Happy in his new home:Joe Haden sat in the Steelers' locker room with a smile on his face. And you can't blame him. He is enjoying life in the black and gold. Enjoying winning. Enjoying being in first place in the AFC North. Enjoying what football is supposed to be about, something that he didn't often get to experience in his first seven seasons in the NFL.
"It's a good feeling it. It's laid back here. It's very professional," said Haden. "Everybody knows their job, knows what it takes and are always working towards one goal. All everybody talks about is playoffs and winning a championship.
"It feels good to be a part of an organization like this where I know all I have to do is do my job. I don't have to do anybody else's job. I can go out there and be the best corner I can be. I am not making splash plays yet. I am just holding it down. A lot of times if you don't hear about a corner, it's a good thing. I am just going out there and doing my thing and winning."
Haden admits that this is the first time that he has been in the NFL where the word 'playoffs' had entered the conversation like it does with his Steelers' teammates. And he is loving it.
"Just being in this situation is super good for me," said Haden. "I am excited to be here. I feel like it's a new start. Seven years in Cleveland was tough. I gave it my all. Was fighting for it. I am excited just being here with this team, building with these guys, bonding with these guys. Our defense is good and we feel like it can be better than how we are playing. I am just excited."
He sees an 'it' factor with the Steelers, something that isn't just in the locker room, but is prevalent throughout the entire UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
"It starts from the top down, the relationships with your owner, general manager and coach being on the same page. It starts there," said Haden. "It's black and white how Coach (Mike) Tomlin lets you know where you stand, what you need to do to still be on the team, what you need to do or you will be off the team. There is no grey area where people stand. If you can tell somebody what they need to do to play, or you are not playing good enough, that no grey area people understand, once you are told that it's easy to understand. Once you know where you stand, you can go from there. Here is it black and white where you stand. Everybody has that accountability.
"I am having a blast. I am having a good time. I could play here for 15 more years."
They said it: Maurkice Pouncey loves AFC North football, and can't wait for Sunday's game against the Bengals.
"It's a divisional game," said Pouncey. "When you play somebody twice a year they know the kind of plays you like, the system you run. It's just a physical game. It's great for a league, great for our division. Rivalries like this are awesome."
A little throwback: Cameron Heyward shared a fun memory with this ad that his late father, Craig 'Ironhead' Heyward did during his NFL days.
Those moves: You have to love the dance moves from AB and Alejandro.
Inside scoop:Want to learn a little bit more about some of your favorite Steelers? Then check out Vince Williams recent Twitter feed, where he answered questions from fans about players. Here is just a small sampling.
There is plenty more. Check out @VinnyVidiVici98 for the rest. You won't regret it. It's fun, entertaining, and spot on.
And yes, Vince, M&Ms will be coming your way soon. I promise.
