Getting to know: Steelers offensive lineman B.J. Finney

B.J. Finney

Position: Offensive lineman

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 318 pounds

Experience: First year

College: Kansas State

A video of Finney addressing family and friends at a draft party last year went viral because of the emotional way in which he spoke and the guttural celebratory screams from the crowd after he said, “I stand here in front of you today, as proof that dreams do come true. I am under contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.” Finney is in his second camp with the Steelers after going undrafted out of Kansas State. His first Steelers camp ended during the final 5 seconds of the final preseason game when he suffered an ankle injury. But the Steelers saw potential in the former college walk-on.

Is earning a spot on the 53-man roster your goal for this season?

I think we're going to do some great things and I want to be part of it on the active roster. I understand there's some numbers. The only thing I can control is my performance. All I can do is work hard every day and see where it lands me.

Your path to the roster likely is as a “swing” interior lineman. Is that how you have been practicing?

I have been playing all three interior spots, and (offensive line coach Mike Munchak) has been deciding what day I do that.

Have you grown as a player over the last year?

Absolutely. Just being a second-year guy in the same system, I'm worlds ahead of where I was last year in terms of understanding the plays and knowing the offense and knowing the schemes and knowing where to be and how to do things, especially with a coach like Munchak and Shaun Sarrett, his assistant. They've been really helping me out.