1972 and 1973 Steelers-A Dynasty Begins!

[Legacy User]

Some mentioned that the 72 season and first division title and playoff victory meant this was our most important season and game. In 1972, no one would have agreed. In hindsight, we look at this as our first Dynasty season. Where we asserted ourselves on D, broke it open a bit on offense, including a crushing ground game. Where Joe Greene showed why he is not only the greatest DT to ever play the game, but a legendary player for all time. Where Swiss would have to conceded that Roy Gerela made his mark, as he did in 73. After that...yeah, he declined, particularly in the post-season.

Just watch how dominant Andy Russell is. Not to mention Jack Ham.

Dwight White and Fats Holmes. Dominant.

Franco made the team his own on offense in 1972, and stamped it final in the playoff victory.

1973 was a step back, as chronicled in "Three Bricks Shy of a Load", but the defense that season up until the post-season? Man. Fucking formidable.

A rough, tough group of men coached by the soon to be heralded greatest HC in the history of the SB era, if not all time.

Enjoy, brothers!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69bW-SOxf0M[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5jGMf2Xurc[/youtube]

And for good measure: 1971. A year before the Dynasty, but the blueprint had been devised.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQVUNMdK8Kc[/youtube]

[JackLambert58]

If there were any season I'd like to go back in time and experience first hand from that era, it would be 1972. Reason being I was only 10 years old and only remember the Immaculate Reception game vividly. But also because it was the very first winning season and the first time Steelers fans experienced real success. I know there were glimmers of light in seasons past but nothing like what the 1970's would bring. Just being at TRS that season with Franco's Italian Army, Gerela's Gorillas, Dobre Shunka and all the rest. And, of course, witnessing in person the Immaculate Reception game. I probably wouldn't come back for the AFCCG but only if I could tell the special teams to put the screws to fuckin' Larry Seiple and all the other fuckin' Larrys.