Unlucky Steelers, players who never quite reached greatness due to time or circumstance

[zulater]

Bam Morris had a promising career ahead of him...he probably would have been a Super Bowl MVP had Neil O'Donnell not thrown two INTs...it was either 6-Pound Bam or Andre Hastings...

LeVon Kirkland had a helluva game that Super Bowl too.

Barry Foster was a good choice. He was a great back for one season, but then a a series of high ankle sprains did him in.

I'm not into the Limas Sweed choice. No offense intended but he doesn't fit into my idea of what this thread is about. Now don't get me wrong everything's open to interpretation, and opinion, so I'm not knocking anyone for bringing him up. But in my opinion he really never did anything to suggest he was destined for greatness if some sort of abnormality
hadn't interfered. He was a receiver who couldn't catch. That never has worked never will work in this league. Kinda like Dwight Stone and Dri Archer. Both are amazingly fast with their straight line speed, but neither ever became a real football player. So they were never destined for greatness.

[Nadroj 20]

I haven't read the whole thread but a name that instantly jumped into my head for some reason was Kendrell Bell.

[Mojouw]

Eric Green.


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[zulater]

I haven't read the whole thread but a name that instantly jumped into my head for some reason was Kendrell Bell.

Agreed. He's my next profile.

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Eric Green.


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Good one. He and LeVeon Kirkland ate themselves out of greatness. Well with Eric it was also recreational drugs.

[Nadroj 20]

Agreed. He's my next profile.

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Good one. He and LeVeon Kirkland ate themselves out of greatness.

Ah, ok good. Looking forward to reading it.

[zulater]

Very nice read, Zu. I liked Joe, its amazing the arm this guy had for such a thin framed man. Its too bad there wasn't help available like today for drug issues. Nice work!

Thanks Shoes. Joe was a great talent. I think people look at his stats and don't realize just how much ability he had. So many things were working against Joe. Put him in today's game and I have no doubt he's a superstar, even if you kept him as scrawny as he was. But I don't think if you could transpose him he would be that scrawny. Between modern nutrition and weight training they probably would figure out a way to fill out his frame these days.

[lipps83]

On the Bettis thing. Sounds like your thinking too much of old late career Jerome. When he first came over from the Rams he used to bust long runs often. You can have all kinds of opinions but there just isn't a reality where Bettis wasn't one of the best backs ever. Last of a breed. We will likely never see the era of big RBs return.


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Oh for sure, when he came over from the Rams he seemed unstoppable. It just seemed to me, after those two years he just wasn't the same. He didn't have that same intensity. He turned from a menacing, bruising back to kind of trying more to be a celebrity.

Haha, maybe it was the whole 'wheels on the bus' thing. That always irritated me. Maybe that's why I put him a notch lower than where he should be.

Wheels on the bus go round and round......I hated that.

[Godfather]

John KUUUUUHN!

[tube517]

John KUUUUUHN!

I missed such an obvious choice!

[zulater]

Given the number of threads devoted to him on this board I'm beginning to wonder if maybe Brandon Boykin should be included on our list?

[tube517]

Given the number of threads devoted to him on this board I'm beginning to wonder if maybe Brandon Boykin should be included on our list?

This thread concerns Steelers who either had great talent that was never quite realized

Very close for Boykin to be in this thread.....

[teegre]

Agreed. He's my next profile.

Eagerly awaiting your analysis of Kendrell Bell...

(No pressure... I'm just interested.)

[zulater]

Kendrell Bell.

I know the Steelers Media guide tends to write up profiles with a glass half full approach. But still first and foremost that publication protects the established reputation of the legacy players. So when you reference the Steelers 2003 Media Guide profile of Kendrell Bell the first sentence of it can't help but jump out at you, to wit..."Is one of the most explosive players to ever wear a Steelers uniform." This after Kendrell had only played two seasons in a Steelers uniform, this despite fighting off a recurring high ankle sprain for the entirety of his second season. ( he was injured in the second pre season game) Bell played one of the most memorable playoff games ever witnessed at the end of the 2002 season against the loathed Browns. He racked up 8 solo tackles,(9 total) 3 tackles for losses, and a pass defensed. This despite missing numerous defensive snaps due to his bothersome ankle throughout the game. But the stats don't begin to tell the story. It seemed as if he influenced just about every play when he was on the field. And every play he was off it the Browns took advantage.

Kendrell started off with a bang. He was the unanimous NFL defensive rookie of the year in 01, along with second team All NFL from the UPI . He missed the majority of the season opener injuring his ankle on the 2nd series, but came back the following week against the Bills and was credited with 12 tackles (11 solo) in only 34 defensive snaps! He finished his rookie year with 9 sacks and 88 tackles despite never being fully healthy from the ankle injury.

More of the same his second season where he was hampered by ankle injuries all season, but still earned a Pro Bowl berth.

But then in his 3rd season his knees became the issue. And while he had a solid 2003 season with 99 tackles and 5 sacks the explosion just wasn't there anymore. The sideline to sideline speed he exhibited consistently in his first two seasons became a rarity.

In 04 he missed all but parts of 3 games due to knee injuries. And when he did play he was just a shadow of himself. The Steelers released him in 05. He signed a lucrative free agent contract with the Chiefs but injuries continued to plague him and he was out of the league by 07.

Bottom line he flashed brilliant but briefly. But when he was at the top of his game, what a treat to watch!



Anyway as stated before the numbers don't tell the full story. An explosive hitter with great speed with a nose for the ball carrier. If he had only had sound wheels he would have undoubtedly been an all time great.

[Mojouw]

Kendrell Bell.

I know the Steelers Media guide tends to write up profiles with a glass half full approach. But still first and foremost that publication protects the established reputation of the legacy players. So when you reference the Steelers 2003 Media Guide profile of Kendrell Bell the sentence can't help but jump out at you, to wit..."Is one of the most explosive players to ever wear a Steelers uniform." This after Kendrell had only played two seasons in a Steelers uniform, this despite fighting off a recurring high ankle sprain for the entirety of his second season. ( he was injured in the second pre season game) Bell played one of the most memorable playoff games ever witnessed at the end of the 2002 season against the loathed Browns. He racked up 8 solo tackles,(9 total) 3 tackles for losses, and a pass defensed. This despite missing numerous defensive snaps due to his bothersome ankle throughout the game. But the stats don't begin to tell the story. It seemed as if he influenced just about every play when he was on the field. And every play he was off it the Browns took advantage.

Kendrell started of with a bang. He was the unanimious NFL defensive rookie of the year in 01, along with second team All NFL from the UPI . He missed the majority of the season opener injuring his ankle on the 2nd series, but came back the following week against the Bills and was credited with 12 tackles (11 solo) in only 34 defensive snaps! He finished his rookie year with 9 sacks and 88 tackles despite never being fully healthy from the ankle injury.

More of the same his second season where he was hampered by ankle injuries all season, but still earned a Pro Bowl berth.

But then in his 3rd season his knees became the issue. And while he had a solid 2003 season with 99 tackles and 5 sacks the explosion just wasn't there anymore. The sideline to sideline speed he exhibited consistently in his first two seasons became a rarity.

In 04 he missed all but parts of 3 games due to knee injuries. And when he did play he was just a shadow of himself. The Steelers released him in 05. He signed a lucrative free agent contract with the Chiefs but injuries continued tom plague him and he was out of the league by 07.

Bottom line he flashed brilliant but briefly. But when he was at the top of his game, what a treat to watch!



Anyway as stated before the numbers don't tell the full story. An explosive hitter with great speed with a nose for the ball carrier. If he had only had sound wheels he would have undoubtedly been an all time great.

Awesome post! What I will remember about Bell is his instinct for the middle blitz. He just had an amazing sense of when to hesitate and when to go. Such a shame that his body broke down.

[teegre]

Kendrell Bell.

I know the Steelers Media guide tends to write up profiles with a glass half full approach. But still first and foremost that publication protects the established reputation of the legacy players. So when you reference the Steelers 2003 Media Guide profile of Kendrell Bell the sentence can't help but jump out at you, to wit..."Is one of the most explosive players to ever wear a Steelers uniform." This after Kendrell had only played two seasons in a Steelers uniform, this despite fighting off a recurring high ankle sprain for the entirety of his second season. ( he was injured in the second pre season game) Bell played one of the most memorable playoff games ever witnessed at the end of the 2002 season against the loathed Browns. He racked up 8 solo tackles,(9 total) 3 tackles for losses, and a pass defensed. This despite missing numerous defensive snaps due to his bothersome ankle throughout the game. But the stats don't begin to tell the story. It seemed as if he influenced just about every play when he was on the field. And every play he was off it the Browns took advantage.

Kendrell started of with a bang. He was the unanimious NFL defensive rookie of the year in 01, along with second team All NFL from the UPI . He missed the majority of the season opener injuring his ankle on the 2nd series, but came back the following week against the Bills and was credited with 12 tackles (11 solo) in only 34 defensive snaps! He finished his rookie year with 9 sacks and 88 tackles despite never being fully healthy from the ankle injury.

More of the same his second season where he was hampered by ankle injuries all season, but still earned a Pro Bowl berth.

But then in his 3rd season his knees became the issue. And while he had a solid 2003 season with 99 tackles and 5 sacks the explosion just wasn't there anymore. The sideline to sideline speed he exhibited consistently in his first two seasons became a rarity.

In 04 he missed all but parts of 3 games due to knee injuries. And when he did play he was just a shadow of himself. The Steelers released him in 05. He signed a lucrative free agent contract with the Chiefs but injuries continued tom plague him and he was out of the league by 07.

Bottom line he flashed brilliant but briefly. But when he was at the top of his game, what a treat to watch!



Anyway as stated before the numbers don't tell the full story. An explosive hitter with great speed with a nose for the ball carrier. If he had only had sound wheels he would have undoubtedly been an all time great.

Great post.

That 2002 playoff game was arguably the best game from a Steelers ILB that I've ever seen. You're right: only 9 tackles, but his influence was felt on every single play.

[Nadroj 20]

Kendrell Bell.

I know the Steelers Media guide tends to write up profiles with a glass half full approach. But still first and foremost that publication protects the established reputation of the legacy players. So when you reference the Steelers 2003 Media Guide profile of Kendrell Bell the sentence can't help but jump out at you, to wit..."Is one of the most explosive players to ever wear a Steelers uniform." This after Kendrell had only played two seasons in a Steelers uniform, this despite fighting off a recurring high ankle sprain for the entirety of his second season. ( he was injured in the second pre season game) Bell played one of the most memorable playoff games ever witnessed at the end of the 2002 season against the loathed Browns. He racked up 8 solo tackles,(9 total) 3 tackles for losses, and a pass defensed. This despite missing numerous defensive snaps due to his bothersome ankle throughout the game. But the stats don't begin to tell the story. It seemed as if he influenced just about every play when he was on the field. And every play he was off it the Browns took advantage.

Kendrell started of with a bang. He was the unanimious NFL defensive rookie of the year in 01, along with second team All NFL from the UPI . He missed the majority of the season opener injuring his ankle on the 2nd series, but came back the following week against the Bills and was credited with 12 tackles (11 solo) in only 34 defensive snaps! He finished his rookie year with 9 sacks and 88 tackles despite never being fully healthy from the ankle injury.

More of the same his second season where he was hampered by ankle injuries all season, but still earned a Pro Bowl berth.

But then in his 3rd season his knees became the issue. And while he had a solid 2003 season with 99 tackles and 5 sacks the explosion just wasn't there anymore. The sideline to sideline speed he exhibited consistently in his first two seasons became a rarity.

In 04 he missed all but parts of 3 games due to knee injuries. And when he did play he was just a shadow of himself. The Steelers released him in 05. He signed a lucrative free agent contract with the Chiefs but injuries continued tom plague him and he was out of the league by 07.

Bottom line he flashed brilliant but briefly. But when he was at the top of his game, what a treat to watch!



Anyway as stated before the numbers don't tell the full story. An explosive hitter with great speed with a nose for the ball carrier. If he had only had sound wheels he would have undoubtedly been an all time great.

Excellent post.

I remember my father telling me when I was younger (too young to actually understand what was going on in a football game) how great Bell was at times. Injuries just became too much for him.

[Mojouw]

Leveon Bell.

[katmandu]

Limas Sweed. Seriously. Had absolutely no problem getting open, had no problem with the physicality of the game (see huge block on Corey Ivy). Certainly had all the physical tools. Seemed to develop a debilitating mental block early on when it came to catching the ball that just got worse and worse, and that was at least partially due to Tomlin and company mishandling him, IMO. After his first drop it seemed like it took forever for him to get another opportunity afterward and he was a mental wreck by that point.

Sweed suffered from Social Phobia (Panic/Anxiety attacks. Just like Marshawn Lynch does (and many other players do).

Lynch's Social phobia isn't nearly as debilitating as Sweed's was. A lot of other players (and most people) SELF MEDICATE. We all know what that's all about.

- - - Updated - - -

Kendrell Bell.

I know the Steelers Media guide tends to write up profiles with a glass half full approach. But still first and foremost that publication protects the established reputation of the legacy players. So when you reference the Steelers 2003 Media Guide profile of Kendrell Bell the first sentence of it can't help but jump out at you, to wit..."Is one of the most explosive players to ever wear a Steelers uniform." This after Kendrell had only played two seasons in a Steelers uniform, this despite fighting off a recurring high ankle sprain for the entirety of his second season. ( he was injured in the second pre season game) Bell played one of the most memorable playoff games ever witnessed at the end of the 2002 season against the loathed Browns. He racked up 8 solo tackles,(9 total) 3 tackles for losses, and a pass defensed. This despite missing numerous defensive snaps due to his bothersome ankle throughout the game. But the stats don't begin to tell the story. It seemed as if he influenced just about every play when he was on the field. And every play he was off it the Browns took advantage.

Kendrell started off with a bang. He was the unanimous NFL defensive rookie of the year in 01, along with second team All NFL from the UPI . He missed the majority of the season opener injuring his ankle on the 2nd series, but came back the following week against the Bills and was credited with 12 tackles (11 solo) in only 34 defensive snaps! He finished his rookie year with 9 sacks and 88 tackles despite never being fully healthy from the ankle injury.

More of the same his second season where he was hampered by ankle injuries all season, but still earned a Pro Bowl berth.

But then in his 3rd season his knees became the issue. And while he had a solid 2003 season with 99 tackles and 5 sacks the explosion just wasn't there anymore. The sideline to sideline speed he exhibited consistently in his first two seasons became a rarity.

In 04 he missed all but parts of 3 games due to knee injuries. And when he did play he was just a shadow of himself. The Steelers released him in 05. He signed a lucrative free agent contract with the Chiefs but injuries continued to plague him and he was out of the league by 07.

Bottom line he flashed brilliant but briefly. But when he was at the top of his game, what a treat to watch!



Anyway as stated before the numbers don't tell the full story. An explosive hitter with great speed with a nose for the ball carrier. If he had only had sound wheels he would have undoubtedly been an all time great.

Ryan Shazier is career is also starting to head this direction.

Remember it was a "little" turf toe injury that finally axed down Steeler's legend Jack Splat Lambert.

[zulater]

Leveon Bell.

Too early to start shoveling dirt on the grave.

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Sweed suffered from Social Phobia (Panic/Anxiety attacks. Just like Marshawn Lynch does (and many other players do).

Lynch's Social phobia isn't nearly as debilitating as Sweed's was. A lot of other players (and most people) SELF MEDICATE. We all know what that's all about.

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Ryan Shazier is career is also starting to head this direction.

Remember it was a "little" turf toe injury that finally axed down Steeler's legend Jack Splat Lambert.

Ryan looks to be getting back on track. I don't think his injury was nearly as bad as Jack's.