Steelers Throwback Thursday: Top 4 free agents who became stars
Steel City Underground takes fans back in time to feature events, special moments, and historical times and players in the world of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Steelers Nation. Join us as we revisit these moments in our “Steelers Throwback Thursday” series.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, in the past, have been relatively very selective when signing free agents to their teams. Free agency periods – and whole years – have passed with little to no real market activity for the franchise.
In this week’s Steelers Throwback Thursday, we look back at players who made our top 4 free agency additions list (since March 1993, the inaugural free agency year in the NFL) who went on to be stars.
As team activities heat up with a new, larger crop of free agents added ahead of training camp this year, we found the topic one of interest in that we may see the next top signing that becomes a franchise star this year.
No. 4: Jeff Hartings
From 1964 through 2000 – nearly four decades – the Steelers had solid anchors to their offensive lines in centers Ray Mansfield, Mike Webster, and Dermontti Dawson. That experience created some dynamic opportunities for Pittsburgh squads in that time span, including four Super Bowl championships, which made sports betting fans happy
After the 2000 NFL season, the Steelers signed Jeff Hartings from the Detroit Lions with Dawson at the end of his career and Roger Duffy as the backup center.
Duffy, who’d come to Pittsburgh via the New York Jets was most active at center during the 1999 season, but was a more suitable offensive guard. He moved to guard after Hartings became the starting center for the entirety of the 2001 season that saw Pittsburgh reach the AFC Championship game.
In 2004, Hartings not only became a first-team All-Pro, but was key in snapping the ball to rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on the way to a 15-1-0 season and a trip to both the AFC Championship game and Pro Bowl. The following season, Hartings again made the Pro Bowl and was a Super Bowl champion.
Also considered: Ray Seals
No. 3: Ryan Clark
In 2006, the Steelers were looking for a replacement for safety Chris Hope, who’d turned down a contract offer from the team and signed with the Tennessee Titans. Pittsburgh reached out to former undrafted rookie safety Ryan Clark, a guy who got his start with the New York Giants and Washington Redskins. Clark signed with the Steelers on March 14.
Throughout OTAs and camp, Clark was in competition with Tyrone Carter for the starting free safety position. Clark earned the spot and head coach Bill Cowher named him the starter alongside strong safety Troy Polamalu.
Clark became a part of a Steelers defense that led the NFL in fewest points and fewest yards allowed during the majority of his career in Pittsburgh.
Clark earned a Pro Bowl appearance in 2011 and was a Super Bowl XLIII champion while with the Steelers.
Also considered: Kimo von Oelhoffen
No. 2: Kevin Greene
Some Steelers fans may think there’s an error in our list here due to the fact that defensive end/outside linebacker Kevin Greene never became a Super Bowl champion. We offer a “hold up a sec” hand, here.
Greene did play in Super Bowl XXX, but the Steelers lost. Greene is also enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is a member of the All-1990s team. We think those accomplishments, and the fact that -in three seasons with Pittsburgh – Greene was a first-team All-Pro outside linebacker, two-time Pro Bowler, and NFL sack leader (1994) earn him this spot on our list.
Greene recorded 35.5 sacks during his tenure with the Steelers and added to an era of dominant defense in franchise history.
No. 1: James Farrior
According to the NFL, we’ve got it correct in naming James Farrier the top free agent addition to the Pittsburgh Steelers to become a star since the inaugural free agent period in 1993. According to the league’s own website, Farrior is among the top 20 free agent signings in NFL history.
Following the 2001-02 NFL season, Farrior left the New York Jets to sign as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jets’ first round selection (eighth overall) from Virginia in 1997 wasted little time in boosting the Steelers defense.
Between 2003 and 2009, Farrior led all Steelers in tackles. Farrior remains the Steelers’ all-time tackles leader at 740 per Pro Football Reference. He ranks fourth all-time in franchise history in tackles for a loss (82) and tenth in quarterback hits (47).
Do you agree with our list? Are there free agents you’d add? Leave us a comment.
