For just a moment during the Steelers' 23-17 win over the Cardinals, I thought rookie Justin Layne might have to change his last name to "Gramatica."
Here's why:
Justin Layne (31) took sliding lessons from Gregory Polanco. Fact. 😂 #Steelers pic.twitter.com/Mp0RzjIioC
— Hunter Alek Homistek (@HunterAHomistek) December 9, 2019
Brutal, right? The initial slide looked terrible for a second, and the resulting tweet blew up among Steelers fans, Pirates fans and even just casual sports fans enjoying a pro athlete suffering through a rare fail.
So, of course, I had to talk to Layne about it Friday at the Rooney Complex.
"I mean, every game, usually when the defense gets turnovers, I see them do a little baseball slide," Layne was telling me. "I see the defense do a little slide. I never played baseball in my life, so, you know, I tried to do it. It just didn't work out how I planned."
Layne said that was legitimately the first time he ever attempted a baseball-type slide in his life, and even though it looked hairy for a second, there was never a real injury concern.
"I didn't hurt myself at all," Layne said. "It just looked funny ... Laugh it off at the end of the game."
And the next time the Steelers defense secures a turnover — which they've done an NFL-best 33 times through 13 games — expect Layne to be a little more polished with his celebration. He's been putting in the work to make sure he's a highlight instead of a blooper next time:
"I did practice it yesterday, so it's looking a little better," Layne said. "Actually some of my friends that played baseball in college, they hit me up and they gave me some tips ... So next time it's going to be on point, for sure."
Joking aside, I had to ask Layne about another facet of his game. His work on special teams has steadily improved throughout the year, and that's a potentially tough role for a rookie cornerback out of a major college (Michigan State). He's had to swallow his pride and embrace his role on special teams, and to that end, he's begun to find his footing, registering at least seven snaps in each of the Steelers' last three games — all wins.
"Just trying to take it day by day, keep learning from the old guys," Layne said. "Steve [Nelson] and Joe [Haden] they've just been great mentors and leaders for me. I'm just trying to take it day by day and get better, man."
Within that growing process, Layne's experienced some hiccups. All rookies do — even standout Devin Bush, who was telling me days earlier the obligations of being a pro athlete — signings, events, interviews, etc. — can become overbearing. Layne, a third-round pick flying a bit more under the radar, didn't feel that, but he did note an adjustment had to be made when he joined the Steelers.
"I mean, I'd say just the change is different," Layne said. "Just like at any level. But it's just football at the end of the day. I feel like I just gotta keep working every day and keep my right foot forward, and I'll be alright."
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