First, what’s the offseason plan for you?
Well, I’m here in Kentucky with my brother – we’re here training together and hanging out, prepping for next year. We’ll have to see what happens with getting a contract from Pittsburgh. I felt good about the latter part of this season when I came back – I thought I kicked well. We’ll see – if it’s not Pittsburgh I’ll see if someone else wants to pick me up.
On the exit interview feedback – anything the coaches said that stood out to your most as you look to return next season? Didn’t storm out and tell them to send your stuff home?
Ha no. It was pretty good. They haven’t fully reviewed the year yet so it wasn’t in-depth. They were happy that I came back in and played well. I think the thing that I needed to improve on was my short punting. I was too short on a few of those. But there was nothing too crazy they said to me or wanted me to work on. I just need to be more consistent is the big thing.
I know you made it via a tryout with the Steelers via Dermontti Dawson – what do you think sold them on you? Leg strength?
Leg strength was the big thing – I could get good hang time on punts. I was pretty good at that. I think the high balls probably separated me from the pack.
What was the toughest thing to pick up and improve on in the NFL?
It was a big switch from college. In college the rules were different – I could run in the pocket – going from those running punts to having to stay in the pocket was a big switch. I only did maybe eight or nine pocket punts in college my senior year.
In college the coaches could be more crazy and creative due to the rules so that was the biggest adjustment for me.
How much of the position is mental – are there rituals/superstitions you have to keep you “level”?
At this level we all have the ability to kick the ball or we wouldn’t be here. So I think it’s really 99% mental. I could not practice for a month and would be able to still come in and kick the ball hard and execute on the day. We’re all good athletes at this level. But at this level it’s all in your head. In high school it’s more about your physical ability, but to progress to a higher level you have to be more consistent – it comes down to your mental ability to execute at a higher level.
As for approach. Some guys like to stay focused on the game and stay intense. I try to stay relaxed. I don’t even watch the game at times – it’s better for me if I relax and chill. When the offense has the ball on second and third downs, then I’ll start working with Kam {Canadey} to get ready.
Danny Smith – what would surprise fans about Danny Smith and how does he help you as a punter and NFL player?
One thing that got me when I first came to Pittsburgh was his attention to detail. The amount of time he puts in watching film and taking notes is absurd. He’s often the first person in the building. He rolls through so much film and picks up hundreds of details no one else notices and writes them all down in his notepads. He has millions of notes and he writes them all up and only gives guys the notes for the stuff they need to focus on. If he gave everyone all of his notes we’d all get lost. He only gives us the notes he wants each of us to read and focus on. His process is really amazing.
Anyone else take you under their wing and help you adjust to the NFL – on and off the field?
When I came in Greg Warren was there and he had played for a long time by then – he was an experienced veteran player. Especially when Boz came in later too, we had two rookie kickers, so having Greg there was really helpful. He helped make sure we were focused in. Having him there was awesome.
Shuan Suisham was still there rehabbing when I got there and he was awesome. He still calls me and Boz to check up on is and to see where we’re at.
Special teams guys tend to stick with each other and are often pretty good at being the pranksters of the team – you guys pull off any good ones you remember? Or have you seen others?
Not a ton. If we do one we try and do it well.
DeAngelo Williams was one guy. In camp we’d make fun of how old he was and he didn’t like that. So one time while the running backs were in their meeting we got all of the ballboys together and blew up hundreds of balloons and filled his room up.
He can take a joke though. Just getting rid of all of those balloons wasn’t so fun!
2020 was a crazy season for the team – and you had your own share of some of that for sure. Getting waived and re-signed – what did the coaches tell you about why both happened and how do you mentally work through that?
It was one of those things. They told me it was about my performance and the salary cap and they had to make an evaluation on all of that. There was one group of people that wanted me to stay and one that wanted me out, and the ones that wanted me out won at first.
I was happy though to be re-signed and come back. I didn’t even get to practice with the team before that first game back. I was happy to be able to come in and have a good game.
I saw where you said Craig Colquitt was one of your favorite Steelers legends. What made you appreciate him, and any irony in Dustin being the guy that came in and you later came back and replaced?
To be honest that was one of those things with Missy Matthews – I was trying to think of someone! But that’s such a great football family – Dustin and Britton are great guys. Obviously, when someone takes your job and you take it back it’s awkward, but we got along well. I actually had a chance to chat with Dustin when he came in – nothing big. But I knew him just from playing each other and he’s a great dude. I have nothing against him of course.
Looking to next season – what are your hopes and expectations?
First, that all of the Covid issues are cleaned up and we can have a normal season. I just want to keep working on getting better and keep trying to get better every year. To find the kinks and and work on those. I thought I came in and played well but there were times when I didn’t have a perfect kick. So I just want to be on an even higher level of consistency.
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