Who are the Steelers most under/overrated players of all-time?

I think we are pretty much in agreement overall. You just missed my point originally.

I was addressing the claim that were it not for Mundy starting for Clark and Troy's injury, we win that game. This is not true as had they played box as healthy we would have the same outcome due to scheme.

My point about Mundy contributing a crucial turnover was not to say he was any good overall, or that he was a great cover safety. My point is HIS effect on THIS game allowing zero completions and a great deliberate strip fumble was a net positive in THAT game. He did exactly what he was asked to do.

The OP I responded to made a false assumption that who the safeties were and their health was why we lost. HE made that assumption ABSOLUTELY because Mundy was not the starter (which presupposes your point that he is obviously not starter caliber).

Would his limited coverage skills have been exposed had he been set deep? Perhaps. But we will never know. I do know that ANY SCRUB SAFETY IN DEEP COVERAGE makes those scores more difficult. My point? His deficiencies had zero effect on THAT game because he was not in a position to impact those deep throws.

Healthy Troy and ballhawk Ed Reed would make no difference playing the box with job 1 being to make sure Tebow didn't take off and run.

 

In the initial post I quoted, what you wrote about Mundy was that he wasn't a liability and the only defense you offered for that was that he created a timely turnover. I responded to the incorrect implication that he was not a liability in the game simply because he forced a fumble. You added the bit about him not allowing completions in the game later.

As you have since clarified your point, yes, that makes more sense.

I think they would have been better with Clark. Regardless of his assignment, he would have been more likely to recognize what the Broncos were doing than Mundy. He was a better, more experienced player. That said, the Steelers definitely put Taylor on an island too much and he responded by playing like crap. On that, we agree.

 

So not having one of your staring safeties, and the other being hurt would not change anything. LoL

 

Losing your starting safety,this is often a big deal but when you face Tim Tebow,this is not impossible to overcome....I mean c'mon

 

The most underrated player in franchise history: John Jackson. Easy.

 

I met John Jackson at a Steeler charity event for Divine Providence Hospital and John was carrying a platter of appetizers. As he turned around the middle of his elbow was exactly the same elevation as my face. Wham. Jackson in a very deep voice saying “sorry”



I don’t even think I got one of the appetizers

 

Underrated: Max Starks. Won Super Bowls with him at LT and RT. They tried to replace him, injuries took him out several times, but he kept coming back to save the day. HM: Deshea Townsend, Mike Hilton, William Gay. We had great nickles for many years. Also Nate Washington--a good WR3 who stepped up to be a good WR2 when injuries hit. Made the only non-Santonio catch (moved the chains) in the last drive against the Cardinals in the SB.

Overrated: Very unpopular choice, I'm sure, but reading all the Woodley v. Kevin Greene takes, I can't help but compare Greene (who I liked) to TJ Watt (lots of sacks, disappears when most needed). To me, the REALLY good ones are unstoppable and take it to another level when the heat is on and despite the other team's efforts to neutralize them. TJ also takes up an ungodly amount of cap space for what we get from him.

 

Need more specific criteria what constitutes overrated and underrated.

Such as "Most overrated Steeler in the HOF", the other "most underrated and not in the HOF."

Sorry to say Bradshaw is a candidate for most overrated Steeler of all time and maybe Swan due to relatively short career.

Underrated and not in HOF is a tough one.

 

Most underrated: Neil O’Donnell. He was an accurate passer, did not turn the ball over much. Didn’t do so hot in the big game but was actually pretty good.

Most overrated: Franco Harris.(Ducking quickly). Don’t get me wrong, you could just pencil him in and he would get you a hundred yards, and those guys are few. However, he had the advantage of playing on good teams most of his career in a running/ball control era. He is an example of what being healthy and playing behind great o lines can do for one’s career numbers.

 

Mandy was not a liability in that game in a way that contributed to the loss. My point about the turnover is that while Mundy was not starter material he WAS a net positive in the game. He was never even targeted successfully and created the only Steeler turnover.

You are correct that Clarke might recognize pass better. But unless he is POSITIONED deep, he ain't defending a pass to a receiver running full speed blowing by IKE TAYLOR.

You know what Ryan Clark did when he played under DL against ANOTHER leg first QB?

In 2006 Mike Vick had a CAREER HIGH 4 passing TDs and scored 40 plus versus the Steelers featuring Ryan Clark.

Dick LeBeau's defense struggled when running QBs threw aggressively because he positioned them to contain the run and bet they could not beat you with their arms.

I think generally Lebeau is the best football mind in Steelers history. The defense has been worse without him. But the ONE WAY our defense improved post DL is running QBs.

I shudder to think of what Lamar would do to his D.

 

Give me Bradshaw in the big game over Ben, and Swann made the hall of fame because of what he did in the postseason.