Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick covers a lot of ground in a question and answer session with Post columnist Steve Serby, before Sunday’s playoff clash with the Browns.
Q: How hungry do you feel that QB Ben Roethlisberger wins his third Super Bowl ring?
A: I think he is extremely hungry. I see a little more in his step in the last two days, now it’s a ring in play. And we’ll go out there and try our best to get him.
Q: Describe the mentality on the ground.
A: I’m instinctive, then I go there and try to dominate from snap to whistle. It’s a competition for me. I’ll go out there and play with an edge and the chip on my shoulder.
Q: Describe the personality of the Steelers defense.
A: He’s aggressive … he’s physical. … Our main goal is to dominate from snap to whistle and make you play the way we want to play.
Q: What is your definition of a Pittsburgh Steeler?
A: A blue-collar mentality is the way I like to approach it … to work hard, to fight through everything.
Q: What do the big games you love so much mean?
A: I like it because we go against a big competition. You know you’re going against an A-plus team and you need to have A-plus training throughout the week. You need to have A-plus to take care of your body, to take care of your mind and when you go out there. It is an accumulation of everything you have done during the week.
Q: How would you compare Alabama coach Nick Saban and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin?
A: There is a lot in common. The way they prepare for the game is crazy. They are very attention to detail, they do not miss a step.
Q: What determines you?
A: The appearance of the competition. I want to be the best at what I do, whether it’s a daily basis or a historical basis. But also the opportunity that this game offers and that the league and everything that comes with it offers – either I can create opportunities for my family through it, or I can just pay bills for myself and so on. and for my future family. I’ve been without it before, so I can create opportunities for the people around me and lead a good life.
Q: Why are you driven to be great?
A: I stick to this standard. I know I could do that, and I know it could be the Hall of Famer guy because I stick to that standard every day – whether it’s in practice or meetings, in the movies, or taking care of my body. I feel like I’m sticking to that standard, so I feel comfortable setting it as a goal.
Q: Why are you proud to be the so-called Swiss Army Knife?
A: I think it’s a compliment. There aren’t a lot of guys who can move and do a lot on the football field, because they need a lot. When people say you could do that, it’s your colleagues and coaches. I say they trust you a lot.
Q: Do you see yourself as a player similar to Troy Polamalu?
A: I think we have similarities. I think we’re both very instinctive boys. He moved a little more than me, but he has that range, natural ball skills, a natural athlete and a smart player.
Q: What defender are you looking forward to intercepting that you haven’t done yet?
A: (Laughs) I have a long list, man.
Q: What is your favorite NFL interception so far?
A: My first was against Tom Brady, my freshman year. We [Dolphins] they were big, so it didn’t really matter (laughs). He is the best who has ever done that. It was pretty cool.
Q: What do you remember about the game for Adam Gase?
A: I won’t talk too much about it. The past is the past (laughs).
Q: Describe Browns, back Nick Chubb.
A: He has a great vision, he really doesn’t lack too many holes. A low center of gravity, an excellent balance of contact.
Q: Kareem Hunt, his background partner?
A: Same thing, honestly, He only has a little more than him Nick.
Q: Browns QB Baker Mayfield?
A: We have to put pressure on him, make him not feel comfortable in his pocket.
Q: Some of your former Alabama teammates, whatever comes to mind – the safety of Giants debutant Xavier McKinney?
A: He is a great player, I liked playing with X Man. It reminds me of me, honestly. He is very smart, he is a guy who always studied film and learned and asked questions to older boys. He’s been injured lately, but he’s back and he’s already made impact pieces.
Q: Quinnen Williams, the defensive line of airplanes?
A: He’s a funny guy, a man (giggling), but he loves the game of football, I don’t think there are too many guys who love him like him. His energy is an infectious energy.
Q: Bama receiver, Heisman winner, DeVonta Smith?
A: It is very explosive. He can’t do much on the football field. It is reliable.
Q: Crimson Tide RB Najee Harris?
A: It’s tough, it’s a big back, it’s a strong back, but it’s also very athletic. You see him jumping over people, making people miss and then running away from DBs in the open field.
Q: Are you surprised by the way ‘former Bama QB Jalen Hurts replaced Carson Wentz?
A: Not at all. He is very detail oriented, he is also a competitor, so I am not surprised by any success he has had.
Q: What is your best football moment?
A: The national championships I won in college, I won two. Both were quite significant. … My junior year [2018 season] when I won at the last second against Georgia on that deep bomb against DeVonta Smith. The first [2016 season], I didn’t play my biggest game. I have bitter and sweet memories of that.
Q: How did you get off the field losing to Deshaun Watson and Clemson in the 2017 title game?
A: It was hard, but it motivated us. We had a lot of talent and we knew we should win that game.
Q: What makes Deshaun Watson special?
A: He is a very, very complete defender. I think he is underestimated in a certain way – the way he can throw the ball, its accuracy, the strength of his arm. … I think it’s overlooked because of how good an athlete is. Even if he can run, play with his feet, he is just as good a pitcher.
Q: What do you think of Ohio State-Alabama on Monday night?
A: I think it will be a good game, two very good teams, great offenses, great defenses.
Q: If you could defend yourself against a tight spot in NFL history, who would it be?
A: Tony Gonzalez.
Q: What is your favorite memory of Saint Peter’s Prep in Jersey City?
A: We won ours [2014] senior state championship [over Paramus Catholic]. It was played at MetLife Stadium. … I remember going crazy in the middle of the field holding the trophy with my colleagues.
Q: Who was your childhood idol?
A: I was a big fan of Philly, so [defensive back] Brian Dawkins.
Q: What did you admire so much about him?
A: I liked the attitude he played with.
Q: Two guests at dinner?
A: Jesus, MLK.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Collateral Beauty”.
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Denzel Washington.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Viola Davis.
Q: Favorite singer / animator?
A: I’m a great Anthony Hamilton, John Legend type.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Any type of pasta in pasta and chicken sauce.
Q: Hurricane Irene floods forced your family to rebuild your home.
A: It shaped me and transformed me into what I am today.
Q: What would you like your football heritage to be?
A: I think I obviously want to be that hawk’s safety, but he is also very intelligent, very instinctive, but also a good leader on and off the field.
Q: How would you describe the Steelers’ mentality for Sunday night’s wild card game against Browns?
A: We will enter it focused on execution, focused on us, focused on controlling our emotion and going out there and playing at a high level.