Tampa Tribune
http://www2.tbo.com/sports/
Published: January 30, 2009
In this Sept. 14, 2008, file photo, Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis (31) is stopped by Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers James Farrior (51) and Larry Foote (50) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Cleveland. The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense is one of the best in the NFL history. But as linebacker Larry Foote said, who remembers great defenses from team that don't win championships?(AP) TAMPA - There is not a steel curtain big enough for this year's Pittsburgh defense to hide behind.
Pittsburgh finished with the NFL's top-ranked defense this season. Many are impressed by the dynamic play of linebacker James Harrison and safety Troy Polamalu. Nobody can knock the unit for leading the Steelers to Sunday's Super Bowl against Arizona.
As a result, an annual Pittsburgh tradition is under way - comparing a current defense to the famed "Steel Curtain."
"You're always going to be reminded about that until you do something about it," Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley said. "When you go out and play good defense, a lot of people from around the city start saying, 'You kind of remind me of that team from the '70s and '80s.'"
Nevertheless, reminding people about Pittsburgh's previous glory and repeating those achievements are totally different.
"There is always somebody that set the bar. They Steel Curtain set the bar," former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett said. "They were the best. That's it. You're trying to compare how good this defense is. They had the No. 1-rated defense in the league, but I just don't see how you can compare them.
"They have guys who obviously played well, but the Steel Curtain was just magical."
The magic began in the 1970s when "Mean" Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Ernie Holmes and Dwight White formed one of the best defensive lines in NFL history. Linebackers Jack Lambert and Jack Ham were regarded as extraordinary hitters, and cornerback Mel Blount added to the Steelers' intimidating defense.
Pittsburgh won seven AFC Central division titles (six consecutive), made eight straight playoff appearances and won four Super Bowls.
Dorsett faced Pittsburgh's defense in Super Bowl XIII and rushed 16 times for 96 yards, but the Cowboys lost 35-31. Pittsburgh not only won the game but gained Dorsett's respect.
"When we played those guys, I'll never forget when we were in the Super Bowl, I'd seen them beat up some of my wide receivers," Dorsett said. "I used to tease my wide receivers about getting hurt.
"I would say, 'Are you going to see the wizard,' and they would ask, 'Why?' I would say, 'You're going to need some courage to play the Pittsburgh Steelers.'"
Since Pittsburgh's defensive success of the 1970s, which led to Hall of Fame inductions for Lambert, Blount, Ham and Greene, every time Pittsburgh's defense plays well, the comparisons begin.
Even though no Steelers team has equaled their predecessors' dominant streak, former players understand the historical link.
"If you look at Pittsburgh, and you think about the black and gold, you think about the blue-collar workers. You think about tough, hard-nosed football," former Pittsburgh running back Rocky Bleier said. "I think that has continued through the years. At the time when we played, that was established. Mean Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Donnie Shell, Mel Blount - all of those great, solid, Hall of Fame players that established that aura of what Steelers football is all about.
"It continued with great players in the '80s and '90s and obviously now in the 2000s. It's a tradition that has been built. From the media and fan perspective, when you think about the Steelers, you think it's just a tough, hard-nosed ballgame, the way it should be played. Buckle up, because we're coming."
Although teams have been unable to duplicate the Steel Curtain's collective success, Pittsburgh's staple continues to be its linebackers.
Pittsburgh has sent at least one linebacker to the Pro Bowl in 33 of the past 39 seasons. The torch once held by Ham, Lambert and Andy Russell has been passed to Mike Merriweather, Greg Lloyd, Levon Kirkland, Kevin Greene and Joey Porter, and now to Harrison and Woodley.
"Everybody wants to be included in a group of elite people, whether it's linemen, linebackers or whatever it may be," Harrison said. "You just want to come in and try to hold up the tradition. You don't want to be the guy who comes in and slacks down.
"When they say that 'Pittsburgh comes in with a great set of linebackers except for so-and-so,' you don't want to be that guy."
This year's defense understands all the history, but the unit is not trying to hide behind the Steel Curtain.
Pittsburgh's defense just wants its own label.
Super Bowl XLIII champions.
"There is a legacy that is passed down," Polamalu said. "There is a mentality that is passed down from year to year that is always here for the Steelers. However, each year there is a different identity for a team.
"From last year to this year, it's two completely different teams. It's the adversity, the circumstances you face each year are different. I would say our identity has changed, but the mentality hasn't changed."
Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425.
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