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Steelers Of The 70s Weigh In On Current Team

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Jan 13, 2009 10:04 pm US/Eastern

Steelers Of The 70s Weigh In On Current Team

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― Are you seeing shades of the 70s with the current Steelers defense?

Some former Steelers are weighing in on whether this team is reminiscent of the Steel Curtain.

"I'm running, running trying to get to the ball too and he pitches it to me, and I just take it from there," says former Steeler Dwayne Woodruff. "And I remember the quarterback coming over and trying to tackle me and I went down but I stopped my fall with one hand and kept going and scored the touchdown. So that's how I recall it that's my story and I'm sticking with it."

When you've lived an NFL glory moment you don't forget it and these are the glory moments for the current Steelers.

Woodruff's No. 49 jersey hangs in his Common Pleas Court judge's chamber these days and this former cornerback says it's too early to judge the greatness of the current Steelers defense compared to the Steel Curtain.

"So to compare them, this group has to not only need to win this Super Bowl but a couple more and then we can compare," Woodruff said.

"We had four Hall of Famers on our defense," says Super Bowl Steeler John Banaszak, "Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham and Mel Blount. I don't know if the current team has four Hall of Famers on it."

"They're doing a great job. I think they have the capabilities to be compared to that 70s group of Steelers defenses but not yet," adds Woodruff.

That said, both Banaszak and Woodruff like the Steelers' chances Sunday.

"If we play up to our capabilities it should be a fairly handled game for us," Woodruff said.

And from his Robert Morris Colonials coaching office, former defensive tackle John Banaszak evaluates a lot of talent these days and sees an abundance in No. 92.

"James Harrison a tremendous pass rusher from the outside," he said.

For a defensive secondary man like Woodruff, it's No. 43 that gets his attention.

"The thing that impresses me most is his closing speed, when he sees something and he attacks it and goes, I mean that is a beautiful sight to see," he said.

And when they kick it off on Sunday, you better believe the judge and the coach will be there.

"I enjoy watching the game. I enjoy picking up different things and watching matchups and things like that," Woodruff said.

"I get emotional. I'm yelling and screaming up there with all the other fans," Banaszak said. "When I retired I became a fan again and it's nice to be a Pittsburgh Steeler fan." 

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