PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pro Football Focus says Cam Heyward was the Steelers best player Sunday and one of the best in the league opening week. Heyward says he doesn’t rank his performances.
“If Sunday is one of my greatest games, so be it,” Heyward said. “That just means I have to play better. I’m not going to settle that it’s one of my greatest performances.”
Heyward had four tackles, a sack, tackle for loss, a quarterback hurry, forced fumble and a fumble recovery against the Bills. All by the 32-year-old captain.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin started in camp joking with Heyward about his age. He continues to do so as the season began. Tuesday, Tomlin implored the media or anyone who sees Heyward. Call the 32-year-old, old.
“Cam is one of those guys that’s always looking for reasons to rise up in the face of something,” Tomlin said. “You throw his age in his face, and even though he knows what you're doing, he has to respond. That's the competitor that that man is. So please keep talking about it.”
“We fully expect him to continue to do what it is that he's doing and has done for us, which is not only make quality plays, but be a quality leader.”
Heyward said its a side motivator, there are a lot of things that keep him working hard. Seems like continuing to earn respect is among them.
“If I could be honest,” Heyward said. “There are a lot of other players that are really good at my position. I don’t see the reason why they are better than me. I feel like I put in the work. I try to be the best D-lineman in the league.”
So why has this ‘old man’ continued to play at a high level in a young man’s game?
“I think I continue to grow,” Heyward said. “The more I know. The more my body can do. I put in a lot of work in the off-season to continue to grow and continue to learn. The things I know now that I didn’t know at 21, I wish I knew.”
“You learn how to take care of your body better. You learn how to learn your hands more. It’s a culmination of things you just continue to grow at.”
One of the areas, Heyward says he’s able to take more risks now because he knows what he’s doing.
“Just his preparation and how much he cares about his craft,” said 34-year-old veteran defensive lineman Tyson Alualu. “You see him out here every day. He doesn’t have to be here at practice, but he still enjoys it. He approaches the game as if he’s trying to earn something.”
“With all the accolades that he already has, none of that means anything if he’s not still producing. This is a production league. You see the by-product of all the hard work he puts in during the off-season and here at practice.”
“I see his film. I’m a big fan of how he plays. The same thing he does on Sunday is the same thing he does in practice. It’s the kind of leader that you want. You want to go out there and not let him down with how you play.”