Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First off, why did you decide to sign with the Steelers?

After my injury settlement with Atlanta, I was waiting for a couple of months for a call. I had a workout visit with the Steelers during that time. They were the only ones that contacted my agent. I don’t know how they knew about me for sure, but I think it was from our last preseason game. We played Pittsburgh and I had a pretty good game {six catches, 71 yards} and I’m sure that was a big reason why they signed me.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Keilahn Harris”

Continued from Part I of interview...

What has changed most in the scouting work since you started – what is different now – and for better or worse?

The technology now is wonderful – now a game can end and an hour later you can pull up the video on your computer.

What’s lost is the comradery between scouts. It used to be like a fraternity. At the combine we used to have free time to meet up and talk and get drinks together. Now, it’s much more secretive and everyone is more suspicious of each other. Everyone wants to be a GM now – they all have five-year plans to go from scout to GM. I don’t blame them for being ambitious but it’s not very reasonable.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Scout Mike Butler, 1983-2023 Part II”

First, I know you recently retired – there were a number of changes in the Steelers front office – what if anything changed in the way the team approached scouting as an organization?

The biggest thing is the bigger influence now analytics has on the department. Omar is a little more into it than Kevin was. They’re brought in new guys. It’s interesting stuff – they delve into every fact and stat and extrapolate it all out into graphs and charts – it’s another tool.

How are they using analytics now in a practical manner – how are they using that data to help the scouting?

Well, nothing replaces the guys watching film and games and talking to coaches. But the past year we used a lot more analytics than we did under Kevin. We used it a lot to compare guys’ stats to see if they met certain criteria for success with guys in the past who were successful. We try to find the guys that matched that criteria. We even went back and added guys to the database from the past to create a database of players to compare to.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Scout Mike Butler, 1983-2023 Part I”

First off, what’s the offseason plan for you?

I’ve just been in the weight room, consistently. And just taking in the year. This was my rookie year and it was long one. It’s just cool looking back on things and what I was able to duo in Pittsburgh. Playing my first game and finishing the season in the playoffs….Looking back on how far I’ve come since the Senior Bowl and combine and what it took to get here – it’s been amazing.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Cornerback Darius Rush”

First, can you let me know what you got into career-wise after your football career?

I went back home after I was done with football – I needed three hours to graduate so I did that and got my degree. Of course I never ended up using it – I got a job working on an oil rig then went and sold oil field services after that for 45 years. I had the personality to do that then. I retired about five years ago.

Besides that, I had a family, did a lot of hunting and fishing and eating and entertaining!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman, Jim Files, 1976-1977”

First off, how did you get involved in coaching?

After my playing days at Ohio State, I got the opportunity to play in the NFL for a few years. I didn’t have a nine or 10 year career or anything like that, but I was there for a short stint.

After playing I still had a love and passion for the game. That’s why I got into coaching. I went back to Columbus and got a job as a coach at St. Charles Prep in 2001. From there I got a job with an upstart NAI program – Ohio Dominican – that was a mile or so away. I worked with the soon-to-be head coach at a Summer camp and he asked me to come in and coach the running backs. That’s how I got my start.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Pepe Pearson, 2000”

First off, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?

I was involved in a number of businesses after I retired from the NFL. I owned a health insurance and a national dental network management company and sold those around 22 years ago. I became an executive afterwards with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and am now the president of one of their two business units that support the enterprise. So I’m enjoying the journey.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Ken Dallafior, 1982”

First off, what’s the offseason plan for you?

I’m just training back at home now. There are training facilities here that I go to that do a great job and I stick to their plan. I have a regular lifting schedule and will transition soon to the football and run stuff to get ready for the season. Really just basic workout programs.

I also like going to see my folks with my fiancé out in Ohio. That’s a good time – we’ll go out soon to see them.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steeles Offensive Lineman Tyler Beach”

First off, what’s the offseason plan for you?

I’m just sitting back and enjoying the down time right now and spending time with friends and family. Right after the Super Bowl it’s time to start getting in shape again for OTAs.

No rest huh?

I’m so used to being scheduled yeah, it’s hard to just sit and chill. I took a vacation earlier but it’ll be time to get back to work.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Cornerback Chandon Sullivan, 2023”

First off, can you let me know what you’ve been doing since you retired from football?

I’m currently the Associate Director for Michigan State’s Spartan Fund – the fundraising arm of the athletic department. Prior to that I was living in Indianapolis and worked as an Assistant Athletic Director at Marion University – an NAIA school. I loved the work but wanted to get back to the level of school I had played at and ended up getting a job here. I never thought as a Wisconsin Badger I’d be working for Michigan State!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Ethan Hemer, 2014-2015”