At some point between now and the start of the 2015 regular-season, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward is expected to sign a very lucrative contract extension similar to the one that New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan signed earlier this week. Being as today is Throwback Thursday and Heyward has been the topic of several discussions this past week, we will dedicate this #TBT post to his first career sack which came during his rookie season against the Tennessee Titans.
Outside of Heyward winning his one-on-one leverage battle with Titans left guard Leroy Harris on this 3rd and 1 play in the Steelers 38-17 win, there’s not too much to set up or breakdown. The Steelers are in their nickel sub package and only rush four against a five-man Titans protection. With the Titans choosing to protect heavy on the right side, Chris Hoke receives the double-team and that leaves Heyward singled up on Harris.
Not only does Heyward get his first career sack of Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck on that play, he also registered his first career forced fumble. He’s gone on to record 14 more sacks since that first one with 7.5 of them coming last season.