First off, what have you been up to this offseason?
I’ve been resting up for next season. Being a 10-year veteran requires more rest that I needed earlier in my career.
I also started a new endeavor – I’m doing a podcast with my best friend Ahmad Hicks – he’s a sports anchor in Minnesota. It’s called “Must be 2 Sides”. We discuss the dynamic between the media and athletes. Ahmad has been by best friend for over 20 years and we show how both sides are pitted against each other on issues and how they can agree on things as well.
Having been in the league for over 10 years, are there mentors you’ve had that have helped you most?
Man, it was really hard to find a mentor. I had to go through things first. I bounced around some teams and made decisions in haste which I wish I could have taken back. I wish I did have someone then I could have talked to. But I lived and learned and was able to master my skill enough to stick around some.
What were your skills that you felt you mastered most as a player?
When I was in college I caught 81 passes and had 13 touchdowns my Senior year. In the NFL things changed quickly. I had to learn how to block and changed my identity. We all want to catch passes – especially someone who had a Senior season like I had. But I needed to show my versatility. Certain situations call for different things.
As a veteran player, do you find yourself playing that mentor role now you didn’t have has a player?
It’s a natural progression. At some point guys start looking at you. In Pittsburgh I was familiar with their offense so I was able to speak up in meeting rooms and point things out when I saw them. After that guys would come up and talk to me about this or that. Earlier in my career I was more quiet – it’s been a natural progression for me now.
Was part of the reason for signing due to your appreciation of Arthur Smith and that offense?
That’s accurate yes. We go back to Tennessee and had a couple of good runs there. We had Derrick Henry so the tight ends were a big part of the offense. Blocking on the edge in the zone blocking scheme and seeing Derrick hit the corner for big runs.
The trust between me and Art -he knew he could trust me to do the right thing and bring others along. The league is very much about coaches’ trust in players. You have to make them feel comfortable about you and I think I did that.
Looking at that Steelers offense, what does it need to do from your point of view to take that next step?
Another year in that offense will be a boost. They will have a new quarterback – they’ll need a guy who can make that offense his own and take a leadership role.
The offense is predicated on a good running game. The offensive line and running backs have to be in synch – the backs have to really know and trust where and when to hit the holes. Another year will help guys like Jaylen Warren and the offensive lineman understand how the scheme works. If there’s trust in the scheme the running game comes to you and that opens up play action behind that.
Would you like to come back – what did they say to you?
The end of the year, I got nothing but positives from Mike T. He appreciated what I brought. Staying healthy is my main priority now. I missed some games last year.
I would definitely appreciate coming back if its in the cards. I’ve been through free agency a while now. So I’m staying ready and wherever the opportunity comes next, I’ll be happy.
How hard is it moving around as you have – how do you navigate that as a player/person?
It’s definitely stressful. It’s taxing on the mental – being in limbo and not knowing what the next move will be. I’ve always said this game is more mental than physical. If you’re not mentally tough your play on the field and in practice will suffer. It comes with growth and working on yourself. You go through ebbs and flows.
I have a family now too – a wife and children. It makes it harder but my wife has been supportive and understanding. It’s been a blessing to have had the opportunity to play for this long.
I wanted to talk to you about high school. You played numerous sports – football, basketball, volleyball, track… do you think diversifying your interests helps you as a player versus focusing on one or two sports?
Sports was an escape for me – whatever the season was I’d play. I enjoyed being part of a team.
Each sport has its own skillset to learn and they all go with each other. One helps with the next. Diversifying can only help. When you bring those other aspects to a game from other sports it puts you ahead of the curve. Of course you at some point still have to master the sport you want to play.
What fun moments stand out most to you of your time in Pittsburgh?
I got married last year at the Phipps Conservatory. That same night the team had a Christmas party, so we headed over to that after the wedding. Mike T. brought it up the next day in team meetings. He said that he really appreciated it. Pittsburgh will always hold good memories for us in our hearts. I will always appreciate my time there.
The way Mike T. does things – its always a bit different from other coaches. The way he interacts with guys. Broderick Jones and Mike would go back and forth on the sidelines playfully.
Was it always playful?
Mike T. was less playful than Broderick. He would tell Broderick that if he did that again something bad would happen to him, then would see me there watching and wink at me and keep going. Those are the things that help get you through a season.
Lastly, what makes you tick outside of football?
My family. Getting up every day and seeing them. My daughter yelling “Daddy!” and running up to me when I walk through the door.
I also like to travel and see the world. And the podcast is a new venture for me. I wasn’t the biggest talker but that comes with growth. I have more opinions now and more to say!