2nd – AFC North All-Time First Team:
Steelers, Browns, Ravens, Bengals
QB: Otto Graham (CLE)
QB: Terry Bradshaw (PIT)
RB: Jim Brown (CLE)
RB: Jerome Bettis (PIT)
RB: Marion Motley (CLE)
WR: Antonio Brown (PIT)
WR: Dante Lavelli (CLE)
WR: Lynn Swann (PIT)
TE: Ozzie Newson (CLE)
LT: Anthony Munoz (CIN)
LG: Alan Faneca (PIT)
C: Mike Webster (PIT)
RG: Joe Thomas (CLE)
RT: Jonathan Ogden (BAL)
DE: Len Ford (CLE)
DT: ‘Mean’ Joe Greene (PIT)
DT: Geno Atkins (CIN)
DE: Terrell Suggs (BAL)
OLB: Jack Ham (PIT)
ILB: Ray Lewis (BAL)
ILB: Jack Lambert (PIT)
OLB: Clay Matthews (CLE)
CB: Rod Woodson (PIT)
S: Ed Reed (BAL)
S: Troy Polamalu (PIT)
CB: Mel Blount (PIT)
K: Justin Tucker (BAL)
P: Horace Gillom (CLE)
KR/PR: Joshua Cribbs (CLE)
Coaches: Paul Brown (CLE); Chuck Noll (PIT)
Honorable Mentions: G Marshal Yanda (BAL), RB Jamal Lewis (BAL), RB Ray Rice (BAL), TE Todd Heap (BAL), DT Haloti Ngata (BAL), LB Peter Boulware (BAL), QB Ben Roethlisberger (PIT), DT Ernie Stautner (PIT), LB James Harrison (PIT), S Donnie Shell (PIT), C Dermontti Dawson (PIT), RB John Henry Johnson (PIT), WR Hines Ward (PIT), WR John Stallworth (PIT), RB/KR Greg Pruitt (CLE), G Gene Hickerson (CLE), T Mike McCormack (CLE), WR Mac Speedie (CLE), K Lou Groza (CLE), KR Eric Metcalf (CLE), QB Ken Anderson (CIN), T Willie Anderson (CIN), WR Chad Johnson (CIN), WR A.J. Green (CIN), RB Corey Dillon (CIN).
Lamar Jackson obviously has a chance to make this team over the next decade.
Scores:
QB: 8/10
Having Otto Graham, one of the GOATS, is huge here. And Terry Bradshaw is not a bad second choice. However there isn’t enough elite depth to get a perfect score.
RB: 8/10
This is nearly the same rationale as quarterback. Having one of the GOATS, in Jim Brown, is massive. But again, that caliber of player isn’t sustained.
WR: 6/10
Oddly weak at wide receiver, but again, this division is all about defense and running the ball. So, it makes sense I guess.
TE: 6/10
Having Ozzie Newsome saves this position group from being an even lower score. After him, who was great, there’s not much to write about. Just two seasons of Shannon Sharpe isn’t quite enough to move the needle.
OL: 10/10
This might be the best offensive line of any division in NFL history. It deserves it’s score. Alan Faneca isn’t in the Hall of Fame, but he should be.
DL: 8/10
It’s close to a perfect score but lacks one more truly transcendent player. Still, this defensive line would give any offensive line fit after fit.
LB: 10/10
Obviously. Damn.
DB: 10/10
Again, it’s pretty obvious. Iconic names all over that defensive backfield.
ST: 8/10
Possibly the best kicker in NFL history, one of the best returners in NFL history and a punter on a dynasty? Yeah, okay.
Coaches: 10/10
Paul Brown is, maybe, the best coach in football history. To have the second coach in the division be the coach of the 1970s Steelers? Their score is deserved.
Honorable Mentions:
Honestly, not as overwhelming as you would have thought.
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