Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First, can you let us know what you’ve been up to since your time in Pittsburgh?

It’s nice being retired! After Pittsburgh I worked at IMG handling financial planning strictly for football players – I was the VP there. It was fun for a while but I didn’t like it as much as being on the ownership side.

I was hired by the Houston Texans after that – I worked there until 2006, but my then-wife didn’t like Houston, so she and our kids moved back to Pittsburgh, where she was from. I continued to work for the Texans for a while, going back and forth to see my kids. But it was too much of a struggle – my kids were young and I missed being able to see them.

So, I came back to Pittsburgh in 2006. It was a difficult decision – I liked working with Charlie Casserly there and Dom Capers too. I enjoyed it there but I just had to go back.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Dan Ferens, Chief Contract Negotiator, 1981-2000”

First off, I know you joined the military after your time in the NFL – what drove that decision for you and how did you manage that transition?

My last year in the NFL – my second year in Pittsburgh – I was going through camp, recovering from surgery, and just realized I was behind guys like Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro. I was sitting in the hot tub after a practice talking to Al Villanueva, and he told me a personal story about his time in the Army and why he joined the Army that got the gears turning for me.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Cole Manhart, 2016-2017”

First off, why did you decide to choose the Steelers?

I felt like it was the best situation for me. The coaching staff and the offense they run – and the quarterback room – it was just a good situation for me to learn and grow. It was the best chance to play the game I love. I am super blessed to do it.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee”

First off, let me know what the plan is leading up to rookie camp?

Really just starting to learn the playbook. That’s the biggest thing. And learning my role with the team. They told me they wanted me to play in the slot and contribute in the return game. I feel like I can play anywhere really, but I’m excited to play wherever they need me.

Why did you decide to sign with the Steelers?

I think it was just the best opportunity for me. Some teams have needs in certain areas – maybe they didn’t bring some guys back or draft guys for a certain spot. So when you look at the roster you can see where the best opportunity is for you.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Cornerback Beanie Bishop”

First off, what made you decide to sign with the Steelers?

The Steelers I know were at my pro day. I know they saw me then and talked to me a bit then. I thought I’d get calls from some other teams too but the Steelers were the only ones that called, and invited me to their rookie mini-camp for a tryout.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Rookie Camp Tryout Defensive Lineman Johnny Hudson”

First off, let me know what the plan is leading up to camp?

Right now I’m just trying to stay in shape. I’m working out at EXOS a lot with their trainers. My day usually ends around 2:00 physically. Then I’m studying and trying to finish my school work in time to graduate.

Were you surprised to get drafted by the Steelers?

I had my best meeting with them of all the teams at the combine I think. I met with 10 or so of them – Coach Tomlin, the defensive coordinator, the GM and a lot of other guys. There were a multitude of people in the room! It’s hard to remember exactly what they asked me, but a lot of what they asked were regular questions on things like my background, positions I’ve played over my time playing, how I’d describe my game. Things like that.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Back Ryan Watts”

First off, what have you been up to since your playing days? I notice you did a movie.

I was always a movie guy – watching, giving movie quotes – the whole deal. Ironically, the Steelers have a film history and connection. I remember staying at the Omni in downtown Pittsburgh during the preseason and was watching Ballers when the credits came up. When I saw Rashard Mendenhall’s name I said “What? The former Steelers running back was a writer?” That opened my eyes.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Canaan Severin, 2016”

Donnie Shell: “I was not drafted in 1974 but I received three opportunities to sign as an undrafted free agent. The opportunities were with the Denver Broncos, Houston Oilers and Pittsburgh Steelers. I had kind of made up my mind to sign with the Denver Broncos because they signed my former South Carolina State teammate Barney Chavous in 1973. But after consulting with my college coach Willie Jeffries, I signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and you know the rest of the story. Young African American men need someone they can trust when they are making difficult decisions and Coach Jeffries was there for me.”

Chris Hoke: “The stress is part of the reason I may not miss it as much as I think. The stress was always there. I was always fighting for a job. No matter what I did, I had to prove myself, even when I was 17-1 as a starter. Draft picks have to prove they can’t play. Undrafted free agents, we always had to prove we could.”

Continue reading “Past Steelers Undrafted Free Agents Tell Their Stories:”

First off, what has the offseason been like for you – what have you been doing to keep busy?

I was coming off of my injury last year- I tore my pectoral tendon and had to have surgery around Thanksgiving last year. I was rehabbing this offseason in Minneapolis before I signed with the Steelers.

I live in Indianapolis, but I’ve been in Pittsburgh now training with the team – meeting the players and coaches. Spending time in the meeting rooms and learning what the coaches expect from us.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Lineman Dean Lowry”

First, can you let us know what you’ve been up to since your time in the NFL?

After the NFL I took a year off to get my body right. My last season in the NFL was cut short after an injury to my knee that really ended my career.

I lost weight and after that year coached high school football at Pine-Richland then the last couple of years I’ve been helping out at Pitt with some video analysis for the team.

Any coaching lessons over your career influence how you coached?

I think it was really just basic stuff – it was high school so it wasn’t anything crazy I was teaching the kids. Basic stuff like pass protection calls and helping them to find the best way to identify blitzes and make calls.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Kraig Urbik, 2009”