View topic - The most underappreciated Steeler of all time....

[DirtDawson Profile]

7 straight pro bowls

6 time all-pro


NFL's all decade team.


One of the greatest Centers of all time.






sure back in those days you saw plenty of Greg Lloyd Jearseys, Levon Kirkland, O'Dummel, Kordell Stewart, Jerome Bettis Jearseys.


But you rarely saw anyone wearing #63. Why? Because it's not glamourus to be rooting for an OL. Even if you were the best of your era.

Dawson was pretty much the biggest reason why Pittsburgh had such an anchoring running game for over a decade. And i'll go so far as to say, he's the biggest reason why Bill Cower made so many playoffs during the past decade.


Only Dawson could pancake the DT immediately off the snap, then chase down one or two linebackers and stuff them into the ground.


And even if the old school guys may disagree, i'll go so far as to say in terms of overall strength and athleticism, Dawson was a better center than Webby.

YEAH YOU HEARD ME.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Should have been a 1st ballot Hall Of Famer.

[trenches Profile]

I'm a huge Dirt fan. Webby ruled but I don't think you can discount that Dirt was more athletic and equally consistent while playing against better athletes. I hate to compare eras, though, because each era is it's own. I'd say that Dirt was equally effective relative to his competition. He is definitely underappreciated in my mind.... he was respected, no doubt, but in the Steeler Nation, he doesn't generate as much buzz as some other past players.

Here's to Dirt Dawson!

[Crosby4Life Profile Website]

I played center in high school, and wore number 63 specifically because of him. He made me realize that most techniques that coaches teach their players were for the average athletes. Great athletes could cut corners on some techniques to gain an advantage, while using their superior athleticism to make up for it if they get burned.

Case in point, my coaches always told our linemen to never, ever cross your feet. After watching Dawson for a few years, I realized that he did, in fact, cross his feet quite often, particularly when he was pulling. But he was quick and smart enough about it that he rarely paid for it like lesser lineman may have.

I remember a great Sports Illustrated article written about him in the mid-90's. He really came across as a down to earth guy who didn't get caught up in the hype of being a professional athlete.

I'll drink one in tribute to Dirt...

[No l Gravity l Profile]

OJ told me it was Mark Bruener

[WoodsonOfSteel Profile]

Year after year, I always say to myself at some point throughout the season, "Why can't we have a center like Dermontti Dawson?"

He was certainly the best at the position that I've ever seen in my lifetime and will probably remain so for sometime.

Agreed that he's completely under-appreciated AND should have been a 1st ballot HOFer.

I'm with you trenches. Here's to Dirty D!

[Crosby4Life Profile Website]

Year after year, I always say to myself at some point throughout the season, "Why can't we have a center like Dermontti Dawson?"

How old is Dermontti now? I'm not so sure I wouldn't STILL take him over what we currently have.

[Nel Profile]

Dermontti Dawson was born on June 17, 1965 in Lexington, Kentucky.

So Dirt is now 43 years old.

[Crosby4Life Profile Website]

Dermontti Dawson was born on June 17, 1965 in Lexington, Kentucky.

So Dirt is now 43 years old.

Oh yeah, I'd plug him into the starting lineup for sure. As luck would have it, I'm actually working out of the Lexington area for the next month and a half (technically, Frankfort). Maybe I can write anpetition on the back of a terrible towel and get it to him. I'm pretty sure he still lives here.

[Nel Profile]

I think he might live here:

Dermontti F Dawson
24 AVE OF CHAMPIONS
NICHOLASVILLE, KY 40356

[WoodsonOfSteel Profile]

I hope that's a fictional address.

That'd be a complete dickhead invasion of privacy thing of you to do, Nel.

[Nel Profile]

Anyone can find the address free of charge on www.yahoo.com, as I did.

[WoodsonOfSteel Profile]

hehe Yeah...

Another popular means of search is http://www.zabasearch.com

In the world of today's intert00bs... No one is safeguarded with 'privacy'. It's non-existent.