“I’m happy for you bro, you get to get the hell out of this disaster, but you got a chance with a great defense now.”
The wise words of the retiring Joe Benigno, welcoming in now ex-Jet Avery Williamson for one last Tuesday hit on WFAN’s Benigno & Roberts Show.
Joe actually called his shot here, noting that Pittsburgh might be a destination for Williamson once Devin Bush was lost for the season with a torn ACL, and Avery is excited to be part of the new Steel Curtain.
“There are a lot of great playmakers here, and I’m super excited and blessed for the opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl,” he said. “I know we’re going to be in the hunt, and this is the chance of a lifetime. Some people never even get to make the playoffs, so it’s kind of surreal to be in this position, and to be a part of such a great franchise.”
Williamson was getting ready to get on the plane back from Kansas City when he found out about the deal, and was ready to move on by the time he got back to New York, and admitted he barely slept that night.
“In the back of my head, I thought that if the opportunity presented itself (to go elsewhere), I’d be crazy not to. When I found out Pittsburgh was interested, I was definitely excited,” he said. “They were willing to make a trade, and when we landed, I talked to my agent, and he said they wanted to do it, so I said I’m game for it.”
Joe and Evan couldn’t get Avery to trash Adam Gase – again, anyway – but he did mention how tough it was in the Gang Green locker room this season.
“It’s never easy losing, and when you get to a point where you’re just trying to win one…you need a lot of mental toughness to keep pushing yourself,” he said. “There are a lot of good guys there who want to win, it just hasn’t worked out. I’m sure some guys have that mindset (lacking effort), and it’s natural – but the leaders on that team have to step up, continue to fight and make sure guys aren’t giving up.”
Now, Williamson is part of a defense that has helped Pittsburgh survive to be the last undefeated team in the NFL, and his familiarity with the Steelers’ defensive schemes authored by the legendary Dick LeBeau can only help.
“From talking to my coaches, there are definitely some similarities to the system I was in my first full year,” Williamson said, looking back at his time with the Titans under LeBeau disciple Ray Horton. “It’s not complicated; they make sure that it’s simplified as much as possible so guys can fly around and hunt. From the sounds of it, it won’t be too bad, and I want to pick up on it as soon as possible so I’m ready when I get my opportunity.”
And, while he’s ready to make an impact in the Steel City, he still feels for his old mates in Gotham.
“There are definitely some guys there than can help – when you lose a lot of leaders, it can be tough – but there is talent on that team, and I hope they can get their confidence back, and get that winning mentality in their heads,” he said. “At 0-8, defeat can become your mindset, and it wears on you.”
He especially hopes that winning mentality shows up on Monday night.
“I’m focused on the Cowboys, man, but I’ve never beaten the Patriots…hopefully I’ll get that opportunity someday, and I hope the Jets beat the Patriots!”
Joe, Evan, and Avery did share a laugh about his Instagram farewell – “that was from a photo shoot last year, and my marketing guy told me I had to post it, but I really didn’t think it would go crazy like that!” he said – but as Williamson gets ready to ride off into the sunset of Pittsburgh, and Joe rides off into the sunset of retirement, there is hope that the two will meet again one day.
“Hey, if you have a retirement party Joe, I’ll definitely come out!”
Listen to Avery’s final segment with Joe & Evan, sponsored by Winters Brothers, below, and check out more on-demand content from Joe & Evan!
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