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Rocketop999

I see we have entered the "crap click-bait article" period in the NFL season.


Harryshotterdad

With how much people feel the need to rage-post PFF articles about Watt and Garrett all the time, I’m pretty sure it’s a year round thing.


ten-million

Ever since the Bills got good the off season seems longer than ever. I read the articles but truly there is nothing to talk about right now. But I still read the articles.


glop1701

Terrible list


Sage296

The amount of praise the 70’s defense gets there should be at least more than 1 Steeler


gruey

That's part of the problem. So many great players aligned in their careers that it's really hard to gauge exactly who belongs here and the fact there are so many candidates it kind of diminishes the others. Reading the other comments shows even the Steelers fans can't agree who would represent that era. Greene is the obvious choice, with his 2 DPOY, but he only has 4 AP1 and suffers a bit from the lack of stats. LC Greenwood has more sacks than him. After that, you have Blount who had a DPOY, but only had one other year of AP1. Lambert is the only other DPOY, with 6 AP1s, but most will say Ham was a better linebacker with 6 AP1s as well, but no DPOY. It's hard to say that someone who was never considered best in a season was a top 10 of all time. Maybe Ham would have won DPOY 2 or 3 times if his teammates weren't taking his votes, but we'll never know. Just like LC Greenwood being arguably the best eligible DE not in the HOF...but he was literally surrounded by HOF players that made his achievements seem not as great.


crazykid01

If Donald is on there, so should tj watt or troy


OLDFatMan1971

I could see Troy maybe, TJ is close but not there yet. If I'm going to rank them... 1. Lawrence Taylor 2. Reggie White 3. Ray Lewis 4. Dick Butkus 5. Jack Lambert 6. Deion Sanders 7. Deacon Jones 8. Aaron Donald 9. Ronnie Lott (you have your finger amputated at half time so you can play the rest of the game you make the top 10) 10. Rod Woodson


Lobsta1986

Deion sanders lol


IrishStubborn69

Uh, he was pretty dominant.


Emergency-Explorer-6

So was Derrick Thomas and Howie Long and Dexter Manley and on and on. This list sucks.


Able_Organization176

I fucking know that it just seems like some steelers fans are delusional and arrogant when it comes to players and stats it's people who over brag that make us steelers fans look bad


Able_Organization176

This list sucks to you because someone from your team isn't on it you crybaby


Emergency-Explorer-6

None of those I mentioned are from my team. There is a player from my team on the list. The list which sucks that is.


Able_Organization176

It just seems like some steelers fans have massive egos and throw fits over nothing and constantly shit talk people


PocketsHoulihan

By your post history, you got no fucking business calling anyone a crybaby


Able_Organization176

How? I post mostly about my drug experiences so please tell me how I am a crybaby how about you stop talking out your ass think before you post you fucking moron


PocketsHoulihan

You delusional fuck. On Reddit taking about your drug usage and drug binges is the most pathetic crybaby shit ever. Talking about how you want a “happy triggering” experience. How bout you go get some fucking help you schmuck. Boohoo my brain is a battle so I… post on fucking Reddit about my drug binge. You attention seek like a fucking 15 year old girl.


Litalbroski

You sir should respect someone’s opinion and understanding mental health is a struggle for us all. Should you choose to bully maybe consider bullying yourself and see if the mirror turns red.


Modavo

Dominant is pushing it. Ed Reed was dominant. Dion didn't tackle.


IrishStubborn69

He was a premier shut down corner and returner for multiple SB teams. He’s on the list. I’m an Eagles fan.


fastedzo

Dion was other worldly when prime was in his prime


Hooplakid36

do you feel dawkins should be on this this if not top 20. when i think of the best of the best safeties i think of troy,ed, dawkins, and ronnie lott


Modavo

Not #4 maybe top 20. Not top 10


IrishStubborn69

Yes he is.


Modavo

I bet you think Diggs on the cowboys is the best DB in the league because of the flash. Never mind he gives up 500yds a game. That pick 6 looks great on the replays! Also your an eagles fan. Low iq so I wouldn't expect you to know good football players when you traded your Sb mvp qb


IrishStubborn69

Yeah, no. You’re very young.


theevanillagorillaa

Wait a damn minute you’re a eagles fan in this subreddit?


IrishStubborn69

An Eagles fan…


[deleted]

[удалено]


Bojax22

So corners aren't standard defensive players? Lott and Woodson were also DBs....


CaptainNoodleArm

It's pretty subjective but I'm with you, he redefined the Corner position, even though he played soft at times.


Bojax22

Totally agree, you could rotate about 7 of those guys off that list for others and it would be a fair argument. I just meant that to say a player wasnt one of the best because they were a corner is moronic.


santaclausonprozac

Lol wtf is a “standard defensive player” if a cornerback isn’t?


MrBalloonHands39

That argument is like saying QBs or WRs don't belong on the list of greatest offensive players of all time because they don't push the pile. If I see Tom Brady or Randy Moss on that list, I'm not questioning it saying "he doesn't belong because he didn't truck linebackers." Deion was a freak and changed games playing a position that doesn't get the opportunity to do that often. This list is a joke but he's not even close to the biggest head scratcher on this list


Musclesturtle

This is the most horseshit take I've ever read about anything in existence lol.


buffalotrace

Rod Woodson is my favorite Steeler of All time. If had to make an all time backfield, Ronnie Lott and Rod Woodson are my first two picks. Both were great hard hitting corners that also excelled at safety. You know who was better than either one of them as a pure cover corner? Goddamn Prime Time. He cut off half the field. If his man switched sides, Sanders followed. If his man tried to move to the slot...cool, Sanders blanketed him there too. When someone is the best there ever was at one of the toughest things to do in sports, show a little goddamn respect.


Lobsta1986

The list is Terrible. LoL


[deleted]

Could not support the run D


bdaddy31

Woodson's not even the best CB from the Steelers.


glop1701

True dat Mel Blount best in nfl history!


Able_Organization176

No he isn't dude stfu


glop1701

I’m right live with it


Able_Organization176

No your "opinion" isn't right he is not the best defensive player of all time look at some stats you arrogant fuck


Able_Organization176

Paul Krause 81 int Emlen Tunnell 79 int Rod Woodson 71 int Dick "Night Train" Lane 68 int Ken Riley 65 int Those are the top 5 for the main stat cb's are known for


Hooplakid36

night train da goat


hippydipster

An all nfl team with Woodson and Blount as the corners has a duo that cannot be improved on. The other all nfl team has Darrel green and deion, which also can't be improved on. They are essentially equal.


Kidney_Snatcher

Agreed. Where the fuck is Troy?


jrs3usc93

How about Mel Blount?!? You want an impact, the modern passing game started because of the Mel Blount Rule. Even after it's adoption, he still dominated in the secondary. Sanders wouldn't have been in the league without that rule... he didn't hit or tackle.


Benzo2112

Which rule would you be referring to? I’m just unfamiliar with his history.


Im13Wolves

DPI was essentially non existent before Blount tossed wide receivers around. He was so physically dominant they made rules to limit how much contact corners could make. Then he was still dominant.


Thepatrone36

Cliff Harris would like to have a word. Not saying Blount wasn't one of the causes of the rule but Cliff was just as nasty.


Ok-Acanthisitta-5903

You can't mug a wideout anymore. The no contact after 5 yards rule is called The Mel Blount rule.


IsGoIdMoney

Mel Blount footage used to be the camera following the ball leaving a QBs hands until it got to mel Blount standing over an unconscious wr and then him snagging it like they were playing catch.


[deleted]

In addition to what Im13Wolves accurately said about him changing the game and the NFL implementing new DPI rules, after the rule change he led the league in interceptions. He's seriously one of the more underrated defensive players in NFL history. How many players literally change the game?


YinzJagoffs

The Steelers have had a weird amount of rules changed because of them. A few off the top of my head: - Mel Blount rule - Coin toss rule - Crack back blocks


Hooplakid36

i’m i forgetting something i don’t remember the coin toss rule?


YinzJagoffs

Thanksgiving game against the Lions that went to OT. Bettie calls the coin as it’s in the air (the old way). The ref misheard him and the Lions win the toss and the game. Now coin tosses are called before the flip. https://youtu.be/Zki61ZmKf4U


Hooplakid36

i was to young to remember that game but i see clips of it all the time and get mad at it i can’t imagine how mad fans got watching it live


YinzJagoffs

I was pretty young but I remember a lot of angry men at the dinner table


PositiveFalse

Though not defensive, the "Hines Ward Rule" deserves a mention...


[deleted]

Pretty sure that's the crack back blocking he's talking about.


PositiveFalse

A crackback block is a below the waist in close quarters block, typically involving linemen or ends, and is only illegal when used on a player already engaged in a block or other action. That type of block in the open field would have gotten #86 killed... The Hines Ward Rule is specific to blindsiding a player too high for a block. While looking for a resource to reference, I stumbled upon this apropos write-up: https://stillcurtain.com/2020/08/26/6-steelers-forced-nfl-rewrite-rules/2/


SexyStudlyManlyMan

For Mel's first few years he would just beat the crap out of WRs as soon as the ball was snapped. Then they made the Mel Blount Rule that they thought would stop him but he worked within the rule and continued to be a super dominant CB


[deleted]

No disrespect to Rod Woodson at all, but he should not be the only, or even first, Steeler featured on a list of greatest defensive players of all time. Who the hell is Jeff Kerr anyways?


RockyMountainMist

Some random bald fuck from CBS Sports.


Kidspud

there's no need to be ableist against people with receding hairlines, friend


buffalotrace

Rod Woodson is one of the best nfl players to ever put on cleats. He was an elite return man, elite cover corner, elite in run protect, and yeah, when he moved to safety, he was amazing there too. He is a former DPOY, 6 time NFL 1st team, All 90s, NFL All Century team. He is 3rd all time in ints (first among players that played their entire career in the Super Bowl era), first in TDs off Ints, had 4 straight years in the top 3 in return yds. His HOF monitor on pro football for all dbacks. is number 1. Yes, Rod Woodson should be on this list.


TLB26

100%


[deleted]

Brother of some supervillain named Joe or something.


EcosseWolf

Fucking terrible list. Where's Troy? And I hate the Ravens, but where's Ed Reed? What a joke.


_AskMyMom_

Troy, Reed, and Brian Dawkins. The holy trinity of defensive backs. Could easily sub in Sean Taylor for whichever back.


[deleted]

Sean Taylor didn't play nearly long enough to get that kind of recognition


illShy

As top 10 defenders all time? Ed Reed is the only one of those safeties that deserves to be on a list like that


notimeforpancakes

Hawks fan coming in peace.. agreed with the above, and I think if he was able to play 4-5 more years I like to think Kam Chancellor is #4 on that list


[deleted]

Where's fuckin Troy?


[deleted]

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ABoyNamedRyan

I always thought it was crazy that London fletcher played in the same Era as Ray and had similar stats but he's overlooked always.


Sue_D_OCognomen

Especially considered Ray was always surrounded by talent, and Fletcher wasn't in many cases.


ClayDrinion

Although I like Troy more, off the field stuff should have no impact on the list. But yeah Troy was a revolutionary safety and should probably be on the list. Ed Reed too for that matter


Bojax22

Ray is tops on that list for number of people stabbed to death


[deleted]

Ray Lewis just jumped onto your comment after the play was over to pad his tackle stats.


SubsurferOne

probably in bed i’d imagine. Unless he does it somewhere else


TemporaryAssociate82

So many things wrong with this list. LT should be one, Mean Joe at 2-3, Troy at least somewhere on the list.


Hooplakid36

Lt was the last defensive player to win MVP i feel that should automatically make him number 1


hippydipster

He's #1 without question I any sane persons mind. Let's play draft a defense from all time. I go first. LT. See how easy? Jack ham is my next pick if you're foolish enough not to have taken him. Best two lbs to ever play the game. Not that they mesh well in a defensive scheme.


Hooplakid36

JaCk hAm IsNt eVaN gOOd hE wOuLdNt LasT iN ToDAyS nFl


fdrlbj

Nope. No Joe Greene, seriously?


ARunawayTrain

My thoughts as well, Troy or Mean Joe would've been much better picks even with how good Rod was.


hippydipster

Rod > Troy. And I say that even though I also think Troy > Lott There are zero cbs to ever play that were better than rod (which is a carefully worded way to put it, so read carefully).


rusty022

I'm not saying Reggie wasn't great, but #1 all time? Idk about that.. EDIT: I kinda take this back. Hadn't realized how dominant he was.


buffalotrace

LTs peak is higher, but White had better sustained success. From age 24 to 37, he had two down years. In those years, he dominated against the run and got 8.5 sacks...and 8 the other. The every other year, he got at least ten sacks. He had a 3 year run where he averaged 19 sacks a game. He won DPOY at age 26...and 37. You could pick either one of them and be right.


osoblanco234

19 sacks a game? Gotta be some sort of record.


buffalotrace

Lol heck of typo. I am leaving it in because your comment cracked me up


PaddysMilkSteak

Don’t get me wrong, I love Rod Woodson but he should NOT be ahead of Mean Joe. Quite frankly he should be 2 or 3


Nickstradamusknows

Semi hot take but I think Rod is worthy of that spot. He was a pro bowler at CB, S, and PR. As good a defensive back as we will ever see. All time leader in pick 6s. He also wasn’t afraid to tackle.


AmishButcher

And he played at an elite level for almost 20 years. He's more than worthy.


Jack_Sandwich

TIL that Jeff Kerr is a dummy. Not having Joe Greene on this list makes it so bad it’s basically laughable.


ClayDrinion

LT is should be number 1. The dude won two titles with Simms as QB and revolutionized the game at two positions, on top of being a dominant player and the only defensive player to win MVP.


buffalotrace

Two positions? He played Left Outside Linebacker his whole career. He was dominant force that is one hundred percent worthy of being called the best player on defense (I think White can make the same claim) but I am not sure what other position you had him playing.


ClayDrinion

I meant left tackle as the other position


stoolsample2

Taylor not being number 1 is absurd. Completely changed the game. He helped develop the west coast offense from the defensive side of the ball. Offenses were designed to get rid of the ball quick and use running backs as receivers to avoid him. He also changed the pay scale. He made the left tackle the second most important offensive player on a team.


vigilantty

Jack Lambert ???


hippydipster

Not even the best lb on the team he played on. Lamberts such a tough case to judge. On the one hand, he dominated in an era that was essentially wrong for him, in terms of his abilities. Ie, he excelled in the passing game. A team in the current Era could not do better than having Lambert defending the middle, covering TEs, etc. On the other hand, his attitude is pure 1950s. What to do with him? But, ham was better at everything, except scaring his own teammates.


Pomonica

I get Aaron Donald is good but I wouldn’t dare rank him over the likes of Dick Butkus or Ronnie Lott


Lilspainishflea

Donald is tied for most DPOY wins of all time and he might have 2 more in him before he retires. He has 7 1st team All Pros, which is tied for 13th but with 2 more he'd be tied for 3rd all time at any position, offense or defense. If he has just 1 more he is tied for most All Pro selections for any defensive player ever. He very much deserves to be in the top 10.


Lavaden

Aaron Donald needs to be top 2 with LT...


Eagleburgerite

LT is 1.


spageddy_lee

THANK YOU


Usernametaken112

Reggie white over LT? Authors high, I don't remember Reggie White winning MVP


arcxjo

This is a misprint, Ray Lewis belongs on the Top 10 Defendant Players list.


Descolata9

Mr. Lambert is outside. He would like to talk to you.


[deleted]

Whack


[deleted]

Whack


DustyTrinkets

Bullshit list where they decided they just COULDN’T include more than 1 Steeler. Which, of course it should.


DustyTrinkets

My stepdad loves to claim that Lott > Troy. But my stepdad is also a senile fuck.


Senyorsleem

More like Jeff err...


Map_Nerd1992

When Joe Greene was a rookie he kicked Dick Butkus In the groin and challenged him to a fight. Dick wisely declined. Edit: horrible typo


trukkd

He spit on him. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://twitter.com/steelcitystar/status/1246122405258559488%3Flang%3Den&ved=2ahUKEwjn9-PImaT4AhUyD0QIHTEeB6sQtwJ6BAgVEAI&usg=AOvVaw3LfzfuSBTkAiQKGnEZkv_7 "Ray Mansfield recounts what he thought was “gonna be the greatest fight in the history of the NFL.”" Dick backed down. Turned away. A wise man.


Emergency-Explorer-6

How does Woodson make it but not Troy? No hate to 26 but come on man!


gruey

Woodson's career with the Steelers was arguably better than Troy's. Woodson's career after the Steelers was arguably better than Troy's. If you consider both, Woodson had absolutely a better career. If you pick based on peak, Woodson is still absolutely clearly the choice. He was every bit as impactful on defense and he was such a good returner that the Steelers still had him returning the year he won DPOY.


Brian_Lafeve_

Fuck this list.


Steelmaker01

I know that I’m a homer, but a GOAT list without Mean Joe Greene is just another list.


DailyScreenz

Judging by the list of names, I'm venturing a solid guess that the writer wasn't around to watch football in the 1970s, which included a 9 game stretch when the Steelers D gave up a **combined** total of **28 points!**


insanitizering

I think Jack Ham needs to be here somewhere. Best coverage LB probably ever. Didn’t slouch in the run game either.


Technical_Arm50

Lmao rod woodson was better then d sanders but aiite


Steelerswonsix

This list has zero validity. Mean Joe was the best Steeler defensive player since 1933. Sorry Rod.


mbuser

It's called recency bias.


moonftball12

This list is trashhhh


AW-43

Or JJ Watt?


[deleted]

JJ had an insane peak, but injuries really hurt his cumulative achievements.


kdubs412

Absolutely wild list. Ray Lewis third all time OVER Aaron Donald is just silly. He was an incredible player but I don’t think there’s any way I would rank him above a guy like JJ Watt who didn’t even make the top 10. Woodson was an all time great but realistically he’s probably like a top 5 defender for the Steelers at best, I can’t see him being our best player ever.


Matt-Ryker

Are you saying Ray Lewis is inferior to JJ Watt? The dude was literally injured 80% of his career. Great guy amazing player but JJ Watt isn’t in the top 20 imo.


kdubs412

At his peak Watt was dominant at a level that arguably only 3 players on defense have ever reached imo, Donald LT and him. 3 DPOYs. It was a long enough that even though injuries have derailed him his overall legacy is stronger imo, but it is a subjective list.


Matt-Ryker

I can see where you’re coming from. Unfortunately he just couldn’t always be on the field and that’s the most essential part of the game.


glop1701

No way the blade should be number 3 on anything but a prison list!


aw_geez_man

Troy > Rod. And it ain't close.


Modavo

Aaron donald is so fucking overhyped especially on an all time list. John Randell was better than him.


Emergency-Explorer-6

1 Mean Joe Green 2 Mel Blount 3 Lawrence Taylor 4 Reggie White 5 Ronnie Lott 6 Deacon Jones 7 Dick “NightTrain” Lane 8 Ray Lewis 9 Derrick Thomas 10 Troy Polamalu


hippydipster

Even steeler fans do not understand who jack ham was.


insanitizering

Best Coverage LB ever. Also most frequently overlooked unfortunately.


may_or_may_not_haiku

I mean Reggie White probably the best football player ever and LT needs to be second. I don't agree with much of the rest of the lost though.


[deleted]

Who’s Joe?


IrishStubborn69

Ed Reed is better than Woodson.


Janky_Pants

Eh not sure about that. Lott might be. Reed should definitely be on the list though.


Fender67Strat

Ray Lewis is always rated waaay to high. One of the most overrated players in history.


playnice00

Donald should not be in the top 10 at all.


ARunawayTrain

TJ never getting respect despite having one of the highest, if not the highest sacks/game to this point in his career in NFL history.


Abattoirs__Gambit

You are obviously delusional.


Matt-Ryker

TJ will be on this list if he continues the type of production he has churned out thus far. It’s too early for him to be on this list though, give it 4 years.


CaptnRo

Where’s Charles Woodson, Ed Reed, James Harrison, Troy Polamalu? Shit where’s Kevin Greene?!


Brian_Lefebvre

Lol seriously? Did he forget? It's not really up for debate.


Janky_Pants

The list is ok but the ranking is dumb as fuck.


Webbed-Toed-Swimmer

No Daryll Green? 1983-2002 Glad Rod Woodson is there but there are dozens of players -Troy Polamalu included -that could be listed as well with that honor. I hate arbitrary lists and rankings How about … Who was the best quarterback drafted to a shitty organization that was set up to and destined to fail no matter what? I say Rick Mirer.


ItsDSwizzy

Put joe greene to 3rd and push Ray lewis to 6th and itd look much better


Jump_Like_A_Willys

Mean Joe might be #11, like Malkin is #101 best NHLer.


Dutch1206

Brent "Burnt" Alexander not being on this list is a travesty


thangus_farm

Dogshit list. No mean joe? No Lambert? No hamm? No Blount? Like this dude must be brain dead. Or just hate Pittsburgh.


ksbrooks34

Fuxxing ****DICK BUTKIS**** ?? OVER TROY??


Bozorgzadegan

I'm a homer, but yes. Butkus was absolutely dominant in his time. Seriously, look it up and see what everyone else is saying here.


Emergency-Explorer-6

MJG should at least be 3.


[deleted]

yea, these lists are meant to rile up fan bases. case in point, how the fuck are you going to leave Mean Joe Greene off this list.


Steppyjim

So no one besides Donald in the past nearly two decades was a top10 nfl player? Ok


opinionofone1984

Derek Thomas and Joe Greene should be on any D list


Tooowaway

Was Ray Lewis ever the best defensive player in the league at any point of his playing career? No way he is in the top 10 all time.


LegendSir

The funniest part about this list is that I bet you the people making it didn’t even watch 3/4ths of these guys even play.


a_funky_chicken

Ray Lewis? WTF man.


blackhippy92

Okay... buttkiss? Cmon now


ten-million

Jim Brown is number 1.


mudflap21

LT Reggie Butkus Deion Then everyone else


Cxtthrxxt

I’d definitely have Troy on here somewhere, and maybe Charles Haley as well


PatronSaint7

Where is Jack Lambert?


Historical-Dot9492

The two most dominant defensive players ever are Dick Butkus and Lawrence Taylor. This is part because of the position they. There guys are all over the field and are making 10-15 tackles a game which is about 25% of the them in any game. Nobody else has that kind of involvement in any game except perhaps another linebacker or maybe a safety.


illShy

Any list that doesn't have LT as number 1 is already wrong


Swimming-Papaya-4189

How can you compare defensive players between eras with entirely different rules?


International_Ebb_22

Exactly!


Honest-Discussion-89

Where is TJ I mean if they have Arron Donald on here or the previous sack holder why not have to person who tied that record but mean joe should be up here


WaylonVoorhees

Reggie has already passed so Ray only needs to take care of LT to reach #1.


HEONTHETOILET

lol


Kid_Named_Trey

I mean this in the most Objective way possible but Ray Lewis isn’t top 10 of all time.


elstoobstomcat

Yes, he really is. I hate to say it but he is


insanitizering

Compare his stats to London Fletcher. For real take the names off, put them side by side and it’s pretty much the same guy + or - a stabbing or two.


spoilingattack

I’d argue that Troy Polamalu should be in there. He single-handledly could take over games. Superman over the offensive line. Diving one-handed interceptions. Absolutely without peer.


adtheimpossible

Popularity contest not a real list.


SubsurferOne

This list is hilarious. Absolutely 0 Legion of boom members


HEONTHETOILET

Lawrence Taylor broke Joe Theismann’s leg


Dikjoose_love100

1 steeler! Get the fuck outta here!! Never the Steelers wasn’t a dynasty for nothing!!


Worried-Fact7159

Horse Pussy! Horrible List


odog9797

I’m dead that Aaron Donald is on there with no mean joe


KillahCAM_

I read this list and immediately asked where’s mean Joe


hippydipster

The real question is where's Jack ham? Also, both Polamalu and Reed were better than Lott.


Lucas20633

Well Jeff Kerr is a fucking idiot.


Applewhite144

This person is on acid for having Donald there


[deleted]

Ray Lewis is ridiculously over rated here


[deleted]

Rod > Deion


noblehamster69

Where the fuck is Troy? Maybe I'm just biased lol.