From the time he signed with the Steelers as an undrafted rookie free agent, wide receiver Shakim Phillips has maintained the same positive attitude. It's been about working hard and always showing improvement.
"I want to improve," said Phillips. "You should take what you do on the field and try to be the best that you can be. That will help me out a lot. The coaches will see that effort and I will continue to get better every day."
He is hoping that after Thursday night's game against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field that he will have shown enough improvement to ensure the decision making is tough when the final roster cuts are made, but knows there is work to still do.
"I still need to pretty much show everything," said Phillips. "Every day is a learning process being a rookie. I am trying to learn as much as possible about the right way to do things and the way to carry myself.
"Every day is a learning process and as a result I am learning something new every day."
Phillips has seven receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown in the preseason, but with the talent at wide receiver it's not going to be an easy road for him. He is ready for the final challenge, though. "I just have to keep performing," said Phillips. "You have to get better because you never know. Competition is great. It brings out the best in everyone."
