P
POP
Guest
Note: Asking who you have the most love for, not for who you necessarily feel are the best (although, one list would be highly related to the other).
My top 10....and note that since I wasn't old enough to fully appreciate the 70's crews, that will impact the "POP love list." If you were an adult during the 70's run, I'd expect you'd have those guys higher on your list.
10. Terry Bradshaw - I think he's overrated, but I guess you just can't leave him off this list. He did win the 4 rings, and he was instrumental in winning 3 of them. He did play his best in the biggest games.
9. Mean Joe - Was chosen as the best Steeler ever, so he had to make this list. He is said to be THE player who changed the entire course of the franchise, from being perennial losers, to world champs.
8. Jack Lambert - It could be argued he stands as the best representative of Steeler football of all time. I love how angry he played. He was one of the best LBs of all time, period.
7. Jerome Bettis - For nearly a decade he exemplified Steeler football. There hasn't been a back like the Bus before and there won't be another after. No other big back (250 lbs+) had the durability and longevity of big Jerome. He had 7 1,000+ yards season, and the only other big back who had more than 1 was Natrone Means, who had two. The pinnacle came on the play off clinching game vs. the Bears, on a snowy field, when he ran Urlacher, who at the time was considered the best ILB in the NFL, blowing him back into the endzone. That was awesome.
6. Troy Polamalu - Before his decline, he was simply incredible. He changed the way teams had to play against our D. And he was a totally humble, unselfish, good dude. We often forget just how great he was, or, at least, I think I do. The Tazmanian devil. What a great all-time Steeler. Lock for HOF.
5. Hines Ward - The epitome of toughness and getting the most out of your abilities. The dude was so money, and even wasn't all that big or fast, but he slobberknocked defenders all the time. He was clutch. What a perfect representative of Steeler football, and doing so as a WR. That is pretty hard to pull off.
4. BIg Ben - Doesn't have 4 rings like Bradshaw, but is more responsible for the two rings than Bradshaw was for his 4. Yes, didn't have a great SB his 1st go, but he was crucial to getting us there, including 'the tackle" that may have saved the season, and is so iconic, that it deserves a statue. And if you think that Terry was better than Ben just because he has more rings, do yourself a favor and watch some tapes of Terry's games, NOT just the highlights. He is no where near in Ben's category as a passer; it's not even close. Take Ben off the team the last 11 years and we are a mediocre team at best.
3. Rod Woodson - Superior athletic talent combined with an immense drive and toughness. I will never forget the play he made on L. White vs. Houston, in the play offs, in OT. White was much bigger but when he went to make the first down, Rod blew him up, stopping a 1st down and we ended up pull off the upset. The only downside is Donnahoe pissed him off in contract negotiations, basically telling him he was near the end of his career. He sure as **** wasn't. He had lots of football left. He went on to play 7 more seasons after leaving Pgh, adding a ring to his resume while in Balt. Rod was simply one of the best defensive backs to ever play in the NFL.
2. Greg Lloyd - As is the case with #1, I feel if Lloyd suited up with that 70's crew, he take a back seat to no LB from those days. In his prime, he was a terror. It seemed like every single play, you'd see #95 come in like a blur on every tackle. Players were terrified of messing with #95. He was like a coiled spring, or a wild tiger. Had he not had his career shortened by that staph infection, I think he was Hall of Fame material. My brother has a framed "worn game jersey" of his, and there are "melt marks" from Lloyd sliding on the old 3 Rivers turf. He represents Steeler football as well as anyone.
1. James Harrison - Lack of longevity could push him down for some, but I think he is underrated...in his prime, he was better than any OLB ever in the history of the Steelers. Add to the fact that he is as mean as any NFL player I have ever seen (while being dirty at all). I just love his no-nonsense, straight shooter ways. To me, he is the best example of what Steelers should be. I don't remember who was on a show I caught, but two NFL players were talking about James being the scariest player to face in a street fight, and the one player said, "He can't be #1. He is too short." And the other dude - who was huge - said, "Noooooo, I know dudes like that. It doesn't matter how tall he is. He is the baddest man in the NFL, period. I'd never want to fight him." Add to it all that he made one of the very biggest plays in the history of the Super Bowl, that had to be a big part of beating AZ (he provided a possible 14-point swing) just puts a cherry on top. He is my #1 Steeler of all time.
My top 10....and note that since I wasn't old enough to fully appreciate the 70's crews, that will impact the "POP love list." If you were an adult during the 70's run, I'd expect you'd have those guys higher on your list.
10. Terry Bradshaw - I think he's overrated, but I guess you just can't leave him off this list. He did win the 4 rings, and he was instrumental in winning 3 of them. He did play his best in the biggest games.
9. Mean Joe - Was chosen as the best Steeler ever, so he had to make this list. He is said to be THE player who changed the entire course of the franchise, from being perennial losers, to world champs.
8. Jack Lambert - It could be argued he stands as the best representative of Steeler football of all time. I love how angry he played. He was one of the best LBs of all time, period.
7. Jerome Bettis - For nearly a decade he exemplified Steeler football. There hasn't been a back like the Bus before and there won't be another after. No other big back (250 lbs+) had the durability and longevity of big Jerome. He had 7 1,000+ yards season, and the only other big back who had more than 1 was Natrone Means, who had two. The pinnacle came on the play off clinching game vs. the Bears, on a snowy field, when he ran Urlacher, who at the time was considered the best ILB in the NFL, blowing him back into the endzone. That was awesome.
6. Troy Polamalu - Before his decline, he was simply incredible. He changed the way teams had to play against our D. And he was a totally humble, unselfish, good dude. We often forget just how great he was, or, at least, I think I do. The Tazmanian devil. What a great all-time Steeler. Lock for HOF.
5. Hines Ward - The epitome of toughness and getting the most out of your abilities. The dude was so money, and even wasn't all that big or fast, but he slobberknocked defenders all the time. He was clutch. What a perfect representative of Steeler football, and doing so as a WR. That is pretty hard to pull off.
4. BIg Ben - Doesn't have 4 rings like Bradshaw, but is more responsible for the two rings than Bradshaw was for his 4. Yes, didn't have a great SB his 1st go, but he was crucial to getting us there, including 'the tackle" that may have saved the season, and is so iconic, that it deserves a statue. And if you think that Terry was better than Ben just because he has more rings, do yourself a favor and watch some tapes of Terry's games, NOT just the highlights. He is no where near in Ben's category as a passer; it's not even close. Take Ben off the team the last 11 years and we are a mediocre team at best.
3. Rod Woodson - Superior athletic talent combined with an immense drive and toughness. I will never forget the play he made on L. White vs. Houston, in the play offs, in OT. White was much bigger but when he went to make the first down, Rod blew him up, stopping a 1st down and we ended up pull off the upset. The only downside is Donnahoe pissed him off in contract negotiations, basically telling him he was near the end of his career. He sure as **** wasn't. He had lots of football left. He went on to play 7 more seasons after leaving Pgh, adding a ring to his resume while in Balt. Rod was simply one of the best defensive backs to ever play in the NFL.
2. Greg Lloyd - As is the case with #1, I feel if Lloyd suited up with that 70's crew, he take a back seat to no LB from those days. In his prime, he was a terror. It seemed like every single play, you'd see #95 come in like a blur on every tackle. Players were terrified of messing with #95. He was like a coiled spring, or a wild tiger. Had he not had his career shortened by that staph infection, I think he was Hall of Fame material. My brother has a framed "worn game jersey" of his, and there are "melt marks" from Lloyd sliding on the old 3 Rivers turf. He represents Steeler football as well as anyone.
1. James Harrison - Lack of longevity could push him down for some, but I think he is underrated...in his prime, he was better than any OLB ever in the history of the Steelers. Add to the fact that he is as mean as any NFL player I have ever seen (while being dirty at all). I just love his no-nonsense, straight shooter ways. To me, he is the best example of what Steelers should be. I don't remember who was on a show I caught, but two NFL players were talking about James being the scariest player to face in a street fight, and the one player said, "He can't be #1. He is too short." And the other dude - who was huge - said, "Noooooo, I know dudes like that. It doesn't matter how tall he is. He is the baddest man in the NFL, period. I'd never want to fight him." Add to it all that he made one of the very biggest plays in the history of the Super Bowl, that had to be a big part of beating AZ (he provided a possible 14-point swing) just puts a cherry on top. He is my #1 Steeler of all time.
