Cam Heyward

[NorthCoast]

Seems like every game there is a play or two that leaves me in awe over what Heyward can do. Last night was the 34 yd run by Gore. Guess who ended up making the tackle, outrunning guys like Timmons and Dupree?

Yea, that would be Cam Heyward. For a guy his size that was an amazing display.

[skyhawk]

Seems like every game there is a play or two that leaves me in awe over what Heyward can do. Last night was the 34 yd run by Gore. Guess who ended up making the tackle, outrunning guys like Timmons and Dupree?

Yea, that would be Cam Heyward. For a guy his size that was an amazing display.

The best commentator in football also noticed! Al Michaels mentioned this.

[Slapstick]

Seems like every game there is a play or two that leaves me in awe over what Heyward can do. Last night was the 34 yd run by Gore. Guess who ended up making the tackle, outrunning guys like Timmons and Dupree?

Yea, that would be Cam Heyward. For a guy his size that was an amazing display.

Heyward actually touched Hasselbeck 10 yards deep in the backfield on that play before turning and pursuing Gore...

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Steelers are lucky to have him. I think he's having a Pro-Bowl caliber year, but I'm not sure he's got enough of the "fancy stats" to get the votes.

I just wish they could get a good DE behind him so that they could spell him now and then. He may be worn out after 16 games of FT duty, and have nothing left for the playoffs (should they make the playoffs).

[Slapstick]

Some people think Tuitt could be even better than Heyward...

If Tuitt became as good as Heyward, that would be fantastic. If he somehow developed into an even better player? Lord have mercy!

[Oviedo]

Some people think Tuitt could be even better than Heyward...

If Tuitt became as good as Heyward, that would be fantastic. If he somehow developed into an even better player? Lord have mercy!

Heyward is a beast and Tuitt is becoming one. Given that Butler is now using them properly and letting them get after the QB much more often, the sky is the limit for these guys.

[phillyesq]

Heyward is a beast and Tuitt is becoming one. Given that Butler is now using them properly and letting them get after the QB much more often, the sky is the limit for these guys.

We all know how much you like that narrative, but it has utterly no basis in fact. Cam Heyward had 7.5 sacks last year. This year, he has 5, putting him on pace for 6.67 sacks this year.

[Oviedo]

We all know how much you like that narrative, but it has utterly no basis in fact. Cam Heyward had 7.5 sacks last year. This year, he has 5, putting him on pace for 6.67 sacks this year.

Well go ahead and see "narratives" wherever it supports your own. The reality if that this defense changed with Butler in charge for the better. He has turned around a multi-year slide in sacks and takeaways through a obviously (to those who want to see it) more aggressive style and play calling. They are doing this with probably the worst secondary they have had in at least a decade.

Also, because of his 7.5 sacks last year Heyward is getting more attention but he is still getting pressure and making plays.

[phillyesq]

Well go ahead and see "narratives" wherever it supports your own. The reality if that this defense changed with Butler in charge for the better. He has turned around a multi-year slide in sacks and takeaways through a obviously (to those who want to see it) more aggressive style and play calling. They are doing this with probably the worst secondary they have had in at least a decade.

Also, because of his 7.5 sacks last year Heyward is getting more attention but he is still getting pressure and making plays.

He has been more aggressive with sending blitzes, I wouldn't argue that. But DL had the lineman one-gapping and attacking more last year.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

Love heywards play this year

Very refreshing to see a guy work as hard or harder after he gets paid. Says a lot about his character and why he is the unquestioned leader of the defense

[RobinCole]

Funny. When certain other defensive players make tackles downfield, some posters deem those tackles less "valid" than tackles made close to the LOS. Yet we have here, and rightly so, Heyward being praised for chasing down an RB 34 yards downfield.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Funny. When certain other defensive players make tackles downfield, some posters deem those tackles less "valid" than tackles made close to the LOS. Yet we have here, and rightly so, Heyward being praised for chasing down an RB 34 yards downfield.

I'm not disagreeing with you, it is deservedly so.

I think the praise level sort of depends on your position? if your run-stuffing LB is knocked out of the hole and makes a tackle 34 yards downfield? He made the tackle 34 yards downfield because he didn't do his job in the first place.

that's entirely different than a guy who does his job, but, that job doesn't necessarily direct him to the play. Still, he didn't turn his motor off pursued. And he's a lineman who outran "faster" (assumed by position) guys, no less.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Well go ahead and see "narratives" wherever it supports your own. The reality if that this defense changed with Butler in charge for the better. He has turned around a multi-year slide in sacks and takeaways through a obviously (to those who want to see it) more aggressive style and play calling. They are doing this with probably the worst secondary they have had in at least a decade.

Also, because of his 7.5 sacks last year Heyward is getting more attention but he is still getting pressure and making plays.

Ovi, more times than not, i'm with ya...

While I do think Butler has made SOME changes, you can't scheme a talent-less player into a sack... well, not a lot of sacks, anyway.

Instead, think of the days of Aaron Smith, Keisel... That's what we're uncovering with these ends. As they grow, they feel THAT good and potentially better, which is insane.

Then think of how differently LeBeau called defenses when he had guys like that. When he had a front 7 that consisted of those d-ends, plus big snack, PLUS (in their primes) Farrior, Foote, Porter, Haggans, Harrison... yes, James harrison was "depth"...
We're a nose tackle short of being that dang good... and go figure - James Harrison is "depth" hehe

Completely off topic, I chose the 2006 roster to look at; pretty random year. But, I looked at the O-line and said "WOW".
O-line Left to right: Marvel Smith (underrated), Faneca, Hartings, Simmons, Max;
O-line depth: Kemoeatu, Willie Colon

When your "depth" consists of guys who you remember starting for a handful of years, you've got GOOD backups.

[Slapstick]

Incidentally, Cam is the first Steelers 3-4 DE with 5 or more sacks in three consecutive seasons in 30 years...

[NorthCoast]

And what else did we see from Heyward again today?? Tackling Eifert 20 yds downfield after he caught a pass in the secondary. Outrunning LBs even. Dude's motor is amazing even late in games.