(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The Steelers had their second OTAs practice today and guard Kevin Dotson spoke with the media after the session, and one of the key points that Dotson addressed was the new mentality of the offensive line with Adrian Klemm being promoted as the offensive line coach.
"I feel like there is a little more intensity," Dotson said of Klemm's aggressive coaching philosophy. "There is more aggression even the way we come off the blocks. Even the verbiage he uses in meetings is way more aggressive. Not just saying 'get the blocks,' but 'run through his face.' He is using more aggressive terms and I feel like that pushes our mindset in that way."
Klemm has talked about becoming more physical on the offensive line throughout the offseason and Dotson is the perfect player for his system, as he plays with a mean streak.
"I want to be more of that aggressive guy. I am kind of aggressive already. I want to be that guy that they just know he is going to do extra; you better make sure you are ready for this game type of guy for the defensive line," Dotson said. "I am trying to improve upon that. I want to be conditioned enough to be able to go the whole game, going 100 percent."
Klemm is a blue-collar, no-nonsense type of coach and knows what it takes to build a winning culture. Klemm was a part of three Super Bowl-winning teams when he was with the Patriots from 2000-2004. He was also coached by Dante Scarnecchia in New England, who's considered as one of the best offensive line coaches in the history of the game.
With the Steelers finishing the season dead last in rushing yards per game (84.4) and yards per carry (3.6) in 2020, Klemm's No. 1 priority as the new offensive line coach is to help fix the run game. They got their feature running back in Najee Harris in the draft and it's Klemm's job to develop the young offensive line that will have three new starters in 2021. Klemm is even instructing the offensive line to play in a three-point stance with their hand in the dirt more often, instead of a two-point stance like in the last few years, which should help the run game.
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