Welcome to Steelers Takeaways! – Page 41 – More than 1,000 interviews of Steelers players, coaches, front office staff, media and more with those that played in the 50’s through today’s current roster.

Remembering Myron Cope:

Tunch Ilkin: “I got to work with a living legend in Myron Cope – he was the funniest guy in broadcasting.”

John Buccigross: “Pittsburgh was a great market for a young kid like me dreaming of becoming a broadcaster. The personalities of Bob Prince And Myron Cope; understanding it’s entertainment and fun first. “

Bill Hillgrove: “Myron Cope would not have fun now. They aren’t allowed to be characters. I liked it when the wackos could be wackos. But I do understand. There’s too much money now and it’s had a profound effect on how they can act.

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Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Marcus Tucker, 2016-2018

First, what you are doing with yourself now?

Well, I took a position at a gym here – The House – here in Michigan. I’m managing the sports performance and training there with my former college quarterback Jaranta Lewis.

After I was cut from the Hamilton Tigercats the opportunity just opened up. I took the job and have been excited about the opportunity.

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Exclusive with Maulers Defensive Lineman Boogie Roberts

First, can you tell me how you got involved in the USFL draft?

John Peterson – the Director of Football Operations for the USFL reached out. First they sent out forms to about 3,000-to-4,000 players – just getting information on us. Where we played, height, weight, stuff like that.

From those they decided which guys to watch film on to see I guess if they met certain criteria. Then they reached out to me with a contract. I guessed they saw tape of me in the XFL and with the Rams so I didn’t need to work out for them.

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Exclusive with Maulers Defensive Tackle Jeremiah Pharms, Jr.

First off, congratulations on getting drafted by the Maulers. Can you describe the process that got you included in the USFL draft?

I went to the CGS Scouting Combine in Texas and ran the 40 for them there. Did regular Pro Day type stuff for them too. After that they sent me a contract to enter the draft.

Were you surprised the Maulers drafted you?

I was surprised – definitely. I didn’t communicate at all with them before. They just talked to my agent, but I didn’t know that. I guess he wanted to surprise me!

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Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Tim Simpson, 1994

First, what have you been up to since your playing days?

For the past 25 years I’ve been working for Casper Caterpillar supervising logistics there. I’m a facility manager – a senior manager of logistics.

I earned more in the two weeks leading up to the playoff loss to San Diego than I did in a year working at Caterpillar – so that was a big adjustment. It was an eye-opener. John Mackovic – my college coach – he always said to have a backup plan. I took my education seriously because of that and was able to find a second career.

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Exclusive with Steelers Cornerback Isaiah Johnson

First, what does the offseason look like for you?

My plan is to train here in Las Vegas. I still have a house here from my time playing with the Raiders. I’ve formed some great relationships and met some great people so I’m considering staying here and training. If not I’ll go back and train in Houston with my college trainer.

I also have a child on the way – I’ll have a daughter this month. So a lot going on right now!

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Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Line Coach Adrian Klemm, 2019-2021

First, how is it being back on the West Coast at Oregon – miss the snow?

I’m a West Coast guy. I was born and raised in L.A. I was at SMU and worked my way up to the Pac 12. I always wanted to come back especially for an opportunity like this.

I wanted to talk to you about that opportunity – but first, who were some of the mentors that shaped the way you coached?

Dante Scarnecchia in New England – the way he went about coaching the game. The discipline he imposed and the regimen and routine. He was a former military guy – a former Marine – he pushed routine and regimen – he believed that in order to do something right you had to do it over and over to get it right every day.

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Exclusive with Steelers Kicker Sam Sloman

First, what does the offseason look like for you?

The plan is to take a little time off – maybe six to eight weeks – depending on how my body feels. Then start again. I want to work on getting stronger and on my muscular endurance so I can kick at 100% the whole season. It’s a long season starting with OTA’s and camp so I really want to work on my endurance.

I’m working with a kicking coach in Atlanta – he’s the one who taught me how to kick, just to clean up a few things.

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Exclusive: Dave Syvertsen of Ourlads on the NFL draft

First, tell me a bit about Ourlads for the readers.

Ourlads is the oldest draft guide – it was around before guys like Mel Kiper and Todd McShay. If you watch the draft you’ll see our guides on the tables of the commentators.

We track all the information about the players and NFL transactions as well. Dan Shonka has been there as the GM for more than 20 years now. Ourlads really has been the founding father of the draft you can say.

And how did you get involved?

In college I wanted to get into scouting. I interviewed with Dave Gettleman when he was the Director of Pro Personnel but didn’t get the internship. So I put on my big boy pants and got a job in finance, but I did some free work – sending out my scouting reports to folks and even drove myself to the combine in 2010.

In 2012 Dan Shonka reached out to me and asked if I wanted to work for free for him on his college depth charts. It was grunt work – keying data on players – jersey numbers, weight and measurement changes, stuff like that. I think it was just a test he gave everyone to see if you could handle the grunt work.

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Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Cody White

First, what are your offseason plans?

I’m just taking a month or so off after the season is over to let my body recover from the season. I’ll go and train in Florida after that with Mo Wells and Jordan Bush at Brandon Marshall’s facility “The House of Athletes.” I’ll work on strength and speed training there and get ready for OTAs.

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