Pantheon of Steelers LBs

[FSF]

When reviewing the Steelers LBs - there has never been a team that has featured more dominant players at a single position in any team sport. The closest I can come up with is the Los Angeles Lakers at Center with Wilt Chamberlin, Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, Shaquille O'Neal and the lesser ones like Vlad Divacs.

But from the sold to good ones like Earl Holmes, Bryan Hinkle, Jerrol Williams, Clark Haggans, Hardy Nickerson and Larry Foote, Early and 80s Pro Bowlers like Marv Matusak and Myron Pottio/ Robin Cole and David Little to the ones who had very special runs like Lamar Woodley, Kendrell Bell, Mike Merriweather and Chad Brown as well as the emergence recently of Lawrence Timmons -- there are still those who were among the best:

Kevin Greene, James Farrior, Joey Porter, Levon Kirkland, Jason Gildon and Andy Russell

Until recently, the top 3 were untouchable in my book: Jack Lambert, Jack Ham and Greg Lloyd. Lloyd was a Hall of Fame caliber LB if not having career cut short -- but I always thought James Harrison was right behind him. Harrison proved in coming back just how tenacious he is, the impact he can make and he's got a very good chance of owning the team sack record.

#92 is slightly better than #95 -- its splitting hairs, but gotta say James Harrison's body of work eclipses even Greg Lloyds.

 

[spencelisberger13]

do you we try to add to that legacy by resigning Harrison on good multi-year deal that doesn't break bank while also going after Justin Houston from KC
or do we REsign woirlds and let Jones develop ......I hope James is willing to come back in a limited capacity..

 

[Troglodyte]

Marv Matusak and Myron Pottio?

 

[Troglodyte]

I don't think Lloyd never sniffed DPOY.

 

[Drink IRON City]

I think Harrison is signed through this and next seasons? Wait and see as NO ONE will be knocking on his door after that. Hopefully that includes us as James Harrison is NOT a long term fix. Take him NOW and use him, enjoy his ride, but his end is near as far as potential goes. Yes, love him a lots and he is THAT good, to be mentions with the lore of the STEELERS LB core(s) present and past. Thank you James for all you have and will do for this great franchise football team.


Salute the nation

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

do you we try to add to that legacy by resigning Harrison on good multi-year deal that doesn't break bank while also going after Justin Houston from KC
or do we REsign woirlds and let Jones develop ......I hope James is willing to come back in a limited capacity..

I was all about cutting Troy/Ike/etc. and going all in on Houston.

Problem is, dude is having an incredible year- 12 sacks already when we as a team have a combined 16. There is almost no way we can pay him the money he could get in the open market

 

[Steel G]

#92 is slightly better than #95 -- its splitting hairs, but gotta say James Harrison's body of work eclipses even Greg Lloyds.

It's close. Counting their times just as Steelers, Lloyd has 190 more solo tackles, 5 more INTs and forced fumbles, while Harrison has 14.5 more sacks. Lloyd probably dropped into coverage more. But Harrison was also a Defensive Player of the Year and had that massive impact play in the SB and also, just from my memory, had more impact in playoff games, especially against the Ravens. It's hard to pick one, but I think I would agree with you, Harrison by a hair.

 

[FSF]

I don't think Lloyd never sniffed DPOY.

He won the now defunct AFC Defensive Player of the Year Award I wanna say in 1995. If the media didn't dislike him so much, he was an easy choice for NFL DPOY, as it was Greene, Nickerson and Kirkland made the 90s all decade team and Lloyd was better than all three

 

[Steelerfan81]

Harrison already said this is his last year as his body cant take the abuse anymore.

 

[Wingman]

Harrison already said this is his last year as his body cant take the abuse anymore.

At this point I would have a wait and see attitude on Harrison. He may not play next year but he might if he was going to play for the steelers. The thing that he has in his favor is that his position and usefulness is not based on only speed. He seems to have fully recovered from his back issues of the past and that is making a big difference in his play. He is already leading the team in sacks with 4 and has played a part time role.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

I was all about cutting Troy/Ike/etc. and going all in on Houston.

Problem is, dude is having an incredible year- 12 sacks already when we as a team have a combined 16. There is almost no way we can pay him the money he could get in the open market

Well there is over 9 million available when we don't renew Worilds contract.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Any list of the top ten linebackers of all time is going to include at least five Steelers.

 

[Rod Farva]

At this point I would have a wait and see attitude on Harrison. He may not play next year but he might if he was going to play for the steelers. The thing that he has in his favor is that his position and usefulness is not based on only speed. He seems to have fully recovered from his back issues of the past and that is making a big difference in his play. He is already leading the team in sacks with 4 and has played a part time role.

His attitude and mental/emotional/motivational value aren't measurables but I think their impacts were clearly demonstrated against the rats.

 

[Hines57]

Can have the same conversation about Steeler Centers. Pretty cool lineage

 

[Steeler58]

I think Levon Kirkland was pretty amazing and deserves to be mentioned in a Steelers linebacker greats thread.

 

[steelpastor]

.

As far as Harrison... It all depends on his year. If he keeps playing well... who knows. Jason Gildon is the All-Time sacks leader for the Steelers with 77. James currently has 68 as a Steeler. If he gets close... who know? If he were able to get to 78 and become the All-Time leader? I would be shocked if he doesn't. It would almost certainly get him into the HOF... eventually.


.

 

[Southern Steeler]

Marv Matusak and Myron Pottio?

My thoughts too. Sounds like a law firm.

 

[Idioteque]

Kirkland definitely belongs in this discussion. Timmons does not.

 

[Idioteque]

I think Levon Kirkland was pretty amazing and deserves to be mentioned in a Steelers linebacker greats thread.

FSF included him

 

[SteelChip]

Marv Matusak and Myron Pottio?

Myron Pottios was an OK linebacker for a couple years but hardly someone of legend. Marv Matuszak went to a couple pro bowls and played a long time but I think he played for just about every other team in the league before playin' a couple three years for the Steelers.

 

[Drink IRON City]

James Harrison has a lot of "history moments" to back his status as one of the BEST STEELERS LB ever. I don't recall any LB taking over a single game as James did against the rats a few years ago. Something of beauty to say the least. Weather he plays next year or not, has yet to be seen. If he finishes this season healthy and productive, then entertain the IDEA of another year, by both the STEELERS and himself.



Salute the nation

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

I think Levon Kirkland was pretty amazing and deserves to be mentioned in a Steelers linebacker greats thread.

I agree. 10 chars

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I think Levon Kirkland was pretty amazing and deserves to be mentioned in a Steelers linebacker greats thread.

Agree.
Jack Lambert, Jack Ham, Levon Kirkland, Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene, and James Harrison are some of the best to every play the position.
How Jason Gildong has the team sack record I'll never know. The Dong Sack stat.

 

[Stryker]

Vrabel was another HOFer that was able to grow and start in New England. I always thought they should have let Gildon go and promoted Vrabel.

Though I love Lloyd, the 100yd int reception to help us win a Superbowl will put Harrison above him in my book.

 

[Idioteque]

Agree.
Jack Lambert, Jack Ham, Levon Kirkland, Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene, and James Harrison are some of the best to every play the position.
How Jason Gildong has the team sack record I'll never know. The Dong Sack stat.

The NFL didn't keep sack stats until 1982, which rules out Greene, Greenwood, etc.