You made your first NFL start against the Patriots. When did you know you would be starting?
I really didn’t know for sure too soon. I had to guess all week, but didn’t know. I found out on Saturday. But the mantra of the Steelers is to pick up where somebody left off. Make sure there is no slacking. Those are big shoes to fill with 
How great is it to start in a game like that?
When you put up the defensive stats that we did, allowing Tom Brady just three plays in the first quarter, that is amazing. Our offense had a huge part in that. Just playing on the defense against a 5-1 New England Patriots team speaks for itself. They are a top team in the NFL year in and year out. Getting a start against them was a huge honor, but coming away with a win was better.
How pumped up were you for the game?
I was trying not to get too over excited and not be too mellow. I was pumped up. It was good. I was so worried about doing my job right and making sure the defense worked well.
How do you think you did?
I am a tough critic on myself. There are a lot of things I think I could have done better. Almost every play I could have done better. But I had a lot of fun. It’s an amazing feeling starting with those guys.
Coach Tomlin mentioned you and other young guys who stepped up in the game with all the other injuries. Is that what you expect from yourself?
My whole life has been like that with sports. I have had to answer the horn and take advantage of opportunities. That was his big thing, take advantage of this opportunity. A lot of people don’t get the chance to start on this defense against the New England Patriots in their first start. It was a real team effort. Everybody contributed in different ways. The game flowed great.
Talk about your role on special teams?
I think I have the same role as everybody else. I just have to do my job. Coming into my second year I knew what to expect. I want to be a leader there. We have some great leaders, but I want to do my part as much as possible to help the team. I want to be on the field. I am a football player. The best way I can do it right now is on special teams. I take that role seriously. I just love being out there. Doing my job on special teams is a little thing, but a big thing too.
When you get to the NFL as a young player, do you gain a new appreciation for how important the role on special teams is?
A lot of people don’t understand how important special teams are. They are real competitive plays, one of the longer plays in football. The duration of a kickoff, punt return is long. To compete on those and battle for field position is a huge factor in the game. A lot of people don’t understand it until you get here and get in a game like the New England game where field position really matters. It is underappreciated, but the people on this team know how important it is.
In your second year do expectations for yourself change?
I just want to get better and help this team. I want to get back to the Super Bowl. We came up short, we should have won. There are a lot of things I can do better. As a rookie it was a great experience, but there were mistakes I made and I need to clean those up.
How tough was it to come in and learn the Dick LeBeau defense and are you still learning it?
It was difficult, but exciting. It is exciting learning it. I have a long way to go. It’s hard, but it’s what I love to do.
What was the most valuable thing you learned your rookie year?
It’s a long season. You have to take care of your body. Last year we played 23 games with the preseason and post-season. You have to take care of your body. It gets harder as the year goes on.
Do you try and learn as much as you can from the veteran linebackers?
I learned a lot already. As much as I can soak in is awesome. I have a great group of linebackers around me. Everybody around me I am able to learn off of. A lot of people don’t get that where they play. I am so blessed and happy to be in the position I am.
I am very proud. I just hope to live up to all of that. There are a lot of people that have tried to live it up to it and haven’t. I don’t want to be one of those people. I want to live up to the hype. I want to be a part of that Steelers Nation, linebacker nation, It’s a great tradition here, it’s amazing. I am happy to be a part of it.
