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DALLAS -- NFL.com's Dave Dameshek and Adam Rank break down the all-time rosters of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers, two of the most storied -- and winningest -- franchises in NFL history. Rank is the home team, meaning he breaks down the Packers, and Dameshek puts together the ultimate Steelers team.
Here are the Steelers (starters in caps):
Quarterbacks
BEN ROETHLISBERGER, ,
That's right -- I've got Roethlisberger over Bradshaw. Let the bellyaching begin! Before you dash off angry missives about how dumb I am, consider that -- for all of Bradshaw's big-game greatness (proven by those four rings and two MVP trophies) -- he never had to overcome what Roethlisberger has: an atrocious offensive line. Roethlisberger won a two years ago behind that line and is now 60 minutes away from doing it again. The good news is, if Roethlisberger doesn't come out of the gate on fire, Bradshaw is there to take over. Bradshaw was no stranger to platooning early in his career, splitting snaps with . Why is Kordell the third-stringer? Because barring both the two guys ahead of him suffering mysterious MCL injuries, he won't be under center. In the meantime, he'll serve the offense well with a return to his more popular alter ego, "Slash." And besides, who else is there? We know what does when the pressure is on in the big game.
Running backs
, , , , ,
Franco -- maybe the most underrated running back (yes, I realize that's an oxymoron) -- paired with the most durable big back ever, the Bus. Who's the fullback and who's the halfback? Who cares? Good luck stopping them. "Fast Willie" makes the team as our change-of-pace back, and Merrill Hoge will serve the team well as an out-of-the-backfield pass-catcher (that is, if he ever makes it onto the field). And good ol' Rocky? Well, he's there to provide inspiration and grit.
Wide receivers
, , Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, ,
Don't get caught up in their stats, fantasyheads -- Swann and Stallworth are two of the all-time best, especially in big games. You're probably more familiar with Swann's work because of the iconic midfield catch in X, but Stallworth made more than his share of huge plays on the big stage. The two fourth quarter bombs in XIV pulled that game out, and his two touchdown grabs in XIII -- one a then--record 75-yard sprint, the other a twisting catch of a Bradshaw floater between two Cowboys DBs. Plus, Hines Ward?! And Santonio Holmes?! That makes three MVPs. Good luck stopping them. Wait ... did I say that already? Oh, and Yancy: that knocking you hear is Mike Wallace. Another couple seasons at this level, and he gets your spot.
Tight ends
HEATH MILLER, ,
They block well, they catch even better. Anything else you want out of the position?
Offensive line
Tackles: , , , ,
Guards: , ALAN FANECA, ,
Center:
Webster is the "only" r in this group (with Dawson a finalist this year and Faneca a solid future candidate), but there's plenty of experience across the line. We can also expect Dawson (who played one season at guard before switching to center) and Searcy to play with additional fire because of the embarrassing lack of rings on their fingers.
Onto the defense, where the seemingly big question is: 4-3 or 3-4? But clearly, the correct answer is 3-4. Too many great LBs.
Defensive line
Ends: , , ,
Tackles: CASEY HAMPTON, ,
We're sliding Mean Joe (the 's ) over to end in the 3-4, where he'll combine with Hampton to form the most impenetrable duo in the history of football. Power sweep? Meet the Steel Curtain. If coach Vince Lombardi is foolish enough to try and run on this defense, his team will be lucky to break even. Literally. They'll have negative rushing yards. (Side note: I'm not sure if Holmes deserves to make the team over Aaron Smith, but in the name of justice, all members of the original Steel Curtain front four must to be on the team.)
Linebackers
Outside: , , Joey Porter,
Inside: , JAMES FARRIOR, ,
Linebacker is unquestionably the richest position for the most successful organization of the Era. Unfortunately for guys like LaMarr Woodley, , , , and -- who'd be starting on other franchises' all-time Ds -- don't even make the cut on this dominant team.
Defensive backs
Cornerbacks: , , Ike Taylor,
Safeties: TROY POLAMALU, , ,
Poor . With zero chance of the Packers having success on the ground and no other worthy receivers (? ? Get serious!), the offensive production will have to come down to him. Unfortunately for Donny, he never went up against anyone like either Blount or Woodson, two of the best half-dozen corners to ever play. Ever. Wagner plays ballhawk, Lake provides versatility, Shell punishes anyone who dares to run downfield, and Polamalu dominates in which ever fashion the game dictates.
Special teams
Kicker:
Punter:
Returners: Woodson/Lipps/Swann
I'd say the odds are better than 50/50 that the Steelers will get at least one touchdown on a return.
Coach
Chaz Noll
He's too often ignored by the national media when history's greatest coaches are discussed, but the man Myron Cope called the Emperor Chaz Noll the man most responsible for building the Steelers of the '70s (also known as: The best team ever).
