All-Time Pittsburgh Steelers team: Who makes the cut?

All-Time Steelers defense

PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 02: Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Joe Greene No. 75 has his number retired during a ceremony with Steelers President Art Rooney ll (L) and Chairman Dan Rooney (R) during halftime against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on November 2, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

For purposes of our discussion, we will run a base 3-4 defense, while subbing in an extra DB (defensive back) in our “Nickle” package.  Here we go:

Left Defensive End:
L.C. Greenwood
Drafted in the tenth round in 1969, Greenwood played thirteen seasons and was a member of the vaunted “Steel Curtain” defense of the 1970s.  He was voted to six Pro Bowls, making four consecutive appearances.  He was named an All-Pro in back to back years. The gold high tops notwithstanding, Greenwood was individually and collectively a standout player.  He was a four-time Super Bowl champ.  How he is not in the Hall of Fame is beyond me.

Defensive Tackle:
“Mean” Joe Greene
I realize “Mean” Joe played DT (Defensive Tackle) in a 4-3 scheme but had we run a 3-4 back then, he could have played DT in the 3-4; frankly, he could have played any position along the defensive line.  Drafted in the first round in 1969, Greene had a phenomenal thirteen-year career.  Ironically, after Greene retired, we switched from the 4-3 to the 3-4.

“Mean” Joe was a ten-time Pro Bowler, eight times consecutively, was a four-time All-Pro, was the 1969 Defensive Rookie of the Year, was the 1972 and 1974 Defensive Player of the Year, was the 1979 Walter Payton Man of the year, was a four-time Super Bowl champ and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  He was the linchpin of the famed “Steel Curtain” defense.

Right Defensive End:
Dwight White
Drafted in the fourth round in 1971 out of Texas A &M-Commerce, White was a member of the “Steel Curtain” and a four-time Super Bowl champ.  He was voted to two consecutive Pro Bowls.  Although he was part of arguably the best defensive line in NFL history, he was individually a standout as were the rest of his defensive linemates.

Left Outside Linebacker:
Jack Ham
Ham arrived in the second round of the 1971 draft and played twelve illustrious seasons for us.  He was named to eight consecutive Pro Bowls and voted All-Pro six times consecutively.  On his way to being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Ham intercepted 32 passes and was a four-time Super Bowl champ.

Middle Linebacker:
Jack Lambert
Drafted in the second round of the legendary 1974 draft, Lambert patrolled the middle of the defense for eleven seasons. Lambert was voted to the Pro Bowl in nine consecutive seasons and was named All-Pro six times, five times consecutively.

Lambert was a four-time Super Bowl champ and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 1974.  In 1976, Lambert was named Defensive Player of the Year. He is also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  Lambert was an enforcer in the middle like no other I have seen before or since.

James Farrior
Having arrived as a free agent in 2002, Farrior held the fort down in the middle for ten seasons.  He was voted to the Pro Bowl twice and was named All-Pro once.  He was also a two-time Super Bowl champ. Farrior made 737 solo tackles in his Steelers career and was as solid a middle linebacker as they came. Farrior was arguably the best free agent signing in Steelers history.

Right Outside Linebacker:
James Harrison
Harrison’s story has been well chronicled.  An undrafted free agent out of Kent State, he signed with us in 2002.  Resigning in 2004, Harrison would be named to five consecutive Pro Bowls and would be named All-Pro twice. Harrison was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.  He was also a two-time Super Bowl champ.

Harrison authored what could be argued as the greatest defensive play in Super Bowl history-his 100 yard interception return for a TD in Super Bowl 43. He finished his Steelers career as the all-time leader in sacks with 80.5.  Although Harrison’s exit from Pittsburgh was acrimonious in nature, his contributions to the team’s success can not be denied.