Cameron Heyward: Steelers' defense won't change much under new defensive coordinator

[polamalubeast]

Cameron Heyward: Steelers' defense won't change much under new defensive coordinator Keith Butler


http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000493923/article/cameron-heyward-no-big-changes-under-keith-butler?campaign=Twitter_atn

[hawaiiansteeler]

Signing Cam Heyward to extension now makes sense for Steelers

Jeremy Fowler, ESPN Senior NFL Writer

A contract extension for Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward would cost more up front, but would be cost-effective in the long term for an ascending player who's not yet a household name.

The Steelers want Heyward to be a Steeler long-term and have told Heyward as much. Heyward wants to be a Steeler, and a Steeler great -- "that means being here the rest of my life, football included, and after," Heyward told local reporters Thursday. Heyward will play the good-teammate role, assuring he won't "ruffle feathers or make waves," but would love a deal eventually.

The Steelers have a history of finalizing deals for key players as they enter the final year of a rookie contract, so expect talks to intensify this summer.

Here are three reasons why doing a deal before the 2015 season makes sense.

Save long-term money: Heyward has a 2015 option for about $7 million. If he has a huge 2015 season, the Steelers are on the hook for that $7 million, plus a new deal.

If the team franchise-tagged Heyward after this year, they could be on the hook for $20-plus million for two years. They could probably pay less than that in up-front guarantees if they cut the deal now.

The meter's running: The Saints' Cameron Jordan, the Jets' Muhammad Wilkerson, the Chiefs' Dontari Poe are all expensive linemen who might get new deals soon.

to read rest of article:

http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/13899/three-challenges-for-steelers-ben-roethlisberger-after-signing-99-m-deal

[86WARD]

As usual, that makes too much sense...