Top 10 Pittsburgh Steelers
The NFL Network has some great programming during the offseason, from their live access shows to analysis and such. One of the shows they is The Top 10…..fill in the blank. Last Christmas Eve, the Top 10 Pittsburgh Steelers aired, and it was on again over this past weekend. Anyone who has seen this program had to be intrigued by whom they placed on this list and, even more bizarre, who was left off.
Believe it or not, three current or former Steelers from the 2000s made this list. One from the 1990s, and the others from the 1970s. One could make a very good argument that this list could be chock full of Steelers solely from the Super Bowl era of the 1970s without batting an eyelash, and they would be spot on. I am not ready to name any current Steelers as Top 10 until long after they have retired and perhaps secured their spots in the NFL Hall of Fame.
Let’s preface this by taking a look at the Steelers from the first Super Bowl era that are in the Hall. Offensively, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, the late Mike Webster, Lynn Swann, and John Stallworth have busts in the Hall. Defensively, Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham, and Mel Blount are in the Hall. Yes, there is one more offensive player from the 1970s in the Hall of Fame than there is from the defensive. For my money, that entire defense could/should have its own wing. But, thanks or no thanks to politics, those are the Steelers from the first Super Bowl era in the Hall.
Since then, Rod Woodson secured his spot in the Hall of Fame two years ago and he went in as a Steeler. Jerome Bettis did not get in for his first year of eligibility. Even though he is the fifth leading rusher of all time, Bettis is going to have to wait at least one more year. Dermontti Dawson has not gotten in, either, even though some consider him, arguably, the greatest center in Steeler and NFL history. As much as I like Dirt, he doesn’t have the jewelry that Mr. Webster, God rest his soul, garnered while anchoring the Steeler offensive line. But Dawson does deserve to get in.
Having listed those former Steelers who are in the Hall, and waiting to get in, here is the list that the NFL Network has comprised as their Top 10 Steelers of all time:
10. Jerome Bettis
Okay, the fifth leading rusher of all time. Came back one more season in 2005 to get one last shot at a Super Bowl ring, and he got it. More power to the Bus for going out on top. He will get into the Hall at some point. The best back in Steelers history after Franco Harris. However, I would put him on a list of post 1970s Steelers of all time because there are spots being taken that should go to those from that era.
9. Lynn Swann
The knock on Swanny is that he only played from 1974-1983 before retiring and going into broadcasting. But, he was the MVP of Super Bowl X and he was the best big time receiver in the game. The bigger the game, the bigger he played. Swann belongs on the list simply because he created a one-two punch with fellow Hall of Famer John Stallworth, who is not listed on the Top 10, to catch Bradshaw’s passes. Probably in the spot he belongs.
8. Hines Ward
Okay, Ward has all of the numbers. No argument there. Probably the toughest receiver in the game. No argument there. Should have three rings and not two, but the loss in Super Bowl XLV was not his fault. MVP of Super Bowl XL. However, I cannot put him ahead of Stallworth. While Swann was flashier, Stallworth was more steady and consistent. The passes he caught in Super Bowls XIII and XIV were so fluid that he made it look effortless. I know this will get arguments from present day fans who are in love with Hines, but Stallworth should be on this list ahead of Ward. Just my opinion. Ward would be among Top Five of the current Steelers, but not ahead of the 1970s players.
7. Troy Polamalu
Polamalu could have played on the 1970s team in the defensive backfield with Blount, Donnie Shell, Mike Wagner, Ron Johnson, Glen Edwards, J.T. Thomas, and others. He is a throwback player in that regard. Polamalu is a special player and belongs on this list, but not as high as he is listed because of Hall of Famers who are not on it. One day, Polamalu will get into the Hall. But he should not be on this list at the expense of Stallworth and Jack Ham.
6. Mel Blount
Simply put, the toughest corner to ever play the game. He was, and still is, 6’4” and was a reckless abandon. The NFL changed the rules in the late 1970s because of Blount. He made three of his five Pro Bowls after the rules change. Enough said. One of the best of all time and more than worthy of this list.
5. Jack Lambert
He was the best middle linebacker in the game and the heart and soul of the Steeler defense. He was born to be a Steeler and his attitude and style of play reflected the city and region he played in and for. It is no accident that his jersey is still one of the most popular being worn. This area loved Lambert and he loved it. He tolerated nothing than your best effort and the other jerseys were the enemy. Ironically, turf toe forced him from the game. Should be ranked higher than five.
4. Rod Woodson
Hall of Famer and deserving of this list, but not higher than Blount or Lambert. While Woodson was a hard hitter, he is more known for the passes he intercepted and returned for touchdowns. One of the best Steelers of all time and, to his credit, even he doesn’t agree he should be on this list ahead of others. That endears him even more. The only knock against him is he won a Super Bowl with the Ravens. At least he went into the Hall as a Steeler.
3. Franco Harris
Franco is best known for the Immaculate Reception. The Chief said that the Steelers didn’t win much before Franco got to Pittsburgh and they didn’t lose much after he got here. MVP of Super Bowl IX and a very cerebral running back. Left the game as the number two rusher of all time, only behind Jim Brown, but finished his career as a Seattle Seahawk after getting bad advice from his then agent. One of the best of all time.
2. Terry Bradshaw
No brainer. One of only two quarterbacks in NFL history to win four Super Bowls (Monongahela’s and Ringgold’s own Joe Montana is the other). Called his own plays and had a howitzer on his right shoulder. Openly admitted that if he hadn’t won four Super Bowls, he wouldn’t be in the Hall. Bottom line is that he won the most when it counted . MVP of Super Bowls XIII and XIV. One of the best QBs that ever was.
#1 Joe Greene
He is the building block who started it all. The conscious of this organization
who hated losing more than he loved winning. And Greene hated to lose. He set the tone once he got here and the franchise has never been the same. One of only three people in the organization with all six Super Bowl rings (Dan Rooney and Bill Nunn are the others). Greene did not want to come here and almost quit when the losing persisted. Four Super Bowls later as a player, and two as a special assistant, and the rest is history. No argument with Joe Greene as the number one Steeler of all time. Chuck Noll’s first ever draft pick. Not a bad foundation to build an empire and a dynasty.
*Brad Keselowski was the Sprint Cup race at Kansas last Sunday. The Sprint Cup series travels to Pocono, Pennsylvania, in the mountains in the Northeast, at the uniquely shaped triangle racetrack.
Believe it or not, three current or former Steelers from the 2000s made this list. One from the 1990s, and the others from the 1970s. One could make a very good argument that this list could be chock full of Steelers solely from the Super Bowl era of the 1970s without batting an eyelash, and they would be spot on. I am not ready to name any current Steelers as Top 10 until long after they have retired and perhaps secured their spots in the NFL Hall of Fame.
Let’s preface this by taking a look at the Steelers from the first Super Bowl era that are in the Hall. Offensively, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, the late Mike Webster, Lynn Swann, and John Stallworth have busts in the Hall. Defensively, Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham, and Mel Blount are in the Hall. Yes, there is one more offensive player from the 1970s in the Hall of Fame than there is from the defensive. For my money, that entire defense could/should have its own wing. But, thanks or no thanks to politics, those are the Steelers from the first Super Bowl era in the Hall.
Since then, Rod Woodson secured his spot in the Hall of Fame two years ago and he went in as a Steeler. Jerome Bettis did not get in for his first year of eligibility. Even though he is the fifth leading rusher of all time, Bettis is going to have to wait at least one more year. Dermontti Dawson has not gotten in, either, even though some consider him, arguably, the greatest center in Steeler and NFL history. As much as I like Dirt, he doesn’t have the jewelry that Mr. Webster, God rest his soul, garnered while anchoring the Steeler offensive line. But Dawson does deserve to get in.
Having listed those former Steelers who are in the Hall, and waiting to get in, here is the list that the NFL Network has comprised as their Top 10 Steelers of all time:
10. Jerome Bettis
Okay, the fifth leading rusher of all time. Came back one more season in 2005 to get one last shot at a Super Bowl ring, and he got it. More power to the Bus for going out on top. He will get into the Hall at some point. The best back in Steelers history after Franco Harris. However, I would put him on a list of post 1970s Steelers of all time because there are spots being taken that should go to those from that era.
9. Lynn Swann
The knock on Swanny is that he only played from 1974-1983 before retiring and going into broadcasting. But, he was the MVP of Super Bowl X and he was the best big time receiver in the game. The bigger the game, the bigger he played. Swann belongs on the list simply because he created a one-two punch with fellow Hall of Famer John Stallworth, who is not listed on the Top 10, to catch Bradshaw’s passes. Probably in the spot he belongs.
8. Hines Ward
Okay, Ward has all of the numbers. No argument there. Probably the toughest receiver in the game. No argument there. Should have three rings and not two, but the loss in Super Bowl XLV was not his fault. MVP of Super Bowl XL. However, I cannot put him ahead of Stallworth. While Swann was flashier, Stallworth was more steady and consistent. The passes he caught in Super Bowls XIII and XIV were so fluid that he made it look effortless. I know this will get arguments from present day fans who are in love with Hines, but Stallworth should be on this list ahead of Ward. Just my opinion. Ward would be among Top Five of the current Steelers, but not ahead of the 1970s players.
7. Troy Polamalu
Polamalu could have played on the 1970s team in the defensive backfield with Blount, Donnie Shell, Mike Wagner, Ron Johnson, Glen Edwards, J.T. Thomas, and others. He is a throwback player in that regard. Polamalu is a special player and belongs on this list, but not as high as he is listed because of Hall of Famers who are not on it. One day, Polamalu will get into the Hall. But he should not be on this list at the expense of Stallworth and Jack Ham.
6. Mel Blount
Simply put, the toughest corner to ever play the game. He was, and still is, 6’4” and was a reckless abandon. The NFL changed the rules in the late 1970s because of Blount. He made three of his five Pro Bowls after the rules change. Enough said. One of the best of all time and more than worthy of this list.
5. Jack Lambert
He was the best middle linebacker in the game and the heart and soul of the Steeler defense. He was born to be a Steeler and his attitude and style of play reflected the city and region he played in and for. It is no accident that his jersey is still one of the most popular being worn. This area loved Lambert and he loved it. He tolerated nothing than your best effort and the other jerseys were the enemy. Ironically, turf toe forced him from the game. Should be ranked higher than five.
4. Rod Woodson
Hall of Famer and deserving of this list, but not higher than Blount or Lambert. While Woodson was a hard hitter, he is more known for the passes he intercepted and returned for touchdowns. One of the best Steelers of all time and, to his credit, even he doesn’t agree he should be on this list ahead of others. That endears him even more. The only knock against him is he won a Super Bowl with the Ravens. At least he went into the Hall as a Steeler.
3. Franco Harris
Franco is best known for the Immaculate Reception. The Chief said that the Steelers didn’t win much before Franco got to Pittsburgh and they didn’t lose much after he got here. MVP of Super Bowl IX and a very cerebral running back. Left the game as the number two rusher of all time, only behind Jim Brown, but finished his career as a Seattle Seahawk after getting bad advice from his then agent. One of the best of all time.
2. Terry Bradshaw
No brainer. One of only two quarterbacks in NFL history to win four Super Bowls (Monongahela’s and Ringgold’s own Joe Montana is the other). Called his own plays and had a howitzer on his right shoulder. Openly admitted that if he hadn’t won four Super Bowls, he wouldn’t be in the Hall. Bottom line is that he won the most when it counted . MVP of Super Bowls XIII and XIV. One of the best QBs that ever was.
#1 Joe Greene
He is the building block who started it all. The conscious of this organization
who hated losing more than he loved winning. And Greene hated to lose. He set the tone once he got here and the franchise has never been the same. One of only three people in the organization with all six Super Bowl rings (Dan Rooney and Bill Nunn are the others). Greene did not want to come here and almost quit when the losing persisted. Four Super Bowls later as a player, and two as a special assistant, and the rest is history. No argument with Joe Greene as the number one Steeler of all time. Chuck Noll’s first ever draft pick. Not a bad foundation to build an empire and a dynasty.
*Brad Keselowski was the Sprint Cup race at Kansas last Sunday. The Sprint Cup series travels to Pocono, Pennsylvania, in the mountains in the Northeast, at the uniquely shaped triangle racetrack.
Comments