ASK THE STEELERS – ZIGGY HOOD – PART 2

[fordfixer]

ASK THE STEELERS – ZIGGY HOOD – PART 2

[url="http://news.steelers.com/article/105661/"]http://news.steelers.com/article/105661/[/url]

Steelers.com brings you the Ask the Steelers feature. Fans submitted the questions that were asked. Please understand that we receive an incredible number of questions for each player, with many of the questions being similar, and not all of the questions can be answered. We selected as many as possible, and took your questions to the current subject to get your answers.


From Peter Topa in Pennsylvania: Do you feel you are ready to challenge other veterans for a starting position?
Ziggy Hood: No, not at all. The guys in front of me, and the guys in front of them, are better right now. Right now I am sitting on the bench just learning.

From Sam DeBoard in West Virginia: Is the Steelers defensive scheme hard for rookies to learn in one year?
Ziggy Hood: It seems challenging at first. Once you get the gist of it, and Coach (John) Mitchell has done a great job of explaining how it works, it is easier. It started to click as the weeks went by.

From Randy Atkins in California: What is it like to have a defensive coordinator like Dick LeBeau?
Ziggy Hood: That is history in the making. He is a Hall of Fame coach. As far as I see he is someone I can learn a lot from. He is so valuable to this team. Other players look at him as a positive role model and not just a coach on the team.

From Greg Cairo in Florida: After watching tape on you, the one thing that stood out over everything else was your non-stop motor. To what do you attribute this?
Ziggy Hood: I like to have heart. I want to play for the guys next to me. I want to go out there and give it everything I’ve got. I don’t want to come in here on Monday morning and look at film and be disgusted at my performance.

From Rick Paul in North Carolina: The Steelers have an amazing history on the defensive line back to the days of the Steel Curtain. What is it like to be a part of that?
Ziggy Hood: Right now it’s a big reputation I am trying to live up to. It’s going to be hard to ever have to fill the shoes of guys like Brett Keisel, Casey Hampton and Aaron Smith. Those guys have done something many others might not get the chance to. I am trying to live through their footsteps and do what they do.

From Shane Gorham in Illinois: How long do you think it will take you to adjust to end or tackle in the 3-4 scheme?
Ziggy Hood: it will take some time. Defensive end and nose tackle are a little bit different. If you have the heart and determination to do it you can get it done.

From David Martin in Texas: Is there a player in the NFL right now that you would compare yourself to?
Ziggy Hood: Tommie Harris of the Chicago Bears. Right now I would probably compare myself to Aaron Smith. I am trying to mimic everything he does. I want to do that because he has been so successful.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: ASK THE STEELERS – ZIGGY HOOD – PART 2

Here is Part 1:

ASK THE STEELERS – ZIGGY HOOD – PART 1

Steelers.com brings you the Ask the Steelers feature. Fans submitted the questions that were asked. Please understand that we receive an incredible number of questions for each player, with many of the questions being similar, and not all of the questions can be answered. We selected as many as possible, and took your questions to the current subject to get your answers.


From Paul Jefferson in New York: What was draft day like for you, waiting for the phone to ring?
Ziggy Hood: There is excitement and wonder. It’s a stress reliever once the phone call came. But it’s excitement building up until then.


From Rita Lloyd in Pennsylvania: What was your first reaction when you learned you were going to be the newest Pittsburgh Steeler?
Ziggy Hood: It was wonderful. It’s still kind of a mystery. It hasn’t sunk in. I still wonder why me. Do I fit their criteria in what they are looking for and can I bring greatness to their organization?

From Mark James in Ohio: What was it like to see the six Super Bowl trophies for the first time?
Ziggy Hood: It was a wonderful sight. You could say breath-taking because you have never been around such glory as that to see all of them sitting there.

From Larry Bower in Florida: Is there more pressure coming to a Super Bowl champion or less because you don’t have to be a savior?
Ziggy Hood: I have some veterans around me and it’s great for me to be able to learn from them. When the time comes for me to step up, I will take the opportunity.

From George Reynolds in Pennsylvania: How valuable are the OTA’s?
Ziggy Hood: I feel like I got better every day. I had no choice. In order for me to play and become successful in this league I have to get better and a lot of that came in the OTA’s.

From Steve Foley in West Virginia: What was your first impression of the attitude among the team and the camaraderie?
Ziggy Hood: It’s something I was looking forward to. Not every team has it. It’s hard to find all of that on one team. When you come to a team and everyone is working for the same common goal, to go to the Super Bowl, it makes you feel good. It makes you want to get better and work harder for the player next to you.

From Mark Glower in Ohio: What will be the biggest adjustment coming from college to the pros?
Ziggy Hood: Probably time management. You don’t have as much free time as you believe. When you do have free time, what are you going to do with it? Are you going to invest your time in studying the book or are you going to run around and do nonsense stuff?

[Ghost]

Re: ASK THE STEELERS – ZIGGY HOOD – PART 2

Not taking a swip but it's funny that he got a question about the Steel Curtain and mentions the current guys. Think he has any idea who Green, Holmes, White and Greenwood are?

Didn't see him play much in college but I like Hood so far, at least what he has to say.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: ASK THE STEELERS – ZIGGY HOOD – PART 2

Think he has any idea who Green, Holmes, White and Greenwood are?

Perhaps not. Holmes left in 1977, White in 1980, and Greene & Greenwood in 1981. Hood wasn't even born until 1987. We sometimes forget how young these guys are. He's only 22. For some perspective, he was only 8 years old when we were in the Super Bowl with the Blitzburgh team featuring Lloyd/Greene/Woodson/Lake, etc. on 1-28-96. Now I feel old.

[Ghost]

Re: ASK THE STEELERS – ZIGGY HOOD – PART 2

Think he has any idea who Green, Holmes, White and Greenwood are?

Perhaps not. Holmes left in 1977, White in 1980, and Greene & Greenwood in 1981. Hood wasn't even born until 1987. We sometimes forget how young these guys are. He's only 22. For some perspective, he was only 8 years old when we were in the Super Bowl with the Blitzburgh team featuring Lloyd/Greene/Woodson/Lake, etc. on 1-28-96. Now I feel old.

Oh...I'm definitely old... (I especially love when they are talking about a guy who's 'ancient' and he's 5 years younger than me).

I knew he wasn't even born when those guys were around. I was just amused that the question mentioned the Steel Curtain and he associated it with the current guys.

[papillon]

Re: ASK THE STEELERS – ZIGGY HOOD – PART 2

I doubt that a college player could be drafted by the Steelers, visit Heinz field and the training facilities and not find out who Joe Greene, LC Greenwood, Jack Lambert, Mel Blount, Terry Bradshaw, etc are.

Pappy

[fordfixer]

Re: ASK THE STEELERS – ZIGGY HOOD – PART 2

Here is Part 1:

ASK THE STEELERS – ZIGGY HOOD – PART 1

Steelers.com brings you the Ask the Steelers feature. Fans submitted the questions that were asked. Please understand that we receive an incredible number of questions for each player, with many of the questions being similar, and not all of the questions can be answered. We selected as many as possible, and took your questions to the current subject to get your answers.


From Paul Jefferson in New York: What was draft day like for you, waiting for the phone to ring?
Ziggy Hood: There is excitement and wonder. It’s a stress reliever once the phone call came. But it’s excitement building up until then.


From Rita Lloyd in Pennsylvania: What was your first reaction when you learned you were going to be the newest Pittsburgh Steeler?
Ziggy Hood: It was wonderful. It’s still kind of a mystery. It hasn’t sunk in. I still wonder why me. Do I fit their criteria in what they are looking for and can I bring greatness to their organization?

From Mark James in Ohio: What was it like to see the six Super Bowl trophies for the first time?
Ziggy Hood: It was a wonderful sight. You could say breath-taking because you have never been around such glory as that to see all of them sitting there.

From Larry Bower in Florida: Is there more pressure coming to a Super Bowl champion or less because you don’t have to be a savior?
Ziggy Hood: I have some veterans around me and it’s great for me to be able to learn from them. When the time comes for me to step up, I will take the opportunity.

From George Reynolds in Pennsylvania: How valuable are the OTA’s?
Ziggy Hood: I feel like I got better every day. I had no choice. In order for me to play and become successful in this league I have to get better and a lot of that came in the OTA’s.

From Steve Foley in West Virginia: What was your first impression of the attitude among the team and the camaraderie?
Ziggy Hood: It’s something I was looking forward to. Not every team has it. It’s hard to find all of that on one team. When you come to a team and everyone is working for the same common goal, to go to the Super Bowl, it makes you feel good. It makes you want to get better and work harder for the player next to you.

From Mark Glower in Ohio: What will be the biggest adjustment coming from college to the pros?
Ziggy Hood: Probably time management. You don’t have as much free time as you believe. When you do have free time, what are you going to do with it? Are you going to invest your time in studying the book or are you going to run around and do nonsense stuff?

thanks for the assist

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: ASK THE STEELERS – ZIGGY HOOD – PART 2

Here is Part 1:

ASK THE STEELERS – ZIGGY HOOD – PART 1

Steelers.com brings you the Ask the Steelers feature. Fans submitted the questions that were asked. Please understand that we receive an incredible number of questions for each player, with many of the questions being similar, and not all of the questions can be answered. We selected as many as possible, and took your questions to the current subject to get your answers.


From Paul Jefferson in New York: What was draft day like for you, waiting for the phone to ring?
Ziggy Hood: There is excitement and wonder. It’s a stress reliever once the phone call came. But it’s excitement building up until then.


From Rita Lloyd in Pennsylvania: What was your first reaction when you learned you were going to be the newest Pittsburgh Steeler?
Ziggy Hood: It was wonderful. It’s still kind of a mystery. It hasn’t sunk in. I still wonder why me. Do I fit their criteria in what they are looking for and can I bring greatness to their organization?

From Mark James in Ohio: What was it like to see the six Super Bowl trophies for the first time?
Ziggy Hood: It was a wonderful sight. You could say breath-taking because you have never been around such glory as that to see all of them sitting there.

From Larry Bower in Florida: Is there more pressure coming to a Super Bowl champion or less because you don’t have to be a savior?
Ziggy Hood: I have some veterans around me and it’s great for me to be able to learn from them. When the time comes for me to step up, I will take the opportunity.

From George Reynolds in Pennsylvania: How valuable are the OTA’s?
Ziggy Hood: I feel like I got better every day. I had no choice. In order for me to play and become successful in this league I have to get better and a lot of that came in the OTA’s.

From Steve Foley in West Virginia: What was your first impression of the attitude among the team and the camaraderie?
Ziggy Hood: It’s something I was looking forward to. Not every team has it. It’s hard to find all of that on one team. When you come to a team and everyone is working for the same common goal, to go to the Super Bowl, it makes you feel good. It makes you want to get better and work harder for the player next to you.

From Mark Glower in Ohio: What will be the biggest adjustment coming from college to the pros?
Ziggy Hood: Probably time management. You don’t have as much free time as you believe. When you do have free time, what are you going to do with it? Are you going to invest your time in studying the book or are you going to run around and do nonsense stuff?

thanks for the assist

[fordfixer]

Re: ASK THE STEELERS – ZIGGY HOOD – PART 2

Part 3



Friday, June 26, 2009

ASK THE STEELERS – ZIGGY HOOD – PART 3
Steelers.com brings you the Ask the Steelers feature. Fans submitted the questions that were asked. Please understand that we receive an incredible number of questions for each player, with many of the questions being similar, and not all of the questions can be answered. We selected as many as possible, and took your questions to the current subject to get your answers.


From Joseph Frank in Pennsylvania: What is it like to join the number one defense in the NFL?
Ziggy Hood: Awesome.

From Tom Stephenson in Ohio: How welcoming and helpful have the veteran defensive linemen been so far?
Ziggy Hood: They have gone above and beyond teaching me the ropes and not giving me a hard time because I am a rookie. It’s been a pleasure to work with these guys.

From Lou James in Texas: You worked at Sonic during high school. What lessons did you learn there about the values of hard work?
Ziggy Hood: if you want more, you will put more time and effort and hours into what you want to achieve. In order for me to make more money, I had to put more hours in.

From Jamie Coles in Ohio: I read that you skated when you worked at Sonic. How did a guy your size skate?
Ziggy Hood: I can rollerblade I can do that perfect. I did all right. It was my junior and senior year. I was about 225-230 then. I think I lost more weight than gained it working there.

From Dan Potts in Pennsylvania: Have you heard yet how passionate Steelers fans are about the team and are you looking forward to playing for a team with that kind of atmosphere?
Ziggy Hood: I have seen it myself. If you run into a fan that recognizes you, you can see the fire in their eyes. You see the passion they have for the football team and what they stand for.

From Harry Lowery in Florida: What is it going to be like for the first time to see your jersey hanging in your locker at Heinz Field?
Ziggy Hood: It’s going to be a sense of achievement, something I have been waiting for my whole life. It’s so motivating and makes me work harder.