Pittsburgh Steelers defense among best ever

Pittsburgh Steelers defense among best ever
January 29
Chicago Tribune columnist Dan Pompei
"This Steelers defense is not yet the legend that other Steelers defenses have become.

But if the defense leads Pittsburgh to a second Super Bowl in four years Sunday, the world will have no choice but to consider the 2008 Pittsburgh defense one of the greatest ever.

Unlike the Bears of 1985, this defense has achieved its status with little bravado and fanfare. Like star player Troy Polamalu, the Steelers speak softly but make the big stick.

Even in Pittsburgh, this defense is not revered like the Steel Curtain of the late '70s was. Gil Brandt, the former Cowboys executive who has been associated with the NFL since 1960, has an interesting perspective.

"This defense here is a better defense now than the Steel Curtain was," said Brandt, who currently works for NFL.com and Sirius radio. "What they have accomplished is unbelievable."

That's because Brandt believes it never has been more difficult to play great defense.

This season, scoring was the highest it has been since 1965, yet the Steelers held opponents to 13.9 points per game, including points given up on special teams and offense. So arguably, their points-allowed average was more impressive than the 9.8 average the 1976 Steelers defense allowed.

Brandt pointed out that back in the days of the Steel Curtain, offenses used only two formations rather than the seemingly countless sets that spread the field like never before.

In those days, the rules allowed defensive backs to jam receivers all the way down the field. And offensive linemen were not permitted to extend their arms or use their hands to grasp.

But the current Steelers defense stacks up very well against defenses from any era. It led the league in points allowed, yards allowed and passing yards allowed. It was second in rushing yards allowed. No team has led the league in all four categories since the NFL merger in 1970.

And it wasn't as if they were playing against 10-man offenses. The Steelers had a tough schedule, and they opposed five of the NFL's top 11 offenses.

Of course, they will have perhaps their greatest challenge yet and the best opportunity to cement their legacy in the Super Bowl when they square off against the Cardinals, who had the league's fourth-ranked offense."
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