The Steelers are breaking in a couple of rookie defensive linemen this spring, and captain Cam Heyward is trying to mentor Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black as much as he can. When Heyward entered the league as a rookie 14 years ago, he didn’t have the same welcome.
The NFL and the NFL Players Association were involved in a protracted collective bargaining negotiation, and the players were locked out. Heyward didn’t have a rookie minicamp, OTAs or minicamp. When he showed up to Saint Vincent College for his first training camp, it was the first time he met many of his teammates.
“The thing that was tough for me was I had no OTAs or rookie minicamp,” Heyward said. “I was a lockout baby. I was just trying to catch up. Harmon and Black are in a much better position now, and things are looking