ASK THE STEELERS – JOE BURNETT – PART 2
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 Cindy Maple in Pennsylvania: Is the Steelers defensive scheme hard for rookies to learn in one year?
Joe Burnett: It's pretty tough to pick up everything. I play cornerback so it's not as hard.
From Marcus Henderson in Pennsylvania: Do you see yourself having a role on special teams and how important will that be for you?
Joe Burnett: It will be very important. Devon Hester changed special teams. Now teams are looking at special teams as a valuable tool to winning a game. For me special teams would be a great way for me to contribute and make the roster.
From Erik Knox in New Jersey: What does it take to be an effective return guy?
Joe Burnett: It takes a lot of skill, ability, focus, reaction and just hard work. Coach told me let me see if you can catch the ball while I am standing beside you. That is the number one thing. You have to catch the ball. It's hard when you have your head up and 11 guys running down at you. It takes a lot of skill.
From Paul Kennedy in Pennsylvania: What do you watch for and what runs through your mind when you are waiting for the ball to arrive on a punt?
Joe Burnett: The first thing I think about is catching the ball and making the first guy miss. After that, if I can make the first guy miss, I look for extra yardage then. My number one goal is 10 yards plus. Gain 10 yards once I catch the ball.
From Dan Noah in Iowa: How do kickoff and punt returns differ?
Joe Burnett: They are very different. You are back there on an island by yourself on punt returns. On a kickoff return you have 11 guys set and ready. You have time. No one is down there in your face on kickoff return. On a punt you might have two guys in your face when you catch it so you have to react. On kickoff you have 10 yards to react, to maneuver. On punt it's right there. It's right then, right now. You have to react. It's a lot tougher.
