Cam Heyward grew up playing high school basketball in Georgia and, on a few occasions, had the chance to face a power forward who became one of the game’s greatest shot blockers.
The Steelers' All-Pro defensive tackle wasn’t as dominant on the hardwood as Dwight Howard, the future eight-time NBA All-Star and three-time defensive player of the year. But Heyward has become proficient at rejecting, deflecting and occasionally grabbing balls on the gridiron.
Over the past six seasons, he has been credited with 25 passes defensed. Because we know he is rarely asked to drop into coverage, almost all of his breakups come from batting down and tipping passes. Monday night, he got his hands up on a first-quarter Justin Fields offering and intercepted the ball. The turnover led to a touchdown en route to a 29-27 win over the Bears at Heinz Field.
“It’s funny, we were working on the drill (last) Wednesday, me and a couple of ball boys, equipment guys, and our strength coach,” said Heyward, who has two career INTs. “We did the drill, me getting my hands on the offender, and then trying to catch the pick, and then it pays off.”
Heyward, who’s enjoying an outstanding season, leads the Steelers in passes defensed with six. Edge rusher T.J. Watt, who’s also skilled at deflecting balls, ranks tied for second with four.
It might not sound like an art form — defensive linemen are taught to get their hands up when passes are thrown — but the good ones develop the skill over time. Among defensive linemen, Heyward’s six passes defensed lead the NFL.
“It’s a feel, really, as you’re rushing,” Keith Butler said. “Sometimes, the offensive linemen do what we call ‘short set,’ when they’re throwing quick rhythm passes. The quarterback hits his third step, he’s gonna let the ball go. It’s a feel for the game, really, more than anything else.”
Watt’s brother, J.J., has been a sultan of swat since entering the league in 2011 with 63 passes defensed.
The Steelers' superstar edge rusher said multiple factors go into deciding when to continue a rush and when to abandon it and try for the deflection.
“It’s a combination of a lot of things,” said T.J. Watt, who has 29 passes defensed in five seasons. “What kind of coverage you are getting in the back end. Knowing down and distance and formation structures. Quick passes, stuff like that. It’s also getting your eyes on the quarterback. . . . If you know you are not going getting much traction — you have an internal clock just like a quarterback has — at some point you have to say, ‘screw the rush’ and get your hands up.’”
While NBA players such as Howard don’t worry about injuries on a shot-block attempt, it can be a bit dicey for football players who choose to leave their feet. Offensive linemen are taught to hammer pass rushers in the chest or gut, or pull down on their jerseys as the defenders jump.
“You definitely face a risk,” T.J. Watt said. “But there is a risk with everything in this game.”
T.J. Watt took a playful jab of his own at his teammate.
“Cam is so dang tall, he doesn’t really have to jump, and when he jumps he doesn’t get far enough off the ground for guys to even push him over,” he said.
After Monday game, Heyward was asked what Mike Tomlin said to him as he reached the sideline after the interception.
“I don’t know what he called me, but I just told him, “I told you I’ve got hands,’ ” Heyward said. “Maybe we can run the fake field goals to me now.”
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° An NFL rookie season is often stressful — even for the best young players. If Najee Harris is feeling pressure, he isn’t showing it around teammates, or the media.
Following Monday night’s win, ESPN Deportes reporter John Sutcliffe interviewed the running back on the field. Hilarity ensued.
Najee Harris after the game! 🤣 #Steelers pic.twitter.com/Jm8N0thWXI
— That Blitz Guy (@ThatBlitzGuy) November 9, 2021
Harris began to sing “Feliz Navidad” for his Spanish-speaking audience before breaking into “Tao, Tao,” the song made famous by the Houston-based Mexican band Groupo Control. Harris also showed off a few dance steps.
“He’s an animated guy,” Kevin Dotson said of his teammate. “It’s one of the funniest things I’ve seen on an interview. I definitely feel like he’s going to be doing that for awhile.”
Watt marveled at Harris and his ability to improvise for the camera.
“That was hilarious,” Watt said. “I wish I could come up with some of that stuff on the spot like he does. He’s loose, man. He has a lot of fun. I love it. Like I tell people all the time, it’s so hard to make plays, so hard to make it to the National Football League let alone be a starting running back. In your rookie year, having the success he’s having, why not have fun? This is a game at the end of the day. We are entertainers. There’s so much pressure on the line. It’s refreshing to see a guy who puts in the work and enjoys himself.”