How many players could be on the roster in the 70s?
I mean if I'm being honest and I have to build a WR corps of Steelers in their Prime, you get 5 WRs right? I'm taking Stallworth, Swann, Dial, Jefferson, and Lipps... with honorable mentions to Hines and Thigpen (sorry guys).
Eric Green or Heath Miller, tossup, though Green was a little bit of a punk. You get two TEs though right? Miller and Green.
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Love Terry but if Ben had that kind of protection and help, he'd be godlike. Give me Ben. And for the backup give me O'Donnell: when fearless leader is down, you need to keep the machine running with a technician.
FB Bettis?? Why do you have to choose between Franco and The Bus for RB? You'll have three RB: Bettis, Harris, and Bleier... and your one FB is going to be John Henry Johnson. How can you give that nod to anyone else?
Ben Roethlisberger, Lynn Swann, Randy Grossman, Donnie Shell, Ryan Clark, Carnell Lake, Darren Perry, James Harrison, and Brett Keisel didn't make that list.
Amazing how lucky Steelers fans have been since the merger.
Many of us took all that talent on the 1970s team for granted. Never had that sinking feeling in my stomach as a kid growing up, even when we were down 10. You just knew, especially in Super Bowls, that we were going to win it. I remember in 1976 being a dreamer, since the defense was the best in NFL history that we could win three Super Bowls in a row despite losing most of our core offense. It was an amazing time to be a Steelers fan and as a child it was more special.
All Defense!
A case could be made for Joey Porter.
Here's my all time Steeler team before checking out the link.
Qb. Terry Bradshaw. I love Ben, and know his stats are better. But Ben has never been first team All Pro or NFL MVP.
Rb. Franco Harris. Underrated even though he's in the Hall of Fame. First ballot Hall of famer has the edge over the Bus.
Fb. Rocky Bleir. In his time he was considered a halfback and Franco was considered the FB. But in the modern era Rocky was a prototypical FB in everthing but size.
Wr. John Stallworth. Best Wr in Steelers history, top 10 all time in the league.\
Wr. Lynn Swann. Again the fact that he made first team All NFL in his era multiple times trumps stats.
TE. Heath Miller.
LT. Jon Kolb. Most underrated Steeler of all time. How the bedrock of the offensive line was so overlooked both in his time and through history's eyes has always puzzled me?
LG. Alan Faneca. Best overall Steeler offensive lineman other than Webster and Dawson.
C tie, Demontii Dawson, and Mike Webster. Call it a cop out if you will, but two all time greats both deserve equal acknowledgement in my eyes.
RG. Sam Davis. Another underrated member of the Super Steelers of the 70's.
RT. Marvel Smith. Was strong at both tackle positions, but started out at RT and this team already has a LT.
Defense.
DT.Joe Greene. Greatest Steeler eveer.
DT. Casey Hampton. Anchored the line for many great defenses of the modern era.
DE. L.C. Greenwood. It's criminal he's not in the Hall. He dominated Hall of Famers Ron Yary, Rayfield Wright, and Jackie Slater in Super Bowls.
DE. Aaron Smith. Another underrated but truly great Steeler.
MLB. Jack Lambert. The heart of the Steel Curtain.
ILB. Levon Kirkland. Barely edges out Lawrence Timmons on the basis of being the best player in SB XXX.
OLB. Jack Ham. Most complete OLB in league history
OLB. tie Gregg Llloyd and James Harrison. Again I couldn't break the tie between two all time great Steelers.
CB. Mel Blount. Best cornerback ever!\
CB. Rod Woodson. Another all time great.
SS. Troy Polamalu. Possibly the best safety in league history
FS. Donnie Shell. 57 interceptions and he's not in the Hall of fame?
PK. Gary Anderson
P. Bobby Walden
"A man's got to know his limitations."
I forgot a kick and punt returner on my team.
KR. Rod Woodson.
PR. Louis Lipps, by a fraction over Antonio Brown.
And I honestly think no team is complete without a 3rd wr, so put Hines Ward down as my 3rd receiver on the all time team.
"A man's got to know his limitations."
Best emergency QB in NFL history: Antwaan Randle El