they were picked at #32 overall or earlier). Overall, the team drafted four first round DBs in the early years - though there were seven DBs who would be first rounders today (i.e. Before Chuck Noll’s tenure began, the Steelers’ best defensive back was undrafted, Hall of Famer Jack Butler. How do we want to categorize “the greatest 60 minute man”? I have no idea, but he’s listed as an offensive back. Dudley was NFL MVP in 1946, after leading the NFL in rushing AND interceptions AND punt return average (also he was the team’s primary punter and passer). Legendary Steeler (and a favorite of this author) “Bullet” Bill Dudley is a great example. The stone-age Steelers drafted a total of 24 players who were listed as defensive backs, though two-way play means that a lot of excellent DBs were probably drafted as receivers or backs. Let’s get to them.ĭefensive Backs I think I see the problem, Gary: when you get an interception, DON’T just pass the ball back. Good news: what we’re most interested in here are decisions made by Chuck Noll (1969-91), Bill Cowher (1992-2006), and Mike Tomlin (2007-present). But then again, teams passed 15-20 times per game, instead of 35-40, so coverage players didn’t DO as much. Old-time corners and safeties got more interceptions because they could play more physically, and because quarterbacks were less precise. Moreover, the passing game is so much more developed in today’s NFL, which makes the defensive backfield more complicated.
Just like rest of the defense, the secondary is hard to discern in the early years because two-way players are often listed only for their offensive roll. In this closedown edition, defensive backs. Part 7: Positions by coach - defensive line Part 6: Positions by coach - offensive line Part 5: Positions by coach - pass catchers Part 3: What colleges did Noll, Cowher, and Tomlin prefer? Part 2: What colleges do the Steelers prefer? And we’re back for the final part of this tour through the Pittsburgh Steelers draft history.