Where do you Rank Heyward amongst Steelers all-time DT/DE’s amongst other Steelers?

When I reference De’s I do not mean the typical outside edge players in a base 3-4 that are more like OLB’s. I mean 3-4 DE’s or traditional DT’s. I understand NT’s are different from 3and 5 Technique DT’s and DE’s but I think you guys understand what I mean here.

My ranking are:

1. Joe Greene
2. LC Greenwood
3. Cam Heyward
4. Ernie Stautner
5. Dwight White
6. Casey Hampton
7. Aaron Smith
8. Ernie Holmes
9. Brett Kiesel
10. Stephon Tuitt

 

Aaron Smith played in a specific 3-4 system, but he was the best to ever to do it in that system.

 

I would agree but I think Heyward was better but it is hard to compare because they play in different systems. One was gap contain and one is gap penetration.

 

One of the most underrated players I can think of off the top of my head.

 

Definitely top 5. His legacy may be tainted by the lack of postseason success however.

 

Will Watt's legacy be tainted for a lack of post season success?

 

Heyward=Mr. regular season

 

Yeah, he really hasn't taken over any game in the post-season like he has in the regular season.

I wouldn't say so. He's missed a few of those and the ones he was in, he was really the only bright spot on defense. How many of us actually had a thought of winning after he scored against the Chiefs?

 

Please get Tuitt off the list. When healthy and properly motivated he could be a beast…… BUT he only hit beast mode for what would amount to about a season.

I consider him closer to a bust than a legacy all-time great. SO Much unrealized Potential!!

Cajun

 

Fair but who do you put in his place?

 

Keith Willis………. Honorable mention to Steve Furness

Cajun

 

I would say Kirland as he was a basically the size of a DE, but he was in ILB. Man I would love to see him in the middle with some of these TE in todays game!

 

For sure you have the list right. Mean Joe Greene needs to be at the top for sure!!

 

I loved him as a MLB. He would be a bad fit in todays NFL though. He would be a DL probably a DT.

 

I mean, I don't think he's a legacy great but Tuitt was an excellent player. VERY far from a bust, MUCH closer to a legacy great than he was to a bust. Sad that his career got cut short the way it did.

 

i can't put Tuitt on this list

he had 1.5 good seasons.

he played the other part of his career a few games and then was out the rest of the season with the (pect?) injury.

had great POTENTIAL but cannot be on this list.

I never saw Stautner play.

But yes - Cam is right there where you have him, IMO. He has been a GREAT STEELER.

 

He had ONE Great year and two other solid seasons, out of an 8 year career that includes one season in which he quit the team due to grieving the loss of his brother in an accident. His career didn’t get cut short , he decided to retire because he had made a boat load of money and his heart just wasn’t into it any more after having been off a year. Not judging , if had made his money and was young and healthy and just dealt with the loss of a close relative I may have quit football too.

Either way, I see him as a player that when drafted had a chance to be a HOFer someday but he only flashed that in what has become he final active season.

Also, he doesn’t belong on that list of top ten. Just my opinion .

Cajun

 

Regular season warrior. Invisible man in the playoffs.

 

I think Joel Steed should be on this list.

 

Furness a good choice. Hard to get recognition with Green, Greenwood, and White, but he was very very good.

 

Who Mike Tomlin?

 

How many rings does Cam have ? Mr Irrelevant in the playoffs ! Under top 15th imo.

 

Well he never actually played in his 8th season, but year. I mean he was peaking into his mid-late 20's. He looked to be on a Heyward-esque rise.

I consider his career to be "cut short"... even if he "chose" to play, his head wouldn't have been in it and he either would have played poorly or got hurt. Something out of his control caused him to leave football. It was sad.

I can agree that maybe he doesn't belong on the list potentially, but if Keisel is on the list... then Tuitt is. Both really good players, but Tuitt was every bit as good if not better. Just my opinion.

 

Tomlin at least has some hardware.
I love Heyward, but he’s either injured or invisible come playoffs.