Question: Who's Our Next "All Generation" Player

[Jooser]

Ok, so here goes....

All Generation players don't grow on trees. Over the years, the Steelers have had many great ones. Hence, the Steelers were great when these guys were in da 'Burgh. Examples are many: Lambert, Green, Bradshaw, yada yada on the 70's. We sorely miss generational greats like Ward, Polamalu, Bettis, Deebo. Ben is without question a generational great, but is about to set sail. Look back at the void that was the 80's in the organization. We had some decent talent (Pollard, Lipps to name a couple), but nothing dominant. So, the question is this: Who on the current roster could be our next exceptional player that catapults the team into the next phase of excellence? Here's what we're looking for:

For the record, we could have had all-generation guys if Bell and Brown had kept their heads screwed on straight. But, they didn't. Moving on......

[Oh wow]

JuJu
TJ Watt
Conner
Bush

In that order.

I think JuJu has the personality to be another Bettis. I don’t think Bettis ever did anything to make anyone dislike him (thanks to Ben).

TJ Watt keeps getting better and if it continues he could be one of those guys.

Conner for the good guy/beats the odds. I think at some point he will have to be a bit selfish and snatch the #1 RB position. Feels like he wants this to be RB by committee which is fine but then he won’t be that generational talent. Just another good RB who played for us for a few years.

Bush because we love our ILB’s and well.. because we love Bush.

[Jooser]

Yeah, I'd definitely agree on Ju Ju and Watt. They are hard working and impress every game. Ju Ju I've always compared to Hines, he's big and physical, more athletic than Hines, but wears his heart on his sleeve. Connor is like our modern day Blier. Will Snell be our Franco? Time will tell. As for Bush, he has all the tools and talks the talk. Will he walk the walk? We'll soon find out!

He's seen some great ILBer's on TV....

[winwithd]

JuJu and Justin Layne

[Steel Maniac]

JuJu and Justin Layne

I'd love that for Layne. We need a cornerstone player on defense (along with Bush) for the next decade.

[RuthlessBurgher]

JuJu
TJ Watt
Conner
Bush

Solid list.

Juju has endeared himself to virtually everyone already, both on an off the field. It would be hard to not love that infectious attitude toward life in general.

J.J. Watt is a god in Houston, and brother T.J. appears to be following that path. Steeler fans worship pass rushing LB's, and it seems like this kid has what it takes.

Conner's got the blue collar work ethic that Pittsburghers always look for, plus he's a local kid who kicked cancer's ass. What's not to love there?

We all hope that Devin Bush evolves into some morph of Ryan Shazier and Troy Polamalu in the middle of our defense, with a splash of James Farrior's leadership sprinkled in there. If he even comes close to that potential, he will be beloved.

[Oviedo]

I'd love that for Layne. We need a cornerstone player on defense (along with Bush) for the next decade.

I think Layne could be this decade's Mel Blount (not that good, but good)...big, physical CB

I expect a big jump from Edmunds in Year 2.

[Real Deal Steel]

We need a big jump from Edmonds. I think that if he does take that jump, he’s now the difference in our defense from being good to elite.

[Captain Lemming]

I think Layne could be this decade's Mel Blount (not that good, but good)...big, physical CB

I expect a big jump from Edmunds in Year 2.

If this plays out, we are back as a team.
I dont "know" is you are right but I certainly "hope" you are.

[Captain Lemming]

We need a big jump from Edmonds. I think that if he does take that jump, he’s now the difference in our defense from being good to elite.

Considering "big jumps" are what got him drafted so high (combine best in both high jump and broad jump)......I guess one would expect that.

https://www.footballperspective.com/virginia-tech-s-terrell-edmunds-had-the-top-broad-jump-at-the-2018-combine/

[Captain Lemming]

Edmonds is the poster child of "raw talent over production" evaluation of a player.
Dude really is an athletic freak.....but nothing special in college.

As a drafted junior though, his senior year "might" have been special if he stayed in school and might have gone far earlier in the 2019 draft.

Bottom line dude is likely either a big time "bust" or will be "great".

I dont see him as an average or even slightly above average kind of player.