https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking...s-lead-the-way
Watt
Heyward
DeCastro
Tuitt
Watt checks in behind only Aaron Donald and ahead of every other pass rusher in the league. Heyward is just crazy high compared to any other 3-4 end.
Anyone have any insight on why Heyward's age 28-31 seasons are better (by a lot) than his age 22-27 seasons? I can't remember but what changed?
DeCastro?
Originally Posted by Dwinsgames
50 best offensive and defensive line players. OLBs were included.
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As I've said in a couple other threads, Watt is playing at a ridiculous level right now.
It's impressive to have that many players ranked that high.
In regard to Cam Heyward, the defense was changed several years ago. The responsibilities of the DL in general were adjusted to take advantage of the talent in a pass-heavy league.
In the previous defense, the priority of the defensive linemen was gap control to take away openings at the LOS. That's the way the defense was structured over the years in the traditional 3-4 scheme against a more run-oriented offensive league. They linemen were not coached to penetrate, because that would expose holes in the defense. They would take on blockers with the goal to eat up blockers and control them at the LOS and allow the LB's to stay clean and come up to make the tackles because the running lanes would be clogged up with OL and DL. The D-linemen could then work off their blockers to tackle, but they were in a stop-the-run-first technique and mentality. Also, a NT was on the field often, so the bigger bodies were there to primarily stuff the run.
In the modern defensive sets, the Steelers rarely play in a traditional 3-4 defense. They often play in sub-packages, and their responsibilities have been adjusted to play the position with more penetration and pass rushing. Heyward has flourished in the new style of play, and the other position-flexible personnel that they have been trying to assemble has allowed the team to play with a more attacking style at the LOS. The importance of a traditional NT has been strongly reduced, with more players that are actually DT's that are flexible enough to kick out to DE or play over the center if need be depending on the situation and the defense that is called. The roles of these players have completely changed because the rules of the game have changed, and the role those rules have had in giving the advantages to offenses have forced defenses to adjust how they attack modern offenses. Attacking the quarterback and creating negative plays has become more important than ever. Heyward is now doing what he does best much more often.
That's an oversimplification, but it explains the philosophical changes that were made to the defense, and some of the position specific responsibilities.
Ok. I honestly couldn't remember if those changes spanned Cam's career. But stoping and thinking through it, of course they do. Great posting.
Didn’t Cam also deal with some nagging injuries for a few years? When he’s totally healthy he’s a monster.
Has he played enough games to qualify was my question...
In 2016,yes
Since he's listed in the article, I guess?
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