I don’t think Woodley is as good as Harrison, and as “little” as stats mean I don’t think you’ll be able to find a stat that supports your claim. Harrison is a better pass rusher than Woodley. Woodley has some good moves, but isn’t as “clever” at setting up the tackle, and relies on his highly effective bull rush a lot. I think Harrison is better at attacking the QB and when he gets there is a ridiculous force at FFing which Woodley is picking up on. I think if Woodley were forced to play on Deebo’s side he would end up having a harder time. James succeeds on his side because he can use his speed around the tackles. He uses his speed around the edge to set up his bull-rush. James could also succeed on Woodley’s side. I don’t think Woodley would be as effective on James side.

If I were setting up a franchise and money was no issue AND I could have the player for the rest of their career? I’d take Woodley hands down. Woodley is a machine and picked up his coverage duties with amazing speed. I don’t think Harrison will get much better. I can’t wait to see Woodley in another year or two.

Ryan Clark is not that good. He fits in well with what the steelers do, but he wouldn’t be a star on any other team. I’d be happy if Ryan Clark stayed a steeler through another contract, but I think he is benefiting from the overabundance of talent around him, not the other way around. He’s an important cog, but he is ultimately replaceable, as is certainly not one of the most underrated safeties in the league. Speaking of replacing…if Mundy can be his replacement or we can roll with Troy, Clark, Mundy…I don’t see the steelers drafting one of the safeties you speak of. We already have a lot of money invested in the defense and we have some big contracts coming up (like your friend Woodley) that we need to be mindful of. The steelers need a NT next year and need any position along the O-line.

It’s possible to win the superbowl with an ungodly defense and a terrible defense. I think the odds are better of winning with a #1-5 defense and a #1-5 offense though, and I think the offense is half an O-line away from being there.

I’m not religious, but A. Smith embodies everything I ever want to see in a player, or a person.

1. Harrison is the better player right now, and I think there are few who would disagree. However, Woodley is more valuable for a franchise since, as you said, he’s younger and will only get better (which is scary), whereas Harrison has probably just about peaked and can’t sustain his current level of play deep into his 30’s. That said, I’m glad we have both of them locked up for a few years to come.

Your first question says one thing and your poll says another.

Your first question is who would you rather build a team around…for my money their is no question that is Woodley. He has many, many, years of dominant football left as where Harrison has about 4 to 5 max.

The poll just says who is better at this point in their career and I think the reigning Defensive player of the year is the obvious choice.

To build a team around, I think Woodley because he’s younger and the future. Better right now has to be Mr. Harrison and that wonderful hardware he picked up this year.

Clark is terrific; terrific in this scheme where he fills the need and compliments Troy so well. Until he joined the Steelers, I don’t recall that he did too much. Right place, right time. Probably underated though.

In the draft, if you have a chance to get a talent, I think you need to take it when it presents itself. Whether or not Clark is long-term is immaterial – injuries can happen, etc. Some talent just can’t be coached so if you have it front of you, you have to grab it.

Favorite Steelers today….A. Smith, J. Farrior, H. Ward, Mr. Harrison and L. Woodley. Wow, left off Troy, Heath…. M. Moore showed me a lot last year….not a lot I don’t like when I get down to it. Tough question.

Embodies everything that the Steelers are…………Badass