ASK THE STEELERS – JOE BURNETT – PART 1
Steelers.com brings you the Ask the Steelers feature. Fans submitted the questions that were asked. Please understand that we receive an incredible number of questions for each player, with many of the questions being similar, and not all of the questions can be answered. We selected as many as possible, and took your questions to the current subject to get your answers.
From Paul Jefferson in New York: What was draft day like for you, waiting for the phone to ring?
Joe Burnett: It was nerve racking. I was there with my friends and family at a hotel. We had a nice little get together, we had food and music. I wasn't expecting to go on the first day; I was thinking I would go on the second day. I was thinking fourth or fifth round. I thought it was going to be fourth. Pittsburgh was on my list. When I got the phone call and I saw the 412 number and they had invited me up there in April I remembered the 412 number, I got all big-eyed. I was all smiles. After being kind of down because it took a long time, I got that call that sad feeling went away. I was big-eyed and happy.
From Peter Bruno in Florida: What is it like to answer the phone and Mike Tomlin is on the other end?
Joe Burnett: It's amazing just to hear his voice say Joe Burnett, how are you doing? I told him I was doing well. He asked if I was healthy, I said yes. He asked if I was ready to be a Pittsburgh Steeler. I said I am ready coach. I was all smiles, blessed and honored.
From Mark James in Ohio: What was it like to see the six Super Bowl trophies for the first time?
Joe Burnett: I told kids at an elementary school we went to that it was unbelievable that I am now a part of this franchise, the only team to win six Super Bowl trophies. I know I am in a great place. The Lord put me in a great place to take my career to another level. I am glad to be a part of it.
From Larry Bower in Florida: Is there more pressure coming to a Super Bowl champion or less because you don't have to be a savior?
Joe Burnett: We are a target now. We just won the Super Bowl last year so we are a target. A lot of teams want revenge. The first preseason game is the Cardinals. They want to win that game. The rookies will be playing a certain amount of time. Expectations are high for us.
From Gene Mowry in New Jersey: What was it like right after mini-camp, was you mind spinning?
Joe Burnett: Yes it was. I got a big playbook and coach told us being a cornerback once mini-camp is over things will start rolling, don't worry things will go smoothly, you are not going to know everything. Me being a fifth round pick I look at myself as a free agent as well. I took that urgency and knew I wanted to learn the playbook as soon as possible. My head was spinning trying to learn it and keep up with the speed of everything on the field. It was tough.
From George Reynolds in Pennsylvania: How valuable are the OTA's?
Joe Burnett: Very valuable. I didn't know what it was until coming here. It is so helpful to the young guys, helping us get grounded and familiar with everything. It helps us heading into training camp so we will be more familiar with the plays. It's very helpful.
From Steve Foley in West Virginia: What was your first impression of the attitude among the team and the camaraderie?
Joe Burnett: I was kind of nervous about that coming in being a rookie and how the team would act. Coach told us there is no hazing, they don't do it. There was none. The veterans are great guys, Deshea Townsend, Ike Taylor and Roy Lewis is a young guy, but I am following him. There are a lot of veteran guys taking me under their wing, any questions I have they answer. None turn their back on you. It's a great place to be around.
