Which Pittsburgh Steelers in modern times that went elsewhere were very productive elsewhere?

[saturdaysarebetter]

Which Pittsburgh Steelers in modern times that went elsewhere were very productive elsewhere?

We all know about in the olden days, Johnny Unitas, Len Dawson, Earl Morrall all were former Steelers that did well after leaving Pittsburgh, but in modern times which Steelers went elsewhere and were productive?

Some that come to mind are: Rod Woodson, Gary Anderson, Frank Lewis, Preston Pearson, Chad Brown, Matt Bahr, and Dwaine Board. Others?

[DesertSteel]

Plaxico did pretty well.

[saturdaysarebetter]

He did yes.

[saturdaysarebetter]

Conversely, three players that did very well here after being elsewhere, Jerome Bettis, James Harrison and James Farrior. Great acquisitions.

[Dwinsgames]

Manny Sanders ... James Conner had a heck of a TD year in Arizona , Mike Vrabel who got almost no snaps in his 4 years in Pittsburgh turned out pretty well for New England , Nate Washington did ok for the titans

[Mojouw]

That guard that went to Buffalo and had a career. Urbik?

Foote
McFadden
Woods
McCkendon
Hargrave

[Hawkman]

What a silly thread……McFadden left and came back……..Foote left and came back….and I think Gay left and came back. Players leave and go on to have great careers……..we can’t keep them all. ………and you used “elsewhere” twice in the title.

[pczach]

Rod Woodson
Hardy Nickerson
Chad Brown
Keven Greene
Plaxico Burriss
Carlos Emmons
Javon Hargrave
Kelvin Beachum
Mike Vrabel
Emmanuel Sanders
Mike Hilton
Mike Wallace
Joey Porter
Nate Washinton


I'm sure there are a ton more I am missing here off the top of my head.

[DesertSteel]

Conversely, three players that did very well here after being elsewhere, Jerome Bettis, James Harrison and James Farrior. Great acquisitions.
How do you figure that James Harrison fits on that list?

[oneforthetoe]

If modern times is since the merger -which is what I consider it - I'll add Roy Jefferson to the list. He was a pro bowl wr.,drafted by the Steelers in the mid sixties, but let go by Noll. He went to play for the Colts and Redskins. As a kid watching the Steelers in the late 70's, I distinctively remember when Jeffereson was on the opposing team, if Dick Enberg was doing the game, he would always remark about what it would have been like if the Steelers had Swann, Stallworth and Jefferson - "oh my."

Not a modern player, but, as most all know, somehow once the Steelers thought they had three better quarterbacks the Johhny Unitas - worst decision in the history of decisions.

[RunNGun]

Plaxico was pretty solid for the Giants. Carnell Lake left for the Jags and was a 2nd team all pro in his only season in Jacksonville. Mike Vrabel is another that comes to mind.

John Kuhn was another. He was only here for his rookie season but he went on to be one of the better FBs in the league and was a 2x all pro and 3 time pro bowler.

[86WARD]

Mike Vrabel

[Mach1]

James Conner

[saturdaysarebetter]

What a silly thread……McFadden left and came back……..Foote left and came back….and I think Gay left and came back. Players leave and go on to have great careers……..we can’t keep them all. ………and you used “elsewhere” twice in the title.

You understood the question so that makes it a success. Did I say or insinuate that it's possible for the Steelers to keep them all?????

- - - Updated - - -


How do you figure that James Harrison fits on that list?

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarrJa23.htm

June 17, 2004: The Baltimore Ravens (https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rav/2004.htm) waived OLB James Harrison (https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarrJa23.htm).

[saturdaysarebetter]

How do you figure that James Harrison fits on that list?

He belonged to the Ravens for a period of time. June 17, 2004: The Baltimore Ravens (https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rav/2004.htm) waived OLB James Harrison (https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarrJa23.htm). It was after that when he became good.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarrJa23.htm

[86WARD]

Hardy Nickerson probably had the most success after he left…Vrabel and Chad Brown would be in that discussion as well…imo.

[El Kabong]

Josh Dobbs...er...nevermind.

[NCSteeler]

Mike VrabelThe only guy who left I wish they would have noticed and kept him. He had a great post Steelers career

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[86WARD]

The only guy who left I wish they would have noticed and kept him. He had a great post Steelers career

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

In retrospect, he was probably a better keep than Gildon but you had Porter coming up at that time when Vrabel was leaving the roster and some really good LB play floating around that team. But I agree. I wish they would’ve recognized and made room for him.

[ETL]

Javon Hargrave. It was a mistake not to re-sign him. Our run defense has been trash since he left.

[DuckHodges]

chris fuamalalalalaalawhofa

[ALLD]

John Kuhn is a household name after only 1 season in Pitt..

[Steeler-in-west]

Woodson converted from cornerback to safety when he joined the Ravens. you could say he had success as a safety but his CB days were done. His best days were with the Steelers.

Most of those guys listed, aside from Nickerson and Sanders (maybe add Hargrave who is looking like a mistake so far) had limited success after leaving Pittsburgh. Vrabel was a backup with the Steelers and became serviceable to good afterward but never was considered great, and Plaxico had two good seasons with the Giants but was never a pro-bowler.

Aside from the early days of the brain freezes in letting go of Unitas and Dawson, the Steelers have typically been pretty good in holding onto talented players

[EzraTank]

Javon Hargrave. It was a mistake not to re-sign him. Our run defense has been trash since he left.

Well we had to choose between keeping him or Tuitt and no one could foresee what happened to Tuitt so we just go unlucky.

[saturdaysarebetter]

Woodson converted from cornerback to safety when he joined the Ravens. you could say he had success as a safety but his CB days were done. His best days were with the Steelers.

Most of those guys listed, aside from Nickerson and Sanders (maybe add Hargrave who is looking like a mistake so far) had limited success after leaving Pittsburgh. Vrabel was a backup with the Steelers and became serviceable to good afterward but never was considered great, and Plaxico had two good seasons with the Giants but was never a pro-bowler.

Aside from the early days of the brain freezes in letting go of Unitas and Dawson, the Steelers have typically been pretty good in holding onto talented players

In looking up former players that made the Pro Bowl after their Steelers days: Jack Kemp 7, Hardy Nickerson 5, Rod Woodson 4, John Kuhn 3, Emmanuel Sanders 2, and Chad Brown 2. A bunch made one Pro Bowl or not at all. Overall, the Steelers have been pretty good about not letting really good players get away in their prime years.

[ETL]

Well we had to choose between keeping him or Tuitt and no one could foresee what happened to Tuitt so we just go unlucky.

Yea. I would have kept Tuitt over Hargrave as well.

[86WARD]

Tuitt was on his way to being a monster at that time…it was the correct signing.