Originally Posted by
Psycho Ward 86
Underrated amongst people league wide: Dan Kreider, Ike Taylor. Not even a pro bowl for these guys which is not the case with the previously mentioned players
The list is a lot more interesting when we focus on those who are:
Underrated amongst even steeler fans: 1) Ramon Foster: Easy to forget about an undrafted utility lineman that was so-so for a long time before turning it up to a pro bowl caliber level after Munchak came on board
2) Clark Haggans: A pretty lowkey steady pass rush presence that doesnt get his name called for outlandish mistakes. Benefits of playing around superstars i suppose but i always thought he did a quietly effective job on the weakside
Im probably going to get roasted for these next 2 but im prorating these next choices based on the years they were BOTH healthy and getting playing time
3) Keenan Lewis: Looked like a total project player and a bust his first few seasons but once he got a shot at being our slot corner he was one of the better slot guys in the league. His second year as a starter (playing in the slot still counts for me in the early 2010's) was a weird one. If i recall correctly we were pretty much at the bottom of the league in pressures/sacks but top of the league in pass defense. And he was a big reason, giving big receivers serious problems in man coverage. Here are some other snippets from bleacherreport from that season: "leading the AFC in passes defended. He finished fourth in the conference in yards allowed per target and seventh in touchdowns allowed per target among cornerbacks who played in more than 60 percent of their team’s defensive snaps....never gave up 100 yards in a game to opposing receivers whom he covered. Lewis was equally stout against the run, ranking third in the AFC in run stop percentage, the portion of a cornerback’s tackles that constitute a “loss” for the offense. The Steelers defensive back didn’t miss a single tackle on opposition running plays and helped the team’s defensive backfield allow the fifth fewest yards on runs that exceeded 10 yards." Not sure what the hell happened to him in New Orleans but he really bombed after that
4) Isaac Redman: Cue the suddeness and glide jokes. In all seriousness though, before his career went down the drain because of a series of stingers starting in 2012, Redman was absolute money on 3rd/4th and short. One of the absolute best in the league. And it came at a good time, when in previous years we were one of the worst teams in the league on 3rd and short. He had some big games when it mattered too. I still firmly believe to this day that we wouldnt have been upset by Tebow in 2011 if we fed Redman the rock more (142 yards on 19 touches). And he had a TD reception against the Ravens in a 2010 nailbiter that helped us jockey for better seeding and get us to the superbowl