Steelers: Heyward Reaction, AFC North Champs, Improv QBs

The Steelers summer vacation is winding down. They’ll be reporting to the dorms of Saint Vincent for the Steelers’ 50^th season of training camp in Latrobe one week from today. While the Steelers are enjoying the last of their summer break we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Saturday, July 18^th.

Heyward’s Reaction

Fresh off of signing his new six-year, $59.25 million contract Cameron Heyward spoke to Teresa Varley on what it means for him to be a Pittsburgh Steeler through the 2020 season.

"“It’s exciting and I am very happy I get the opportunity to stay here. A lot of thanks go out to a lot of different people. First of all you have to thank the Rooney family for even drafting me and then extending me. Then it goes down the list, my family, friends, teammates, coaches, training staff, the cafeteria people, the media outlets and the help they give me. I am just very appreciative to be able to continue to play for the Steelers.” – Cameron Heyward"

Would it be too much to ask for a shout out for all the bloggers out there? Asking for a friend.

This signing has been one of the most important signings this offseason outside of the Ben Roethlisberger extension. Heyward has certainly emerged as a force on the defensive line and a leader in the locker room and on the field.

He’ll now be faced with the pressure to live up to the contract and lead this defense back to the top. The Steelers defense was definitely carried by the offense last season and will be transitioning under newly promoted defensive coordinator Keith Butler this season.

"“I think we have the talent, we have shown it in our efforts. We have had spurts on defense, been more consistent on offense. As a defense we want to be more consistent. We want to challenge our offense and say who has the best group.” – Cameron Heyward"

Who are you picking to win the AFC North?

We’re a week away from training camps opening, roster cuts haven’t been made yet, and preseason hasn’t even kicked off. Sure, let’s go ahead and predict who will win the division. Why not? ESPN’s AFC North writers came together for another discussion question on who will run the north in 2015.

The consensus was pretty much with the Pittsburgh Steelers. I’ll give you one guess who was the only purple-wearing homer to say the Steelers won’t repeat as AFC North champs this season. Even Cincinnati Bengals writer Coley Harvey agrees that the other AFC North teams just don’t look poised to be able to dethrone the Steelers.

All of the AFC North teams will have a tough road in 2015 as they’ll have to face the AFC West and NFC West divisions. The Steelers have the decidedly tougher record having to face the Patriots and Colts as well but even with a questionable defense, their offense just looks too good to be beat out for the AFC North title. Do you agree?

Top 5 Improvisational Quarterbacks

When you think of the best quarterbacks at working without a script you clearly think of Ben Roethlisberger. Well, your mind probably naturally goes there because you’re a Steelers fan but that’s beside the point.

NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks ranked the NFL’s top 5 improvisational quarterbacks and Roethlisberger only came in fourth on his list. He ranked slightly higher than San Francisco’s Colin Kaepernick but behind Cam Newton, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers.

I get that just about any NFL analyst is going to rank Rodgers No. 1 on any quarterback list they want to pull together but I think Roethlisberger could out-improv a quarterback who couldn’t connect on a three-yard pass to win the friggin Super Bowl.

And Cam Newton? How has Cam Newton been more successful at improving the quarterback position with a .485 win percentage as a starting quarterback?

Next: Steelers Sign Cameron Heyward to Extension

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