Film study paying off for Steelers special teams coach Danny Smith

As special teams coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Danny Smith pores over game tape with the thoroughness of an assassination historian examining the Zapruder film.

“I’m a film nut,” Smith said. “I love watching tape. I love it. If you study it, and you look at it, you’re going to find something.”

Smith thought he had found a weakness on the Green Bay Packers field goal protection unit that the Steelers could exploit last Sunday. And so he wasn’t surprised when Joe Haden and Minkah Fitzpatrick broke through gaps, and Fitzpatrick blocked a kick that he returned for an apparent 75-yard touchdown late in the first half.

The play, of course, was called back because of an offside penalty against Haden. The Packers made the next field-goal attempt, a swing of 10 points that ended up being the difference in the Steelers’ 27-17 loss.

Smith had his chance to discuss the play Thursday, although he was reluctant to do so and was careful with his words.

“I’m not allowed to comment on it,” Smith said. “We were not offsides, I can assure you of that.”

Smith said he wouldn’t do anything differently if given the chance.

“We played it the way we wanted it to play,” he said.

Fitzpatrick, as one might expect, shared the same sentiments as Smith and Haden, who also professed his innocence on the play.

“No, he wasn’t offsides,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was a great play, great timing by everybody on that side of the ball. He wasn’t the only one that moved. It is what it is. It’s frustrating, but it’s part of the game.”

It was the second time in four weeks the Steelers special teams produced a block, even if it wasn’t deemed legal. In the season opener, Miles Killebrew blocked a punt that Ulysees Gilbert returned for a fourth-quarter touchdown in a 23-16 win.

“It’s hard (to get a block),” Smith said. “We’ve got good players doing good things. They study, they work, they pay attention, they execute. They are good. It’s a good group on those kinds of things.”

Smith was asked whether he speaks with officials before the game to tip them off about an impending block attempt or onside kick that could take place.

“Sometimes you choose to,” he said. “Sometimes you don’t.”

Smith has his reasons why he often doesn’t talk to officials.

“I don’t trust nobody,” he said. “We’re out there on an island. I trust my players, and I trust myself. I don’t trust nobody in the game.”