5 players we wish spent time with the Steelers
By Brendan Howe
Ed Reed
Another Raven, I know. Just this once, put aside the image of Ed Reed in purple.
The thought of Reed and Troy Polamalu joining forces on something other than a Pro Bowl team would strike fear into any passer’s heart. If only Reed were still around for the Steelers to take in the 2002 NFL Draft.
It’s undeniable, really. Reed and Troy Polamalu would have been the best safety tandem to ever patrol the secondary. The two have nine first-team All-Pro selections between them.
Both were nomads in the defensive backfield, captivating their fanbases with their playmaking ability. Together, either could have freelanced, with the other’s ability to cover ground making up for him roaming.
Other than maybe fellow Hall of Famer Charles Woodson, Reed was the best of his generation in tracking down passes. Well worth noting, it took Woodson six more seasons than Reed to pull in only one more interception. Reed’s 64 picks are the sixth-most in NFL history.
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Chris Hope’s eleven-year career speaks for itself. Mike Mitchell was, eh, serviceable at best. Ryan Clark was surely the best Robin to Polamalu’s Batman. Still, none would compare to what Reed could have done alongside the Tasmanian Devil.