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Daily News & Links: Looking Back at Steelers’ 1974 Draft Class; Ben Roethlisberger Wants a Center

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Former Steelers center Mike Webster.

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🏈 With the NFL Draft kicking off today, Bob Labriola of Steelers.com took a look back at the greatest draft haul ever in the history of professional sports, the Steelers’ 1974 draft class.

“Lynn Swann. Jack Lambert. John Stallworth. Mike Webster. Donnie Shell. Members of the Hall of Fame Classes of 2001, 1990, 2002, 1997, and 2020, respectively,” Labriola wrote on the 1974 draft class, which includes Shell who was signed as an undrafted free agent.

“In NFL history, no team ever has added so many Hall of Fame players in a single draft, and the league has been staging its Annual Selection Meeting since 1936. The closest any teams ever have come to matching the Steelers’ 1974 haul of Hall of Famers were the 1958 Green Bay Packers and the 1964 Dallas Cowboys with three apiece.

“Green Bay’s 1958 draft class included fullback Jim Taylor on the second round, middle linebacker Ray Nitschke as its second pick in the third round, and guard Jerry Kramer in the fourth round. Dallas matched that in 1964, with safety Mel Renfro in the second round, wide receiver Bob Hayes in the seventh round, and quarterback Roger Staubach in the 10th round.

“As the Steelers put the final touches on their preparation for the 1974 NFL Draft, they did so 38 days after that playoff loss in Oakland where their offense managed less than 200 yards and turned it over 3 times in falling behind, 26-7, in the fourth quarter. That served as the exclamation point in a cry for help for a unit that during the regular season managed just 89 first downs passing, turned the ball over 40 times, and averaged 2.2 touchdowns per game. That the Steelers still managed to finish 10-4 and qualify for the playoffs was a testament to their defense.”

🏈 Dave Dameshek and Kevin Hench discussed the historic Steelers’ 1974 draft class on the Minus Three Podcast.

🏈 ESPN: Former USC running back Reggie Bush finally got his 2005 Heisman Trophy back. The Heisman Trust announced Wednesday the formal “reinstatement” of the trophy to Bush amid what it calls “enormous changes in the college football landscape.”

The Heisman Trust’s decision comes after Bush forfeited his Heisman Trophy in 2010 in the wake of significant NCAA sanctions for USC, which included Bush receiving improper benefits during a Trojans career that spanned from 2003 to 2005.

🏈 For some strange reason, Pro Football Focus thinks Pat Freiermuth could be on the trade block.

🏈 North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye is being compared to former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

🏈 Wednesday marked the 20th anniversary of the Steelers selection of Florida offensive tackle Max Starks in the third round.

Steelers.com: The #SteelersStillhouse has arrived, and we’ve drafted some of the best local distilleries to join us! Be one of the first to purchase your limited-edition commemorative bottles at the #SteelersDraft Party on April 27 at Acrisure Stadium. Cheers, #SteelersNation!

Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher did the voice over for the hype-up promotion on X.

🎥 Ben Roethlisberger wants to see the Steelers draft a center

“There’s not a more valuable position, in my opinion, on that football field than the center,” Roethlisberger said during an appearance on 102.5 WDVE.

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West Virginia Sports Now: WPIAL product Jimmy Kalis benefiting from football family support.

Nittany Sports Now: Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter facing assault charge.

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Edward Carmichael
Edward Carmichael
April 25, 2024 9:47 am

as a true Steelers fan, in the 70’s the Steelers didn’t have to deal with a salary cap also Chuck Noll drafted great players I miss those days

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