Steelers DT Cam Heyward on Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers, and Ohio State draft prospects

DF: Before we get into you and the Steelers and your career and all that, I wanted to ask you about this Ohio State draft class. You’re a Buckeye, so you may have been following this particular group, especially on defense. This is insane, man. There could be three Ohio State defensive players going in the top 10: (linebacker/EDGE) Arvell Reese, (linebacker) Sonny Styles, and (defensive back) Caleb Downs. How closely have you watched these guys, and what’s your overall impression of what they’ve done already, and their NFL futures?

CH: Well, as a Buckeye, you always go back and watch your team and you’re proud of what they’ve done throughout the years, Caleb, I’ve known since he was like yay high, because his mom actually taught at my high school, and she almost failed my co-host (Hayden Walsh) for my podcast. So we were always thankful that she let him pass. But, you know, watching (defensive tackle) Kayden (McDonald) as well — they’re all athletic, and they bring so much. They play the game the right way, and they’re difference-makers. I think they’re going to be that in the next level.

You know, I think Caleb’s already got a head start because he has (his brother) Josh (Indianapolis Colts receiver Josh Downs) to learn from and his dad (former NFL running back and current athletic trainer) Gary Downs) as well. But it’s really a pleasure to watch these guys continue to just keep doing the things the right way and make Ohio State proud.

DF: I got to interview and watch tape with Caleb for the Athlon Sports Draft Preview magazine cover story. I don’t think I’ve ever interviewed, certainly not from college, a guy who was smarter in a football sense. I’ve heard reports where he’ll go into 30 visits with NFL teams, and detail the whole defensive install, and where he fits. NFL teams are thinking, “Whoa, we don’t usually see this.”

CH: Yeah. And I will say, he’s very humble, too. I saw him three weeks ago when I was just walking around the Ohio State campus, and they were showing me around.

He was like, “I think you probably don’t remember me.”

And I was like, “Oh, I remember you. I remember you being a terror as a young kid.”

And now, he’s a terror on the field. I’m so happy for his family. They are all very deserving of this moment, and I can’t wait to watch him succeed at the next level.

DF: Obviously, it’s a big time of transition for your team. First new head coach since 2007. Fourth head coach since men walked on the moon in 1969, which is nuts.

CH: Yeah, exactly.

DF: Looking back for a second, could you tell me a story about Mike Tomlin that people might not know that personifies what he has been to you as a person and as a coach?

CH: You know, I could look back and speak to a bunch of moments. I was literally talking to him yesterday and congratulating him on his new job.

DF: Which he’ll be great at, of course. He’s such a great speaker.

CH: He is. And the way he’s approaching it is really special. He said he was spending time studying John Madden. And for a guy that has had so much success to say, “I’ve got to humble myself, and really learn this business.” That speaks a lot to what he did day in and day out (as a coach). He never took a job for granted, and he wanted to make sure he did it the right way. And I know he’s going to kill it at the next level.

DF: Your new head coach is obviously a Yinzer through and through — true Pittsburgh guy. What are your initial thoughts of, and interactions with, Mike McCarthy? How that whole thing is starting to go?

CH: It’s great. You know, Mike understands there’s a responsibility here. He’s not just coming to hold the job down. He’s trying to win a Super Bowl here. And he said that from Day 1. There’s expectations when you see those six (Lombardi) Trophies — we have a responsibility. And we’ve got to earn our responsibility to get the next one. I’m excited to take this journey with him. He brings a lot of knowledge from around the league.

I’ve always a lot of respect for him, because his brother actually lived across the street from me years ago. So to have these moments where, you know, he’s from Pittsburgh, I’m from Pittsburgh. It’s going to be really cool to dive down deep into that.

DF: Kind of a Venn diagram there. So, you have been in the league since 2011. You played some really good ball last season at age 36. Knee and ankle issues, but you still had four sacks, 53 pressures, 54 solo tackles, 43 stops, nine tackles for loss… deep breath… four pass breakups, Second-Team All-Pro, First-Team PFF All-Pro. What is your secret to playing interior defensive line at an age where most people who do what you do are either exploring, or already have, broadcasting careers? Because for you to play at this level at your age is rare air. It really is.

CH: I think it comes down to taking care of your body, but also understanding that there’s still more to grasp at. I’m not counting my chickens. I think it’s more… I keep getting better, and keep approaching it the right way, and understanding that there’s more to accomplish.

DF: Because you’ve been in the league so long, you’ve seen a lot of defensive trends. When you came into the league, a lot of teams were still running the Tony Dungy Tampa-2 stuff, which morphed into the Legion of Boom Cover-3 variants. Now everyone’s into the Vic Fangio stuff — shell coverage up top with match concepts underneath, and light boxes.

And obviously from Dick LeBeau to Keith Butler to Teryl Austin to now with Patrick Graham, you guys have had your own philosophies. But how have defenses changed just in general since you came into the league? And has that changed in any way how you line up, any techniques, how you’re deployed, anything like that?

CH: I think versatility has become at an all-time high.

DF: Well, you’ve always had that. One thing that has always blown me away about you is that you can line up anywhere from nose tackle to wide 9 end, and just demolish people.

CH: Yeah. And, you know, it’s not even just for my position now. You know, I think (for a lot of years), we saw the linebacker position only being one way. Now you see safeties playing linebacker, and I think everybody’s relished these opportunities. Just watching the Super Bowl, you watch (Seattle Seahawks defender) Nick Emmanwori. And so, if you can have that position flexibility now, it just benefits your team to an all-time high level. More teams have better defenses, because they’re adjusting to their players rather than a structure where the player has to adjust to that. And I think it’s benefiting teams at a higher level.

DF: Can you tell me a quick Dick LeBeau story? I got to talk to him for about an hour and a half a while back, and he was just giving me a master class on defense. I felt like my head was going to explode. He’s just such a remarkable guy.

CH: Yeah. I talked to him (recently), and we were just talking about how he looks at plays. And, you know, we were talking about the James Harrison of it all and him picking off the ball in the Super Bowl.

And (LeBeau) said, “Well, I want to show this (look), but I’m thinking that.” And then if (the opponent) thinks if he’s doing that, he’s going to think this. And the chess game he was playing at that level is just insane. And the thing that’s crazy about him even now, he’s the sharpest tool in the shed. He knows what was happening in that play, what hand was down for every player. He is just very in tune, and very accustomed to just the game.

He knows how to break it down. And he knows how to set up plays. I don’t think a lot of our defensive coordinators in this league now know how to really have things in your back pocket, or really mix things up, and have different plans.

DF: We don’t know what Aaron Rodgers’ future is yet, but just overall, what was he like? Because there’s so much stuff said about him, but I mean, at his peak, best thrower of the football I’ve ever seen. What was it like being his teammate last year, and how much are you looking forward to hopefully having him in your offense again?

CH: He’s a big team guy, and I don’t think he gets enough credit for that. He really stresses everybody being together. It could be as simple as a Halloween party or a Christmas party, but he wants to make sure everybody’s included in that, and that we grow as a team. He is at the forefront as a leader in those opportunities, which comes with it as a quarterback. But any time you can have a guy who’s a veteran, who’s had the success he has, but still wants to be a part of this, I’m all for that.

DF: Final question — How much do you watch the draft every year? Are you somewhat involved, or is it just for the Steelers, or are you pinned to the screen for three days?

CH: I think in my later years, I’m more pinned to it. I really do have an infatuation with the process and actually getting to know the players. As soon as we draft somebody, I’m usually one of the first call and welcome them. Just around the league, I’m a fan of the game. When (the my Buckeyes go somewhere in the NFL), I’m going to make sure I circle back when I see them.

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