By: Jessica Costello
SteelerNation.com
With serious safety precautions in place for the 2020 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers lockeroom has had to get creative to lighten up the atmosphere.
Literally.
Steelers' Tyson Alualu and T.J. Watt have locked down the No. 1 seed in a 'Spikeball' tournament for players during downtime.
"With anything as athletes, you get real competitive," said Alualu. "(We) formed teams and talk a lot of smack. Right now, T.J. is my partner and we have been playing pretty well. I think our record is like 11-1, so still the No. 1 seed. That has been fun being able to build that camaraderie with a lot of the other guys."
But this Spikeball tournament isn't the only thing that Alualu is using to work on his competitive side. Now that Javon Hargrave has left for free agency, Alualu has been working at that open nose tackle spot at camp.
Alualu has said that he hasn't done anything differently during the off-season to prepare to take over at nose tackle, but he did mention some other challenges that come with it.
"I don't think I did too much different preparing to play nose tackle because in our defense, especially when we are in nickel, we play a lot over the center," said Alualu. "A lot of those repetitive things playing from whether we are in the tilt over the center, on the center or two-eye over the guard. I think it is more of a mental thing playing inside, especially in our "okie" defense. It is a lot (quicker) getting your hands on the center. It is more of a mentality.
"The further and further you move away from the ball, whether you are playing defensive tackle or defensive end, you get more space. But when you are playing nose tackle, you get a lot more action a lot faster. I guess getting your hands a lot quicker, and just working on that throughout the offseason. I've seen Javon work throughout the years that I have been here. I think I got first-hand what it looks like to be a great nose tackle. Seeing him work and seeing how he operates on a daily basis from practice and letting it translate to the games, I think being able to see how he plays was definitely a positive for me moving forward," said Alualu.
Alualu said there hasn't been any pressure going into this season if he's considered the starter.
"Whenever your number is called, you have to be ready," said Alualu. "It is no different. Whenever you have your opportunity, coaches preach it a lot, the standard is the standard. No matter what ways or how you got here, whatever is expected of the starter to do or whoever is before you, the expectation is always high. You have to play at that level to keep that job. Filling in for Javon, he played very well here, and I look forward to doing the same. Whether it is me out there or just trying to teach the young guys the standard of what is expected to play nose tackle or defensive end.
Heading into his 11th season, Alualu says he's ready for 2020.
"Being a vet in this league, it is just always about knowing your job and doing your job and earning the respect of your teammates and coaches. Enough that they trust you enough to put you out there, you have to make the most of it."
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