Most underrated Steelers

Well I thought about mentioning Kordell so it would have probably offset. LOL.

 

Apparently the young Rooney kids thought highly of him but at their age didn't have a vote.

 

Hey Blast - that's why I'm here to dispel the truth for those willing to listen (or read). As Jack Nicholson said in a "A Few Good Men" - so to those who disagree I state:

"YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH - you won't admit it, but you need me on this board, you want me on this board!"

Seriously though - I think many crucify O'Donnell for his less than stellar SB performance, but in his defense he was team MVP that year, he was the 1st guy who was a stable QB since Bradshaw, and even in that SB to his credit people need to remember that one of the picks was completely in garbage time and that Dallas had a pretty stiff pass rush all game long.

 

O'Donnell was almost the perfect Cowher QB - made few mistakes, with good range and accuracy, let the offense do what it did best (run), and could rely on a devastating D. I've wondered on here before about whether he sticks with the Steelers and takes us back to the SB in 96, the story is very different.

At the same time, I'm always comparing him to Malone and Brister (who were starting when I first started watching the Steelers), and that comparison may do him a lot of favours. The hole that was left with his departure was certainly noticeable, though.

 

He threw 2 interceptions, but one was the receivers fault. Most people miss that and blame O'Donnell. What I didn't like was if it was 3rd an 7, O'Donnell would throw a 5 yard out pattern, and it would be 4th and 2, punt. He did that a ot. That 3rd down completion was a gimmie by the defense, and made his stats look good. But in reality, it was a bad pass. It was no different than an incompletion. Marino once said if the receiver wasn't over the first down line on a third down pass play, he wasn't throwing him the ball. That was the difference between Marino and O'Donnell.

 

Well there was more of difference than just that....but I know what you mean. O'Donnell was a good QB, not great, it would have been interesting to see what happens with the Steelers if he stayed on, unfortunately he thought he was worth more than he was and the Jets overpaid.

 

so essentially he was Alex Smith or Russell Wilson (minus the running threat)... Just okay. Although on with a stud surrounding cast that is almost what you want. Save the $$$ you would spend on a franchise QB and keep the pieces that make your team great together.

 

Exactly.

 

Kordell only had one decent season, so I am not sure he qualifies. I did think about mentioning NOD, but the '95 SB is just too dark and painful for most of us. Not one, but two, game-losing picks that were not caused by pressure or anything other than Neil seemingly throwing both right to Dallas defenders. Too much to forgive.

 

I don't buy it was the WR's fault, although I realize that is the claim. If you watch it, it still seems that NOD should have been able to anticipate no WR was going to be where he was about to throw, but he threw it any ways. I think he cashed in that game. Funny that he never set a foot inside Pgh city limits again...never even came in to clean out his locker.

 

Hard for me to believe that Jason Gildon has been forgotten around here.
Probably the most under rated steeler ever was Hardy Nickerson, never should have let him go.

 

I always liked Mark Bruener. Chris Hoke and the FBs mentioned by thorn. Nice work.

 

Gildon is way underrated. If you have an all-time Steeler LB list would anyone on here put him on their? The All-Time Steeler Sack leader?

 

Well, there's underrated meaning at the time their contribution was overlooked, and underrated meaning that we don't remember them in history as much as we should.

That said, it depends who's making the list. I'd have him up there, for sure. If it's the NFL Network's Top Ten Steelers, then they'd probably leave him off.

 

First of all, hilarious "Few Good men" blast.

But secondly, I don't recall NOD's 2nd vomit-inducing pick to be in garbage time; I viewed it more like the final nail in the coffin. It sure looked like the threw the game. That's what the eye test and common sense tells me. It's at least possible.

 

I remember "props" but not "mad props." And, like someone else said, "underrated is when you are remembered as being not as good as you really were." Gildon is the all time sack leader of the franchise, but he is never mentioned when the subject of best Steeler LBs is discussed.

 

I viewed that pick as the killer as well. There's actually footage of Rod Woodson kneeling on the sidelines in that game saying to someone in a quiet type way with his hand propped on is chin "two interceptions". His int's gave them good field position as well. Our d was awesome then but it's tough to overcome that when you're playing a team like they had at the time. Their 90s team was probably better than their 70s teams really.

 

He threw 3 picks, not 2 - I was referring to the last pick. Yes the 2nd pick was awful - and somewhat debate-able that it was all O'Donnell's fault as he was throwing to a spot where Holiday was supposed to be...but I do agree that somebody like Joe Montana probably doesn't make that throw. I fully buy into the premise the NOD did not have a good game. He was throwing high almost all game - but in his defense, he did give a gutty performance and he hung in there a lot of times against a very stiff Dallas pass rush.

 

For his sake I've always HOPED that second pick was a miscommunication because if not...wow...just...wow... LOL.

 

The list is great!!! It brings back memories and with as much screaming as everyone does about having a full back, I only saw Hodge and Krieder mentioned, nobody brought up the bus driver, Tim Lester or wasn't he on the team long enough? I remember when the team picked up Bettis, I couldn't believe the Rams were getting rid of the guy but Lester was a big part of his running in the beginning.

 

Sydney Thornton, Levone Kirkland and Sir Cody Wallace.

 

As I recall Mr. Wallace may be more underrated as a proctologist.