Best Defense of All Time?

[anpsteel]

Yes the 1976 defense was the best of all time. They started 1-4 then went on to win 9 in a row, giving up only 28 points with 5 shut outs.
Unfortunately they ran into the Oakland Raiders.

The 76 team didn't lose to the Raiders as much as they lost to injuries.

[StillMadAtSlobber]

A little early.....but....

With three games to play, the Steelers lead the league in sacks, quarterback hits and takeaways. It’s a feat so remarkable that the last team to do it was the 1974 Steelers defense – a defense easily among the top five of all time.

And how much of that accomplishment is feasting on outhouse grade QB's?

[the-other-burg]

1985 Bears
2000 Ravens
mid 70's steelers
2010 Steelers

I'll admit this is a fun year because our defense is finally top tier, and all seems right with the world of football when thats the case... but I wouldnt put us among the all time greats at this point. We've played some pretty terrible offenses this year.

[Steeldevil]

I am old....have seen a lot of Steelers teams. This is the fastest, most skilled secondary since the mid seventies to play in Black and Gold. Tuit stays healthy? ... find me a weakness. Speed kills all over the field. I have not seen this much single high safety since those 85 bears....

[Jobu]

find me a weakness

ILB

[LakecrestSteeler]

A little early.....but....

With three games to play, the Steelers lead the league in sacks, quarterback hits and takeaways. It’s a feat so remarkable that the last team to do it was the 1974 Steelers defense – a defense easily among the top five of all time.

And how much of that accomplishment is feasting on outhouse grade QB's?

Outhouse QB’s have been in the league every year.

Also if anyone wants to complain about the schedule, I heard Charlie Weis railing on this topic this morning. The schedule is the schedule. Same teams for everyone in the division, minus two games, which are based on how you finish the season.

2 games do not make a soft schedule, nor do they make it a devastating schedule.

[Kodiak]

find me a weakness

ILB

And we could stand to upgrade Edmunds and Hilton....but if those are the worst players on your defense, then you're pretty good.


Berry and Boswell could end-up being THE pivotal players in the playoffs. If the offense doesn't do much, then Berry has to help the defense by flipping the field.

[MJG75]

Yes the 1976 defense was the best of all time. They started 1-4 then went on to win 9 in a row, giving up only 28 points with 5 shut outs.
Unfortunately they ran into the Oakland Raiders.

The 76 team didn't lose to the Raiders as much as they lost to injuries.

I used to be a firm believer in that theory. And we should not forget, bad enough as losing Franco and Rocky was (both 1000 yard rushers that season), Frenchy was hobbled, so we were down to ONE healthy RB. Frenchy tried to go, but couldn't do much. Reggie Harrison was our lone healthy back. Not to mention, Roy Gerela was injured as well, so we had to have the Old Ranger, Ray Mansfield, do the PK duties. He did kick one extra point, but we couldn't really play for FG position.

Still, the Raiders had the best record in the league that year. They were determined, they were focused on us, and they wouldn't even lay down when they played the Bungals late in the season to thwart our playoff chances. They wanted us, they were ready, after we defeated them the previous two seasons in a row in the AFCCG. They made sure that the AFCCG score was prominently displayed on their SB rings. This game was their SB, but they had enough talent and juice to defeat the Vikings as well, a team that by this time was not the same team we had faced two years earlier, as age was catching up to them.

I believe it would have been a more competitive score if some or all of our injured guys were healthy for the game. I'm not 100% convinced we would have won, but I think it would have certainly been likely. One of my most frustrating losses, and I believe Coach Noll as well. When he didn't think the cameras were turned on him, there is a brief moment when the game was pretty much over and he kicked the dirt, clearly frustrated. He knew that was our best chance for a 3-Peat, and we missed the call. Injuries or not.

[Baltostiller]

1985 Bears
2000 Ravens
mid 70's steelers
2010 Steelers

I'll admit this is a fun year because our defense is finally top tier, and all seems right with the world of football when thats the case... but I wouldnt put us among the all time greats at this point. We've played some pretty terrible offenses this year.

Much of this is because I live in Baltimore but I am so fucking sick of hearing about the 2000 Ravens defense. They had 1 good win during the regular season. They split with the titans who went 13-3. Other than that they played the 7-9 jags twice, split with the 9-7 steelers where they beat the magnificent Kent Graham. They beat the 4-12 Bengals twice, the 3-13 browns twice, the 1-15 chargers led by Ryan Leaf, the 5-11 cowboys, the 3-13 Cardinals. They also lost to the Steelers at home and lost to the 8-8 Redskins. They faced QB's like Graham, Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, Tim Couch, Brad Johnson, etc. Fuck them and Ray Stabby Lewis.

[Jizz Mop]

find me a weakness

ILB

Edmunds

Ball hawk skills like a blind kid on Easter trying to fill his basket at an egg hunt

[the-other-burg]

1985 Bears
2000 Ravens
mid 70's steelers
2010 Steelers

I'll admit this is a fun year because our defense is finally top tier, and all seems right with the world of football when thats the case... but I wouldnt put us among the all time greats at this point. We've played some pretty terrible offenses this year.

Much of this is because I live in Baltimore but I am so fucking sick of hearing about the 2000 Ravens defense. They had 1 good win during the regular season. They split with the titans who went 13-3. Other than that they played the 7-9 jags twice, split with the 9-7 steelers where they beat the magnificent Kent Graham. They beat the 4-12 Bengals twice, the 3-13 browns twice, the 1-15 chargers led by Ryan Leaf, the 5-11 cowboys, the 3-13 Cardinals. They also lost to the Steelers at home and lost to the 8-8 Redskins. They faced QB's like Graham, Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, Tim Couch, Brad Johnson, etc. Fuck them and Ray Stabby Lewis.

some stats from 200 ravens:

60 rush yards per game (NFL Record)
2.7 yds/rush (best in league that year)
5 rushing TDs all regular season
166 points allowed (NFL Record)
49 forced turnovers including 23 interceptions (led NFL)

And they continued this through the postseason and won the SB.

I realize the NFL was a different game back then - but those are some pretty astonishing numbers (and I hate the Ravens of course)

[Obviously]

There are no more GOATs in the NFL

The game is a joke now and has been for quite a while. All the games are manipulated to maintain interest and advertising $$$. The rules are COMPLETELY different on every level. Most of the very best "stars" now could not have played in the 70s which was the highpoint of the NFL.

The best defense ever ??

The best I ever saw were the 74' 75' 76' Steelers, 85' Bears 00' Ravens. I would put that 76' team up over them all.

OK Boomer

[Kodiak]

And they continued this through the postseason and won the SB.

It was either them or 2002 TB, maybe both, that the defenses almost single-handedly won each playoff game. Defensive scores and short fields, they didn't need much from the QB's.

You can downplay the regular season stats, somewhat, based on SOS...but it's the post-season that puts them up among the greats:
In 4 playoff games, Baltimore gave up 3, 10, 3, 7!!!!!! 5 TO's, each, in the AFCC and SB!!!!

The 2002 TB team gave up 6, 10 and 21 in the playoffs. 5, 3 and 5 in turnovers!!!!


That's pretty much what it would take from our defense to have a chance for a SB run - hold them under 20 and get 3+ turnovers per game.

[bradshaw2ben]

find me a weakness

ILB

Edmunds

Ball hawk skills like a blind kid on Easter trying to fill his basket at an egg hunt

If Terrell Edmunds is your worst player out of the top 14-15 on defense, that's a pretty good defense.

if this defense kept and played LJ Fort instead of signing/playing Barron, they'd have an extra win this year and the Ravens wouldn't be as good.

[Baltostiller]

And they continued this through the postseason and won the SB.

It was either them or 2002 TB, maybe both, that the defenses almost single-handedly won each playoff game. Defensive scores and short fields, they didn't need much from the QB's.

You can downplay the regular season stats, somewhat, based on SOS...but it's the post-season that puts them up among the greats:
In 4 playoff games, Baltimore gave up 3, 10, 3, 7!!!!!! 5 TO's, each, in the AFCC and SB!!!!

The 2002 TB team gave up 6, 10 and 21 in the playoffs. 5, 3 and 5 in turnovers!!!!


That's pretty much what it would take from our defense to have a chance for a SB run - hold them under 20 and get 3+ turnovers per game.

In the playoffs the 1985 Bears gave up ZERO points. That's right, 2 shutouts in the playoffs against the Phil Simms Giants and Eric Dickerson's Rams. Then 10 to the hapless Pats. The Ravens beat the Brian Griese/Gus Frerotte led Broncos then the Titans where they were outgained 317-134 and broke the game open with a blocked field goal return for a TD. Then that fat fuck Siragusa landed on Gannon bringing Bobby Hoying into the game where he shit the bed in the AFCCG. What Siragusa did to Gannon is a 15 yard penalty today. That defense is WAY overrated. Their strength of schedule for that year is one of the lowest in the post-salary cap era. Fuck them.

[Kodiak]

In the playoffs the 1985 Bears gave up ZERO points. That's right, 2 shutouts in the playoffs against the Phil Simms Giants and Eric Dickerson's Rams. Then 10 to the hapless Pats. The Ravens beat the Brian Griese/Gus Frerotte led Broncos then the Titans where they were outgained 317-134 and broke the game open with a blocked field goal return for a TD. Then that fat fuck Siragusa landed on Gannon bringing Bobby Hoying into the game where he shit the bed in the AFCCG. What Siragusa did to Gannon is a 15 yard penalty today. That defense is WAY overrated. Their strength of schedule for that year is one of the lowest in the post-salary cap era. Fuck them.

C'mon, there's really nothing you can take away from that '00 BAL defense. They are a top-5 defense in the regular season AND playoffs by any objective measure.

Not saying they're better than the '85 Bears or a couple of the Steelers in the 70's, but they clearly have a claim to top-5.

[Jizz Mop]

ILB

Edmunds

Ball hawk skills like a blind kid on Easter trying to fill his basket at an egg hunt

If Terrell Edmunds is your worst player out of the top 14-15 on defense, that's a pretty good defense.

if this defense kept and played LJ Fort instead of signing/playing Barron, they'd have an extra win this year and the Ravens wouldn't be as good.

Was replying to “find me a weakness”

He is by definition

[Steeldevil]

Edmunds

Ball hawk skills like a blind kid on Easter trying to fill his basket at an egg hunt

If Terrell Edmunds is your worst player out of the top 14-15 on defense, that's a pretty good defense.

if this defense kept and played LJ Fort instead of signing/playing Barron, they'd have an extra win this year and the Ravens wouldn't be as good.

Was replying to “find me a weakness”

He is by definition

....he is average(Edmunds) but serviceable most times on a secondary that rarely gets beat deep. Does any group of receivers on any team seem any more than a draw?

ILB..... Where have all the slant passes against this team gone? Remember every team torching them ? I'll take this speed in the Middle IMO

Speed everywhere........

[LakecrestSteeler]

And they continued this through the postseason and won the SB.

It was either them or 2002 TB, maybe both, that the defenses almost single-handedly won each playoff game. Defensive scores and short fields, they didn't need much from the QB's.

You can downplay the regular season stats, somewhat, based on SOS...but it's the post-season that puts them up among the greats:
In 4 playoff games, Baltimore gave up 3, 10, 3, 7!!!!!! 5 TO's, each, in the AFCC and SB!!!!

The 2002 TB team gave up 6, 10 and 21 in the playoffs. 5, 3 and 5 in turnovers!!!!


That's pretty much what it would take from our defense to have a chance for a SB run - hold them under 20 and get 3+ turnovers per game.

I was thinking Baltimore’s defense was overrated and too hyped after reading about their schedule from a couple posts above. Then that was countered by the stats a couple posts later; then your post Kodiak.

Good stuff. Never realized what they were doing in the post season: domination! I get pretty apathetic once the Steelers are finished.

[Old School]

Yes the 1976 defense was the best of all time. They started 1-4 then went on to win 9 in a row, giving up only 28 points with 5 shut outs.
Unfortunately they ran into the Oakland Raiders.

The 76 team didn't lose to the Raiders as much as they lost to injuries.

I used to be a firm believer in that theory. And we should not forget, bad enough as losing Franco and Rocky was (both 1000 yard rushers that season), Frenchy was hobbled, so we were down to ONE healthy RB. Frenchy tried to go, but couldn't do much. Reggie Harrison was our lone healthy back. Not to mention, Roy Gerela was injured as well, so we had to have the Old Ranger, Ray Mansfield, do the PK duties. He did kick one extra point, but we couldn't really play for FG position.

Still, the Raiders had the best record in the league that year. They were determined, they were focused on us, and they wouldn't even lay down when they played the Bungals late in the season to thwart our playoff chances. They wanted us, they were ready, after we defeated them the previous two seasons in a row in the AFCCG. They made sure that the AFCCG score was prominently displayed on their SB rings. This game was their SB, but they had enough talent and juice to defeat the Vikings as well, a team that by this time was not the same team we had faced two years earlier, as age was catching up to them.

I believe it would have been a more competitive score if some or all of our injured guys were healthy for the game. I'm not 100% convinced we would have won, but I think it would have certainly been likely. One of my most frustrating losses, and I believe Coach Noll as well. When he didn't think the cameras were turned on him, there is a brief moment when the game was pretty much over and he kicked the dirt, clearly frustrated. He knew that was our best chance for a 3-Peat, and we missed the call. Injuries or not.

Davis had to stop Pittsburgh. He blamed Madden for the IR loss that opened the door gave them belief. He couldn't allow Pittsburgh 3 straight, eclipsing GB & Miami, claiming to be the best in the SB era. He coerced the league into getting the Steelers opening game of 76. Research Franco's fumble that lost that game. Atkinson had Davis support for another blindside on Swann, should have been suspended for the year. Chuck's criminal element crack had double meaning, Davis made him pay. Davis hired Willie Brown to represent Atkinson first for an embezzlement charge then to grill Chuck. Research how Davis got films of the one back Harrison offense before the 76 AFCCG. Kraft Belichek perfected what Davis did 50 years ago, but tbe Caymans are nicer than the offices of the midwest teamster union.

In a clean game with no blindside assault allowed, healthy Rocky and Franco Steelers, 76 Steelers beat the criminal element and win 3 straight.