PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith revealed on Thursday that he interviewed Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores for a DC job when was he was head coach in Atlanta and sees "similar philosophies" to his own in shifting personnel and packages to change window dressing on concepts.
Flores, who was with the Steelers as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach in 2022, is one of the most innovative defensive minds in the game.
"I have known Flo pretty well over the years," Smith said. "One reason that we were interested in Flo is that we have a similar philosophy. We try to do a lot of the same things. … They've been doing it forever. That's the system that he grew up in in New England . He started scouting for them. You talk about old school, patting games, breaking them down. Very aware of tendencies and how they're calling things. Studying protections, getting in your IDs. … They'll change it up on you the next week. A lot of it might be the same pressure, but they'll do it from a different personnel."
Through three games, the Vikings rank sixth in total defense and are No. 3 in pass defense. The Vikings lead the NFL with seven forced fumbles. To say the least, the Vikings defense presents a daunting task for the Steelers offense.
"They've invested a lot. They got good edge players, (same with) the interior D-line. The safeties have been in that scheme for a couple of years. It's a damn good defense," Smith said. " Well-coached. They've had consistency over there which helps, too. Draft guys for a certain scheme and develop guys. They're a damn good defense. Every Sunday you have matchups. This will be a good challenge. We're looking forward to it."
Steelers SDA Brian Flores at Steelers OTAs, May 31, 2022. — Ed Thompson.
Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers had a pick-six and scoop and score in the Vikings' 48-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. He also had a forced fumble. Rodgers credits the Vikings' aggressive defense and turnover culture to Flores.
"It's Flo's defense. He's a phenomenal coach," Rodgers said. "He was (in Pittsburgh) a few years ago. It's good to see him in a position of leadership. Hopefully, he probably should, at some point get another head coaching job based off the way that he's coached defense the last couple of years. The schemes that he runs and they way they're coach, there's a lot of good chemistry on that side. It doesn't just come from players, there's a schematic approach there that is really impressive and the players obviously make it go once the call his made."
Rodgers will also have his head on a swivel with Flores' disguised blitzes and coverages.
"They're going to bring pressure at some point. You have to have some ideas to combat that," Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said of Flores' defense. "You got to expect it. They do a good job of disguising it, everything looks the same. You don't want them to get going and sack you a bunch and play behind the sticks."
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin also praised Flores during his weekly Tuesday press conference.
"I thought he did a successful job of it the first time around," Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly news conference.
"His willingness to learn is a really attractive component of coach Flores," Tomlin said. "We had some awesome discussions during our time together. He certainly has opinions, schematic opinions, strategic opinions, personnel opinions. His openness to different thoughts and viewpoints is a weapon for him as a coach."
Tomlin is familiar with Flores' defensive schemes, but that won't give the Steelers an upper hand on Sunday.
"It doesn't make the preparation process or playing against it any less difficult," Tomlin said. "He's very multiple in his schemes and thoughtful. He attacks protections from a passing game perspective and does it very well."
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Brian Flores' Defense Presents Immense Challenge for Steelers
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