Then vs. Now

[ramblinjim]

Re: Then vs. Now

For being as big as he is, I also remember Woodley playing pretty well in some coverages last year. When his contract starts to come up in a couple of years he could be one of those guys that we look at and think "Woodley? Harrison? Woodley? Harrison?". If they stay healthy, Woodley and Timmons could be a really good looking future for our linebacking corps.

[ramblinjim]

Re: Then vs. Now

still taking Ham though.

[Lonbull]

Re: Then vs. Now

I would have went with Blount versus Woodson. It's really hard to compare a CB to a SS. They have different impacts on the game. That said, I think Troy P versus Lambert would make another interesting discussion. Those 2 guys have a similar impact on their respective defenses. Much like Lambert, Troy is the guy you game plan around on the best defense in the league.

Flippy -

Perhaps the reason I didn't pitt anyone against Jack Lambert is because IMO he's in a class by himself. His attitude, his mad nasty streak, his ability - even the fact that when he came to the Steelers he had a bit of an underdog quality to him, that often endears fans to players - I just don't think there's anyone to fairly match him against that plays or has played for the Steelers in some time.

I think James Harrison is a very fair comparision - but James won't be able to amass the game time that Lambert did.

The main reason I focused on Troy versus Rod is that both players possess that "game changing" / "Game Saving" ability.

When Rod was playing and the Steelers needed a big play from the defense it seemed that he either delievered it or it didn't happen at all. I think the same can be said for Troy Polamalu. And that's really where the comparision began for me.

L.B.

[flippy]

Re: Then vs. Now

I would have went with Blount versus Woodson. It's really hard to compare a CB to a SS. They have different impacts on the game. That said, I think Troy P versus Lambert would make another interesting discussion. Those 2 guys have a similar impact on their respective defenses. Much like Lambert, Troy is the guy you game plan around on the best defense in the league.

Flippy -

Perhaps the reason I didn't pitt anyone against Jack Lambert is because IMO he's in a class by himself. His attitude, his mad nasty streak, his ability - even the fact that when he came to the Steelers he had a bit of an underdog quality to him, that often endears fans to players - I just don't think there's anyone to fairly match him against that plays or has played for the Steelers in some time.

I think James Harrison is a very fair comparision - but James won't be able to amass the game time that Lambert did.

The main reason I focused on Troy versus Rod is that both players possess that "game changing" / "Game Saving" ability.

When Rod was playing and the Steelers needed a big play from the defense it seemed that he either delievered it or it didn't happen at all. I think the same can be said for Troy Polamalu. And that's really where the comparision began for me.

L.B.

Jack H was better than Lambert. I know many that would pick him over Lambert, including Lambert.

Heck I thought Ernie Holmes was better than Mean Joe for a season

[MeetJoeGreene]

Re: Then vs. Now

I would have went with Blount versus Woodson. It's really hard to compare a CB to a SS. They have different impacts on the game. That said, I think Troy P versus Lambert would make another interesting discussion. Those 2 guys have a similar impact on their respective defenses. Much like Lambert, Troy is the guy you game plan around on the best defense in the league.

Flippy -

Perhaps the reason I didn't pitt anyone against Jack Lambert is because IMO he's in a class by himself. His attitude, his mad nasty streak, his ability - even the fact that when he came to the Steelers he had a bit of an underdog quality to him, that often endears fans to players - I just don't think there's anyone to fairly match him against that plays or has played for the Steelers in some time.

I think James Harrison is a very fair comparision - but James won't be able to amass the game time that Lambert did.

The main reason I focused on Troy versus Rod is that both players possess that "game changing" / "Game Saving" ability.

When Rod was playing and the Steelers needed a big play from the defense it seemed that he either delievered it or it didn't happen at all. I think the same can be said for Troy Polamalu. And that's really where the comparision began for me.

L.B.

Jack H was better than Lambert. I know many that would pick him over Lambert, including Lambert.

Heck I thought Ernie Holmes was better than Mean Joe for a season

Blasphemy and fightin' words, Mr. Clown!!!!

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Then vs. Now

I would have went with Blount versus Woodson. It's really hard to compare a CB to a SS. They have different impacts on the game. That said, I think Troy P versus Lambert would make another interesting discussion. Those 2 guys have a similar impact on their respective defenses. Much like Lambert, Troy is the guy you game plan around on the best defense in the league.

Flippy -

Perhaps the reason I didn't pitt anyone against Jack Lambert is because IMO he's in a class by himself. His attitude, his mad nasty streak, his ability - even the fact that when he came to the Steelers he had a bit of an underdog quality to him, that often endears fans to players - I just don't think there's anyone to fairly match him against that plays or has played for the Steelers in some time.

I think James Harrison is a very fair comparision - but James won't be able to amass the game time that Lambert did.

The main reason I focused on Troy versus Rod is that both players possess that "game changing" / "Game Saving" ability.

When Rod was playing and the Steelers needed a big play from the defense it seemed that he either delievered it or it didn't happen at all. I think the same can be said for Troy Polamalu. And that's really where the comparision began for me.

L.B.

Jack H was better than Lambert. I know many that would pick him over Lambert, including Lambert.

Heck I thought Ernie Holmes was better than Mean Joe for a season

Blasphemy and fightin' words, Mr. Clown!!!!

Fight, Fight, FIGHT!!!

[flippy]

Re: Then vs. Now

I would have went with Blount versus Woodson. It's really hard to compare a CB to a SS. They have different impacts on the game. That said, I think Troy P versus Lambert would make another interesting discussion. Those 2 guys have a similar impact on their respective defenses. Much like Lambert, Troy is the guy you game plan around on the best defense in the league.

Flippy -

Perhaps the reason I didn't pitt anyone against Jack Lambert is because IMO he's in a class by himself. His attitude, his mad nasty streak, his ability - even the fact that when he came to the Steelers he had a bit of an underdog quality to him, that often endears fans to players - I just don't think there's anyone to fairly match him against that plays or has played for the Steelers in some time.

I think James Harrison is a very fair comparision - but James won't be able to amass the game time that Lambert did.

The main reason I focused on Troy versus Rod is that both players possess that "game changing" / "Game Saving" ability.

When Rod was playing and the Steelers needed a big play from the defense it seemed that he either delievered it or it didn't happen at all. I think the same can be said for Troy Polamalu. And that's really where the comparision began for me.

L.B.

Jack H was better than Lambert. I know many that would pick him over Lambert, including Lambert.

Heck I thought Ernie Holmes was better than Mean Joe for a season

Blasphemy and fightin' words, Mr. Clown!!!!

But MeetJoe is better than both of them in my book

[Lonbull]

Re: Then vs. Now

1st - Ben Roethlisberger

I thought that Ghost made a great arguement by pointing out Super Bowl wins and taking Bradshaw. However I'm picking Ben because I think he's more important to our Super Bowl Victories than Terry was. I'm also taking Ben because I think he's performed so many firsts you have to think he's got a lot more up his sleeve.

Youngest QB to win a Super Bowl, First QB to win 16 games in his rookie year, First QB to win three road playoff games....etc.

Ben has done all of this with a sub-par offense around him.

Willie Parker was in his first year as a starter in that Super Bowl - a Super Bowl we won with Hines Ward, Randel El and Cedric Wilson at WR. This compared to Franco, Rocky, Swann and Stallworth?

In Ben's second Super Bowl he had an Off. Line that has to be one of the worst Off. Lines we've had since 1999 when Dirt Dawson got hurt, I don't care what anyone says that 2008 line was ugly!

This one goes to Ben.

2nd - Rod Woodson -

This one was by far the toughest question for me. Troy Polamalu does things on the field that can take your breath away. His shoestring interception in the snow versus San Diego was mind boggling - the fact that he scored the winning TD with what seemed like blinding speed (which was taken away, only to be reversed again later then next day) in the same San Diego game is something I'll never forget. The fact that some people thought this guy was going to be a bust is just laughable now. When the ball is tipped in the air - I just expect #43 to be the guy running in the opposite direction with it.

But I'm going with Woodson, because after a long debate - I believe Rod was the much better tackler. Both players could change a game if the opposing QB was dumb enough to throw it in their direction, and I believe both players occasionally would pull miracles out of their bag of tricks to put a W on the board for the Steelers - but if memory serves me right - Rod was just a better tackler, and it's one of the basics for a defender.

Troy (hopefully) will finish his career in Pittsburgh - but I can't hold that against Rod Woodson knowing the history behind his departure.

3rd - James Harrison

I think the interesting thing about James Harrison is that he so often goes for the "strip" against a Quarterback instead of possibly the "Big Hit". He seems like a guy who would enjoy hurting so much he'd forget about playing smart football - however instead he IS the guy who plays smart football.

Harrison is just one of those Steelers that in a short time will make such a huge impression.

In my book Greg Lloyd is a very difficult standard to achieve - he was truly vicious - but in this case I give Harrison the benefit of being just as mean, but making more of his opportunities.


4th - Lynn Swann

Okay did I just write that the Rod vs Troy one was the hardest - because I lied, Swann vs. Hines is the hardest for me - but I'm going with the Lynn Swann.

Lynn Swann invented the Highlight Reel - and his biggest moments were often Super Bowls. I have friends who are Cowboy fans (unlucky I know) and I've seen them curl up in the fetal position when they start showing Lynn Swann making catch after catch after remarkable catch.

I can't take anything away from Hines Ward because he hustles, and he is everything (and more) you could ask from a Pittsburgh Steeler - for most of his career he has been my favorite Steeler - however (in my book) watching Lynn Swann catch a football was like watching Michelangelo paint.

Both men worked very hard at gifts they had to make them better - with Swann it was grace, with Hines it's punishment. I'm giving it to Swann only because he did something I haven't seen since he left.

5th - Willie Parker

IMO Barry Foster was the "return" of the running game - (or at least he was the promise of the return of the running game) for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It just seemed like through the 80's we had lost our way from the great running game that Franco and Rocky had given the Steelers.

And then along comes Barry Foster - and it looked like he was going to be like....well like what we got with Jerome Bettis.

Willie Parker - is just a great Steeler story and I'll never forget his Super Bowl run against Seattle. Maybe it was mostly his Off. Line's work - but when he shot through that hole and Seattle players one by one started to fall behind him and lose any angle they might have - it was really the first time I could feel the drought of Super Bowls being lifted.

It was such a magical year for him - I think it's interesting that we got him in the 2004 draft along with Ben.


6th - Jack Ham vs Lamarr Woodley - too soon.


L.B.

[ramblinjim]

Re: Then vs. Now

These are all really tough. Fun thing to play with though and my ideas may well change depending on my mood.

1.) Bradshaw. This one is tough for me because I wouldn't take any player currently in the league over Big Ben, not even Brady. But Terry went through hell his first years in the league, he suffered season ending injuries, he was benched, his stats were never great yet her persevered and brought home four rings. Ben is the man and in two years or two days my mind may change but for now, I'll take Terry just slightly.

2.) Rod. Another brutal choice. As an Illinois fan, I've watched Woodson play since he was in college at Purdue and have always been impressed with his play. He is rightfully a first ballot hall of famer and even played safety at a very high level after leaving Pittsburgh. I only wish we could have gotten him a ring. Troy is awesome and may well be in the "best to play the position" discussion if he can stay healthy but for right now, I'll take Rod Woodson.

3.) I loved Greg Lloyd and his 'tude but I'm going to take James Harrison here. James has fought through adversity, worked hard, kept at it and is now the reigning defensive MVP and the most feared man on the field. Lloyd was feared because he was big, mean and talked some serious smack a la "Who is Joe Namath? This is a guy who, if he played in the league today, I'd probably just go hit him late and see what he did, just for the hell of it. Joe Namath can go to hell; he can kiss my @ss." Ahhhhhh but Silverback..... Silverback is feared because he is the baddest man on the field at any given time. The best left tackles in the league have to hold him, running backs are scared of him and he doesn't talk a lot of crap. I hope he wasn't a one year wonder flash in the pan, I hope he continues to scare the hell out of people. I have a little man love for James Harrison

4.) Hines. I just love the way he plays. Swann has four rings and is in the Hall of Fame but I think if Hines played for the 70's Steelers he would have had the rings and he would have knocked Jack Tatum out of the league. Or he would have played defensive back and Noll would have just let him kill people. Hines Ward is one of my top 5 favorite Steelers ever, so I'm biased.

5.) Willie. Barry was the best in the league for one season, afterwards not so much. Willie is what he is but he's played well and fought hard for us now for a few years and I'm going to take him here. If Barry would have stayed healthy for a number of years, we may never have gotten the Bus too.

6.) Ham. Jack Ham's body of work put him in the hall of fame as one of the best line backers to ever play the game. As much as I hope Woodley becomes all Ham was and more I just can't bring myself to put him in his league yet. Woodley = very good to great player, Jack Ham = one of the best to lace them up.

I'm going to play my own Devil's advocate:

BEN: Bradshaw won more Superbowls and he was a tough SOB but let's start lining up some facts here. Bradshaw handed the ball off to two guys that are in the hall of fame. Ben handed the ball off to an aging and less effective Jerome Bettis and a kid named Willie Parker who although fast and a great Steeler is not going into the HOF. Then, while Ben was throwing to Hines Ward, a guy that would be an excellent slot receiver ala Wes Welker, Randle El, another excellent slot receiver, Nate Washington, a great practice team guy and Santonio Holmes who could one day become a decent number one receiver...... Bradshaw was throwing to two Hall of Fame wide receivers. Bradshaw may have been tough as nails but Ben isn't exactly some sissy. While Ben was getting killed by blitz happy teams like Philly and teams that couldn't get sacks against highschool teams like Cleveland, Terry was being protected by....oh an oline with the second best center to ever play the game...

TROY: Rod was a great player but when it is all said and done Troy (who was that idiot that called him Bustamalu?) is going to be in the "top 3 ever to play that position" conversation. Rod was a great corner but not top three ever.

Lloyd: James Harrison can be great but right now he just doesn't hve the punishing book of work that Greg Lloyd has going for him. Lloyd was a crusher out there and scared the hell out of people for five years. James has been doing it for two. Let's see how the next few season pan out for JH

Swan: THis one is tough for me but Swan invented the hi-light reel. His acrobatic catches are still on NFL films and still fun to watch. My fear is that while Swan will be known as a Hall of Famer with four rings, Hines will be known as a receiver that could catch and block very well.

Foster brought back Smash Mouth Football to the Steelers. He was the first of three backs that, behind a good Oline beat the crap out of opposing teams for years. Foster was he first, I'll give him credit for that one.

.................... I just can't take Wood over Ham. Wood is the man and has Potential written all over him but to take him over one of the best linebackers ever? I don't think so.

I'm a little tired; this wasn' a great effort on my part.

[Lonbull]

Re: Then vs. Now

I noticed two "Who's Better" Threads taking place so I thought I'd bump this thread - because a number of posters have already chimed in on the subject.

L.B.

[Chadman]

Re: Then vs. Now

These Pro-Bowl "Who's Better" contests are too easy.

Chadman offers you the challenge- Who's better between..

CHRIS CONRAD vs KRIS FARRIS

Mike Tomzcak vs Charlie Batch

Bruce Davis vs Zo Jackson

Lee Mays vs Danny Farmer

Eric Taylor vs Shaun Nua

Jason Simmons vs Myron Bell

Have at it!