsburgh as a landing spot and what did they tell you when you got there about what it would take to make the roster?
Actually, I didn’t choose Pittsburgh. After the draft last year, I didn’t get signed. There was some talk with the Jets those two days after the draft but nothing came into fruition with them. I had invites to the Packers’ and Steelers’ rookie mini-camps. If I didn’t stick with Green Bay, then it was on to Pittsburgh, and after that (worse case scenario) I would either wait for a call and stay in shape, or move on to a new profession. I went to Green Bay for those four days for their rookie mini-camp, however they already had their set guys that they wanted and needed. I also had food poisoning the whole time there and I literally felt like I was going to die the night before
I had to fly back to North Carolina. That next week I flew to Pittsburgh for our rookie mini-camp, busted my butt, and the last day after practice, they pulled me up and signed me. The first question Coach Tomlin asked me was: “How did I fly out of Green Bay without getting signed?” God only knows why, but I’m lucky and grateful to be with the best organization in the league. Many coaches told me throughout the process of OTA’s, training camp and the preseason was to stand out on film and be consistent in how you play. Always being available is key in this profession. If you’re not, you won’t last long. If you are, that helps your chances of making the roster.
Who helped mentor you as a rookie – no just about on-field technique, but about just how to be a professional, about where to go in the city, etc? And how did they help you?
There were a lot of guys that helped me and offered advice my first year. Maurkice, Ramon, Dave, Marcus, BJ, and Matt helped me a lot in understanding schemes and advice on technique. I talked more in-depth with Maurkice, Ramon, and Dave about field psychology and picking their brain on how they analyze and progress throughout a game week. Seeing how they function helped me tremendously in my first year. For how to be a professional and how to navigate the city, I’d easily say Jerald. He’s been a great friend, and always gives good advice on what to do, and not to do.
What do you think the coaching staff expects you to focus on most as you vie for a roster spot. and what have you’ been doing this offseason to prep for the upcoming season?
Mostly film preparation and understanding schemes and plays. This offseason, I’ve been watching film on past practices, past games, on opponents we have next year. Along with that, I always have to refine my technique. I’ve been working to get some old technique habits that got me in trouble in the past out of my system. The grind never stops.
You played some tackle and on special teams in college – how important is that versatility and has that been stressed by the coaches as well?
Versatility is what keeps you around in the NFL. Playing multiple positions is looked upon in high regard. All the coaches stress that daily. I’ve been learning center this offseason too, and I feel that it would help me better understand the offense. Being able to play all five positions on the line is a goal I want to accomplish and add to my resume.
As a practice squad player, what specific roles did you play in practices to help the team succeed? Did you enjoy it?
My role on the practice squad was to give the defense the best look you can give. You sort of had to mimic and become the guy the defense will face in the game on Sunday. Last year when we played the Ravens, I had to become Marshal Yanda. When we played the Raiders, I had to become Kelechi Osemele. You have to watch film on the guy, and change your technique and mindset to how he plays. I enjoyed it a lot because it’s a whole season of getting reps and going against some of the best defensive players in the league. It really made me better. The rest of the time outside of team periods, I’d be a body and giving looks on the scout teams. If I was needed on the field goal team, kickoff/kickoff return teams, punt/punt return teams, I’d be getting in extra cardio and working hard! You learn as you go.
Changes on the coaching staff for you – how did Munchak help you – and what about his coaching style was most impressive from your point of view?
Losing Coach Munchak stung a little. The man is a Hall of Famer, and one of the best offensive lineman to ever strap it up and get down and dirty in the trenches. He is extraordinary in how he can simplify blocking and play schemes, and teach it to you. He can adapt to how you learn, and, then, instruct and teach accordingly. I’ve really never seen any coach be able to pull it off as effortlessly as he can. He never lost his cool, and he was always open to getting in more time with you in the film room if you needed to discuss football, or in his office if you needed to talk about life. It was great to be able to learn from him during my rookie year.
The new coach isn’t so new – what can you tell us about Shaun Sarrett and how he is similar and different from Coach Munchak?
Coach Sarrett has been with Coach Munchak since Munch got here back in 2014, and I really can’t tell any differences between him and Coach Munchak. His coaching style and how he coaches is similar to Munchak’s.
Everyone’s got one or two fun stories to tell that they can share with fans. Any funny or interesting moments you can share of life as a rookie, on field stuff, pranks, etc?
There was this one event that me and the rest of the rookies did at the Dick’s Sporting Goods out at Cranberry Township. Chukwumah Okorafor and Patrick Morris were riding with me, and we came upon these exits. My GPS on my iPhone messes us up and it tells us to take the exit that’s coming up in about 400 feet, so I take the exit. The exit we were suppose to take was actually the next exit about 100 feet up. The exit we took put us on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and I’m thinking: “Okay, there’s gotta be a exit coming up, and we can just pull off and turn around.” Wrong. There were no exits, and we had to drive about 15 to 20 minutes down the turnpike until we got to this interchange outside of Big Beaver.
We turned around, drove 15-20 minutes back, and the guys won’t let me live it down and are hounding me. Since it was the holiday season and it was snowing, I wasn’t gonna get pestered, so I was just driving and enjoying the scenery and snow. I put on some music off the soundtrack from Polar Express and they weren’t having it, so I gave the AUX to Pat. He puts on a song from Bowling for Soup, and in the song, they sing: “I bet you missed your exit…” We all started cracking up. I gotta take an L for that one, but it was an adventure. I don’t blame myself, I blame my iPhone and Siri! . Funny thing is, we ended up being there early compared to the other guys!
Lots of undrafted free agents in that offensive line room – Foster, Villinueva, Finney…. what does that mean to you as you look to secure a spot on the roster?
A bunch of those guys went through the same thing I’m going through now. Seeing them succeed shows how much of a shot you have to make it on the roster. This is one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, and most of the guys on the line are guys that were undrafted. It shows that Pittsburgh can build and progress players. It’s made me hungry to be one of those guys. Knowing that makes me excited, and it’s eating me alive everyday we’re not out there on the field either playing in a game, practicing, doing walk-thrus, or watching film.
How 2018 ended was weird. All of January, I felt mentally and physically that I was still in playing mode. My first year was actually a whole lot easier than a college season. Sure it’s more games, but I wasn’t stressed. I didn’t have homework, class, study hall, and have to be somewhere every 15 minutes. My rookie season was really a breath of fresh air. Next year, I’m going to put in work, and make that 53.
Lastly – what wins you a spot this year? What do you think your best attributes are as a player?
Not overthinking each play, and just playing free. The quickest way for an offensive lineman to lose his mojo and confidence is when we overthink, and worry about the worst case and what if’s. Mastering and knowing plays inside and out, and consistency will be my main keys this offseason in preparation for the season. My best attributes are: first, my flexibility. I only went to the training room one time last year (from the rookie mini-camp/tryout, to the last game of the season); I don’t really get hurt much. That goes back to always being available. Second would be my versatility. Third would be my willingness to do what’s best for the team. And last, I look forward to evolving and adapting. Switching positions, how I train in season, how I watch film; I just love going through the experience.
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