Every elite defense is a sum of its total parts. “Eleven Together as One,” as coaches often say. And yet, all of the great ones had a player or two who stood above the rest. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed on the early-2000 Ravens. Lawrence Taylor on the Giants of the mid-80s. Mike Singletary and the ‘85 Bears.
In Pittsburgh, the names are as familiar as the units they led. Mean Joe and Lambert. Lloyd and Greene. The Flyin’ Polamalus. The current Steelers’ defense is not yet worthy of being mentioned with their legendary predecessors.