ASK THE STEELERS – ANTWAAN RANDLE EL – 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.
Janice Shay asks: How much did it help you early in your career to have played quarterback and looked at defenses from that perspective?Antwaan Randle El: It helped me a lot because when I learned the offense I learned it as a whole, not just one wide receiver spot. I learned what the line was supposed to be doing, who the running backs had to block, and of course what I was supposed to do. It helped me because I learned the whole offense and not just one portion.
Joel Widener in Portland, Oregon asks:I watched you in college at Indiana playing the quarterback position. Was it a hard transition to wide receiver?
Antwaan Randle El: It wasn't hard. When I made my mind up to do it, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I have been blessed with God-given talents to run, catch and cut so switching from quarterback wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
John Stevens in San Diego, California asks: What was themain reason that led to your leavingthe team after the 2005 season?
Antwaan Randle El: The main reason was the contract I was offered. I was offered more to go to the Redskins. It was hard not to take that chance. I did what I felt I had to do.
Chris Spencer in Cincinnati, Ohio asks: How often did you think about what could have been if you had stayed with the Steelers instead of heading to the Redskins?
Antwaan Randle El: I try not to do the what-if. I know that with the decisions I have made I have asked God for guidance and it was right. I learned a lot. Coming to Washington I was able to reach out to different people on a spiritual level. I never looked at the what-if.
S. Everett in Hackensack, New Jersey asks: Was it hard leaving the Steelers after winning a Super Bowl with the team?
Antwaan Randle El: It was hard to leave the team period. It would have been hard regardless, but it certainly made it harder. You experience one of the top things in your career winning the Super Bowl and I didn't have that opportunity to repeat. It was hard. It was hard leaving everybody associated with the team and coming back and enjoying that year after.
Erin Anderson in Pennsylvania asks: Did you watch Super Bowl XLIII and what was that like watching your former team win it?Antwaan Randle El: It was a little weird for me. I love the Steelers and there are great players and coaches on the team. They were also playing against some coaches and players that I loved and played with also. It was a Catch-22 for me watching the game knowing coaches and players on both sides. I enjoyed it and it was a matter of whoever wins, wins.
Scott Fatta in Kittanning, Pennsylvania asks: I was wondering if you could explain the differences between the Steelers and Redskins organizations?
Antwaan Randle El: The Steelers are family oriented. They are more caring and loving about the way they do things. The Redskins are about the business side of it. One is family-owned and the other is a business.
Dennis Minarik in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania asks: Do you anticipate throwing a pass or two this year with the Steelers? How would you feel about that?Antwaan Randle El:That would be great. I want to make sure I complete them to keep my passer rating high.
