This article also appears on Bleacherreport.com
The Snubs: Where Was Jack Ham? Where Was Mike Webster?
The NFL Network revealed their "Top Ten Pittsburgh Steelers of All-time" last Friday on Christmas Eve. It was a great treat for Steelers' fans to sit back and watch the NFL discuss what players deserved to make the list, and which players got snubbed.
Like all lists, this one was subjective and very much criticized by most people. Who voted for it? Who's thoughts and opinions deserved to be counted? Was it just the ten best players of all-time, or was their other forms of criteria for the list?
As expected the list was very much debatable especially in my opinion.
The NFL Network’s Top 10 Steelers: 1. Joe Greene. 2. Terry Bradshaw. 3. Franco Harris. 4. Rod Woodson. 5. Jack Lambert. 6. Mel Blount. 7. Troy Polamalu. 8. Hines Ward. 9. Lynn Swann. 10. Jerome Bettis.
Not a terrible list, but it's far from perfect. As a show, it was great to have the NFL Network dedicate an hour to rank the ten best Steelers and show the world just how great the franchise truly is. Coming up with just ten players is a daunting task seeing as there are more than ten Steelers in the Pro-Football Hall of Fame.
There were a lot of thongs that I liked about the show, but at the same time I thought it was very flawed. I thought they left not only key players, but key members of the panel off. However, the list did it's job and created great debate. Which is what it's supposed to do.
What They Got Right on The List
Troy Polamalu Ranked Number 7
I didn't like the usage of active players. Troy Polamalu is nowhere done with his career and despite being an awesome player, he's been injury prone for much of his short career. Polamalu didn't just make the list, he was taken and/or placed ahead of Hall of Fame players that have finished their careers.
The Snubs: Where Was Jack Ham? Where Was Mike Webster?
Not that any of the ten players aren't deserving to be mentioned on this list, but I can't believe the lack of respect Jack Ham gets. Ham is arguably the most technically sound outside linebackers to ever play the game.
According to Steelers Head Coach Chuck Noll and teammate Andy Russell, he was the "fastest Steeler for the first ten yards." A lot of analysts believe that he was a better overall player than Jack Lambert. At one point, Ham went to eight straight Pro-Bowls, was elected to six All-Pros and retired with 32 career interceptions. That's amazing.
Ham was named to The Sporting Newslist's 100 Greatest Football Players, ranking at number 47. He was also selected to the NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Not having Ham on this list is outrageous to me and almost invalidates this entire list. He was definitely a better player than Franco Harris (third), Hines Ward (eighth), Lynn Swann (ninth) and Jerome Bettis (10), and I would have taken any of those players off the list for Ham.
I also thought Mike Webster could have very easily made this list. Webster was the anchor of a pretty good offensive line that won four Super Bowls.
Like Ham, Webster was named to the NFL"s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and was named one of the 100 Greatest Football Players of All-Time by the Sporting Newslist. Webster also went to nine Pro-Bowls and was an All-Pro five times.
Webster is arguably one of the greatest centers of all-time and for that matter is probably one of the ten best offensive linemen of all-time. For a city that loves tough and rugged players, you would think Webster would get mentioned more.
Franco Harris and Ron Woodson Were Too High
According to Steelers Head Coach Chuck Noll and teammate Andy Russell, he was the "fastest Steeler for the first ten yards." A lot of analysts believe that he was a better overall player than Jack Lambert. At one point, Ham went to eight straight Pro-Bowls, was elected to six All-Pros and retired with 32 career interceptions. That's amazing.
Ham was named to The Sporting Newslist's 100 Greatest Football Players, ranking at number 47. He was also selected to the NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Not having Ham on this list is outrageous to me and almost invalidates this entire list. He was definitely a better player than Franco Harris (third), Hines Ward (eighth), Lynn Swann (ninth) and Jerome Bettis (10), and I would have taken any of those players off the list for Ham.
I also thought Mike Webster could have very easily made this list. Webster was the anchor of a pretty good offensive line that won four Super Bowls.
Like Ham, Webster was named to the NFL"s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and was named one of the 100 Greatest Football Players of All-Time by the Sporting Newslist. Webster also went to nine Pro-Bowls and was an All-Pro five times.
Webster is arguably one of the greatest centers of all-time and for that matter is probably one of the ten best offensive linemen of all-time. For a city that loves tough and rugged players, you would think Webster would get mentioned more.
Franco Harris and Ron Woodson Were Too High
Both Rod Woodson and Franco Harris deserve to be on the list but they were way too high on it. Woodson, No. 4 was ahead of Mel Blount and Jack Lambert. That right there is very wrong.
Woodson didn't even play his entire career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He won a Super Bowl as a Baltimore Raven and retired as one too. I would have liked to put Woodson at No. 6 and moved Lambert and Blount up.
That being said, Woodson was a tremendous player. Named to pretty much any "all-time" list, Woodson was a great cornerback, safety, and kick returner. I would also say that Woodson is probably the best athlete to ever wear the Steelers' uniform.
While a Steeler, he recorded 38 interceptions and 10.5 sacks, scoring five touchdowns. Early in his career he used his world class speed as a dangerous return man amassing 2,362 yards on 257 returns. No doubt that Woodson was a great player and deserved to be on the list, but shouldn't be fourth.
The same can be said by the guy that was ranked No. 3, Franco Harris. Harris was a hell of a football player and was a key cog in the Steelers winning four Super Bowls. He was also named MVP of Super Bowl IX and was voted the rookie of the year in 1972.
Harris is a Hall of Famer and one of the 100 greatest players of all-time but I can't see how you put him ahead of Lambert, Ham and Blount. All three of those guys were better players than Harris.
I think a lot of people put Harris so high because of the effect of the "Immaculate Reception". Yes, that was a great play and will never be forgotten, but one play doesn't make you a better player. Harris should be anywhere from 5-7. He's certainly not the third best Steeler of all-time.
Woodson didn't even play his entire career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He won a Super Bowl as a Baltimore Raven and retired as one too. I would have liked to put Woodson at No. 6 and moved Lambert and Blount up.
That being said, Woodson was a tremendous player. Named to pretty much any "all-time" list, Woodson was a great cornerback, safety, and kick returner. I would also say that Woodson is probably the best athlete to ever wear the Steelers' uniform.
While a Steeler, he recorded 38 interceptions and 10.5 sacks, scoring five touchdowns. Early in his career he used his world class speed as a dangerous return man amassing 2,362 yards on 257 returns. No doubt that Woodson was a great player and deserved to be on the list, but shouldn't be fourth.
The same can be said by the guy that was ranked No. 3, Franco Harris. Harris was a hell of a football player and was a key cog in the Steelers winning four Super Bowls. He was also named MVP of Super Bowl IX and was voted the rookie of the year in 1972.
Harris is a Hall of Famer and one of the 100 greatest players of all-time but I can't see how you put him ahead of Lambert, Ham and Blount. All three of those guys were better players than Harris.
I think a lot of people put Harris so high because of the effect of the "Immaculate Reception". Yes, that was a great play and will never be forgotten, but one play doesn't make you a better player. Harris should be anywhere from 5-7. He's certainly not the third best Steeler of all-time.
Jack Lambert as No. 5 is absolutely laughable. Lambert should have definitely been second on this list and every list like it. Lambert is the only player that I wouldn't be upset if they ranked him ahead of Joe Greene.
Lambert is and always will be one of the most intimidating players in the history of the NFL. From his look to his play, Lambert made sure that opponents would fear the "Steel Curtain". From his missing teeth to his manly stash, he was feared by most and respected by all.
He was just a man of intimidation, Lambert was a great football player. In his career Lambert won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, along with being named to nine straight Pro Bowls, six time First Team All-Pro and was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year once.
When most people think about the Steelers, they think about two players, and that's Joe Greene and Jack Lambert. Being ranked fifth is insane.
Along with the laughter, I saw that Mel Blount was ranked just sixth. Again laughable.
Blount was a great football player. He changed the way the game was played. Blount used to treat receivers like rag dolls, locking them up at the line of scrimmage, and then destroying them down the field. The way the game is played today is largely do to Blount.
But Blount wasn't just a physical corner, he was also a great ball-hawk. In 14 years, Blount intercepted 57 passes. His size and speed were unmatched by most and I still think you can make a case that he's the best corner-back of all-time in the NFL.
Blount should have been higher than Woodson and Harris, and at least in the top four.
Lambert is and always will be one of the most intimidating players in the history of the NFL. From his look to his play, Lambert made sure that opponents would fear the "Steel Curtain". From his missing teeth to his manly stash, he was feared by most and respected by all.
He was just a man of intimidation, Lambert was a great football player. In his career Lambert won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, along with being named to nine straight Pro Bowls, six time First Team All-Pro and was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year once.
When most people think about the Steelers, they think about two players, and that's Joe Greene and Jack Lambert. Being ranked fifth is insane.
Along with the laughter, I saw that Mel Blount was ranked just sixth. Again laughable.
Blount was a great football player. He changed the way the game was played. Blount used to treat receivers like rag dolls, locking them up at the line of scrimmage, and then destroying them down the field. The way the game is played today is largely do to Blount.
But Blount wasn't just a physical corner, he was also a great ball-hawk. In 14 years, Blount intercepted 57 passes. His size and speed were unmatched by most and I still think you can make a case that he's the best corner-back of all-time in the NFL.
Blount should have been higher than Woodson and Harris, and at least in the top four.
Terry Bradshaw landed at No. 2 on this list and it's hard to argue. Despite his numbers not being great compared to today's standards, you have to remember that it was a completely different game back then. It was much harder to complete passes at high rates compared to today's NFL.
A lot of people take away from Bradshaw's accomplishments because he was on a great team. You have to realize that that's not Bradshaw's fault. Johnny Unitas played on some great teams as did Joe Montana. Bradshaw was by far the best and most important player on a offense that won four Super Bowls.
Terry didn't just turn around and hand the ball off and he didn't rely on the Steeler's defense to win games all the time either. He was the MVP of Super Bowls XIII and XIV and won the league MVP in 1978. That doesn't sound like a player that was "taken for a ride." Bradshaw was a great QB and had a great career.
That being said, I'm not sure if I put him second. I would definitely have Lambert ahead of him and would probably consider putting Blount ahead of him too.
I think a lot is going to depend on how Roethlisberger's career pans out. What if Ben wins another Super Bowl? That would give him three Super Bowl wins on a far less superior team in the free-agency era. What if he wins two more? After all, he's only in his seventh season.
If Ben can stay healthy he's going to break all of Bradshaw's records and I think will end up being remembered as the best QB in Steeler's history. Which means Terry slides down the list big time.
My List
A lot of people take away from Bradshaw's accomplishments because he was on a great team. You have to realize that that's not Bradshaw's fault. Johnny Unitas played on some great teams as did Joe Montana. Bradshaw was by far the best and most important player on a offense that won four Super Bowls.
Terry didn't just turn around and hand the ball off and he didn't rely on the Steeler's defense to win games all the time either. He was the MVP of Super Bowls XIII and XIV and won the league MVP in 1978. That doesn't sound like a player that was "taken for a ride." Bradshaw was a great QB and had a great career.
That being said, I'm not sure if I put him second. I would definitely have Lambert ahead of him and would probably consider putting Blount ahead of him too.
I think a lot is going to depend on how Roethlisberger's career pans out. What if Ben wins another Super Bowl? That would give him three Super Bowl wins on a far less superior team in the free-agency era. What if he wins two more? After all, he's only in his seventh season.
If Ben can stay healthy he's going to break all of Bradshaw's records and I think will end up being remembered as the best QB in Steeler's history. Which means Terry slides down the list big time.
My List
I cant believe they left off Jack Ham
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