Added flat iron steaks to my pre contest prep and wow do I love them. My body processes sashimi, steak tar tar and rare steak really well. I feel you digest raw foods better than over cooked foods such as chicken breast or any other over cooked meat. It digest really easy for me and my mood strength and pumps are much better with rare cuts of steak. I also start to tighten up and lose body fat but since it does contain a lot trans fat I make sure I limit it to max 1lb a day. Sometimes just 10-12oz's.
And as far as off season red meat makes my strength and stamina to threw the roof. Pumps are great even when not on gear. Red meat is the best protein source without a doubt.