On the defensive: Patriots Coach Mike Vrabel has been around long enough to know one thing about the Steelers.
The defense is always going to be the same no matter who is at the helm.
With new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham this season there are some changes, but Vrabel sees the philosophy as being the same.
“I think the Pittsburgh Steelers is the identity, and that is no disrespect to Patrick (Graham),” said Vrabel. “I love Patrick, and he is an excellent football coach, but the Steelers are going to be the Steelers.
“They’re going to be big, they’re going to be long, and they are going to try to force the quarterback into making mistakes. That’s what they do.
“So, some of the things are going to be similar, some of the things – it has been one week, so we can watch the snaps they had against Atlanta, we can watch every game that he has ever called, but they’re going to be big inside, and they’re going to be long and active on the edges.”
One player Vrabel knows they have to always account for is outside linebacker T.J. Watt.
Watt is coming off a dominating performance in Week 1, named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his effort.
“A great athlete, very instinctive, athletic, explosive get off,” said Vrabel. “He’s got length and multiple moves. But his instinctiveness is a great asset. His brother was the same way. I got to see his brother play. I bet they intercepted the same pass – J.J. (Watt) intercepted that one the same way as T.J. did. They must have practiced that when they were kids.”
Vrabel isn’t the only one aware of what Watt brings.
Quarterback Drake Maye also knows he has to be on his toes after Watt recorded two sacks, and his interception, against the Falcons.
“He just wreaks havoc,” said Maye. “He’s the same deal as last year. He’s been a great player in this league for a long time. You’ve got to know where he’s at. He enjoys making plays on the football, and he’s really good at it.
“They have a knack up front of getting hands on balls, and the one he made last week, you don’t see that very often in this league – it’s really special. I can’t even describe it more than that.
“So, we’ve got to have all hands on deck, especially with a lot of their front. They’ve got some great players, and they’ve been in that defense and been together for a while, so they know how to play off each other and count each other’s strengths.”
Batted passes were something the Steelers pestered Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush with last week, with Cameron Heyward having an impressive three batted passes.
“I think it’s hard to look at when they’re jumping and when they’re trying to get hands up,” said Maye. “Cam Heyward had one last year that got tipped in the end zone and got picked. So, they have a special feeling for it, and they’ve done a lot in their careers of making plays, pass rush, and pass breakups.
“It can’t be something I’m really thinking about. They’re going to try to get their hands up. I think just finding good passing lanes and moving around the pocket in some different ways. But really, I think it’s easy to say quick game, but at the same time, they know they’re going to get their hands up fast. So, it’s just being cognizant of it, whether it’s technique or little things to get the hands down.”