The Drive Of the Defense: The Men That Led The Charge

The Pittsburgh Steelers finished the 2008 season recording their NFL—record sixth Super Bowl victory. This unit was mainly led by the stellar, top—ranked defense.

And even though much credit needs to be given to Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau, the players on the field that executed the calls deserve a lot of the credit.

The defense ranked first overall—first against the pass and second against the run.  It is not fair to say that they were led by one man, but as a unit, this defense was unstoppable.

As everyone knows, for every bus that takes the team to the promised land, there has to be someone driving it.

Here are the five players that were the leaders of this amazing unit.

Troy Polamalu.

Troy Polamalu has changed the way the Safety position is played. Sometimes he is up in the box while other times he is covering a receiver. He blitzes, he covers, he supports the run.

He is a linebacker in a safety's body with the strength of a defensive end and the speed of a cornerback.

There is little question that Polamalu is one of the best safeties in the game today. He could also be on his way to being one of the best ever.

Although he may not put up ridiculous numbers—73 tackles, zero sacks and seven interceptions—every NFL quarterback knows they better keep an eye on 43, because if they don't, he is going to make the play.

In the AFC Championship game last year, Baltimore got the ball with just over three minutes to play. Joe Flacco, while trying to move the Ravens to a go—ahead score tried to throw the ball to Derrik Mason.

Polamalu jumped the rout, intercepted the ball, and returned it for a touchdown—ending the Ravens chances of a comeback and sending the Steelers to the Super Bowl.

James Harrison.

Last year, James Harrison was the NFL Defensive player of the year, recording a franchise—record 16 sacks.

In addition to breaking the Steelers sack record, Harrison compiled 101 tackles, forced seven fumbles, and had an interception.

Harrison also set a Super Bowl record for the longest play, intercepting a Kurt Warner pass at the end of the first half and returning it 100 yards for a touchdown as the first half expired.

The Steelers rewarded Harrison for his play by making him the highest paid defensive player in the history of the franchise with a 6—year, $51.75 million contract extension.

LaMarr Woodley.

In his second year out of the University of Michigan, Woodley stepped into the starting role as outside linebacker opposite James Harrison.

Although Woodley did not put up numbers as impressive as Harrison, he certainly held his own.

Along with Harrison, Woodley set a record for most sacks by two linebackers in Steelers history with 11.5 sacks adding up to 27.5 for the pair.

Woodley also had 60 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception.

However, Woodley saved his best performance for the playoffs. Woodley had two sacks in every playoff game he has played in since joining the Steelers. 

That is another NFL record. 

He also strip—sacked Kurt Warner at the end of the Super Bowl to give the Steelers the ball to secure the win.

Ike Taylor.

The 6'2" corner does not get nearly the credit he deserves for last season.

Every week, Ike Taylor takes the field, lined up against the opposition's best receiver.

In Weeks 7-14, Ike Taylor went up against TJ Houshmandzadeh, Plaxico Burress, Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne, Vincent Jackson, TJ (again), Randy Moss and Terrell Owens.

In those eight games, Taylor only allowed Reggie Wayne over 50 reception yards and held all seven receivers to only three touchdowns combined!

When you have a corner that can take the other team's best weapon away, it makes it easier on the other 10 guys on the field.

Aaron Smith.

Defensive ends in a 3-4 get very little credit. 

Their job is not to make the plays, but to tie up offensive linemen so that the linebackers can. Aaron Smith has done this job well. 

He also makes a lot of plays himself.

In addition to his 60 tackles last year, Smith added 20 assists. For those of you that don't know, an assist is when the tackle is made due to the work that was done by you.

Smith does not have the speed of a Dwight Freeney, but that is not his job. There is not a 3-4 DE in the league that can tie up linemen like Smith. Ask Defensive MVP James Harrison how good Aaron Smith is.

With all five of these players returning this year, you can expect more of the same from this group of hitmen.

And with these five driving the bus, the next stop could be Miami for Super Bowl XLIV.