3rd best Quarterback in Steelers history

[BlitzburghRockCity]

Our own Steeldad was on his usual spot with TribLive Radio yesterday and one of the questions about Kordell Stewart and where he ranked among the history of Steeler QB's. I missed part of the show so I didn't get a chance to hear what Marc's answer was but it got me thinking of who the 3rd best QB in team history is. The first 2 are obvious choices, Terry Bradshaw and Ben Roethlisberger. Beyond that though, one could make a case for just about any of them.

I was going to keep to 1970 to present but I figured, eh WTH let's live dangerously. Most though probably don't remember much if anything about guys like Bobby Lane or Bill Dudley.

Keep in mind that if you are looking at some of the older guys, back in the day the NFL season was only 12 games.

I posted up a poll with this thread and left it open to voting for more than one just because, in my opinion at least, it's not so clear cut as one might think. If there is a name that you want to vote for that isn't on the poll, just select other and than explain in your post.

Below is a list of the more famous names that have been a starting Quarterback for the Steelers. The full list can be found here.

Kordell Stewart
Jim Miller
Kent Graham
Cliff Stoudt
Bubby Brister
Charlie Batch
Tommy Maddox
Neil O'donnell
Mike Tomczak
Bobby Layne
Jim Finks
Ed Brown
Mark Malone
David Woodley
Dick Shiner
Terry Hanratty
Earl Morrall
Ray Evans
Joe Geri
Bill Dudley

[BlitzburghRockCity]

I'll start it off with mine, I think it's bit of a toss up but the edge probably goes to O'donnell. As much as I hate Neil for that SB XXX debacle he was a pretty reliable QB on a team with not many offensive weapons and featuring the run he did have a 55-45 career record. He had 120 TD's and 68 interceptions.

You could make a case for Kordell Stewart who had a 48-34 record with 77 career TD's and 84 interceptions. The reason I even put Kordell in this was because early in his career he was Slash which made him a huge threat. However you can also say that as a pure QB he was nothing more than average at best.

I wasn't around for the 5 years that Bobby Layne was with the Steelers, 1958-1962, but looking at his stats during his tenure in Pittsburgh. 66 TD's and 81 Int's for 9,030 yds.

[Black@Gold Forever32]

Bill Dudley was a RB/DB............

I would say the top five would look like this.....

Bradshaw, Roethlisberger, Layne, O'Donnell, Stewart..........

[BlitzburghRockCity]

He did play a bit of QB so I put him on this list because a lot of old timers loved his versatility but yeah I agree he wasn't a huge name just in QB.

[Black@Gold Forever32]

Just think the Steelers cut Johnny Unitas and Len Dawson....lol two hall of fame QB's.......

[Black@Gold Forever32]

I didn't realize Dudley did have 222 career pass attempts....What I always heard or read about him was him being a HB/DB..........Dudley was the original slash....lol

[ChucktownSteeler]

From that list you have to go Kordell Stewart, no doubt. Brister, I think had the athletic potential, and could ever forget the one and only "Dick Shiner"?

C-town

[coldrolled]

Mark Malone

[jpele]

Just because I don't see their names I'm goingvto say either, Jim Finks, joe Gilliam or Ted Marchibroda. I cross off Brister from the list because every time he went back to pass the cameramen would give us a shot of Bristers Mom in the stands,very annoying.

On a realistic note I'd have to say it's a tossup between Kordell or O' Donnel.

[jpele]

Mark Malone

I'll remember Malone for giving the 1984 Niners their only loss.