PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It was the year after the Steelers started a historic Super Bowl XL run doing through Cincinnati that the Bengals drafted Domata Peko out of Michigan State. There were still scars by what happened against the Steelers, Peko is trying to erase those now after joining the Steelers as the new defensive line coach.
Or course a big part of those Steelers teams, most notably that playoff game in 2005, was Joey Porter, Senior. Now he’s part of a defensive coaching staff with Joey Porter, Junior on it.
Has Peko talked to Joey, Senior since joining the Pirates?
“Not really, man,” Peko said. “I talk to Joey Porter Jr. I will just be saying what's up and telling him to say what's to his dad and all those things.”
“But yeah, that's one of the memories you try to forget.”
The 6’3”, 325-pound Peko won just eight of 24 games he played against the Steelers, but he had more sacks (three), tackles for loss (six), quarterback hits (seven) and total tackles (76) against the Steelers than any other team.
“I just enjoy the rivalries, man,” Peko said Wednesday. “You know, I just remember playing back when I was with the Bengals, it was like a bloodbath every time we played you guys. I remember that was like the most sore I've ever felt after games was when we played in the AFC North here versus Steelers.”
Peko said he always had respect for the Steelers and his opponents in general over his 15-year career playing primarily with Cincinnati but also Denver, Baltimore and the Cardinals. Now 41, he said he’s excited about the traditions and culture in Pittsburgh. It’s his challenge to make sure and continue the greatness.
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“I think the best way for me is daily, man, just coming in the building every day, ready to work, ready to grind, and making my mark with the players, with the guys that have my room and the defense and just giving the best I can every day to get the best out of those guys and for me,” Peko said. “I just really want to make sure I focus on stopping that run, that's huge, especially in our division, making sure we're really stout up front and just leading from the front, man.”
“Throughout my whole career I've been a leader. And the teams I've been a part of that were the best are the teams that have been led from the front, and you can see in the past a couple of Super Bowls, the teams have the best fronts are usually playing in February. So excited to try to leave my mark in that way.”
And there is no thought about those days in orange and black.
“Now that I'm here, man I'm freaking Steeler Nation all day and excited to wear the black and gold,” Peko said.
Steelers new defensive line coach joins rival, impact they have to make up front
Steelers new defensive line coach joins rival, impact they have to make up front
