First, what are you up to now and what drove you to sign with Pittsburgh?
I’m back in Cali now to get a few things then I’m off to Pittsburgh. With the situation I was in last year – with all that stuff that went on off the field – I was just happy to get an opportunity to showcase myself again this season. It was tough last year because of all of that.
Was it a long courtship – we read about interest for a while – or something that just sprung up around draft time?
I honestly didn’t know anything at first – not for a while. I read about the interest but I never talked to the team at all. It ended up being a quick offer and acceptance once I got it. With all of the stuff last year I’m grateful to Pittsburgh – I just wanted to get the chance to play again.
Do you know any guys on the team well – talk to any of them?
I know Cam Sutton and chopped it up with Minkah when I was there. Minkah told me the defense should be easy for me to pick up – and that they are ready for me to help out there.
The Steelers also brought Terrell Edmunds back – do you know if it’s a full-on battle for the starting spot or are there other roles you expect to play?
We didn’t talk about it really. I didn’t care who they thought would start right now – I just know that they’ll get the best out of me no matter where they put me. I’ll give it my all. After my lack of playing last year I’m just ready to go out there and play again.
I know they have two great safeties there now in Edmunds and Minkah – I’m just going to go out there and compete and play and be aggressive. Whether they put me at nickel, corner, sub-anywhere – I don’t have a preference where they put me. I just want to go out there and make some plays.
How has your versatility helped being able to contribute over the years – is it a plus or a hindrance sometimes to be asked to focus on different positions?
My second season Atlanta had me at free safety and I had seven interceptions. The next season I played nickel for 10 games and they moved me to strong safety. I played cornerback in college and high school so I’ve been asked to do a lot.
I like being asked to do a lot of different things. It’s all a positive. It helps me to understand the stress of the different positions – what they are seeing and going through. It helps me all around.
Do you wear the green dot and call plays – enjoy that aspect?
I don’t like that at all, no! I’m out there busting my ass and getting winded and everything. I don’t like having to think through things too much. I like to play more using my instincts and not get slowed down by overthinking things.
You’ve had success over your career making some splash plays – interceptions and forced fumbles. … how difficult is it as a safety to be a guy who divines the line between “splash plays” and ensuring you’re not letting up big plays?
Sometimes it’s hard to do. We all think about going for the ball but that can get you in trouble sometimes. That’s the hard part – knowing when to gamble. That’s the key. A lot of it is knowing and trusting what you see on film and being able to read the quarterback. It’s difficult but the game slows down for you over time. Knowing when to take your shot as the last line of the defense isn’t easy – you have to be careful but aggressive at the same time.
Do you have a lot of experience in the 3-4? How does that scheme affect how you play and how aggressive you can be?
It’s a very aggressive defense for sure in how they rush the passer. But it all works together. I don’t think it changes much of what I do – we just all have to execute together. At the end of the day we all just have to fight hard. And I’ll be trying to get the ball no matter what!
Lastly, what should we know about you that had nothing to do with football?
My kids – I do it all for my daughter and son. They are nine months old and three years old. I have all of my fun through them!
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
