Troy, this is one of the the setups I use for competition steak cooking. I started with the Weber Jumbo Joe kettle for this task and it works a treat.
I purchased the cast iron grate from a commercial firm in California and it goes into a commercial cooker and measures about 21" long and will just fit into a standard Weber 22-1/2" kettle. I had to cut it down to fit my smaller Jumbo Joe and I also use it in several more of my grills.
You mentioned putting it right down on the coals and I do come pretty close to that with my steak cooking setup for the Weber Jumbo Joe. This might be about the finest steak cooking setup a fellow can do with a Weber kettle.
Here it is over a Slow 'N Sear in a 22-1/2" Weber kettle with the SNS pulled out and away from the side of the cooker.
As I would present for a steak contest.