5 Steelers who were the best in the NFL at their position at one point

DT “Mean” Joe Greene

Rules may have to be bent in this article for who could be described as the greatest defensive tackle of all-time and the simple fact that sacks were not an official statistic until 1982. Not that they are the end-all-be-all, Joe Greene is unofficially attributed to 78.5 sacks & 16 fumble recoveries, but there’s no telling the exact dominance he posted as he was selected to 10 Pro-Bowls & four First-Team All-Pros.

Amid Los Angeles Rams DT Merlin Olsen & Dallas Cowboys DT Bob Lilly both drawing towards the last of their illustrious, Hall-of-Fame, NFL careers, the year we will use is 1972. The first of two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards Greene would receive pro-football-reference.com also marks it his best season according to their “approximate value” metric, as it would be his fourth consecutive Pro-Bowl in his career and his first All-Pro honor.

If the accolades weren’t enough, can titles do their justice? “Mean” Joe Greene, originating from his elite toughness in his college days at the University of North Texas, only foreshadowed the backbone to the supreme “Steel Curtain” that ravaged through offensive lines. If not Bradshaw, this was the name to name for the Steelers’ success in the 70s.