
Originally Posted by
papillon
From 1974 through 1989 the video coverage of the NFL wasn't anything like it is today and in particular from 1974 through the end of the 70s (which is when these players were wreaking havoc). There may have been 2 angles recorded on any given play and nowhere near the coverage that is given today. The term "shutdown corner" or "cover corner" was coined recently and was rarely, if ever, applied to cornerbacks during the 70s.
I am guessing that you were too young to have been a fan of the Steelers during their dominating run during the 70s or, if you were, you were too young to understand what you were watching. Everything you know about the 70s teams is probably passed down from your father, mother, aunts and uncles and without any firsthand experience. you mention Rod Woodson, so my guess is that this about the time you really started watching and enjoying Steeler football.
Everyone has their own perspective and bias and guys like me that have been fortunate enough to watch the Steeler teams of the 70s and the current teams at least have a basis for comparing the two eras. I will say this, it was the rare game that at least one of the following players didn't have an impact on the game: Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham and Mel Blount. Discounting anything they did and the impact they had on games because the rules were different is discounting four of the greatest players to ever play the game. This isn't my opinion, this is a widely held opinion by players, coaches and scouts that have been around football for many, many years and know the game.
Polamalu will be as highly regarded as the other players by not just the fans, but by his contemporaries the same as the legacy players are highly regarded. Who had more impact on a game? there's no way to tell, but from perspective of having watched for 40 years, I would say that Joe Greene would be first, then Lambert, then Blount, then Polamalu and finally Ham. There is no shame in being 4th and 5th on that list, you're looking at players of extraordinary talent and football acumen, so much so that they are all first ballot HOFers (Troy is just waiting for his 5 years to be up).
Pappy
Bookmarks