Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick covers a lot in a question-and-answer session with Post columnist Steve Serby before the playoff wild-card showdown with the Browns.
Q: Do you think QB Ben Roethlisberger is hungry to win his third Super Bowl ring?
A: I think he is very hungry. I see a little more vitality in your steps in the past few days, now that there is a ring at stake. And we’re going to go out and try our best to get him to him.
Q: Describe your mentality in the field.
A: I’m instinctive, so I go out and try to dominate suddenly. It is a competition for me. I’m going to go out and play with an advantage and that chip on my shoulder.
Q: Describe the personality of the Steelers defense.
A: It is aggressive … it is physical. … Our main objective is to dominate overnight and make you play as we want you to play.
Q: What is your definition of Pittsburgh Steeler?
A: The blue collar mentality is how I like to approach it … work hard, fight for everything.
Q: What’s in the big games that you love so much?
A: I love it because we are going to face a big competition. You know you are facing an A-plus team and you need to have an A-plus preparation throughout the week. You have to have A-plus taking care of your body, taking care of your mind and when you go outside. It’s an accumulation of everything you’ve done over the week.
Q: How would you compare Alabama coach Nick Saban to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin?
A: There is a lot that they have in common. The way they prepare for the game is crazy. They are very detailed and do not miss a step.
Q: What motivates you?
A: The competitive aspect of that. I want to be the best at what I do, be it on a daily basis or in history. But also the opportunity that this game offers and the league offers and everything that comes with it – be able to create opportunities for my family through it, be just be able to pay my bills and everything and for my future family . I’ve been without it before, to be able to create opportunities for the people around me and live a good life.
Q: Why do you want to be great?
A: I remain in that pattern. I know I could do that, and I know I could be the Hall of Fame guy because I stick to that pattern every day – whether it’s practice or meetings, the movie or taking care of my body. I feel that I remain in that pattern, so I feel comfortable defining it as a goal.
Q: Why are you proud to be a Swiss army knife?
A: I think it is a compliment. There are not many people who can move around and do a lot on the football field, because it requires a lot. When people say you can do this, they are your teammates and coaches. They are saying that they trust you a lot.
Q: Do you see yourself as a Troy Polamalu type player?
A: I think we have similarities. I think we’re two very instinctive guys. He moved a little more than I did, but he has that range, natural skills with the ball, natural athlete and an intelligent player.
Q: Which quarterback are you eager to intercept and haven’t intercepted yet?
A: (Laughter) I have a long list, man.
Q: What is your favorite NFL interception so far?
A: My first one was against Tom Brady in my debut year. We [Dolphins] they were big, so it didn’t really matter (laughs). He’s the best that ever did that. It was very cool.
Q: What do you remember playing for Adam Gase?
A: I am not going to talk about it much. The past is the past (laughs).
Q: Describe the running back Nick Chubb of Browns.
A: He has great vision, he doesn’t really miss a lot of holes. A low center of gravity, excellent contact balance.
Q: Your backfield teammate, Kareem Hunt?
A: The same thing, honestly, he just has a little more fuss than Nick.
Q: Browns QB Baker Mayfield?
A: We have to pressure him, make him uncomfortable in his pocket.
Q: Some of your former teammates from Alabama, what comes to mind – Giants security rookie Xavier McKinney?
A: He is a great player, I loved playing with X Man. He reminds me of myself, honestly. He’s very smart, he’s a guy who was always studying cinema and learning and asking questions to his elders. He was injured recently, but has returned and has already made impact moves.
Q: Quinnen Williams, defensive striker for the jets?
A: He’s a funny guy, man (laughs), but he loves football, I don’t think there are many guys who love it just like him. Its energy is contagious energy.
Q: Heisman ‘Bama receiver DeVonta Smith winner?
A: He is very explosive. There is not much he cannot do on the football field. He’s reliable.
Q: Crimson Tide RB Najee Harris?
A: He is strong, he has big backs, strong backs, but he is also very athletic. You see him jumping on people, making them go wrong, and then running away from databases in the open.
Q: Are you surprised by the performance of former’Bama QB Jalen Hurts in place of Carson Wentz?
A: Not at all. He is very detailed, he is also a competitor, so I am not surprised by the success he has had.
Q: What is your best moment in football?
A: The national championships I won in college, I won two. Both were very significant. … the one from my first year [2018 season] when we won at the last second against Georgia on that deep bomb for DeVonta Smith. The first [2016 season], I did not play my best game. I had bittersweet memories of that.
Q: What was it like to leave the field losing to Deshaun Watson and Clemson in the 2017 title game?
A: It was difficult, but it motivated us. We had a lot of talent and we knew we should have won that game.
Q: What makes Deshaun Watson special?
A: He is a very, very complete defender. I think he’s underestimated in a sense – the way he can throw the ball, his accuracy, his arm strength. … I think this is overlooked because of how good an athlete he is. Even though he can run, make moves with his legs, he is such a good pitcher.
Q: What do you think about the state of Ohio-Alabama on Monday night?
A: I think it will be a good game, two very good teams, great attacks, great saves.
Q: If you could defend yourself against any tight end 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 our [2014] last year’s 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 teammates.
Q: Who was your childhood idol?
A: I was a big fan of Philly, so [defensive back] Brian Dawkins.
Q: What was it about you that you admired so much?
A: I loved his attitude that he played with.
Q: Two guests for 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 / artist?
A: I’m a great Anthony Hamilton, John Legend guy.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Any type of pasta with pasta and chicken sauce.
Q: The flood of Hurricane Irene forced his family to rebuild their home.
A: It shaped me and made me who I am today.
Q: What would you like your football legacy to be?
A: I think I obviously want it to be that security hawk, 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 the Browns?
A: We are going to do that focused on execution, focused on us, focused on controlling our emotion and going out there and playing at a high level.