Steelers Power Play of the Week -- Cameron Heyward Earns His Varsity Letter

by Michael Bean on Oct 12, 2011 7:05 PM EDT in Anatomy of a Play

Had this new series of posts started earlier in the week, we might have taken a look at Jonathan Dwyer's 76 yard run or Hines Ward's second of two touchdowns on the day during the Pittsburgh Steelers 38-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. As is, those plays (and others) have already been discussed and/or broken down with pictures already. So for this week's 'Power Play of the Week', I'm instead highlighting the second of two big plays made by rookie defensive end Cameron Heyward.

You might be thinking that we're about to look at his strip sack of Matt Hasselbeck that the Titans were fortunate to recover. We very well could have. That was an impressive play too and actually the first sack of Heyward's NFL career. However, I'm fastforwarding just a few short plays later to what should have been his second sack of the series had Hasselbeck not dumped the ball into the ground timidly and illegally.

Let's take a look:

Score: 31-17 Pittsburgh

Down and Distance: 2nd and Goal from the Pittsburgh 9

Time: 3:47 4th quarter

Heyward's got good leverage in this opening frame. He's squaring off against Pro Bowler and All Pro left tackle Michael Roos. Compared to David Stewart at right tackle, who's got complete command of LaMarr Woodley, Roos is a bit upright here thanks to the quick first step off the ball and low center of gravity that Heyward is engaging Roos with. If Heyward had tried to beat him on the outside though, he probably would have gotten redirected too far outside and not gotten too Matt Hasselbeck before the ball came out.

Heyward, as I mentioned, has Roos in a slightly compromised spot though. He's too upright and vulnerable.

It's hard to see at this resolution, but Heyward has successfully freed his hands from Roos. He's got Roos off balance from a powerful push and is able to redirect his line to the quarterback before Roos can square him back up.

And he's got him. Not that it was a foregone conclusion. Heyward was closing in on Hasselbeck from a different angle than the one he's got him wrapped up with here. From this angle, it almost looks as if Heyward had been coming from Hasselbeck's blind side. Nope, instead Heyward was able to just keep his balance and redirect his weight enough so that he could get a good grip on him. From there it was over for Hasselbeck and he surrendered with an illegal grounding before Heyward could wrestle him down for his second sack of the series.

Great stuff from the young rookie out of Ohio State! Welcome to the big leagues!

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Comments

Great play

Though he celebrated to early and didn’t pick up that fumble Sylvester couldn’t come up with

by Lamarr56 on Oct 12, 2011 8:43 PM EDT reply actions

I think you mean Chris Carter. I don’t believe Sly got any snaps on D, just ST’s.

by BluegrassSteeler on Oct 12, 2011 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I stand corrected

Your right it was Carter

by Lamarr56 on Oct 13, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Chris Carter got 15 plays.....and was always in position and simply terrific....

I think the kid from the Central Valley gets his varsity letter, too. And he did it the Steeler way: he worked hard, especially in the trenches, kept his mouth shut and got it done.

He really looks like a keeper.

I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson

by Homer J. on Oct 12, 2011 10:37 PM EDT reply actions

cool. always can use another OLB, especially since Worilds does not seem to be in great position often when he has played.

by tkired on Oct 13, 2011 6:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Carter

I didn’t see the game, just highlights. I’ve been wanting to see Carter play too.

Is Carter playing OLB or ILB? It sounds like we should start playing both Sly and Carter more and more.

I don’t like Woodley. Woodley gets handled too many times by one blocker. It would be nice if we could replace him with Carter.

by Yount on Oct 13, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

You're kidding, right?

by Riddlah. on Oct 13, 2011 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

No

They gave him too much money.

by Yount on Oct 13, 2011 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Lets look at it this way

4 years/ 36.5 million Palamalu

6 years/51.175 Harrison

6 years/ 61.5 Woodley

When a QB comes to the line he ain’t looking for Woodley; hes wondering where Harrison and Palamalu are.

Woodley has been disappointing all year and I don’t think he has ever been dominant and worth that kind of money.

by Yount on Oct 13, 2011 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Woodley always starts off slow and gets hot as the season progresses and comes close to playoff time. Not to mention the fact that he steps it up in the playoffs and had six consecutive games with a sack (in the playoffs), I believe.

Of course, you forgot to mention that Woodley is only 27 while Harrison and Polamalu are 33 and 30, respectively. Then take into account Woodley’s great skill in dropping back to defend the pass, and you have yourself a great OLB. Top 5 easily, imo.

by Riddlah. on Oct 13, 2011 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I respectfully disagree

He’s not better than Palamalu or Harrison now and Woodley is in his prime. I just don’t see a dominant player dropping back or rushing the passer. Harrison gets most of the focus by opponents which should free up Woodley.

I really don’t have any bad feelings towards him; I think he is a good player; I just don’t see top 5. I want him to be great. I root for him and hope he proves me wrong. I was disappointed when they signed him to a big contract.

I’m not sure why a top 5 linebacker should ever have a slow start every year. Especially lasting 4 or 5 games. Why would that happen unless youre out of shape or not working hard in the spring. It’s inexcuseable when you are being paid top 5 pay.

by Yount on Oct 13, 2011 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Why are you comparing him to Polamalu? You do realize that they play completely different positions, right? And the comparison to Harrison isn’t fair either, considering the fact that Harrison is the best OLB in the game. Of course Woodley isn’t as good as Harrison-no one is. The only OLB that comes close is Ware, and maybe in a few years Matthews.

I see that you don’t like that Woodley’s slow starts, but to me they aren’t a problem as long as it brings the fire for the rest of the year, which he does. Just look at 2009 when he had 13.5 sacks. In the first five games of that year he only had 2 sacks and 8 total tackles, compared to his 18 tackles and 3 sacks so far this year.

by Riddlah. on Oct 13, 2011 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions

*I see you don’t like Woodley’s slow starts
*he brings the fire

by Riddlah. on Oct 13, 2011 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Woodley is not even the 2nd best linebacker on the team

I’ll take Timmons over him any day. I’m comparing great players with Woodley. He not only makes more money than them but has slow starts and these guy are past their prime. You realize that dont ya?

You can’t really believe that he has even close to the impact Palamalu and Harrison have in a game even though he plays in a position that should have it. He plays on the right tackle side which is traditionally the weaker tackle and he has problems getting off that tackle while demanding less attention because of the greatness of Harrison.

by Yount on Oct 13, 2011 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Stats are for losers

Ben is never going to be a great fantasy player but who wins the Super Bowls?

I’ll compare him to someone who plays his position, Terrell Suggs. Woodley can only dream to be as good as Suggs. Suggs strikes fear into offenses, especially ours, as does Palamalu and Harrison. Woodley does not.

Woodley’s impact on the game is unimpressive.

by Yount on Oct 13, 2011 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Here you go again comparing two different positions. ILB and OLB are nowhere near the same position, and for you to compare two players from each position is downright ignorant. I guess we should compare Wallace to Tom Brady, right? Or how about we compare B.J. Raji to Revis while we’re at it?

And does he have the impact that Polamalu or Harrison has? No, but that is not a knock on Woodley’s talent, but more of a testament to Troy and Deebo’s skill. I honestly have no idea why you expect him to be as good as Harrison, aka the best OLB in the league, or Troy, the best SS ever.

“these guy are past their prime”

Thanks for helping my argument. He makes more than Troy and Deebo because they won’t be here in three or four years while Woodley will.

“he has problems getting off that tackle”

I disagree. He is averaging 11.5 sacks per year since he started in 2008 (not including this year, obviously). That is pretty damn good. Then take into account the fact that he drops into coverage quite often (which he excels at), and you have yourself a great OLB.

by Riddlah. on Oct 13, 2011 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm comparing impact on the game

There is nothing special about his coverage skills.

by Yount on Oct 13, 2011 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Name a 3-4 OLB that covers better than him (aside from Harrison).

by Riddlah. on Oct 13, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

What a reach

He’s never been considered some great cover linebacker

by Yount on Oct 13, 2011 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions

So who is better?

by Riddlah. on Oct 13, 2011 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions

you're reaching

by Yount on Oct 13, 2011 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Elaborate.

by Riddlah. on Oct 13, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't care what position they play, he doesn't control and dictate the way offenses play

When experts talk about out defense, I hear about Harrison, Palamalu, Timmons, Ike. Rarely do I hear Woodley.

Quarterbacks don’t fear throwing Woodley way. It’s a huge reach. There playing zone defense. he’s covering a space. He’s not locking up on a tight end or running back and shutting them down. Seriously!

by Yount on Oct 13, 2011 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions

So he’s not a great player because “experts” don’t talk about him?

Yeah, I’m the one reaching.

by Riddlah. on Oct 13, 2011 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

just ignore the rest of my reply

by Yount on Oct 13, 2011 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Just like you ignored my whole paragraph that I foolishly typed out, thinking you were actually going to read it and form an argument that, you know, actually makes sense? Silly me.

And he’s great in zone defense, which is exactly what we need from him. Although I doubt you can appreciate that since your reply makes it seem like playing a zone defense is sooo easy.

by Riddlah. on Oct 13, 2011 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

I’ll stand by my impact on the game argument and you stand by pass coverage skills and those all important stats.

by Yount on Oct 13, 2011 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions

So

sacks don’t have an impact on games?

Lolwat?

by Riddlah. on Oct 13, 2011 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s like saying Ike doesn’t have an impact because he doesn’t have interceptions. Under your theory, offenses should be targeting him because of this stat deficiency.

Suggs doesn’t have the stats that Woodley has but does he have less impact on the game?

Your argument is weak and because you have his picture by your name you defend him with these pitiful points. That’s where the lol comes from.

I didn’t answer your question on who is better because because I do not have the tape or time to look through and see who is better.

But let me ask you, how do you know that he is better than all the other linebackers when it comes to pass coverage? You just know.

I watched the first four games and a top 5 linebacker he is not.

by Yount on Oct 14, 2011 6:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Suggs actually has better stats than Woodly because he is a better player. No one is arguing that. And don’t ever call my argument weak again when your whole argument is “I’m pretty sure he doesn’t make an impact on the game”, and “he’s not great because I don’t hear experts talking about him”. At least I could post a few stats to back up my stance. Have you? No. Because there are none to support your “argument”, if you can even call it that. So, until you can actually contribute something worthwhile to this debate, don’t bother posting back with your oh-so-unimportant opinions, whick you are obviously mistaking for facts.

by Riddlah. on Oct 14, 2011 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions

EPIC Woodley Debate!!!

Enjoyed it, fellas! The truth may be somewhere in the middle (just my opinion), but you guys definitely brought the passion!

by crosby87 on Oct 14, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I feel like we had a ridiculous draft class this year.

Heyward, Gilbert, Batch, and Carter (from the early reviews) all seem like solid starters or All-Pro (Heyward) players in the future. Haven’t seen too much of Brown or Allen, but I think one of them will pan out as a starting corner. That would mean an absolutely ridiculous draft class.

by JDSpartan on Oct 13, 2011 12:09 AM EDT reply actions

yea

i personally have as high if not higher hopes for allen and particularly brown as i do any of those other guys. but all in all, i agree. didn’t seem too sexy of a draft class, but could be quite solid. hopefully.

Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)

by Michael Bean on Oct 13, 2011 4:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Blitz, don't forget about TE Saunders and Big Daddy T Trevis Turner ...

I consider them a part of this draft as well, along with RB John Clay. Heyward and Gilbert look like players who can start this year and hold their own. Saunders can really be a weapon for this team in those double and 3-tight end sets near the goal-line. Big Ben is starting to look for him a little bit more on the field. Great hands and size. I am also excited by C. Allen and C. Brown. Both have played well on special teams. Chris Carter needs to get stronger, but he’ll figure it out. Love his motor.

Here’s hoping that Ben getting rid of the ball quickly to his playmakers becomes the norm this year and not the exception. I am hoping that the light finally has gone off that he doesn’t have to hold on to the ball and take the punishment that he’s taken over the years. I am starting the bandwagon now on resigning Max to a two-year deal, lol.

by datruth4life2.0 on Oct 13, 2011 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

well said

just posted on a different thread. Ben has to get the ball out quick and let his horses do the running – a 4 yard reception is much better then a 7 yard sack.

by SteelerBuddha on Oct 13, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

+11

If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made product that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.

by SNW on Oct 13, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

This

according to many, the Steelers should have reached for an O lineman instead of shoring up the D line. I love the future of this team.

People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee

by stillergorillar on Oct 13, 2011 8:38 AM EDT reply actions

4 man rush

Great effort by Heyward against a pro-bowler!

It would be fantastic to see the steelers generate more of this type of pressure with non-blitz configurations – 3-4 man rushes going forward. That would make life so much easier on our secondary

by SteelerBuddha on Oct 13, 2011 9:25 AM EDT reply actions

being able to get pressure with four is going to become extremely needed with the passing offenses blowing up as they are. similar to the way giants 4-3 did against patsies in 07

by klompus on Oct 13, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Gotta feeling Deebo is going to come back rested ...

and angry with his back feeling much better. I bet his first game back will be against the Ravens.

by datruth4life2.0 on Oct 13, 2011 10:24 AM EDT reply actions

that’d be noice

by klompus on Oct 13, 2011 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I need to see more... much more-

But i am very encouraged early!

by crosby87 on Oct 13, 2011 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

i wish they’d credit players for a sack on intentional grounding plays. cam heyward… he makes me tingle

by klompus on Oct 13, 2011 12:46 PM EDT reply actions

where?

"I think the beard will decide when the time is right to come back. It will know when the time is right and all of a sudden appear." -The Deisel

by count'em_six on Oct 13, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

all the right places

by klompus on Oct 13, 2011 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

"I think the beard will decide when the time is right to come back. It will know when the time is right and all of a sudden appear." -The Deisel

by count'em_six on Oct 13, 2011 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Man im so glad Cam got some recognition on this blog

I thought those two plays were awesome for a rookie DE in our scheme. he is showing signs that he’s progressing much faster than ziggy did. maybe next year we draft casey’s future replacement and the D line will be ridiculously good.

" I dont put anybody above my law, that is if I hit you you're gonna fall" - Greg Lloyd

by Samoan_Esco on Oct 16, 2011 1:23 AM EDT reply actions