PITTSBURGH — The Steelers might not win many games in 2022, but it won't be because of a lack of confidence.
This was Cam Heyward on the Mina Kimes podcast last month when asked how he feels about being on the second tier of NFL defensive linemen behind Aaron Donald:
"It [ticks] me off, hands down. I think I'm one, if not the most complete player at my position. I know Aaron is a really talented guy, but don't just shy away and say, 'Oh, it's Aaron Donald and everybody else.' [Expletive], it's Cam and Aaron and everybody else."
This was Ahkello Witherspoon on the Getcha Popcorn podcast with Hall of Famer Terrell Owens this month when asked to name the top five cornerbacks in the NFL:
"We'll go myself, [Jalen] Ramsey; I like [Marshon] Lattimore; I like J.C. Jackson; I like Xavien Howard."
And this was Chase Claypool on the I Am Athlete podcast Monday when asked by former NFL players Brandon Marshall, Adam Jones and LeSean McCoy where he puts himself among NFL receivers:
"I know for a fact I'm not like the rest of the guys in the NFL. I know I'm a top-five receiver. I know I'm a top-three receiver."
I loved all three responses in an odd sort of way. There is nothing wrong with an athlete believing in himself. No one gets to be a pro in any sport without that confidence.
Clearly, Heyward is a great player, a first-team All-Pro in 2017, 2019 and last season and a second-teamer in 2020. He's not Donald — arguably the greatest defensive player in NFL history — but he has taken big steps toward the Hall of Fame. As a matter of fact, NBC broadcaster Cris Collinsworth called him "a no-question Hall of Famer" last season.
"We're all motivated in different ways," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "Cam is one of those guys who is always looking for reasons to rise up in the face of something. That's the competitor that the man is."
If Heyward wants to use a perceived slight as fuel, who am I to question it? I'll always give him the benefit of the doubt. He doesn't just talk the talk. He walks the walk.
Witherspoon and Claypool would be wise to follow in Heyward's footsteps.
You might say they are delirious with their self-promotion.
I'll just say they have much to prove.
Witherspoon was a pretty good cornerback with the San Francisco 49ers before injuries sabotaged him. The Steelers were able to get him from Seattle last September for a fifth-round draft pick. He got a helmet in just one of their first nine games but showed Tomlin and Kevin Colbert enough in the final eight — three interceptions and nine passes defended — to get a two-year, $8 million contract in March.
It was a good signing by the Steelers, especially with Joe Haden not being brought back.
It hardly makes Witherspoon a top-five cornerback.
Let's just say Ja'Marr Chase probably won't be shaking in fear when he lines up against Witherspoon in the Steelers' opening game in Cincinnati on Sept. 11.
Then, there is Claypool.
No one questions his extraordinary talent. He's big. He can run. He draws pass-interference penalties. He gets his share of 50-50 balls.
Claypool took a sizable step back last season from his impressive rookie year but still made some big plays. He had a fabulous 22-yard catch over All-Pro cornerback Tre'Davious White in the season-opening win at Buffalo. He had a 59-yard catch-and-run in a win against Denver. He had a 40-yard catch-and-run in a win against Baltimore.
Claypool's predictions of 1,300 receiving yards and 10 touchdown catches in 2022 on the podcast did not strike me as being outrageous. He has that kind of ability.
Claypool's biggest problem has been immaturity. He looked like a fool when he trolled the Browns on social media immediately after the Browns had clubbed the Steelers in a playoff loss at Heinz Field after the 2020 season. He came across as tone deaf when he suggested Tomlin add music and more fun to practice after a 41-10 loss to the Bengals last season. (Tomlin pointedly declined.) He contributed significantly to a loss in Minnesota when he celebrated a first-down catch late in the game when the Steelers didn't have a timeout.
But maybe Claypool is growing up. The experts say you have to admit a problem in order to solve it. He said during the Steelers' OTAs that he needs to do a better job of staying on his feet, which will help him win more of those 50-50 balls and increase his yards after catch.
That's a start, right?
"I've just got to bring that confidence and I've got to bring that spirit," Claypool said on the podcast. "I've just got to show the people. It's going to happen."
Claypool really might be maturing before our eyes. I really loved his answer when asked to pick between Steelers quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph. McCoy, a former Pitt star, practically goaded him into going with Pickett, another Pitt man.
Claypool didn't bite.
"I like them all."
