First, what are you looking to improve on most this offseason – I know you just got on the phone after working out?
I always try to find something to be better at. One day it’s trying to get my hands on the ball more and get more turnovers in practice, one day it’s working out more in the slot, another more on man defense. You can choose what you want to work on in practice and I try to work on everything.
The coaches say anything to you about what they want you to focus on?
Well I came in late, so I think they’re still learning me too.
But you do come in with a lot of versatility – can you play that Mark Barron type role as well?
I used to be like that – especially at Auburn. But now I’m going back to my high school and Georgia days – to being more of a free safety. I slimmed down and got quicker. I haven’t been hurt in a while and I like to cover a lot. Mark and I just have different roles – we just have different responsibilities in this defense.
So you intercepted division rival Lamar Jackson’s on your first college play. You bringing that to the Steelers defense?
Ha! It was pretty cool to get that yeah.
Anyone help you most so far on the team? And how?
Bud and me – we knew of each other from mutual friends in Georgia. I was texting him months ago before I got to Pittsburgh about a dog – he sells dogs and I was interested in one. He invited me to his house when I got to Pittsburgh to kick it with some of the other players on the team.
I knew Marcus Allen and Terrell Edmunds – we’d work out together in Atlanta and Florida. Cameron Sutton too. I talked a lot with them.
Marcus – he helped me right away with the playbook and in the classroom. He helped me as soon as I came in.
You going to convince Bud to stay in Pittsburgh?
Ha – that’s on him! But I’d love for him to stay.
You came to Pittsburgh after playing in Green Bay. How have those experiences been the same – or different – for you?
Man, I was just telling those guys this in the locker room. How over there and here, it’s identical. The coaches in Green Bay – I learned a lot of football every year growing up, but I grew up so much more in Green Bay. The coaches were cool and laid back there, and over here, it’s the same way. They’re upfront and tough – they demand excellence, but they’re player friendly too.
A lot of reports on you talk about your leadership qualities as well. How does that play out on the field for you?
Well, all the calls have to run through me – I mean at the safety position. You have to demand the calls and make quick decisions. I was taught that in college – why not be a leader if you have those skills? I don’t talk a lot about it too, but I work extra hard on the field and weight room and that’s leadership too.
Did Coach Tomlin talk to you about communication at all yet – about making sure you’re heard?
I just met with Coach Tomlin a little while ago. What he told me was that being cut can tear your heart apart. But being over here now, he wants me to be outspoken. He said he knows I’m the new guy, but I should just come in next year and let it hang. And I’m going to do that!
When you get cut…you get close to the players and coaches and I loved those guys in Green Bay. It makes you not want to get close again to the next group of guys. Coach Tomlin told me he understands that but wanted me not to feel and act like that – that I should let it go and cut loose. That set a fire behind me. Getting cut can tear you down but he understands that. Some coaches are cutthroat – but he really cares about you.
What’s that dream for you next season?
Being able to step out onto the field and play. I can play special teams, defense -anywhere. I’m versatile – I can help anywhere they need me.`
I’ve spoken to some players who felt being versatile sometimes got in the way of perfecting specific parts of their game – that any concern for you?
I think it’s big for me to be versatile. I think maybe it used to be like that, but coaches now want guys who can do multiple things. It makes you more valuable. I can blitz off the edge, get into the box and get on the tight end. That makes me more valuable.
Lastly – what should we know about you that has nothing to do with football?
I’m an animal lover – crazy so. Dogs – I’m obsessed with dogs. People think I’m crazy. My friends and family are the only ones who would know that about me. I have two dogs – one I had since college, and one new one that’s like my baby!
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