DT Cameron Heyward (6x Pro Bowl, 3x All Pro, Pittsburgh Steelers)

[y0yoyoin]

Ohio State DL Cameron Heyward reportedly had elbow surgery recently, "and may be out for a while."
It sounds like something that could knock Heyward out for February's Combine, and he definitely won't play in next week's Senior Bowl. A powerful down lineman at 6'5/288, Heyward was projected as a late first-round pick.
Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter

 

[Buckskin86]

Surgery hampers Heyward's preparations
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The Columbus Dispatch

It turns out Cameron Heyward's preparation for the NFL draft included a detour this week for surgery to repair an injured elbow.

The outgoing Ohio State senior defensive lineman suffered a hyperextended elbow Jan. 4 in the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas. He returned to Columbus with the team that night, but before the elbow could be taken care of by Ohio State medical personnel, he moved on to the Phoenix area to begin workouts at a training facility there.

Once in Arizona, it was decided by Heyward's new support group that surgery was needed, a source at Ohio State said. The surgery was done at orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews' facility in Alabama, though it wasn't clear whether Andrews performed the procedure.

Neither Heyward nor his mother could be reached for comment.

How it will affect his participation in the NFL scouting combine at Indianapolis in February isn't clear. Heyward was invited to take part in the Senior Bowl next week in Mobile, Ala., but declined because of the injury.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/conten...ry-hampers-heywards-preparations.html?sid=101

 

[Buckskin86]

Additional sources in Columbus have confirmed our breaking story that Heyward underwent surgery on his injured elbow. Further, several of his former Buckeye teammates have confirmed the news. We were told initially that it could be up to three months before Heyward will be able to workout, though we?ve yet to receive additional confirmation on that timetable. We reached out to Heyward?s reps yesterday but were unable to connect to them. More as it comes in.

http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=4291

 

[Buckskin86]

We spoke at length with the agents for Cameron Heyward this evening and they were quite forthright with us. Heyward suffered a hyper-extended elbow during the first half of the Sugar Bowl earlier this month yet continued to play with the injury throughout the entire contest. Heyward?s surgery was performed by Dr James Andrews last week. The recovery process means Heyward is unable to take part in any football related activities for 10-to-12 weeks. He is expected to go to the combine and hopes to compete in some of the drills, except the bench press. The expectations are Heyward will complete a full pro-day workout, minus the bench press, during the Ohio State event in mid-March. He will be on hand tomorrow at the Senior Bowl to meet with scouts, coaches and many of his former Ohio State teammates.

http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=4364

 

[Buckskin86]

Ohio State DE Cam Heyward on his Tommy John surgery: ?I?m not a pitcher, so hopefully I?ll be back sooner.?

After spending all day discussing potential defensive end prospects with scouts and talking to the players themselves at the Senior Bowl practices, so many people mentioned one name: Cameron Heyward.

The Ohio State defensive end, who destroyed Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl with his best game ever, might be the best true five-technique (3-4 DE) in the draft. At 6-foot-5, 288 pounds with a strong body and a high motor, he is the prototype.

Considering the Patriots may be looking in that direction in the first round, I wished I could talk to Heyward, who had bowed out of the game because of elbow surgery. And, then he walked by with his agent, Pat Dye Jr.

So Heyward stopped and chatted, talking about the Patriots (he could be available at 17) and providing an update on his elbow surgery. Want some updates?

?I?m rehabbing,? Heyward told me. ?I had surgery on my elbow after the Bowl game, Tommy John surgery, basically. But I?m not a pitcher, so I should be back a little sooner (laughs).?

What is his plan now?

?Just rehabbing, doing cardio, and running around, doing as much agility and getting ready for the Combine,? Heyward said. ?Hopefully, I?ll be able to do some stuff at the combine. Not benching, but hopefully other stuff. I?m a five-technique, I play a little bit of three-technique and six-technique, as well. But my thoughts on the draft, I?m happy to go wherever. The Patriots obviously want a five-technique, I feel like I could help them. I?m a very versatile guy that can play any position and hopefully I can contribute to any team possible.?

You?ll read more tomorrow, but Heyward did discuss his star turn in New Orleans.

?I think it was a heck of a game,? he said. ?I was lucky enough to be in some spots at the right time, but I went in with the mindset, play my best game of the season. Obviously, I did.?

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/s...ot-a-pitcher-so-hopefully-ill-be-back-sooner/

http://news.bostonherald.com/sports..._could_fill_pats_void/srvc=home&position=also

 

[Buckskin86]

Updated: February 3, 2011
Thirsting For Knowledge
Gatorade Helps Fuel Ware As Mentor
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

Ware also took some time to work on pass-rushing moves with Heyward.

DALLAS - DeMarcus Ware has been a lot of things in his six-year career. He's been an All-Pro, a multiple Pro Bowler and a team captain.

Now, Ware is a mentor - and he can thank Gatorade for that.

The Cowboys' outside linebacker and defensive leader is taking part in a campaign that launches this week that pairs him up with a rookie prospect to make sure both of them properly fuel their body with the right nutrition, including Gatorade of course.

This week, Ware is working with Ohio State defensive end Cameron Heyward, who is projected to be a first-round pick in April's NFL Draft. Heyward is the son of the late former Saints running back Craig "Ironhead" Heyward.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=EEBF93DD-D684-520A-E8B94DC318ED7798

 

[Buckskin86]

Heyward mending after surgery
Defensive end may not be 100 percent for NFL combine
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
By Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Cameron Heyward said he is well on the road to recovery from surgery on his left elbow.

"It went really well," the former Ohio State defensive end said of the procedure done by orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews two weeks ago. "I had one of the best doctors in the world perform it, and he did a heck of a stitching job. I've already got my stitches out, and I'm starting to get back into it."

So much so that Heyward took part in a promotion put on last week by the Gatorade Sports Science Institute. He was put through a battery of tests that determined his metabolic rate, measured his body composition in terms of body fat, tested his power and fatigue levels and gauged his cognitive ability both at rest and under stress.

Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware served as his mentor throughout the process. So how did Heyward do?

"I'm not going to beat around the bush - I got my butt kicked," he said. "But it was the first test; they are going to do it again in about eight weeks, and hopefully I will improve quite a bit."

Heyward had an excuse. He was still recovering from the surgery that repaired a hyperextension injury he suffered during the Buckeyes' Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas on Jan.4. The day after returning from New Orleans, he left to train in Arizona in preparation for the NFL combine at the end of February in Indianapolis. It was at the training camp where medical personnel recommended he undergo the surgery, which Andrews performed in Alabama.

"They thought that I never would have been the same if I didn't get the surgery," Heyward said.

He is wearing a brace "and it is limiting my motion a little bit, but not much," Heyward said. "I have all my extension. I am still working my flexion (bending of the arm), but I am getting better every single day."

Whether he will be 100 percent at the NFL combine remains to be seen.

"I plan to do as much as I can at the combine, and if I can't do it all, there is always pro day (workouts at Ohio State in March when NFL coaches and scouts will be on hand)," Heyward said. "That's where I could be looking to make some noise."

http://www.dispatch.com/live/conten...08/heyward-mending-after-surgery.html?sid=101

 

[Buckskin86]

Cameron Heyward
DE, Ohio State

War Room analysis
Against the run: Has exceptional strength, power, and leverage as a 2-gap run defender. Is nearly impossible to remove from the line of scrimmage by a single blocker. Does a great job of holding his ground against the double team block. Has the quickness, lower body flexibility, and agility to split the double team to make plays in the backfield at times. Has rare lower body flexibility for a tall man to play inside as a 5-technique DE for a 3-4 scheme. Grade: 8.5

Pass rush: Is an excellent power rusher from either inside or outside within defensive scheme. Has good explosion in his get-off at the snap and rushes with his cleats in the ground. Works from a strong base with quick footwork and hands. Lacks the elite speed to win consistently around the edge as a DE for a 4-3 scheme. Is most effective in his bull rush when he locks-out his arms and drives the blocker back into the face of the QB. Has strong hands to jerk and pull the OG. He can consistently push the pocket and has the long arms to disrupt passing lanes. Grade: 8.0

Initial quickness: Has good explosiveness and initial quickness from stance. Has much better quickness, than long speed in his chase. Is more of a smooth, powerful, and flexible athlete, rather than a sudden or explosive one. Grade: 6.0

Run/pass recognition: Is a versatile player within scheme. Aligns both inside and outside in both even and odd fronts. Is a smart and aware player. Can find the ball equally well against the run and the pass. Drops his shoulder and lowers his pads against the down block and double team blocks. Grade: 8.5

Pursuit/tackling: Is a violent, physical tackler, who is capable of making the big hit. Gives an exceptional effort in his pursuit from the backside. Is a long strider in his chase.Needs to build-up to his top speed; lacks that instant explosion and acceleration of rare athletes for the position. Grade: 8.0

Bottom line: Heyward is a fourth year senior and four-year starter at defensive end. He has the rare size, arm length, and natural strength to start immediately as a defensive end for an NFL team that runs a 3-4 scheme. He has the length to protect his legs from being cut-out from under him along the line of scrimmage. He plays with tremendous effort to finish to the ball. He is a better overall prospect than Jared Odrick, who was drafted 28th last year by Miami.

http://warroom.sportingnews.com/nfl/draft/2011/players/9872.html

 

[Buckskin86]

Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State Buckeyes

Height: 6'6"
Weight: 288
Year: Sr.
40-Time: (NFL Scouting Combine Time Feb. 23 - Mar. 1 to be added)

Strengths

Cameron Heyward is a strong, physical player who possesses the strength to be a dominate force along the line of scrimmage. He has strong hands and plays with good leverage to get push and hold the corner. Heyward isn't the most agile lineman, but he has enough balance to stay on his feet and has the strength to fight off bigger blockers and double teams.

Heyward gets a good first step at the snap to beat offensive linemen. He has faced double teams and although his production dropped off in 2010, he's shown an ability to handle more than one blocker. He holds the edge well against the run and has good football instincts. He does a good job of finding the ball carrier.

Weaknesses

Heyward does not have elite speed and will struggle to chase down ball carriers. He's fairly athletic for his size, but he is not the most agile lineman in the draft. Heyward does not have an extensive arsenal of pass rush moves and relies on his strength and athleticism to beat blockers, which may cause problems for him in the NFL where offensive linemen are bigger, stronger and more polished.

One of the biggest concerns that people have had about Heyward is that he has played soft at times. As defensive linemen are supposed to be mean and aggressive, being called soft is quite the blow. I don't know if I'd go so far as to call him soft, but watching film there were plays where he did not seem to be going full speed. This is something that can be coached at the next level, especially for a player known for having a high motor.

Other Notes

Heyward is best suited as a 3-4 defensive end, but could play inside as a 4-3 tackle as well. He has the frame to add even more weight and could end up putting on bulk if he stays inside at tackle in a 4-3 defense.

Potential NFL Team, Round

Heyward's draft stock has fallen as teams could be concerned with consistency. Once considered a top-ten pick, Heyward may not come off the board until late in the first round to early in the second round. The New England Patriots may use its second pick in the first round (28th overall) on Heyward to add youth to their defense to develop him as a 3-4 end. The New York Jets, picking 29th, may be intrigued as well, while the Buffalo Bills could give him a look early in the second round. With the Carolina Panthers keeping the 4-3 and the Broncos possibly switching back to a 4-3, both teams may not consider Heyward an ideal fit in a 4-3 defense. Heyward could always go somewhere in the middle of the first round to a team like the San Diego Chargers at #18, but it appears that he'd be more of a value as a late first rounder or early second rounder.

http://www.xtrapointfootball.com/20...t-prospect-cameron-heyward-de-ohio-state.html

 

[y0yoyoin]

from Mel Kipers chat on ESPN

Nate (WA)
If Cam Heyward isn't able to perform at the combine how bad does it hurt his stock?

Mel Kiper
He had that elbow injury, which prevented him from going to the Senior Bowl. I think he has a chance to be a late first round pick. He had that outstanding game against Arkansas in the bowl game. I have him going to Pittsburgh at No. 31. He's 6-5, 290. Outstanding run stopping DE. He's a borderline first round pick. He'll go between 30-50.

 

[Jaxbuck]

I have him going to Pittsburgh at No. 31.

Make it so.

 

[y0yoyoin]

Make it so.

please god no

 

[BuckTwenty]

It's a real shame. If it wasn't for Arkansas players cheap shotting him the way they did, he wouldn't be hurt. In the end, it hurt his draft stock and his pocket book.

No way Cam's in the 30-50 range if it wasn't for the abuse he took against Arkansas. He was DOMINANT.

 

[y0yoyoin]

It's a real shame. If it wasn't for Arkansas players cheap shotting him the way they did, he wouldn't be hurt. In the end, it hurt his draft stock and his pocket book.

No way Cam's in the 30-50 range if it wasn't for the abuse he took against Arkansas. He was DOMINANT.

i would hope the browns do not make a mistake again on passing on a dominant defensive player from ohio state in the 2nd round...if Heyward is still there i hope we grab him, even if we just took another DE/DT in the first round

 

[BayBuck]

Make it so.

Obviously Browns & Bengals fans would hate to see that, but what a great situation that could be for Cam.