Free Ship

Steelers History

- #52 Tribute forever ImmaculateReception The Great 1974 Draft Super Bowl Trophies VHS: search & trade NFL-Throwback Jer! Steeler Jersey Shop Steelers Hat Shop Super Bowl MVP's Sports Illustrateds NFL Films Video's The Steel Curtain Steeler Fan Links Great Moments Hall Of Famers - Hat Shop -

1970's Stuff

The Greatest MLB was it #58 vs #51 All 1970's teams Total History of team Retired Jersey's #70 Ernie Stautner

Awesome Reads No Name Defense Snake Biten:1974 12-0 to 12-1 ESPN for Steelers ALL Time Team One-on-One Chuck Noll LC Greenwood John Stallworth Rocky Blier   The Book - Calendars - - The Great 70's Steelers Raiders Rivalry web site - vs.

Click here for Super Bowl Moments Sports Illustrated

Who was the Greatest Middleline backer [MLB] in NFL history? Only Two names come to mind. Dick Butkus and Jack Lambert. period, end of story! The question remains though... who was the greatest? Dick Butkus seems to be more legend and history than Lambert... but Lambert is etched in our minds as being that Nasty MLB, growling and spitting at opponents... grabbing and whipping guys to the ground [Charley Waters in the Super Bowl X] ... but where does the legend end and fact pick up. Who had more tackles? more sacks? more ints?... problem is, we'll never know. Butkus played during a time when such stats were not kept as they were during Lambert days...just ask Deacon Jones... who some say had over 150 sacks in his career... placing him Miles ahead of current sack leaders of the modern era... The one thing we can say is, Dick Butkus seemed to chase guys down and run through them. Lambert made a lot of tackles... but his didn't exactly make the "hardest hits" video... where Butkus seemed to be the Star of such a vhs. If you watched the old NFL Films on Butkus... old players that played against him pretty much feared # 51. He seemed to want to truly rip your head off while he was tackling you. They also gave you the impression that Butkus wasn't afraid to tell you what he thought of you right to your face... not to say Lambert wouldn't either...but it seems that Butkus made many many fear him while they were between the lines. But does that make for the Greatest MLB? Lambert had the same Nasty qualities about his play. He too made running backs wonder if they were going to make it to the next play with him laying them out... but that can be said of today's players as well. Ray Lewis, Mike Singeltary, Lawerance Taylor.... but they are not considered the Greatest. I think it comes down to 2 things. Toughness at the position and leadership of the Defense. Dick Butkus and Jack Lambert had control of the defense and proved their toughness through leadership. It didn't hurt to have blood on your hands and pants after each game... and your Two front teeth out as Lambert did during his hay day as MLB for the Steelers. [which by the way, was intimidating enough in MY book] Here's how I break down the Greatest Middle Linebackers in the NFL history: # 1 Jack Lambert # 2 Dick Butkus # 3 Ray Nitchskie # 4 Chuck Bednaric [dude could Still lace them up] # 5 Mike Singeltary Dick Butkus: 22 lifetime interceptions, 25 opponents' fumble recoveries ... Serious knee injury ended brilliant career ... All-NFL seven years ... In eight straight Pro Bowls. Jack Lambert: Two-time NFL Defensive Player of Year ... All-pro seven times ... In nine straight Pro Bowls, 1975-1983 ... In six AFC title games, four Super Bowls ... had 28 interceptions, 15 opponents' fumble recoveries.

The Jim Brown Take!

You be the judge! Is this a situation similar to who was the greatest running back of all-time?.. where no-one wants to say Jim Brown ISN'T the greatest. Yet most of today's generation didn't even see Brown play... hence Jim Brown gets the vote all the time. [see Emmitt Smith or Walter Payton for that one]

I think it's hard to NOT vote Butkus as the Greatest...but when you consider Lambert played and Stared on 4 Super Bowls...Defensive player of the year 2 times...where Butkus only played on 2 winners for the Chicago Bears during his career with no such awards...makes you wonder... Butkus is like Brown in that when you think Greatest...you automatically give it to them... I'm just saying.. maybe Not!

Feel free to submit your take..we'd love to hear it and post it!
submit your comments here

be sure to read JohnL's take on the NFL's Greatest Defense of All time

NFL Films  #51 Butkus: Intimidator    56k 100k 300k

-

This Steelers NFL fan site is a non-profit fan website and is in no way affiliated with the NFL or the Pittsburgh Steelers.

-
Pittsburgh Steelers Throwback Jerseys Galore!
They Terry Bradshaw, Franco, Jack Lambert and much much more! Check them out
www.Throwback-Jerseys-Junction.com
-
Throwback Jerseys: Terry Bradshaw Joe Greene Jack Lambert Franco Harris
-
 a Great Sports Rivalries.com production | all rights reserved & copyright
-