Interview With Steelers Linebacker Stevenson Sylvester
I’d like to thank BG Sports for allowing me to interview Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Stevenson Sylvester. Sylvester, a fifth round pick in 2010 NFL draft out of Utah is into the second year of a three year rookie contract and looking to make an impact in his sophomore season.
The interview includes Stevenson’s path since being drafted, Mike Tomlin and the one and only James Harrison.
Lars Hanson: Lets first talk about this season so far with the Steelers. You guys are 2-1 right now but are coming off a close game against Indy, one of the worst teams in the league right now. What’s the mood in the locker room right now?
Stevenson Sylvester: The mood is the same as if we were 3-0 and blowing people out. We went to the Super Bowl and last season it was the same. The locker room is great because we always have that mentality of being great, and being as if we are 3-0 instead of 2-0. We got a big test ahead off us with Houston and we’re preparing very seriously. Houston is great in all three phases of the game and it should be a great game but in the locker room everyone’s good right now.
Lars Hanson: Going back before the lockout ended how did you keep in shape during the offseason?
Stevenson Sylvester: I have a personal trainer that I was with the whole offseason, John Schaeffer. He’s the same trainer that Apollo Ohno has. He does sports specific stuff and we focused on football specific training. He does all sports. Tennis, track, baseball. He’s an olymic trainer.
Lars Hanson: This is now your second season in the NFL how do you feel you’ve progressed since your rookie year?
Stevenson Sylvester: I think I’ve progressed well. I still have, I can’t even being to say how much (work) but I have a lot to improve. Its hard to be great with an all-star cast of players that Pittsburgh has but it forces me to work even harder to get on their level.
Lars Hanson: What has it been like playing under and learning from some great linebackers like James Harrison, James Farrior and others?
Stevenson Sylvester: Amazing. Those guys are awesome, they’ve been around the game a long time. They know how to be a great athlete and I’m learning a lot from them. To learn from a group of guys like that is something not many get the chance to do and I’m loving it.
Lars Hanson: Speaking of Harrison, he’s known to the NFL as a great player but his mouth can sometimes be uncensored. What’s he like on a daily basis, that people don’t get to see?
Stevenson Sylvester: He’s crazy as hell. He’s really like that on a daily basis. I actually like him and he’s an awesome guy but he’s crazy. You need a crazy friend and he’s that friend. He’s got that edge that no one else has which makes him great but it’s also a crazy edge.
Lars Hanson: In your words, what kind of coach is Mike Tomlin?
Stevenson Sylvester: Professional. The way he goes about his business is very professional. He’s been to two Super Bowls so you know the guy is a great teacher and coach. He’s great, his whole game plan, how he approaches the game, everything is business like and professional but also loose and players like to play for him because they care about him.
Lars Hanson: What has it been like to play for one of the best defensive minds in the game in Dick LeBeau?
Stevenson Sylvester: Man I don’t think you can put it into words. His experience, the way he talks it’s amazing. The amount of time he’s been in the league gives him a lot of experience that he continues to use week in and week out. Spend 10 minutes with him talking about plays and you will learn more than anyone could in a year from anyone else. It’s truly an honor to play under a coordinator, and man, like Dick and it’s something I never take for granted.
Lars Hanson: Going back to the day you were drafted what did it feel like to be drafted by a team like Pittsburgh?
Stevenson Sylvester: Man it was unreal, when it first happened I thought I was dreaming because I didn’t know they (Steelers) were interested in me because of their linebackers. It was truly an honor just to be in the group of players they were looking at to draft let alone being drafted by them. The history that’s here, especially defensively it was truly an honor.
Lars Hanson: Getting back to this season, with the team making the Super Bowl last season would you say its Super Bowl or bust this season?
Stevenson Sylvester: I don’t know, I don’t think like that. My main goal is the Super Bowl every year. Its not necessarily a bust if we don’t make it but I have no doubts about not making it there.. We made it to Indy and just being able to picture that this year and every other year is something that is easy for us.We have the talent to get it done we just need to get it done.
Lars Hanson: Speaking of the Super Bowl how did that feel being a rookie and playing in Super Bowl and being apart of the weak leading up to it.
Stevenson Sylvester: It was a kid at the candy store. Playing in the AFC champ game, going to the playoffs. Two games (divisional round and AFC Championship game) and your in the biggest game of your life. One win and you win the biggest game in the world. We came up short but we should be able to go back and put it all together get it accomplished and I can’t wait to go back again.
You can follow Lars on Twitter http://twitter.com/larshanson
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