LLT
07-16-2010, 08:21 AM
Pittsburgh Steelers History: Top 10 Defensive Backs of All-Time
By Jonathan Cyprowski
July 15, 2010 661
Every team has a forte, something that defines them, and no team has ever been defined more by their defense than the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While the Steelers have been known for the Steel Curtain's Hall of Fame linebackers and defensive linemen, there have been some outstanding defensive backs roaming the secondary behind the likes of Jack Lambert and Mean Joe Greene.
Let's see how the top 10 defensive backs in Steelers’ history play out…
10. Darren Perry—1992-1998
Bill Cowher drafted Perry in his very first draft as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He would combine with Rod Woodson and Carnell Lake to make for one of the most feared defensive secondaries in the NFL for much of the 1990’s under their new head coach.
The Penn State product was the first rookie to lead the team in interceptions since the 1955 season.
He finishd his career ranked seventh on the Steelers’ all-time career interceptions list with 32.
Having done so in seven seasons makes that number all the more impressive, averaging five picks a season during his time wearing the black and gold.
9. Glen Edwards—1971-1977
The two-time Pro Bowler played seven seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers before being traded to the San Diego Chargers for a sixth round pick prior to the 1978 season.
25 of his 39 career interceptions came while wearing black and gold. That’s a mark good enough to be 11th all-time in Steelers history.
Edwards won two Super Bowl rings with the Steelers in Super Bowls IX and X, having a big play in both victories.
The first came by way of a sledgehammer hit on Vikings receiver John Gilliam.
Gilliam had just caught the ball near the goal line when Edwards made the hit that jarred the ball from Gilliam’s grasp and into the waiting arms of Hall of Famer Mel Blount. His hit stopped a certain touchdown.
The second play was an interception of his own. Edwards sealed a victory for the Steelers in Super Bowl X by intercepting the Cowboys’ Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach in the end zone as time expired.
Edwards would go on to have 14 more interceptions with San Diego over the final four years of his career, but not before making his mark on Steelers’ history.
8. Mike Wagner—1971-1980
Mike Wagner won four Super Bowl rings playing safety for the vaunted Steel Curtain defense of the 70’s.
Wagner had a nose for the football and seemed to be in the right place at the right time leading the league in interceptions once and making two Pro Bowls on his way to 36 career interceptions and becoming the sixth leading pick artist in Steelers history.
The two biggest interceptions of Wagner’s career may have come during the most important times as well, recording interceptions in Super Bowls IX and X.
7. Dwayne Woodruff—1979-1990
The court is now in session. The Honorable Judge Dwayne Woodruff is now presiding.
The fifth leading interception man in Steelers history is now a Judge in the Court of Common Pleas in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Woodruff obtained his law degree from Duquesne University and became the founding member of the law firm Woodruff, Flaherty, and Fardo after retiring from the NFL following the 1990 season.
But before Woodruff started trying cases in the courtroom, he was ruling over the Steelers defensive secondary for the better part of 11 NFL seasons.
His 37 career interceptions, 35 in nine years as a starter, were secondary only to his knack for finding ways to score off of turnovers.
Woodruff mentored and played opposite a young and very talented Rod Woodson from 1986 to 1990, as his career came to a close with the Steelers.
6. Troy Polamalu—2003-Present
It hardly seems possible that it has been seven years since Troy Polamalu was taken in the first round of the 2003 draft by the Steelers.
Whether it seems like ages ago or yesterday, Polamalu has made an impact on the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise and the NFL in ways that few players have ever done before him.
After a slow start in his rookie season, Polamalu has managed to amass 453 tackles, seven sacks, and 20 interceptions in a little over six full seasons.
Those 20 interceptions rank 14th in Steelers’ history and he is certainly far from being done climbing that ladder as he continues to be one of the most feared defenders in the NFL.
Perhaps New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said it best when asked about him, “If you don’t know where Troy Polamalu is he’ll kill you”.
(continued on page 2)
By Jonathan Cyprowski
July 15, 2010 661
Every team has a forte, something that defines them, and no team has ever been defined more by their defense than the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While the Steelers have been known for the Steel Curtain's Hall of Fame linebackers and defensive linemen, there have been some outstanding defensive backs roaming the secondary behind the likes of Jack Lambert and Mean Joe Greene.
Let's see how the top 10 defensive backs in Steelers’ history play out…
10. Darren Perry—1992-1998
Bill Cowher drafted Perry in his very first draft as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He would combine with Rod Woodson and Carnell Lake to make for one of the most feared defensive secondaries in the NFL for much of the 1990’s under their new head coach.
The Penn State product was the first rookie to lead the team in interceptions since the 1955 season.
He finishd his career ranked seventh on the Steelers’ all-time career interceptions list with 32.
Having done so in seven seasons makes that number all the more impressive, averaging five picks a season during his time wearing the black and gold.
9. Glen Edwards—1971-1977
The two-time Pro Bowler played seven seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers before being traded to the San Diego Chargers for a sixth round pick prior to the 1978 season.
25 of his 39 career interceptions came while wearing black and gold. That’s a mark good enough to be 11th all-time in Steelers history.
Edwards won two Super Bowl rings with the Steelers in Super Bowls IX and X, having a big play in both victories.
The first came by way of a sledgehammer hit on Vikings receiver John Gilliam.
Gilliam had just caught the ball near the goal line when Edwards made the hit that jarred the ball from Gilliam’s grasp and into the waiting arms of Hall of Famer Mel Blount. His hit stopped a certain touchdown.
The second play was an interception of his own. Edwards sealed a victory for the Steelers in Super Bowl X by intercepting the Cowboys’ Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach in the end zone as time expired.
Edwards would go on to have 14 more interceptions with San Diego over the final four years of his career, but not before making his mark on Steelers’ history.
8. Mike Wagner—1971-1980
Mike Wagner won four Super Bowl rings playing safety for the vaunted Steel Curtain defense of the 70’s.
Wagner had a nose for the football and seemed to be in the right place at the right time leading the league in interceptions once and making two Pro Bowls on his way to 36 career interceptions and becoming the sixth leading pick artist in Steelers history.
The two biggest interceptions of Wagner’s career may have come during the most important times as well, recording interceptions in Super Bowls IX and X.
7. Dwayne Woodruff—1979-1990
The court is now in session. The Honorable Judge Dwayne Woodruff is now presiding.
The fifth leading interception man in Steelers history is now a Judge in the Court of Common Pleas in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Woodruff obtained his law degree from Duquesne University and became the founding member of the law firm Woodruff, Flaherty, and Fardo after retiring from the NFL following the 1990 season.
But before Woodruff started trying cases in the courtroom, he was ruling over the Steelers defensive secondary for the better part of 11 NFL seasons.
His 37 career interceptions, 35 in nine years as a starter, were secondary only to his knack for finding ways to score off of turnovers.
Woodruff mentored and played opposite a young and very talented Rod Woodson from 1986 to 1990, as his career came to a close with the Steelers.
6. Troy Polamalu—2003-Present
It hardly seems possible that it has been seven years since Troy Polamalu was taken in the first round of the 2003 draft by the Steelers.
Whether it seems like ages ago or yesterday, Polamalu has made an impact on the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise and the NFL in ways that few players have ever done before him.
After a slow start in his rookie season, Polamalu has managed to amass 453 tackles, seven sacks, and 20 interceptions in a little over six full seasons.
Those 20 interceptions rank 14th in Steelers’ history and he is certainly far from being done climbing that ladder as he continues to be one of the most feared defenders in the NFL.
Perhaps New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said it best when asked about him, “If you don’t know where Troy Polamalu is he’ll kill you”.
(continued on page 2)