Twenty-four hours ago I called for the Steelers to forego a pick in the first round. Then Cameron Heyward, son of late University of Pittsburgh stud Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, managed to fall behind a bunch of defensive ends, which is largely ludicrous.
Most of you, no doubt, had a mostly SportsCenter-based view of Heyward. Sure, the Buckeyes are a top team and spent plenty of time on national television, but with well over 100 D-I teams, those replays can get lost in the noise.
But me...well...my wife is a huge OSU fan. I've spent more than the average Joe's share of time watching the kid.
Well, he's something special.
Let's just talk about his build for a second. His body is a cross between Jevon Kearse's lean, chiseled shape and LaMarr Woodley's brute strength. Basically, he looks like Osi Umenoyira at 125-percent scale. What that gives him is the strength to take on an offensive tackle with a bull rush but the speed to beat him when called upon to do so. Trust me, dude's got wheels.
As far as technique goes, he has very fast feet, slides along the line as well as anyone I have seen and has a complete arsenal of moves.
Possibly the best part is he played four years in the Big Ten where offensive lines tower like Washington Redwoods -- they don't call it big for nothin'. That translates well to the NFL, giving him a full four seasons of experience against larger linemen -- many of whom have or will make it to the NFL -- making him ready to step in and contribute from Day One, even if it does mean simply spelling Brett Kiesel or Aaron Smith from time to time.
So, it doesn't bother me that the Steelers opted to pass on reaching for a cornerback, or even trading out of the round for extra picks. When a top-15 talent falls to the 31st spot, you take him. I don't care if he's a long-snapper, punter or even a waterboy. If he's better than the position in which you are picking, you pull the trigger.
Grade: A - This could have been an A+ only if someone like Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara had fallen to this point.
Most of you, no doubt, had a mostly SportsCenter-based view of Heyward. Sure, the Buckeyes are a top team and spent plenty of time on national television, but with well over 100 D-I teams, those replays can get lost in the noise.
But me...well...my wife is a huge OSU fan. I've spent more than the average Joe's share of time watching the kid.
Well, he's something special.
Let's just talk about his build for a second. His body is a cross between Jevon Kearse's lean, chiseled shape and LaMarr Woodley's brute strength. Basically, he looks like Osi Umenoyira at 125-percent scale. What that gives him is the strength to take on an offensive tackle with a bull rush but the speed to beat him when called upon to do so. Trust me, dude's got wheels.
As far as technique goes, he has very fast feet, slides along the line as well as anyone I have seen and has a complete arsenal of moves.
Possibly the best part is he played four years in the Big Ten where offensive lines tower like Washington Redwoods -- they don't call it big for nothin'. That translates well to the NFL, giving him a full four seasons of experience against larger linemen -- many of whom have or will make it to the NFL -- making him ready to step in and contribute from Day One, even if it does mean simply spelling Brett Kiesel or Aaron Smith from time to time.
So, it doesn't bother me that the Steelers opted to pass on reaching for a cornerback, or even trading out of the round for extra picks. When a top-15 talent falls to the 31st spot, you take him. I don't care if he's a long-snapper, punter or even a waterboy. If he's better than the position in which you are picking, you pull the trigger.
Grade: A - This could have been an A+ only if someone like Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara had fallen to this point.
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