First off, what excites you about Pittsburgh – and why did they tell you they wanted you?
The tradition first of all. That’s the thing I’m most excited about. Being on a winning team is the best thing in the NFL – I’ve had former teammates tell me that and Pittsburgh is a first class, winning team. I’m excited for the chance to win a Super Bowl here.
I know you said you thought Pittsburgh was going to draft you – what made you think that and did they talk to you about that when they signed you?
The Steelers told me they loved me coming out of the draft when they signed me. I had a couple of meetings with the GM at my pro day and at the combine – and they brought me in for a top-30 visit. They played against me as well so knew what I was capable of. So they told me they were excited to have me here.
It’s a young locker room – you’re a wily vet there! What leadership have you been able to offer early on and what is standing out about that receivers room so far?
It is a young room but there’s lots of knowledge there too with Diontae and Chase. Gunner and Ant (Anthony Miller) too. We all came from different places and bring the different things we’ve learned to the team. The new guys – they are full of talent but are learning the ins and outs of the NFL. It’s cool teaching them and seeing that talent.
What kinds of things have you been able to show them so far?
It’s a lot of simple stuff. You can’t just show up – in college a quarterback would stare you down but in the NFL you can’t get away with that. In the NFL you may be the third or fourth progression so you have to be ready and sometimes you have to know when to speed things up.
How did the OTAs and camp go? Anything memorable stand out to you ?
It was great. I was limited due to injury but will be ready for camp. I just made sure I was learning the playbook every day. That is the huge part for me – talking to the quarterbacks and learning the terminology and routes.
What excites you most about Matt Canada’s offense?
The versatility – the opportunity to get the ball anywhere on the field. The playbook – the routes and concepts – they are all over the field and stretch the defense.
The balance for me – as a big-bodied wide receiver I may be out there blocking a linebacker or safety on one play then running in the middle of the field on a play-action pass the next.
What have been the hardest things to pick up so far and what has surprised you most?
The terminology. Everywhere you go the routes have different names. It’s not because they are different – just different terminology for the same thing. I said “Bang play” once and they told me we don’t call it that here! Things like that – that’s the hardest part for me.
How does the quarterback battle affect you as a receiver?
I don’t believe it does. A coach once told me that a wide receiver’s job is to be perfect for the quarterback. I have my job – that’s to help them out. It’s been a blessing to play with different quarterbacks.
In Baltimore we had RGIII, Tracy and Lamar of course. We all knew Lamar was the guy but it was cool to work with those other guys too.
What have you noticed about the quarterbacks and that quarterback battle so far?
It’s been entirely professional. They all have good chemistry with one another. If there’s a play that goes wrong they all talk to each other about it. There’s a special chemistry there – and it’s not like that everywhere. They all want to help each other be better. It’s an open dialogue with each other and the receivers. We had that in Baltimore too.
What was that Ravens-Steelers rivalry like for you – any good matchups and memories of when you faced Pittsburgh as a Raven – who and why?
Well, we won our first two games then lost to them since! One thing I remember was, as a rookie, playing on special teams and seeing Chase running down the field. He ran behind me and hit me in the back, laughing. He and I are like brothers. I was like “So that’s how we do it now?” We were both laughing.
Any good-natured grief coming over from a rival?
I heard it all yeah. Mostly from Chase. Minkah gave me a little . But it’s all fair – I did it to them when I was on the other side.
How have you grown since your rookie year and what areas are you looking most to improve upon – and what are your strengths?
My consistency all-around is something I want to improve on. I think my strength is catching the ball in contested spaces and blocking in the run game. I think I can be an asset on special teams as well. I’m the definition of a team player.
Any feeling of looking for redemption after not being used so much in Baltimore?
The only person I need to prove myself to are my teammates. If I do that I’m extremely satisfied. I want them to feel like I’m someone they want to go to war with. If my teammates have respect for me – if the coaches and players have faith in me – that’s my goal. That’s all I want.
I’m excited to have a fresh start. It’s not every day you have a chance to win a Super Bowl. I mean a real chance. Every team says it, but Pittsburgh is one of 10 or so teams that has a real chance to win a Super Bowl.
What should we know about you that has nothing to do with football?
I love to fish – deep sea fishing. I’ve caught shark, Goliath groper, black and red snapper and other fish…
Lastly, what does success year one in Pittsburgh look like for you?
Success is being a viable part of the offense and contributing on special teams. I want to win the AFC North and then win a Super Bowl.
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