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Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Brett Keisel recently stopped by “The Pat McAfee Show” to break down defensive strategy and why adaptability is crucial when a new coaching staff steps in.
Keisel expressed confidence in new coordinator Patrick Graham and said the team's defensive veterans are excited to see his plan come to life. Speaking on the mindset inside the locker room, Keisel noted that a coaching change resets the standard for everyone, regardless of tenure.
"Anytime a new coach comes in everyone knows you gotta step your game up," Keisel said from McAfee’s show live from camp in Latrobe. "You can’t rely on, 'Oh, I’ve been with this coach for five years, he knows me. You gotta go, you got a job to do."
Beyond player accountability, Keisel emphasized how structural versatility elevates a defense, especially for star edge rushers like T..J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig. Rather than sending pass rushers on predictable paths every snap, Keisel highlighted the strategic value of drops into coverage and pre-snap movement. He shared how he feels it is critical to begin moving them around.
"T.J. and those linebackers are so athletic and long, and if you can get them back in space and get them moving where they’re not rushing the quarterback all the time, and you can bring a blitz from the side, cornerback blitz, safety blitz," Keisel explained.
Reflecting on his playing days under Hall of Fame defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, Keisel recalled how standing up at the line of scrimmage gave Pittsburgh a distinct tactical edge. Moving linemen around created pre-snap confusion, setting up unpredictable secondary pressures like those from legendary safety Troy Polamalu.
"Most of the time big boys always got your hand in the dirt," Keisel added. "So being able to stand up, move around, disguise, hide things, that enabled us to bring TP off the side or sometimes Troy would just come on his own."
In today’s NFL, pre-snap deception remains the ultimate defensive equalizer. "All of it is disguised now; everybody’s trying to trick everybody," Keisel said. "So if you can disguise and have guys moving around, I think that makes your defense that much better."
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Brett Keisel on why Steelers unlocking T.J. Watt in space is essential
Continue reading...
Keisel expressed confidence in new coordinator Patrick Graham and said the team's defensive veterans are excited to see his plan come to life. Speaking on the mindset inside the locker room, Keisel noted that a coaching change resets the standard for everyone, regardless of tenure.
"Anytime a new coach comes in everyone knows you gotta step your game up," Keisel said from McAfee’s show live from camp in Latrobe. "You can’t rely on, 'Oh, I’ve been with this coach for five years, he knows me. You gotta go, you got a job to do."
Beyond player accountability, Keisel emphasized how structural versatility elevates a defense, especially for star edge rushers like T..J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig. Rather than sending pass rushers on predictable paths every snap, Keisel highlighted the strategic value of drops into coverage and pre-snap movement. He shared how he feels it is critical to begin moving them around.
"T.J. and those linebackers are so athletic and long, and if you can get them back in space and get them moving where they’re not rushing the quarterback all the time, and you can bring a blitz from the side, cornerback blitz, safety blitz," Keisel explained.
Reflecting on his playing days under Hall of Fame defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, Keisel recalled how standing up at the line of scrimmage gave Pittsburgh a distinct tactical edge. Moving linemen around created pre-snap confusion, setting up unpredictable secondary pressures like those from legendary safety Troy Polamalu.
"Most of the time big boys always got your hand in the dirt," Keisel added. "So being able to stand up, move around, disguise, hide things, that enabled us to bring TP off the side or sometimes Troy would just come on his own."
In today’s NFL, pre-snap deception remains the ultimate defensive equalizer. "All of it is disguised now; everybody’s trying to trick everybody," Keisel said. "So if you can disguise and have guys moving around, I think that makes your defense that much better."
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Brett Keisel on why Steelers unlocking T.J. Watt in space is essential
Continue reading...
