DHB came into the league with a bang, being drafted (surprisingly) as the 8^th overall pick of the 2009 draft by the Oakland Raiders. He signed a (for the time) HUGE contract, according to a July 30^th, 2009 article on ESPN, DHB got a reported “base salary of $38.25 million” along with a guaranteed $23.5 million. That’s huge money (especially considering the 7^th pick, Sedrick Ellis, only got $19.5 million).

Yeah, it was Al Davis, and there is no question that DHB was a reach at that spot.

But you know what, that kind of crazy money could alter some people’s character. It’s the kind of thing that could make you say “Hey, doesn’t matter what I do, clearly I’m worth this kind of money, and I’m not settling for less”.

We all know how DHB’s career has panned out. He wasn’t what the Raiders hoped for, and he had to latch on, and embrace being a special team’s player to extend his career when he signed with Indianapolis in 2013. He re-invented himself, and when he was available in 2014, the Steelers snatched him up for just above league minimum. He was extended for $3.8 million over 3 years earlier this year, which amounts to about $1.4 per year (with signing bonus).

That’s quite a difference. $38.5 million to $1.4. And it’s hard to say the Steelers aren’t getting a real steal for that salary.

Especially after Sunday.

DHB really made two plays on Sunday, but you could make a case that without those plays, the Steelers lose to the Browns. In fact, I’ll state it emphatically – without those plays, the Steelers lose to the Browns.

One of those plays was the deep pass from Landry Jones for 46 yards that took the Steelers from their own 43 to the Cleveland 11. It was a big play, and DHB made a great adjustment and play on the ball. (Landry had tried this exact same play earlier in the game, and badly underthrew it, but this time he made a much better throw and DHB was able to come back and make a great catch).

That was a significant play, but the play that really turned the tide was one he made after Landry throws his one INT of the game. It saved the game for the Steelers.

Landry throws the INT to Boddy-Calhoun of the Browns, and he proceeds to run willy-nilly through what appears to be a pretty lackadaisical group of Steelers, weaving in and out and heading for what appeared to be a very lengthy pick-six.

But DHB had other plans.

At about the 2 yard line, Heyward-Bey strips the ball from Boddy-Calhoun, and it trickles into the end zone where Landry Jones recovers it for a touchback.

That was HUGE. No, HUGE isn’t big enough. It was GINOURMOUS.

The Browns are up 14-7, and that would have made it 21-7. It probably puts the game out of reach, and ends any chance of a Steelers win.

GINOURMOUS.

DHB has been a solid special team’s guy all year, and we have missed him while he has been nursing his foot injury. Our ST play has been less without him.

Landry Jones may have earned player of the game status from Steelers Digest, but in my mind, it’s Darrius Heyward-Bey who was the MVP of Sundays win.

Welcome back Darrius Heyward-Bey!