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New on Sports Illustrated: Report: Trent Brown Hospitalized After Pregame IV Mishap

Brown will reportedly stay overnight in a Cleveland hospital for further evaluation.

Raiders offensive tackle Trent Brown was hospitalized on Sunday after a "mishap" with his pregame IV, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. 

Brown was inactive for Las Vegas' win over the Browns on Sunday in Cleveland. He was taken out of the locker room in a wheelchair after air entered his bloodstream during the IV insertion, per Rapoport and Pelissero. Brown will reportedly stay in Cleveland overnight for additional tests. 

"We're just going to say that [Brown] got ill here in the locker room and he's being evaluated right now," Raiders head coach Jon Gruden said postgame. "We'll update you as soon as we something. But I'm told everything is OK. We were expecting Trent to play today, he had a great practice on Friday."

Brown was activated off the COVID-19 list on Friday. He has played just two games in 2020, most recently appearing in Las Vegas' win over the Chiefs on Oct. 11. The Oklahoma product signed a four-year, $66 million contract with the Raiders in 2019.

Las Vegas was able to control the line of scrimmage for much of Sunday's contest despite Brown's absence. The Raiders rushed for 208 yards in their 16-6 victory, holding possession for nearly 38 minutes.

The Raiders sit second in the AFC West at 4–3 following Sunday's victory. They will face the Chargers on Nov. 8, with kickoff slated for 4:05 p.m. ET. 

November 02, 2020 at 05:23AM
Report: Trent Brown Hospitalized After Pregame IV Mishap

New on Sports Illustrated: Week 8 Takeaways: Steelers Survive Another Classic With Ravens, Lamar’s Rough Day, Dalvin Cook Does it Himself

Plus, Joe Burrow carries the Bengals to the day’s biggest upset, Tua’s debut, the Rams’ dud in Miami, the AFC East becomes a two-team race (and the Patriots aren’t one of them), and much more.

Reacting and overreacting to everything that happened in the Week 8 Sunday afternoon games...

Things That Made Me Giddy

Steelers Survive Another Classic With Baltimore: A week ago in Nashville, the Steelers were much more dominant than the final score indicated. This week, the Ravens defense was absolutely taking it to them. Whether you consider it Lamar Jackson making mistakes or the Steelers defense forcing those mistakes (it was a mix, but maybe a bit more of the former), Pittsburgh hung around long enough to figure it out offensively. The Ravens outgained them 457 to 221, but about half of the Steelers’ yardage came on two two long touchdown drives in the final 20 minutes, and situationally they were more than up to the task. The defense held on a fourth-and-3 in the red zone, and Minkah Fitzpatrick played the ball perfectly for the break up on the game’s final snap. These are things that 7-0 teams do.

Because John Harbaugh Was Still Complaining About It an Hour Later: One more look at the complete lack of a penalty on the final play in Baltimore. This is perfectly played and unworthy of even the slightest bit of controversy.

Dalvin Cook Is a One-Man Army: With the wind howling in Green Bay and the Vikings even more reluctant to put the ball in the air (ultimately, 15 dropbacks vs. 49 runs), Cook ended up with 32 touches for 226 yards—many of them after contact—and 4 TDs. If you are going to pay a running back, this is what you want to get from him.

Joe Burrow Doesn’t Need an Offensive Line: The Bengals’ O-line was already one of the NFL’s worst, and on Sunday they were playing four backups—and it showed. But Burrow consistently navigated through the chaos, going 26-for-37 for 249 and not taking a single sack (largely due to his escapability). The numbers weren’t mind-blowing, but this is a game the Bengals had little right being competitive in, let alone winning decisively.

William Jackson Erases A.J. Brown: It took until midway through the third quarter for Brown to register a catch for positive yardage, and the late-game stat-padding wasn’t nearly enough to get the Titans back in the game. Jackson continues to be one of the most underrated players in the NFL (and if you’re belatedly wondering why the Bengals defense looked so bad in blowing it to the Browns last week, Jackson’s absence was a big reason.)

Josh Jacobs Is a Mudder: The Raiders’ rushing attack hasn’t been quite what they wanted it to be through six games, but on Sunday, on an icy, muddy track in Cleveland, they rode it to victory. Jacobs had 31 carries for 128, and as a team Vegas rushed 45 times for 208, controlling the clock for nearly 38 minutes and winning ugly. They're 4-3 with four very winnable games among the next five on their schedule.

The Mighty Right Hand of Justin Zimmer: The recent practice-squad call-up DT (and one-time Montreal Alouette) sealed the win in Buffalo with the strip of Cam Newton—the Patriots were in range for a game-tying field goal, and maybe on their way to a game-winning touchdown. It’s just another reminder that only the great ones wear No. 61.

The Colts Win Their Way: Conservative offense, situational football and opportunistic defense. It never felt like they were gaining separation in Detroit, but the offense kept the ball for nearly 38 minutes, opened a lead and the defense got two late takeaways. That's how Indy cruised to a 20-point victory.

Le’Veon Bell Revenge Game: Yes! Taking it to the team that awarded him $27 million guaranteed when the market wasn’t there and recently released him so he could sign with the reigning Super Bowl champions. (Six carries for seven yards, three catches for 31, by the way.)

* * *

Regrets

Lamar Jackson Takes a Step Back: The Steelers will make a lot of quarterbacks look bad, but Jackson was downright sloppy on Sunday, reckless with the ball on a day when the Ravens defense was making his job easy. He was responsible for putting Pittsburgh’s first 14 points on the board, unacceptable against a quality opponent and turning what should have been a double-digit win into a loss.

Lamar Disregarding Game Situation: He had already thrown a pick-six and another near-interception at the end of the first half at this point. But this interception, on the Ravens’ first play from scrimmage in the second half, was unforgivable. Baltimore was up 10, their defense was in complete control and it was first-and-10, so there’s no reason to put the ball in danger. But this is beyond “in danger”—everyone has eyes on him, this ball isn't going to get there. And if that’s not enough, it was also very reminiscent of an ugly pick Jackson threw in Pittsburgh last season.

Rams Get ALL the Mistakes Out of Their System: How they ended up having to travel three time zones on a short week is something for Howard Katz and his team of schedule-makers to answer at a Congressional hearing, but the otherwise efficient Rams managed to cram four turnovers and allow a punt return TD into the game’s first 30 minutes at Miami.

Bills Run Defense Is an Issue: Facing a Patriots offense with no real threat in the passing game—New England was overly conservative in passing situations on Sunday, understandable considering the past two weeks—the Bills still got gashed by the ground game. New England ran it 34 times for 188 yards, and you had the feeling that if not for Justin Zimmer stripping Newton deep in Buffalo territory on the final drive, the shorthanded Patriots were going to steal one in Orchard Park.

Matt Judon’s Accidental Right Hook: Connects with the official’s forearm—the most fragile part of the human body—and earns him a first-half ejection.

* * *

Moments We’ll Tell Our Grandkids About

Who’s Tripping Down the Streets of the City / Smiling at Everybody She Sees / Who’s Reaching Out to Capture a Moment: Everyone knows it's Windy.

Mahomes Perfects the Underhand Flip: Someone’s putting those Tom Emanski tapes to good use.

T.J. Watt Becomes the New ‘Why Not Both?’ Meme: His responsibility is the back here, but he still swallows up the most dangerous running QB the league has ever seen. Sorry, little girl from taco commercial.

Nyheim Hines’s Celebration: The competition committee should really consider adding a seventh point for a touchdown if you do this immediately afterward…

Tua’s First Drop-Back: Yeah, those NFL pockets are a little tighter than the ones at Tuscaloosa.

It Got Better Though!: This is an accurate throw and an absurd catch by DeVante Parker through the pass interference for Tua’s first NFL touchdown pass.

* * *

What We’ll Be Talking About This Week

Patriots Played Their Game and It Wasn’t Enough: They ran it and controlled the clock on offense, and limited big plays on defense. The lack of a passing offense (along with Cam Newton’s struggles, they had no Julian Edelman or N’Keal Harry in Buffalo) and struggles of their run defense were there again. Sitting at 2-5, if they have a chance to sell at the deadline they might as well do it.

It’s Bills vs. Dolphins in the AFC East: Buffalo has a game-and-a-half lead and got to four wins within the division with the victory over the Patriots at home, but still have to go to Foxboro and host Miami. And with the Bills’ schedule getting rough over the next month, it might be Week 17, when the Dolphins go to Orchard Park, that decides it.

Tua’s First Test: Incomplete: I know, “incomplete” is a class grade not a grade on an individual exam. The point is, with a first half featuring four defensive takeaways and a Jakeem Grant punt-return TD, there wasn’t much for Tua to do in his first start. The limited sample size showed an accurate passer on the short and intermediate levels, and a guy who will have to get used to managing tight NFL pockets after playing in some wide-open spaces at the college level. At the moment, his career trajectory ranges from surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer to all-time draft bust.

• Question or comment? Email us.

November 02, 2020 at 04:50AM
Week 8 Takeaways: Steelers Survive Another Classic With Ravens, Lamar’s Rough Day, Dalvin Cook Does it Himself

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New on Sports Illustrated: In Impressive Starting Debut, the Young D.J. Uiagalelei Shows He's Up for the Challenge

The true freshman QB had an impressive starting debut, but the stakes will be even higher next week.

So far, so very good for D.J. Uiagalelei. But the next challenge is so very big.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Saturday after his team’s 34–28 comeback victory over Boston College that star quarterback Trevor Lawrence won’t play next week at Notre Dame. That will be his second straight missed game after testing positive for COVID-19 Thursday. And that means the showdown of top-five teams in South Bend will be the second collegiate start for Uiagalelei, the five-star freshman from California.

His first start was pretty spectacular: 30 of 41 passing for 342 yards and two touchdowns, plus another touchdown rushing. Uiagalelei’s rocket arm, athleticism and poise were all on display against the Eagles, as he led Clemson back from an 18-point deficit—the largest home comeback in school history.

“It shows he has the heart of a champion,” said Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott.

Despite that shiny first college start, the Tigers surely would feel better taking on the Fighting Irish with Lawrence, who has a 31–1 record as a college starter. Lawrence’s 10-day Atlantic Coast Conference window since testing positive would be closed in time for him to play against the Irish, but Swinney said Saturday that “you have the cardiac part. He won’t be able to get through that in time to play.”

The ACC’s cardiac protocols were released in August: “Based on the [medical advisory group’s] consultation with multiple cardiologists, at a minimum, every student-athlete, symptomatic or otherwise, who tested positive shall undergo a cardiac evaluation that includes an electrocardiogram (ECG), a troponin test, and an echocardiogram after isolation and before a phased return to exercise and re-acclimatization.” However, as Sports Illustrated reported earlier this week, some sports cardiologists are no longer recommending any cardiac screenings for those who experience mild or no symptoms. Lawrence has said he has mild symptoms.

Barring some change in protocol or diagnostic timing, Uiagalelei’s next start will be against a Notre Dame defense that entered this Saturday second nationally in scoring defense (9.8 points allowed) among teams that have played more than one game, and fourth in total defense (273 yards allowed). The Irish backed that up by throttling Georgia Tech Saturday, allowing only one offensive touchdown in a 31–13 stroll.

While the challenge will be great, don’t expect Uiagalelei to be rattled by it. He’s been a big deal for years, a phenom prospect who played for the Southern California powerhouse St. John Bosco High School. He didn’t come to Clemson to avoid the spotlight.

“I’ve been preparing myself like I was a starter all along,” he said Saturday. “I was ready to go.”

News came down of Lawrence’s positive test Thursday at 12:45 p.m., according to Elliott. Swinney found Uiagalelei in the quarterback room at the Clemson football facility, studying film, and informed him that he was now the starting QB for the No. 1 team in the nation.

What followed was a 48-hour crash course with the starting offense, but both Uiagalelei and Elliott said the gameplan for B.C. didn’t really change from what it had been all week. Elliott gave him a list of potential play calls, and Uiagalelei checked off the ones he liked and those he didn’t, as usual. Lawrence texted his support Thursday and again Saturday morning.

“I was just bummed out he couldn’t play,” Uiagalelei said. “He told me he had total faith in me.”

Among the other texts D.J. received was one from former USC star Reggie Bush, who Uiagalelei said is his favorite player. When that one came in he thought, “Dang, I’ve got to play good today.”

And then he did. Uiagalelei had a pedestrian 108.25 pass efficiency rating through Clemson’s first six games, completing 12 of 19 passes for 102 yards. His efficiency rating Saturday: 159.34.

“We pressured him a bunch but they did a good job protecting,” Boston College coach Jeff Hafley said. “They did a great job on third down. We tried to rattle him, we tried to get after him on third down. … He’s got a big time arm. He’s a good kid and he’s got a bright future. I would have loved to rattle him a bit more but they did a good job protecting and executing. Hats off to him, he’s going to be a really good football player.”

Thing is, Uiagalelei had to be good, because this was a major struggle for Clemson as a whole against the Eagles.

Boston College rolled through the Tigers defense for touchdowns on its first two possessions, taking a 14–7 lead into the second quarter. Then Clemson turned a touchdown drive into a disaster at the goal line, when Uiagaeleli and star running back Travis Etienne botched a handoff—a mistake Elliott attributed to Etienne. B.C. defensive back Brandon Sebastian scooped it and ran 97 yards the other way for a shocking 21–7 lead.

That marked the first time Clemson had trailed by two touchdowns in six years. And it got worse from there.

The deficit grew to 28–10 after another long Eagles drive. But from that point on, the Tigers defense finally took control and Uiagalelei calmly guided four scoring drives to regain the lead.

“What I loved the most was his poise, demeanor,” Swinney said of his freshman QB. “He led the team. Everybody saw what we saw all the time as far as his demeanor."

Elliott began the game giving Uiagalelei a steady diet of short throws, most of them quick plays that didn’t require much reading of the B.C. safeties. But as the game progressed the playbook opened, and there were more throws downfield. Senior receiver Cornell Powell, who Elliott said was “really challenged” by Swinney this week to step up amid multiple injuries at that position, responded with career highs of 11 catches and 105 yards (his previous highs were five and 50, respectively).

But the true security blanket was, as always, Etienne. He became the ACC’s all-time leading rusher during the game, but it was his receiving out of the backfield that provided Clemson’s biggest weapon. He had seven catches for 140 yards and finished the game with 264 all-purpose yards.

Etienne will be counted on all the more in South Bend next week, as the journey without the best player in college football ratchets up a notch in terms of difficulty. But the Tigers also can go into that road showdown knowing that their next great quarterback is talented enough and confident enough for that challenge.

More Clemson Coverage From SI.com:

Uncommon Victory Gives Clemson Confidence Going Forward
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November 01, 2020 at 05:09AM
In Impressive Starting Debut, the Young D.J. Uiagalelei Shows He's Up for the Challenge

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New on Sports Illustrated: 10 Best Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Players of All Time

These are the top 10 Pittsburgh Steelers defensive players of all time. The Steelers have always been known for tough defense and these are the men that built that reputation.

Linebacker James Harrison is one of the best defensive players in Steelers' history.

There are two ways to win a football game: score more points than your opponent or prevent them from scoring more points than you. For the last fifty years, the Steelers have excelled at the latter.

During the ‘70s, the Steelers' Steel Curtain defense was a 4–3 scheme with a dominant front four, three athletic linebackers and hard-hitting defensive backs. The ‘90s ushered in the Blitzburgh era, marked by hyper-aggressive linebackers who relentlessly ran down quarterbacks. During the Super Bowl years of the mid-2000s, the addition of a roving, tenacious, strong safety made the Steelers defense even more dangerous.

The Steelers defense has ranked in the top five for points allowed in a season 17 times since 1972. During that same period, Pittsburgh has won six Super Bowls and eight AFC championships. Even during the pre-Super Bowl era, when the Steelers rarely posted a winning season, they still fielded powerful defenses. In 1957, the Steelers ranked first in the NFL for yards allowed and second for points allowed.

Choosing the Top Defenders in Steelers History

The players on this list are the best Steelers defensive players of all time. They made the cut based on:

• their dominance during the time in which they played,
• stats and accolades,
• contributions to championships,
• and overall value to the Steelers organization.

Ultimately, these players on this list are not only the greatest defensive players in Steeler franchise history but also some of the best the NFL has ever seen.

10. Jack Butler

Defensive Back, 1951–59

Today, Jack Butler is somewhat of an unsung hero from pre-Super-Bowl-era Steelers lore. While it is true that the franchise struggled through most of its early history, there were bright spots and a few superstars, and Butler was one of them.

In nine seasons, he intercepted an impressive 52 passes and took four of them back for touchdowns. He ranks second in franchise history for career interceptions, behind only Mel Blount. He made four Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams even though the Steelers could only put together two winning seasons during Butler’s tenure.

Butler finally joined other great Steelers in the Hall of Fame when he was enshrined with the class of 2012, more than 50 years after his retirement from the NFL. He is an all-time Steelers great from a time when greatness was hard to come by.

Jersey Number: 80

Accolades

• 4 Pro Bowls
• 3 All-Pro Selections
• Hall of Fame Class of 2012

Stats

• 9 Seasons
• 104 Games
• 52 Interceptions for 827 Yards and 4 Touchdowns
• 10 Fumble Recoveries for 38 Yards and 1 Touchdown

9. Kevin Greene

Linebacker, 1993–95

It is tough to decide where Kevin Greene should rank among the best Steelers defensive players. He is a Hall of Famer and one of the top linebackers of all time, a pass-rushing machine with a nonstop motor. He played opposite fellow outside linebacker Greg Lloyd in an aggressive 3–4 defense, and the pair pummeled quarterbacks for three amazing seasons in Pittsburgh. Greene’s time in the Steel City culminated in a trip to Super Bowl XXX, an achievement he played no small part in.

On the other hand, he only spent three seasons in Pittsburgh before moving on to the Panthers after the Super Bowl season of 1995. For that reason alone, it seems unfair to rank him higher than other Steelers greats who spent all or most of their careers in the black and gold. Greene is one of those players that Steeler Nation sure would have liked to have stuck around longer.

Jersey Number: 91

Accolades

• 2 Pro Bowls
• 1 All-Pro Selection
• Hall of Fame Class of 2016

Stats

• 3 Seasons
• 48 Games
• 35.5 Sacks
• 1 Interception
• 6 Fumble Recoveries

8. Ernie Stautner

Defensive Tackle, 1950–63

Like Jack Butler, Ernie Stautner was a Hall-of-Fame-caliber defensive player during an era when the Steelers rarely posted a winning season. Undersized at only 230 pounds, he made up for it with toughness and tenacity. Thanks to his gritty style of play, Stautner and players like him began to cultivate the reputation for tough, hard-hitting defensive football that the Steelers are still known for today.

Stautner made the Pro Bowl roster nine times and the All-Pro team once in his 14-year career. In 1964, the Steelers retired his No. 70 jersey. For a long time, he was the only player in Steeler franchise history to have his jersey retired by the franchise, though Joe Greene joined him in that honor in 2014. Ernie Stautner was enshrined in the Hall of Fame with the class of 1969.

Jersey Number: 70

Accolades

• 9 Pro Bowls
• 1 All-Pro Selection
• Hall of Fame Class of 1969

Stats

• 14 Seasons
• 173 Games
• 2 Interceptions
• 23 Fumble Recoveries
• 3 Safeties

7. Mel Blount

Cornerback, 1970–83

Mel Blount was one of the toughest cornerbacks of his era. At 6’3” tall, he towered over most wide receivers and his physical playing style fit in perfectly with Pittsburgh's Steel Curtain defense. Blount’s aggressive abuse of receivers eventually led to a rule change and today, defensive backs are no longer allowed to contact receivers more than five yards beyond the line of scrimmage.

Blount played 200 games as a Steeler, intercepted 57 passes and made five Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams. In 1975, he earned the award for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and throughout the ‘70s, he helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls. Blount was enshrined in the Hall of Fame with the class of 1989.

Jersey Number: 47

Accolades

• 5 Pro Bowls
• 2 All-Pro Selections
• 4 Super Bowl Championships
• 1975 Defensive Player of the Year
• Hall of Fame Class of 1989

Stats

• 14 Seasons
• 200 Games
• 57 Interceptions for 736 Yards and 2 Touchdowns
• 13 Fumble Recoveries, 2 Touchdowns

James Harrison (92) is the Steelers' All-Time sack leader.

6. James Harrison

Linebacker, 2002, 2004–12, 2014–2017

Linebacker James Harrison chased down quarterbacks for 14 seasons with the Steelers. He is the franchise’s all-time leading pass rusher with 80.5 sacks, and he played a major role in two Super Bowl championships. He made five Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams during 177 games as a Steeler and he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. Harrison's 100-yard interception return in Super Bowl XLIII helped solidify one of the biggest wins in Steelers' history.

Harrison took the long road to NFL stardom and struggled to make the roster with both the Steelers and Ravens as a young player. He spent some time with the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe before returning to the Steelers and eventually becoming a full-time starter in 2007. The rest is history, as Harrison went on to become one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the NFL and a major problem for any offensive coordinator that faced the Steelers.

Jersey Number: 92

Accolades

• 5 Pro Bowls
• 2 All-Pro Selections
• 2 Super Bowl Championships
• 2008 Defensive Player of the Year

Stats

• 14 Seasons
• 177 Games
• 80.5 Sacks
• 7 Interceptions for 86 Yards
• 8 Fumble Recoveries

5. Rod Woodson

Cornerback, 1987–96

Woodson was a cornerback and return man with blazing speed. Drafted by the Steelers in 1987, he made his first of six straight Pro Bowls in 1989. In 10 seasons as a Steeler, he made a total of seven Pro Bowls and was voted an All-Pro five times. He intercepted 38 passes and returned five for touchdowns. Woodson was awarded the Defensive Player of the Year in 1993.

As a return man, Woodson ran back two kicks and two punts for scores during his time with the Steelers. He was a star player during a time when the Steelers had few and a scoring threat any time he got his hands on the ball. Because of Woodson and other players in the early ‘90s, the Steelers were able to return to their former glory and make the playoffs under new head coach Bill Cowher. Woodson missed the 1995 regular season with a knee injury but still managed to play in the Super Bowl that year. Woodson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

Jersey Number: 26

Accolades

• 7 Pro Bowls
• 5 All-Pro Selections
• 1993 Defensive Player of the Year
• Hall of Fame Class of 2009

Stats

• Seasons 10
• 134 Games
• 38 Interceptions for 779 Yards and 5 Touchdowns
• 21 Fumbles Recovered for 1 Touchdown
• 257 Punt Returns for 2,362 Yards and 2 Touchdowns
• 220 Kick Returns for 4,894 Yards and 2 Touchdowns

4. Jack Ham

Linebacker, 1971–82

Jack Ham was not only the best outside linebacker ever to put on a Steelers uniform, but he was also one of the best in NFL history. He came to the Steelers in 1971 as part of a draft class that included safety Mike Wagner and defensive tackle Ernie Holmes, two more defensive stars who, along with Ham, were part of the Steelers dynasty of the '70s.

Ham made eight straight Pro Bowls and six straight All-Pro teams in his 12 seasons with the Steelers. He was an excellent all-around athlete with the strength to handle blockers, the speed to cover running backs and the intelligence to make the right decisions. He was enshrined in the Hall of Fame with the class of 1988.

Jersey Number: 59

Accolades

• 8 Pro Bowls
• 6 All-Pro Selections
• 4 Super Bowl Championships
• Hall of Fame Class of 1988

Stats

• 12 Seasons
• 162 Games
• 32 Interceptions for 218 yards and 1 Touchdown
• 21 Fumble Recoveries for 1 Touchdown
• 3 Sacks

Troy Polamalu (43) is one of the best defensive players in Steelers history.

3. Troy Polamalu

Safety, 2003–14

As a Steelers fan, it is fun to imagine how much sleep offensive coordinators must have lost during the nights before facing Troy Polamalu and the Pittsburgh defense. While the Pittsburgh pass rush and run defense were highly ranked in the mid-2000s, Troy Polamalu was the heart and soul of the defense.

Polamalu was an unpredictable terror with the freedom to make made bold decisions that offenses often didn’t expect. In his prime, he seemed to be everywhere at once and there was little an opposing quarterback could do to avoid him. During 12 seasons, he helped the Steelers win two Super Bowls and three AFC championships. He made eight Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. He intercepted 32 passes, recovered seven fumbles, and in 158 games, he scored five defensive touchdowns.

Jersey Number: 43

Accolades

• 8 Pro Bowls
• 4 All-Pro Selections
• 2010 Defensive Player of the Year
• 2 Super Bowl Championships

Stats

• 12 Seasons
• 158 Games
• 32 Interceptions for 398 Yards and 3 Touchdowns
• 7 Fumbles Recovered for 2 Touchdowns
• 12 Sacks

2. Jack Lambert

Linebacker, 1974–84

As a rookie, Jack Lambert filled in at middle linebacker when starter Henry Davis got injured. Davis never got his job back. Lambert earned Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1974, and Defensive Player of the Year in 1976. Throughout 11 seasons, he made nine Pro Bowls and six All-Pro teams.

Lambert was a terrifying presence with missing front teeth and a perpetual scowl on his face. He wore huge shoulder pads with a neck roll, and at 6’4”, he loomed over quarterbacks before the snap like a dark, menacing storm cloud. In reality, he was an undersized linebacker even for his era. Though listed at 220 pounds, according to some accounts, he was much lighter.

It didn’t matter. Lambert was ferocious on the field and seemed to treat every play like a street fight. He set the tone for an unforgiving Pittsburgh defense that won four Super Bowl championships for the Steelers. Today he is regarded as one of the best middle linebackers ever to play the game.

Lambert was enshrined in the Hall of Fame with the class of 1990.

Jersey Number: 58

Accolades

• 9 Pro Bowls
• 6 All-Pro Selections
• 1974 Defensive Rookie of the Year
• 1976 Defensive Player of the Year
• 4 Super Bowl Championships
• Hall of Fame Class of 1990

Stats

• 11 Seasons
• 146 Games
• 28 Interceptions for 243 Yards
• 17 Fumble Recoveries
• 8 Sacks

1. Joe Greene

Defensive Tackle, 1969–81

Though it might be hard to imagine today, the years before the arrival of head coach Chuck Noll in 1969 were dark days for the Steelers. With the exception of a few years here and there, for the better part of four decades, the Steelers were rarely able to cobble together a winning season.

In 1969, Noll drafted a defensive tackle named Joe Greene, and the tide began to turn. Greene was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1969, and the Steelers continued to draft well over the next few years. By 1972, the Steelers had their first winning season since 1963 and defeated the Raiders for the franchise’s first-ever playoff win. In 1974, the Pittsburgh Steelers won the Super Bowl.

The Steelers won three more Super Bowls during the 1970s and are widely considered the Team of the Decade. Today, Pittsburgh is one of the most successful NFL franchises in history. It all started with Joe Greene.

“Mean” Joe Greene played for 13 seasons in Pittsburgh. He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1972 and '74, and he made an amazing 10 Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams. Greene was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2014, he joined Ernie Stautner as one of two Steelers to ever have their jersey numbers officially retired by the organization.

Jersey Number: 75

Accolades

• 10 Pro Bowls
• 4 All-Pro Selections
• 1969 Defensive Rookie of the Year
• 1972 Defensive Player of the Year
• 1974 Defensive Player of the Year
• 4 Super Bowl Championships
• Hall of Fame Class of 1987

Stats

• 13 Seasons
• 181 Games
• 1 Interception for 26 Yards
• 1 Fumble Recovery

Who Is the Best Steelers Defensive Player of All Time?

Joe Greene is the greatest Steelers player of all time and is regarded as one of the best defensive tackles ever to play in the NFL. He made more Pro Bowls than any other Steeler in history and earned Defensive Player of the Year twice. He was a hard-nosed player who didn’t tolerate losing and set the tone for the Steel Curtain defense.

Joey Porter, former player and linebackers coach for the Steelers, was a hard-charging linebacker who played with a ton of heart.

Honorable Mentions

L.C. Greenwood

Defensive End, 1969–81

Greenwood arrived in Pittsburgh with the 1969 draft—the same year as Joe Greene. The pair lined up alongside each other from 1969 to '81 and made up half of the original Steel Curtain defensive line. Greenwood made six Pro Bowls and two All-Pro rosters. Many Steelers fans believe he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

Donnie Shell

Safety, 1974–87

Shell is an old-school Steeler who was finally inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020. He helped win four Super Bowls and intercepted 51 passes in his 14-year career. He made the Pro Bowl five times and All-Pro three times.

Greg Lloyd

Linebacker, 1988–97

Lloyd was an intimidating linebacker with a bad on-field attitude who would have fit in perfectly with the Steelers of the 1970s. He made five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams as a Steeler and racked up a total of 53.5 sacks. Lloyd helped the Steelers make it back to the Super Bowl in 1995 where they lost to the Cowboys.

Jason Gildon

Linebacker, 1994–2003

Gildon’s 77 career sacks rank him second behind James Harrison in franchise history. He was a prototypical Steelers pass rusher who made three Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team during his time in Pittsburgh.

Carnell Lake

Defensive Back, 1989–98

Lake was a linebacker in college who became a Pro-Bowl safety in the NFL. He had an All-Pro season at cornerback as well when Steelers cornerback Rod Woodson left and Coach Bill Cowher asked Lake to fill in. During his time in Pittsburgh, Lake made the Pro Bowl four times and All-Pro once.

Joey Porter

Linebacker, 1999–2006

Porter was an aggressive pass rusher who tallied 60 sacks during his eight years as a Steeler, putting him third in team history. He made three Pro Bowls and one All-Pro roster as Steeler and helped Pittsburgh win a Super Bowl in 2005.

Steelers All-Time Sacks Leaders

Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Records

Interceptions All-Time

Mel Blount (1970-1983): 57

Interceptions in a Season

Mel Blount (1975): 11

Sacks All-Time

James Harrison (2002–17): 80.5

Sacks in a Season

James Harrison (2008): 16

Safeties All-Time

Ernie Stautner (1950–63): 3

Bill McPeak (1949–57): 3

Steelers All-Time Interception Leaders

What Was the Steel Curtain?

Most Steelers fans have heard about the Steel Curtain defense. It has become a term practically synonymous with Pittsburgh football, but it is occasionally misused and misunderstood. The era of the Steel Curtain was a specific time period in the 1970s, and while it is poetic to use the term for modern Steelers defenses, it really isn't accurate.

The Steel Curtain often is used to refer to the entire Steelers defense of the '70s Super Bowl period, a definition that is acceptable in the eyes of most Steelers fans. However, Steelers sticklers will tell you the term Steel Curtain refers only to the front four defensive linemen.

Who Were the Original Steel Curtain?

• L.C. Greenwood: Defensive End
• Joe Greene: Defensive Tackle
• Ernie Holmes: Defensive Tackle
• Dwight White: Defensive End

These four players teamed up from 1971 to '77, making for one of the greatest defensive lines in NFL history. Holmes left the team in '77 and was replaced by defensive tackles John Banaszak, Gary Dunn and Steve Furness for the final two Super Bowls championships of the era.

Top-Ranked Steelers Defenses

Defense Wins Championships

They say that defense wins championships, but this may no longer be true in the modern NFL. I'm not convinced an NFL team can win a Super Bowl today without a great quarterback and a powerful offense. Even the best defenses struggle to contain the top-level, high-scoring offenses in the modern-era NFL.

But if you do happen to have a great quarterback and an offense capable of putting four touchdowns on the board every game, a strong defense can still make a big difference. Games in today's NFL are often battles of attrition, and stopping your opponent from scoring more points than you is still a valid game plan.

The Steelers of the '70s stopped offenses in their tracks with a tenacious front four called the Steel Curtain. Blitzburgh of the '90s relentlessly chased down quarterbacks. The Steelers defense of the mid-2000s confused opponents with a ferocious pass rush and an unpredictable All-Pro strong safety.

The Steelers of today still play great defense . . . maybe even championship caliber. But without an offense that can put points on the board, they may never achieve what their predecessors had.

Time will tell. The NFL is always changing, and defenses today have more to worry about than any other time in the history of the league.

Stats and Reference

• Pro Football Reference

October 31, 2020 at 05:50AM
10 Best Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Players of All Time

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New on Sports Illustrated: Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe Get Engaged

The power couple met at the 2016 Rio Olympics and were the first openly gay couple to appear on the cover of ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue.

Power couple Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are engaged. 

Bird posted a photo on Instagram of Rapinoe on one knee, putting a ring on the Seattle Storm guard's left hand ring finger. 

The couple met at a sponsor event at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and hit it off. They were the first openly gay couple to appear on the cover of ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue. 

Since Bird revealed the two were dating, the Seattle sports stars became an iconic couple within the LGBTQ community. Bird's authentic history features three-time WNBA champion with the Storm, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, a three-time FIBA World Champion, and two NCAA titles at UConn.

Rapinoe has an equally impressive resume, boasting an Olympic gold medal along with two gold and one silver Women’s World Cup medals, and the 2005 NCAA title from her time at the University of Portland.

Rapinoe and Bird have been outspoken in their support of one another, both writing pieces in Player's Tribune within the last year. The soccer legend wrote a WNBA Finals Preview earlier this month while the basketball icon penned "So the President F*cking Hates My Girlfriend" as a World Cup Semifinals preview in July 2019. 

The two are often seen supporting each other on the sidelines, like when Bird cheered on as Rapinoe (who was a co-captain of the US Women's National Soccer Team) led her team to victory in the 2019 World Cup and vice versa when Bird and the Seattle Storm dominated the 2020 WNBA Finals. 

As the Seattle Storm tweeted, it's ring season for the two love birds. 

October 31, 2020 at 05:32AM
Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe Get Engaged