No overlooking that Heyward is underrated
By Dale Lolley
For the Observer-Reporter
NFL.com is currently in the process of releasing its top 100 players as websites are wont to do this time of year, when there’s nothing going on across the league until training camps kick off.
That defensive tackle Cameron Heyward only came in at No. 83 on the list is, well, somewhat laughable.
If one were putting together a list of the top 10 most valuable Steelers heading into this season, a strong argument could be made that Heyward should be No. 1. After all, he was first-team All-Pro last season, amassing 71 tackles, including 12 for a losses, 8.5 sacks and a league-best 11 passes batted down from his defensive tackle position.
It was a dominant season.
Then there is this, when Heyward was on the field, the Steelers allowed 3.6 yards per carry. When he was not, that number jumped to 5.1 yards per rushing attempt.
He remains a dominant player, even at age 36.
To be clear, just making the list of 100 is a heck of an honor. At any one time during the season, there are 1,696 players in the NFL during the regular season. That means that only .06 percent of the players in the league make the top 100 list.
That Heyward, at 36, is still there is stunning.
But there are a number of defensive tackles ranked ahead of Heyward on this list. And that’s not based in reality.
• Win six games in a row at home in impressive fashion, lose your next six games on the road in stunning fashion.
Such is the story of the 2025 Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates shut out the St. Louis Cardinals in three-straight games at home to finish off their winning streak. They then were shut out in three-straight games by the Seattle Mariners to kick off a hapless road trip.
The biggest difference between the Pirates and their opponents is in the home run category. The Pirates have hit 64 through 94 games going into Friday night’s series opener against the Minnesota Twins. No team in the league has fewer home runs.
Their opponents have hit only 87, which is actually tied for the fourth-fewest in Major League Baseball.
But when you’ve given up 24 percent more home runs than you’re hit, that’s not much of a winning formula.
It does not, however, mean this team should have a huge selloff at the trade deadline, unless the Pirates are getting players whom they will have through the 2026 or even 2027 seasons.
And to be able to help this team out at all, they would need to acquire someone with at least 20-home-run power. It’s doubtful any team is going to give the Pirates one of those, even if Mitch Keller or David Bednar are involved in the trade.
The time to acquire a talent like that came and went last offseason while the Pirates were sitting on their hands in the corner like a 12-year-old boy at a school dance.
• It’s only another week and a half until the first practices by the Steelers take place at Saint Vincent College. The Pirates’ average attendance of 18,479 is sure to go down after that.
• If there is a position the Steelers need to improve even more than wide receiver before the regular season begins, it’s safety. Currently behind starters Juan Thornhill and DeShon Elliott are All-Pro special teams ace Miles Killebrew, undrafted rookie Sebastian Castro and second-year pro Quindell Johnson, who has appeared in three career games.
Jalen Ramsey can play safety, as well. But another experienced body there is a must.
• The Washington County Pony World Series team ran through its host tournament last weekend in impressive fashion. First came a no-hitter with 13 strikeouts by Braxten Thompson in their first game.
Clinton Havainis followed that up with a 13-strikeout, one-hitter against Peters Township.
A third win was secured in knockout play when it beat the Mt. View Mudcats, 8-4, with Andrew Strejcek going the distance.
Finally, in the championship game and a rematch against Peters Township, Ryan Lucas and Nico Vitale combined on a two-hitter with 14 strikeouts in an 8-0 win.
The team is loaded with high-end arms.
Dale Lolley hosts The Drive on Steelers Nation Radio and writes a Sunday column for the Observer-Reporter. He also is past president of Pony Leagues for Washington Youth Baseball and the Founders League.