All time Steelers, the top 5 safeties. 1970-current.

[Coach]

All time Steelers, the safeties. 1970-current.

Like many positions, this one won't be easy to pick just five.

1) Polamalu. A true x-factor type who made of game changing plays. Troy could intercept the ball well, take it to the house, deliver bone-jarring hits, Tackle well, and was a factor on blitzes. Blazing fast. The only drawback was in deep man coverage.

2. Shell. A prototype for what the strong safety became, Shell was a pound for pound hitter who hit hard enough to stop Earl Campbell in his tracks and break his ribs. Shell had 50 career interceptions. Shell should be in the hall of fame some day.

3 ) Lake. Lake has unusual size and speed, and coverage ability for a safety. He was so good in coverage, he could play corner and more than hold his own. A big hitter as well, for whatever reason his ball skills and instincts to intercept a pass never equaled to the sum of his numerous athletic talents. A very scheme flexible who could be used in a variety of ways.

4 ) Wagner. Wagner was a big safety 6'1" 210 pounds, who played smart. A fine complement to perhaps the best defense in the NFL. Wagner collected 37 interceptions and recovered 12 fumbles while he was here.

5) Perry. A natural deep coverage type, with excellent hands and anticipation, Perry had 32 interceptions in 7 seasons with the Steelers. Perry's main drawback was a lack of speed.


Honorable mention:

Thomas Everett. If he played here a few more seasons, I'd rate him over Perry. A true knock out hitter and ball hawk type, I was a fan of his.

Hope. Productive player.

Clark. Very solid for us.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I'm good with that list. I'd maybe switch Clark with Perry but it's good.

 

[bmoritz]

What, no love for Scott Shields??? LOL

I think Coach has this one dead on. Darren Perry is probably one of the most underrated Steelers of all time. He was in the same defensive backfield as Lake and Woodson, so he was overshadowed a bit.

 

[Stryker]

1. Rod Woodson - We drafted him as a CB, but would also have been our best S as he played the position in SF and BAL.
2. Polamalu - The most athletic, pure safety, we ever had. Had the range of a CB, and hit like a freight train. Unique ball skills that I've never seen on a Safety. Plus the hair! What a pleasure to watch.
3. Shell - Should be a HOFer. Undrafted and was a cornerstone for 4 SB championships. 5time pro bowler and 51 INTs. He should be a HOFer one day.
4. Lake - His versitility alone makes him a top 5 cantidate. The same year we lose Woodson to Barry Sander's juke move, We start a 10game win streak when he is moved from Safety to CB. This move launches this team on a path to the SB.
5. Clark - I admire Perry. Everett, and Hope on their production and ability, but Clark was integral. He not only figured out how to play with Polamalu, but he exceled in his role as a head hunting, hard hitting safety that would take over games even while playing next to all world pola. Their ability to compliment each other as well as to make each other better, made them both better while the other was on the field. Clark earned a SB and a second appearance as much as Troy ever did, and I am happy that we stole his best years from the Redskins, while we had him.

 

[POP]

I'm good with that list. I'd maybe switch Clark with Perry but it's good.

I was thinking the same thing. Clark, in his prime when defenders could hit players, was really good. He was a big part of that D being ranked top dog.

His hitting really changed games. Some of the licks he put on Ravens were sweet.

Perry, who I had beers with at one point (cool guy), was solid. But more steady than spectacular. And, as NFL safeties go, he was kind of small, at least in person in street clothes.

 

[POP]

1. Rod Woodson - We drafted him as a CB, but would also have been our best S as he played the position in SF and BAL.
2. Polamalu - The most athletic, pure safety, we ever had. Had the range of a CB, and hit like a freight train. Unique ball skills that I've never seen on a Safety. Plus the hair! What a pleasure to watch.
3. Shell - Should be a HOFer. Undrafted and was a cornerstone for 4 SB championships. 5time pro bowler and 51 INTs. He should be a HOFer one day.
4. Lake - His versitility alone makes him a top 5 cantidate. The same year we lose Woodson to Barry Sander's juke move, We start a 10game win streak when he is moved from Safety to CB. This move launches this team on a path to the SB.
5. Clark - I admire Perry. Everett, and Hope on their production and ability, but Clark was integral. He not only figured out how to play with Polamalu, but he exceled in his role as a head hunting, hard hitting safety that would take over games even while playing next to all world pola. Their ability to compliment each other as well as to make each other better, made them both better while the other was on the field. Clark earned a SB and a second appearance as much as Troy ever did, and I am happy that we stole his best years from the Redskins, while we had him.

I don't think it's fair to include Rod as a S in Pgh because he never played the position. So he's not even in discussion. The subject was best top 5 S in Pgh of all time; he never was a S here.

I think I would put Hope over Perry. He was really solid all around.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

32 interceptions... Lack of speed.. What the **** ever coach.

 

[CharlesDavenport]

Glen Edwards came up big in SBs. Good Steeler.

 

[steelerscotty]

Troy
Shell
Lake
Wagner
Perry

I agree.

 

[Stryker]

I don't think it's fair to include Rod as a S in Pgh because he never played the position. So he's not even in discussion. The subject was best top 5 S in Pgh of all time; he never was a S here.

I think I would put Hope over Perry. He was really solid all around.

I love Hope as well. He'd be my #6.

Woodson was an all-pro at both positions, and though not with us he was still a HUGE part of one of the best defenses assembled in Baltimore, as a playmaking safety. I wish we kept him long enough to be a killer safety for us.

You can disagree with me, but you can't dismiss my list because you disagree. Instead, you can make your own list.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

1 Polumalu
2. Shell
3. Lake
4. Wagner
5. Clark

 

[F83]

troy
shell
lake
clark
wagner

honarable mention Perry

 

[Coach]

32 interceptions... Lack of speed.. What the **** ever coach.

There is a battle for the five spot. Right now, Perry doesn't make it. He was a very good player, however he was a 4.65 to 4.69 guy and had to be matched correctly to avoid being burned. I like him in spot #5. Interceptions are huge, and he got a lot of them.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

he also was playing with a shutdown corner for first 5 of his 7 years with steelers.

 

[Coach]

he also was playing with a shutdown corner for first 5 of his 7 years with steelers.

There is no doubt the Steelers have a good defensive backfield in those years, but Perry smarts, hands, and football IQ made the defensive backs even better.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Troy
Don
Carnel
Mike
Ryan




Salute the nation

 

[POP]

1. Troy
2. Shell
3. Lake
4. Wagner
5. Hope

 

[steelreeling]

I was wondering if somebody was going to throw a Leon Flowers in there?

 

[diver]

I'm glad everyone is including Mike Wagner. He was one of my favorites when I was young. With the talent on those defenses he will never get his due, but he was a great player in his own right.

 

[MTC]

I'm good with that list. I'd maybe switch Clark with Perry but it's good.

Agreed. Idk its hard to choose. I think Perry offered more in terms of overall play. Clark was a solid hitter

 

[Coach]

I was wondering if somebody was going to throw a Leon Flowers in there?

I'll raise you, Brent Alexander! Although he wasn't a starter for but a few games as a Steeler, Gary Jones could hit as hard as anyone.

 

[diver]

Brent Alexander played well for them for a few years until age caught up with him.

As per Mike Wagner, the guy was great in the '75 playoffs. He had, if I remember right, two picks of Kenny Stabler in the AFCC, and picked off Roger Staubach in the SB and returned the ball deep. When you are a kid you remember that stuff and it seemed like he was making plays all over the place.

 

[Wingman]

I would say Hope should be on the list more than Clark. Only for the reason he was a better player and the team lost him because they could not afford him. That does not mean that Clark was not a really good safety and a favorite steeler.