PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s taken seven years but finally new Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts says he’s with the coach he’s admired his whole career.
“I told him (Mike Tomlin) at my Pro Day seven years ago, ‘come get me’,” Roberts said Monday. “The first time we talked I said ‘it took seven years’. I’m just ecstatic to be a part of the organization.”
Instead of starting with the Steelers, the University of Houston linebacker, who led the nation in solo tackles his final year in school, was drafted in the sixth round by the Patriots. He would learn from Dont’a Hightower, Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung, winning a couple of championships. He has a great relationship with his old coach Brian Flores, both and New England and then followed him to Miami.
But even though Flores left the Steelers and went to Minnesota. His desire wasn’t to follow the man who has coached him most of his professional life and who he called ‘my guy’. He wanted to play for Mike Tomlin.
“When you are playing those guys Mike T was on the field with them,” Roberts said. “Even though you are playing for your brother next to you, you are playing for your coaches too. I was like, him being on the field is dope and I’m going against him. Man, that’s dope.”
“He’s fired up. I’ve always admired that. They are going to be prepared. It’s been a dope experience watching it from the other side of the football.”
He says watching from the other side, he likes how the Steelers appear to be a true family. Roberts was quick to say it wasn’t that the Patriots or Dolphins weren’t, he just loved the energy from the Pittsburgh sideline.
“I’ve always said to myself and my wife if I have the opportunity it would be hard to pull me from that one,” Roberts said, adding he pushed his people to pursue the Steelers offer. “God don’t make mistakes. I’m excited for the opportunity. I’m excited to be a Pittsburgh Steeler.”
Physical play
Roberts started his career at Morgan State because he said he didn’t have more offers until his senior year because of a late growth spurt in high school. When Houston quickly offered, he accepted and went back home to Houston. He had a career-high 107 tackles last year starting 17 games with the Dolphins. The 28-year-old admits he has a lot to learn about the Steelers defense, but says it will be a good fit.
“I’m a physical linebacker,” Roberts said. “That’s just me. I’m going to be myself, a great teammate. I love to hit. I feel like Pittsburgh’s style fits me perfect if you look at the linebackers in the past. I just love it.”
He’s already spoken with linebackers Mark Robinson and Cole Holcomb and while he’s into passing along knowledge, he must prove to his teammates he’s worthy of sharing.
“It’s my job to come in and gain their trust and respect.”