PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It's a big first step for all of them. The rookies putting on NFL gear for the first time as the Steelers opened their three-day rookie mini-camp on Friday.
The environment was very familiar, but it was much different this time for Joey Porter, Junior.
"I soaked it all in," Porter, Junior said. "It took me like three minutes to get outside because I was standing at my locker. I did that whole scene and prayed and just looked out at the whole field and like 'dang, I used to really be out here as a middle schooler, as a person in high school and now I'm really out here'."
Porter said he remembers getting knowledge from former Steelers including Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Darius Heyward-Bay. He said now he's finally out on those South Side fields as one of them. Calling it dope to be here starting his NFL career.
"Just come in with your head high and want to learn," Porter said of day one of workouts with mostly other rookies. "That's what we are all doing together, just trying to learn as one and work together as one. It's our first day together at practice and trying to get the feel of each other."
For him it's about learning the playbook now. He said there is a lot that comes with it, especially trying to learn the checks. Making sure he's in the right position so when training camp starts, he can play faster because he's familiar with the calls.
Coming out of North Allegheny High School, it took Porter a little time to crack the Penn State starting lineup. Steelers Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin said they didn't draft him 32nd overall to have a redshirt year. What does Porter think he can immediately add?
"I feel like I can have a big impact, but I'm really just trying to learn from the old guys, come in and get their respect," Porter said. "Show them what I can do on and off the field."
Wearing the number 24 he quickly reminds you of Steelers Super Bowl champion Ike Taylor-both are 6'2", both quick and rangy, both looking for more interceptions than are on the back of their playing cards.
Porter said he will be his own guy, not Taylor, not his father. But he is keeping a piece of advice from his dad.
He said he's still ticked off about not being drafted in the first round and will continue to work hard to prove this value.
