Tag: Cameron Heyward

Six former Ohio State football players listed in the 2021 NFL Top 100 list

The NFL Top 100 list is out for this season, and this time, six former Buckeyes appear. Can you name them without looking?

It’s become an annual tradition of sorts, the NFL Top 100 players as judged by and voted on by the players themselves, and published on NFL.com heading into a season. In the past, we’ve seen plenty of former Ohio State players appear on the list, and it’s no different in 2021.

Al told, there are six former Buckeyes appearing on this year’s version of the best 100 players in the NFL and we’re going to run through them for you. Keep in mind though, it was an interesting year last season with a slew of injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic.

So, like every other year, players that are on the list fall, gain, and even no longer appear, all because of mostly unforeseen circumstances. Still, six players from one school in the top 100 among the highest league in the world isn’t too shabby.

Here are all six former Buckeyes appearing in the NFL Top 100 list for this upcoming2021-2022 season.

The NFL’s top 11 interior defensive linemen

Modern interior defensive linemen are asked to do more than ever. Who are the NFL’s best interior disruptors today?

As is the case with most other defensive positions in the modern NFL, interior defensive linemen are generally asked to play more positions more adeptly than at any time in the history of pro football. It’s not often that you’ll see a defensive tackle playing just defensive tackle throughout a full season — the old-school difference between run-stopping behemoths and quicker 3-tech quarterback killers just doesn’t exist anymore. Whether you’re tipping the scales at 350 pounds like Tampa Bay’s Vita Vea, or terrorizing enemy signal-callers with an unholy combination of strength and quickness like the 6-foot-1, 280-pound Aaron Donald is able to do, you’d better be able to do it from just about everywhere along the line if you want to make it anywhere near any list of the league’s best Big Guys Who Disrupt.

We’ve called this list “The NFL’s top 11 interior defensive linemen,” but in truth, interior defensive linemen also play the edge, and they also stunt pressure from just about every gap.

When these guys do play inside, their ability to disrupt from the inside is more important than it’s been in previous generations. With the NFL moving to more of a quick (zero- to three-step drop passing game), edge guys don’t always have time to get home before the quarterback gets rid of the ball. So, the inside guys, who don’t have edges to bend, had better get there more often. Oh, and you still have to be a dominant run-stopper. Just a few things to keep together!

With that in mind, here are the top 11 interior (and often outside) defensive linemen in the NFL today.

(All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions. PFF counts half-sacks as full sacks, and that is often reflected in our pressure totals).

The NFL’s best pass-rushers from every gap

Who are the NFL’s best pass-rushers from every gap and with every technique?

In modern NFL defenses, it’s exceedingly rare for a defensive lineman to spend his time in one gap, playing one particular technique. Actually, in modern NFL defenses, it’s pretty unusual for a defensive lineman to spend his time in one gap, playing one particular technique, for more than a few plays in a row. Never has the need been more great for linemen — especially pass-rushers — to get to the quarterback in different ways. It’s why you’ll often find that the best pass-rushers are getting to the quarterback with not only different techniques, but from different gaps.

That said, and in an era of gap diversity, there’s still a need for players to dominate from specific gaps and with different techniques. With that in mind, and using the Sports Info Solutions database to narrow it down, here are the most productive pass-rushers from every gap from the 2020 season.

(All metrics courtesy of Sports Info Solutions)

Four former Ohio State players make Pro Bowl rosters

Rosters for the 2020-2021 Pro-Bowl were announced Monday, and four former Ohio State players have been recognized.

The NFL Pro Bowl rosters were announced Monday and there’s a decent Ohio State flavor to it. In all, four former Buckeyes made it as All-Pro. It probably could have been more, but with Nick Bosa and Michael Thomas dealing with injuries, that takes two potential players out of the mix.

Still, though, we can celebrate the four former OSU players that did get the nod and look forward to many more in years to come. Included in the four are three defensive lineman and a defensive back. There are veterans, a rookie, and multiple-year Pro-Bowlers included among the group that will miss out on playing the game this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Simply being named to the Pro-Bowl is recognition enough for many though. You can also be on the lookout for these rosters coming to the virtual Pro Bowl on Madden NFL 21.

So, what four Buckeyes made the cut? We are glad you asked.

NEXT … The rookie

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Instant analysis: Bills show they love primetime again vs. Steelers

Instant analysis of the Buffalo Bills’ Week 14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on primetime Sunday Night Football.

The Buffalo Bills seem to enjoy the national stage.

For the second consecutive week, the Bills sent a statement by winning in convincing fashion in front of a nationwide audience, this time besting the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers, 26-15, on Sunday Night Football.

The defenses were on display in the first half. Pittsburgh’s plan was to apply intense pressure through the interior of the Bills offensive line. Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward was a thorn in the side of Buffalo’s O-line, constantly finding a way into the Bills’ backfield. This knocked the offense out of rhythm, as Buffalo’s offense could only muster three points in the first half.

But the Bills defense would not be outshined, as they limited the Steelers (11-2) to one score in the first half. Pittsburgh scored on a 19-yard pass to James Washington, where they inherited a short field after a fumble. While the Bills (10-3) offense could only get in position for a field goal, the defense found a way to help out.

Slot cornerback Taron Johnson picked off Roethlisberger late in the half, giving the Bills a 9-7 lead heading into the halftime break. It was the type of opening half of football Bills fan haven’t seen often, if at all, in 2020. Then the team had another thing in store for the fans in the third quarter: Good football.

Buffalo made some big adjustments entering the second half. To neutralize the Steelers pass rush, the Bills double-teamed Hewyard and limited his effectiveness. The Bills moved Allen out of the pocket more often in the second half, and the line did a good job at matching up with the remainder of the Steelers’ front-seven. Furthermore, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll called more time passes, which allowed Allen to get the ball out of his hands quicker. All of this led to Buffalo scoring on their first two drives of the second half. Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis were on the receiving end of Allen touchdown passes after the Bills turned the ball over twice in the first half.

Diggs was dominant in the game, running wild against the Pittsburgh defense. The wideout caught 10 passes for 130 yards and he had an impressive run-after-the-catch for a touchdown. Diggs now has 100 receptions on the season, tying Eric Moulds’ team-record that was set during the 2002 season.

Along with the overall team improvements, Allen was impressive as the game progressed. After a challenging first half, the signal-caller was decisive with his passes. His score to Gabriel Davis was a high-point for the night, as Allen looked off the safety, gave a quick shoulder fake, and fired a pass to the side of the end zone.

Buffalo’s defense kept everything in check in the second half. They denied Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger any chance at hitting a big play, as Big Ben was forced to look underneath for most of the game. Once he dared to go deep, cornerback Levi Wallace intercepted Roethlisberger late in the fourth quarter, giving the ball to Allen. The Bills offense milked the remainder of the clock, moving Buffalo to 10-3 on the season.

Pittsburgh could only put up 224 total years on the game. Roethlisberger was picked off twice and went 21-of-37 for 187 passing yards. The Steelers leading rusher, James Conner, only gained 18 yards on 10 carries. He had 17 rushing yards at halftime.

Safety Jordan Poyer led the way with nine tackles on the night. Matt Milano returned from injury and recorded the only sack of the game for the Bills.

It was an impressive win for the Bills, as now they are part of the conversation for moving into the top spots in the AFC playoff race. They are third in the conference, two games behind the Chiefs and one game back of Pittsburgh. They are knocking on the door of their first divisional crown in 25 years, as they have a two-game lead on the Dolphins in the AFC East.

What makes all of this most exciting might be this Bills team trending upward, in a big way, at the perfect time of the season.

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What is Robert Downey Jr. sending Cam Heyward in return for game-worn jersey?

Robert Downey Jr. is sending Cameron Heyward a great gift in return for a game-used jersey

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Cameron Heyward sent a game-worn jersey to actor Robert Downey. Jr. In return, the Steelers’ great defensive lineman is getting a sweet gift.

Check out the video to find out what Heyward will be receiving shortly.

Giants dropped by Steelers, 26-16: Instant analysis

Instant analysis of the New York Giants’ 26-16 season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football.

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The Joe Judge era began for the New York Giants in bizarre fashion with no fans in the stands due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Judge broke the team down before the game to further his bond with his players.

For the first time since 2004, the Giants started a quarterback other than Eli Manning in Daniel Jones. Unfortunately for the Giants, they picked up right where they left off in 2019, playing losing football. They dropped their season debut, 26-16, to the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on Monday night.

Although the Giants had some life to them and they hustled, they were no match for the Steelers, who had Ben Roethlisberger under center and a defensive front that just simply dominated the Giants’ new-look offensive line.

The Giants surprisingly put quite a bit of pressure on Big Ben, sacking him twice, but the future Hall of Famer made the best of his opportunities, tossing three touchdowns — one to James Washington and two to JuJu Smith-Schuster.

The Giants scored their first touchdown on a 41-yard touchdown strike from Jones (26/41, 279 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT for a 79.2 QBR) to wide receiver Darius Slayton. That was really the lone highlight of the evening. The rest was not very pretty.

The offensive line was overrun by Pittsburgh’s front seven. Nick Gates, playing his first game at center was less than impressive, whiffing on several blocks and the communication seemed to be lacking. Jones was hit often and Saquon Barkley was smothered on most plays. He gained just six yards on 15 carries.

Jones was prone to errors again in this game, throwing two puzzling interceptions that proved to be costly. The first one was right into the leaping arms of an anticipatory T.J. Watt on the Giants’ 35 yard-line that was turned into a Pittsburgh touchdown six plays later.

The second was an ill-advised throw against the grain in the red zone where Bud Dupree hit the ball out of Jones’ hand causing the ball to pop up in the air for an easy pick by Cam Heyward. Jones should have either taken a sack or try to run for it rather that throw.

The defense did show some improvement but still allowed 26 points. Inside linebacker Blake Martinez led the way 12 total tackles. The Steelers lost James Conner to an injury in the first half and was spelled by Benny Snell, who rushed for 113 yards.

Did I mention that Darius Slayton caught six of his nine targets for 102 yards and two touchdowns? Well, he did and could been his way o that breakout year.

One player who is not on his way to a breakout season is tight end Evan Engram, who caught two of seven targets for nine yards and had a reception called back on an offensive pass interference call. He also had two drops.

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Big men on Steelers’ defense come up with pair of picks

T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward have added catching the ball as well as sacking QBs to their games.

Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt are best known for taking down quarterbacks and piling up sacks. In the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 26-16 victory over the New York Giants Monday night, the defensive stalwarts each picked off a Daniel Jones pass.

First. Watt. He fooled the second-year QB and made him pay with a spectacular pick. Wide receivers would be jealous of those hands.

Then, the play that broke the game open and shattered the Giants’ spirit. Big Blue had done a service-academy march down the field and was on its 19th — 19th!!! — play when Jones did the one thing he couldn’t do: Give Bud Dupree credit for the pressure but the Giants’ QB had no business floating that duck.

It wound up in the hands of Heyward, the veteran defensive tackle and any doubt to the result was erased.

 

Cameron Heyward hauls in lame duck interception of Giants’ Daniel Jones

Former Ohio State and current Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward picked off a lame-duck Daniel Jones’ pass on Monday Night Football.

We had plenty of highlights from former Ohio State players to watch during NFL action on Sunday, and it looks like it’s going to continue on Monday Night Football.  Bring in veteran Steelers’ defensive lineman Cameron Heyward to keep the Buckeyes in the NFL party machine going.

We’re not sure Heyward will ever get too many interceptions as easy as the one that he corraled during against quarterback Daniel Jones and the New York Giants. As a matter of fact, it was really a case of being in the right place at the right time.

Watch as Jones drops back and has a massive brain cramp, throwing off his back foot with serious pressure in his face. That rarely ends well, and in this case the main benefactor was Heyward who showed little celebration. Instead, he looked to be more in disbelief as he jumped in the air and picked off the pass among a group of about five Pittsburgh players that could have all had their number called.

Click on the below and see a serious error in judgment by Jones thanks to the Ohio State Football Twitter account.

We’re still trying to figure out what Jones was doing here, or what was going through his mind. If you can figure it out, let us know.

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Cameron Heyward and Steelers agree on massive four-year contract extension

According to reports, former Ohio State and current Steelers D-lineman Cameron Heyward has signed a massive 4-year contract extension.

Former Ohio State and current Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward is on the cusp of a sizable contract extension according to multiple reports.

Heyward was taken by the Steelers in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft and has been performing at a high level ever since. You could make the case that nobody on Pittsburgh’s roster has meant more to the team’s defense than what Heyward has over the last few years, and he just keeps getting better with age. He’s made the Pro-Bowl the last three seasons and still might be one of the most underrated players in the league.

But not to the Steelers’ organization and fans. It appears as though the former Ohio State All-American is on the cusp of signing a massive four-year extension that would total $71.4 million. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and confirmed by Ian Rapoport.

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It’s great to see all the hard work and production finally pay off. Nobody deserves it more, and it’s another example of a former Ohio State football player getting paid.

 

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.

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