The Pittsburgh Steelers are mostly known for their great linebackers throughout the history of the organization. What about Cornerbacks? The Steelers have had good cornerbacks throughout their history like Joe Haden, Ike Taylor, Jack Butler, Deshea Townsend, Bryant McFadden, William Gay, Dwayne Woodruff, Carnell Lake, Rod Woodson, and Mel Blount. Among those top cornerbacks who is the best cornerback in Steelers franchise history?
In Bob Labriola's recent Asked and Answered: April 8th edition he answered that question. He says the greatest cornerback in Steelers history is Mel Blount. Labriola says Blount was so dominant that he forced the NFL to change the rules to limit his impact. Not many players can say they have changed the rules of the NFL due to their play on the football field. Blount can. Blount was able to adjust to cover any type of receiver. His specialty was the 'bump and run,' and when he did that to his opponents they never stood a chance against him. So the NFL decided to implement the five-yard bump rule in 1977.
Once the 'Mel Blount rule' went into effect a cornerback was not allowed to bump a wide receiver with five yards of the line of scrimmage. At the end of the day, Blount accepted the rule and said if you're an athlete you need to be able to make adjustments in your game. You have to play within the rules.
Mel Blount on the NFL's rule change: "When they changed the bump-and-run rule, we all had to adjust," said Blount. "If you're an athlete, a player, you make the adjustment. You know what the rules are. You play within the rules, and you let your ability take you to whatever it can take you to."