A barrage of blocks from the Steelers special teams gives Danny Smith something to chew besides gum

Danny Smith is known for chewing gum with the intensity of a jackhammer.

Smith eating a mouthful of Double Bubble has become his calling card in 12 seasons as the Pittsburgh Steelers' special teams coach.

It also cost him several teeth during a game last season.

“I had three teeth in one game,” Smith revealed on Thursday. “It was in the gums. If they break off and fall out, they stay in the gums, so I just take them out, put them in my bag and go to the dentist when I can.”

Since it happened while the Steelers were on the road, Smith had to return home with his teeth in his pocket. His dentist didn't put them back in until a few days later.

It's a risky ritual that Smith has no intention of stopping, which is why TV cameras caught him chewing it again last Sunday night during the Steelers' 37-15 win over the New York Jets.

“It’s become a matter of concentration now,” he said. “I get packages. If we win, I'll eat the package. If we lose, throw this (stuff) away.”

Smith has enjoyed the spoils offered to him by the gum dealers as the Steelers are off to a 5-2 start and will snap a two-game winning streak against the New York Giants on Monday night.

And Smith has been getting his fair share of TV time of late thanks to the proficiency of his blocking units. The Steelers' special teamers have blocked a kick in each of the last three games. Isaiah Loudermilk blocked a field goal against Dallas, Jeremiah Moon blocked a punt in Las Vegas and Dean Lowry was involved in a field goal attempt against the Jets. And that doesn't include Minkah Fitzpatrick's blocked extra point, which was incorrectly overturned due to a leverage penalty.

“It’s a process,” Smith said. “It might be about finding something or being strong at something or finding a weakness. There is a thought process and development of a set of skills. We are on a good path now and that leads to success because of this self-confidence.

“We are on the right track.”

Smith wants any credit to go to his players.

“There are weeks that go by and I'm calling, calling, calling it, and all of a sudden we have one and it's like, 'Danny, great call,'” Smith said with a laugh. “I've been calling the damn thing for six weeks. We believe in it, the players have accepted it and I’m happy.”

A few weeks shy of his 70th birthday, Smith has coached in the NFL for 30 seasons – mostly on special teams. He managed special teams in Philadelphia, Buffalo and Washington – he also coached tight ends in Detroit for two seasons – before joining the Steelers in 2013.

He remains passionate about his job and attributes it to the importance coach Mike Tomlin places on special forces.

“I only want to work where it matters,” he said. “In some places it’s not that important. It’s becoming more and more important across the league.”

Smith is happy when decorated veterans like Cameron Heyward and Fitzpatrick commit to playing for his unit. The way rookies like Lowry and Moon integrate into units that include All-Pro special teams player Miles Killebrew. In the enthusiasm his players display when they deflect a kick or deflect a punt inside the 10-yard line.

“It’s these guys, it really is them,” he said.

Smith paused to calm himself as his eyes watered and his voice cracked.

“You work hard for me. That's what they do. They really do, and it's not easy and it doesn't happen everywhere. I have been to different places and seen different environments and cultures. These guys are special, they really are. I just love being with these guys. I love it. I really love it.”

The feeling is mutual. After Lowry blocked Greg Zuerlein's field goal attempt Sunday night, Smith was surrounded by Mark Robinson, Rodney Williams and Jonathan Ward – players who rarely see the field aside from special teams.

“There are things that I challenge them to do in meetings throughout the week, and this was in response to those challenges,” Smith said. “I start running to the locker room because they’re beating the crap out of me.”