I don't think anyone was really saying the Defense was "more important" but most definitely the outstanding strength of that team - as it has been forever.

Nor was it my point to say Ben doesn't belong somewhere amongst the elite. I love the guy's game...I think everyone would agree you need both the D and the QB to get it done.

Sure it is....

When people say they want to draft defense to be like the Steelers pointing out how they used their picks is totally irrelevant.

Agreed, I can't recall if it was Sapp or Chucky today that said it, but they were dead on. The strength of the PIT Defense is in consistency and COACHING....they've run a similar defense for decades, and find a way over and over again to teach the new guys the nuances of their system. Well, that and a couple freaks in Troy and Hampton. :D

Nobody says you have to be like the Steelers. You said you have to have an elite QB to win. I said the Steelers won with defense. Then the usual circle jerk ensued.

The fact is, the Steelers have been winning with defense ever since I can remember. Offense is not the backbone of that team by any means.

The point is, defense won the SB.

the high powered O lost.

There are various reasons for taking a player or position at different times of the draft. Taking a kicker in the 4th round doesn't mean that you don't care about kickers. It means that you think the best combination of Kicker quality and spent draft pick was in the 4th round.

In recent years, ILBs weren't getting picked much in the first round. As one can tell just from reading this site, guards are usually able to be found in the bottom of round 1 and then down into the lower rounds, so higher picks aren't spent on them because of trends. Furthermore, if you've already got excellent players at a position, you don't need to draft the position high. The Steelers drafted Ben in the first round because they needed a quarterback and they felt Ben offered value at #11 that year.

Of course, you know all this, which is why you must know that you're making a bad argument.

And their defense has been largely built OUT OF THE FIRST ROUND, the Steelers are a great example of why LB's aren't worth 1st round picks.

James Harrison who people jizz over wasn't even drafted.

huh?

they had the same defense before Roethlisburger showed up....only now they have 2 titles since....


people still don't get it?

great QBs win Superbowls

for the love god....

They are deep at LB, why would they draft one in the 1st round?

If thier defense was in the condition of the Chiefs, they very well might draft one in the 1st.

Lost in all this is probably the most insight you'll get from the Chiefs GM from here to draft day. When discussing TG, he said:

Now you can draw your own conclusions, but I think he makes it pretty clear as to what his plan is.

IYO what are his plans

Warner is better. Why didn't the Cards win then?

They're deep at LB because they draft mid round guys and replace guys when their contracts are up...they let Joey Porter walk, they let Chad Brown walk..and those guys themselves weren't 1st round picks..

They used pick 20 on Lawrence Timmons and he doesn't even start for them...

Their LB's are made by their scheme, LB is like the RB of defense when it comes to what they're worth in the draft.

Well, he was discussing TG, and TG has made it pretty clear that he doesn't want a QB drafted and to wait on him to develop. IMO Pioli phrased this comment to imply that TG is just going to have to deal with it.

because someone has to lose when 2 great QBs meet.....


are you new to sports?

thats a pretty good take, not what i was thinking. but makes sense