PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Melvin Ingram was upset enough Alex Highsmith beat him out for playing time that he demanded a trade. Somehow that didn’t negatively affect what Highsmith thinks of his former teammate.
“It really sucks the Melvin situation did work,” Highsmith said. “He was a great guy ever since he got here. I was thankful for everything he showed me, being a guy from North Carolina like I am.”
“It sucks the situation didn’t work out. Melvin was a great guy when he was here, wish him nothing but the best.”
It maybe sounds a little bit of a rehearsed answer, but at least publicly Highsmith is taking the high road. Where Highsmith does have an issue is with his own play.
“Right now I’m not happy with the way I am playing production wise,” Highsmith said. “I know the game is starting to slow down for me. Production wise I know I can be a lot better. That’s what I’m looking forward to, starting with the Lions.”
The second-year outside linebacker has 1.5 sacks in seven games this year. All coming in the same matchup with Seattle. It was also his season-high in tackles, with seven, TFL with two and QB hits with four. In the other six games combined, Highsmith has 21 tackles, two TFL, two QB hits.
Highsmith said he will work hard every day to get better. He believes continued work and effort will get him where he wants to go. Also making sure he stays in his gaps and playing his role on defense.
“Ultimately, I just try to do my job,” Highsmith said. “I know that when I do my job, the plays will come. That’s what I will continue to do, just give it full out effort. When those situations present themselves, just go and take them. It’s just doing my job.”
“I’m a person that’s very critical of myself. I always have been, feel that’s what gotten me to where I am today. I know that I’m not fully happy with my performance right now. I know that I can be better. I know I will be better.”
Harvin Kicks
One of the bigger questions coming from the Cleveland Browns second half, why didn’t they just use punter Pressley Harvin to kick a field goal. He’s a kicker, they all can kick, right?
Harvin said Wednesday he hadn’t place kicked since high school. In college they had multiple kickers and the scenario of losing your kicker in a NFL game, is something that isn’t practiced. Even to kill time while the specialists are on the side during 11-on-11.
“It’s kind of hard,” Harvin explained. “You are calling on muscle memory from so long ago. You can’t just do a couple of dry swings on the sideline and act like you are fully prepared for that. Especially mentally, I’ve never been in that position before of having to do that in a game.”
“In my honest opinion, if I would have been called on, I would have given it my best shot.”
“We played the cards right and got a ‘W’ on that game.”