I'd have to say Ed Reed, and pretty much for the same reasons you gave for taking Polamalu. While I love Clark as an excellent "Stay-at-Home" (While Troy Roams) safety, Ed Reed and Troy would dominate (and devastate) the whole area between the line and the corners.

Thanks for the drink chip, boss. I was getting a little dry and the wife confiscated my paycheck.

As a Steelr fan, I would NOT want any recevier on your team not names Mason. But I would want to take Ed Reed off your hands. I cant even imagine the carnage those two would inflict!

I would like to give the Squeelers Samari Rolle, and I would take Hines Ward off their hands. We have enough defense, but with Heap being a shadow of his former self, we need a stronger receiver in the lineup. Watching Rolle literally RUN AWAY from a tackle was the last straw. By all accounts he's a great guy, but looks like he's gone soft.

Great idea for a blog, but I'm afraid us Steeler fans will overwhelmingly pick the same guy, Ed Reed. Anyone even halfway paying attention knows the guy has been an absolute monster the last couple months. And, quite frankly, over his entire career.

Some may mention Ray Lewis, and with good reason, but we'd ask for Ray Lewis in his prime--not because he is playing poorly now, but because we'd want him at an elite level for more than a couple seasons. And--as good as Lewis has been this year--he was even more dominant in his prime.

How about we take both defensive squads and form some futuristic uber-defense. Hell, eleven of us could get together to play offense. Our nickname would be "The Three and Out Gang." But it wouldn't matter. With Reed and Polamalu and Lewis and Harrison and Farrior and Suggs and...(need I go on?) our defense would average 35 points a game. Dudes, that's our ticket to being on a team that wins the Super Bowl!!! Now, how do we get the Steeler and Raven players to go along...

A good bar conversation is always welcome, as is a good bar, because truth be told there is a dearth of good beer in south central africa, but i digress. I thought about this for a while, about how ed reed would make our defense simply unfair, and how much fun that defense would be to watch. But with this week's game in mind, if i could steal one guy from the Ravens it would have to be La'ron McClain. I love willie parker. He's great. But he's about 50 pounds too light run effectively against the Ravens d. My kingdom for a power back!!

What a great debate! As hard as it is for me to say, I would have to take Ray Lewis. He has a lot of miles on him, but still plays "ageless" at times. I honestly believe that he would run full speed into a brick wall just to set the right tone. I think his "killer" attitude alone would elevate the level of nastiness, to an already outstanding back & Gold unit, that would border on the ridiculous.

Go Steelers!!

Polamalu?, Ward? , Ward?, Palamalu?

I would have to say......Ward, we need another reciever,and it would piss-off the rest of the league!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO RAVENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to listen to you guys getting drunk today!?I can't handle any arguements about the opposition and trading players this week.I have enough in laws up in Pa. to keep me busy about the 'Ship this Sunday.There must be flowers sitting on the bar,Dan;this topic is sounding too sweet for me.

I wouldn't switch any of them.
There isn't a Steeler out there worthy of wearing the Purple and Black.

As a Ravens fan, I would love to see Troy Polamalu in the secondary with Ed Reed, we would be unstoppable.

The one player I would definitely not want on my team is Heinz Ward. I will give him credit for being a great receiver, probably one of the best in the NFL. But he has two things working against him - much the way Joey Belle did when he came to Baltimore. First, he is a cheap-shot artist. There is no room for that on the gridiron. Second, as far as smack talk goes, he is the king, which is great for a while - a very short while - but then quite annoying.

Ed Reed, without a doubt or hesitation is your best. But if I'm playing GM, I take Haloti Ngata off your hands, to start infusing youth on our D-Line.

With out a second thought I would take Ed Reed to be a Steeler. The duo of Troy and Reed would be awesome. If we didn't already have Big Ben I would take Flacco.

I hate to say it, but Ray Lewis.
He would fit right in with the Steelers tradition of dominating MLB's - and no matter what the fans say, they would absolutely worship the ground he walked on if he were a Steeler; no matter what his past legal troubles might have been.

It is a very tough question to pick 1 Steeler to be on our team if we had a choice, but it would be among 3 and they would be 1st: Hines Ward 2nd: James Harrison 3rd: Troy Polamalu. If we did not have Joe Flacco I would add a 4th to the list and that would be Big Ben, but since we have Joe I think in time he will be every bit as good as ben if not better!

I would take one of the LB's - Woodley or Harrison. No way in hell would I take that Punk Cheap Shot Artist, Hines Ward. It would be akin when the Ravens scraped the barrel a few years back and brought Kordell Stewart here. There are just certain people that should never ever wear the Purple and Hines is #1, followed by the Drama Queen, Big Ben.

I'm a Steeler fan, so my first instinct is to say "another O-line guy to protect Ben". But..on second thought...both coaches have spent a great deal of time making both of these teams into teams rather than a collection of guys. So I can't see messing that up right now, thanks. Ask me again in the offseason.

Anyone on your team that can punt, has punted or would like to try. Even if they only seen it in the movies.

As I Ravens fan, I HATE Hines Ward. The way he smiles after getting hit, the way he holds onto the ball and baits defenders, his cheap shots and his knack for 1st downs. For all these reasons, if he were a Raven I would wear his jersey with pride. But since he is a Steeler, I still hate him.

I'm not sure which way to answer....would I want a guy who I love to watch play (Reed) or a guy who would do the most to improve the Steelers? I see that both sets of fans are leaning towards the teams most exciting defensive players, but both teams really need little improvement on that side of the ball.

I would love to see Le'Ron McClain. The Steelers have really missed having a domminant back with size. With 260+ pounds of McClain and all the speed of Parker, the Steelers could once again impose their will on most teams via the running game. He fits the mold of a Steelers back and would really give Ben R an option to freeze opposing defenses in the red zone with a play action pass.

Cheers!

Polamalu is the easy answer here but seeing as we need some offensive weapons at the skill positions, I'd take Heath Miller or San Antonio Texas Holmes if he can avoid the clink.

The person I would NOT want, Bill Cowher. Seems Bill is still coaching the Steelers from the studio in New York.

I'd have to say no thanks to Hines Ward. I dont want players who take dives to get calls, it's cheap and there is a line. Doing whatever it takes to win, doesn't have to comprimise your integrity. He crosses that line too often. Is he within the rule book? Sure. But that doesnt make it right. Leave the flopping to the other "FOOTball".

I would take Casey Hampton or James Farrior in a heart beat though. Not that we need them, but I respect thier game and thier attitude.

I couldn't look at Polumalus hair every week, that "thing" just annoys the crap outta me.

What are all of these Steelers fans doing in our bar? At Connolly's, if you're wearing Steelers colors, you don't get served!

My pick is the obvious one of Polamalu. I would turn in my Ravens merchandise if we got Hines Ward. Man do I hate that guy!

I wouldn't want any of the Steelers players on Our Team. They are a totally classless organization.

I would have to say Heath Miller. If one guy would make a difference right now, its a TE who can catch. I think Heap's career was ruined by Boller. How many times was he hung out to dry with balls thrown 10 feet in the air and had his legs or back taken out.

Thanks for the memories, but we need a reliable big man who can catch and Heath Miller is money. My second choice is Hines Ward. That guy plays just like a Raven. I guess that's why we hate him so much.

I don't think any Steelers or Ravens fan should be able to turn down the prospect of a Reed-Polamalu duo in the secondary. You don't need an offense at that point. They will make it all happen.

2nd choice for me would be McClain.

3rd choice for me would be for Baltimore fans to stop crying about Hines Ward being a cheap shot artist. The same way Steelers fans should stop talking about Ray as a criminal or Suggs as a thug.

Just for the poster who mentioned Rolle "running away" from a tackle: He was trying to make sure that Chris Johnson was headed off at the pass before he scored a TD. The Ravens are under the philosophy that if they don't give up big play TD's they will stay in the game.

Rolle was smart to react so quickly. If he tried to get him head on he most likely would have missed someone that fast in open space while he was standing still and Johnson running full speed.

OK. I'd take Hines Ward. Man I can't believe I just said that....

Envy can be a terrible thing.

Look Raven fans, I know you hate Ward but he's a game changer. He plays the game the way it is meant to be played. You all loved when Suggs blindsided Big Ben but to you that was ok since Ben should have known it was coming - defenders should feel the same way and Ward makes them think about him all day long. Some of you were honest enough to say that. Trust me, you would need Ward more than you need Polumalu

I agree with some of the other Stiller fans - while Reed, Lewis or other defenders would be cool, the biggest impact would come from adding power back McClain. I cringe every time the Ravens give him the ball.

Why are blinds side blocks on punt/int/missed fgs ok (lewis on Reed's FG return) but cheap shots when Ward does them? I applaud the honesty of many Ravens fans who admit they would take Ward.

Hines Ward -- wow would we love to have him in Baltimore! The whining we do about him is proof of it -- nobody ever seems to complain about Ryan Clark, who's taken a few shots or two.
Fact is, if Ward played in Baltimore he could get elected mayor, and babies would be wearing his jersey in the maternity "Ward." Then we'd be the ones telling Steeler fans to stop whining, and laughing at them for crying about a little wide receiver beating up on our linebackers.

Hines Ward is simply a football god.

The answer is simple: Frank Walker!! Just getting him off the Ravens eliminates about 45 penalty yards per game and at least one big play allowed.

If this were 3-4 years ago, I would say Hines Ward. I hate the guy, but if he were in Purple and Black, I think he would be one of my favorite players.

As of right now, give me Troy Polamalu. If we had him and Reed in the same backfield, I can't imagine any team throwing for more than 100 yards on us.

Ed Reed. Hands down. He has the ability, talent and attitude to change the score of a game and momentum of a season.

There sure is alot of steelers fans on here, but is good to hear them talk good about our players :) with that all said and done I gues I'll take Troy but harrison would be a good choice as well.

Great idea for an article, even being from Pittsburgh I appreciate this coming out of Baltimore. If I could take one Raven to put in Black and Gold no question I'd pick Ray Lewis everyday of the week and twice on sunday. But never Bart Scott, man whines too much, heck of a ball player but needs to talk less.

And would all you Ravens fans stop hating on Hines? If you're a football fan AT ALL you know you'd love it if he were throwing those blocks wearing Purple and Black.

The games in Pittsburgh and Steelers fans have taken over the bar!

Ed Reed would be the obvious but then you have to ask yourself if him and Troy would be a good mix together. Meaning the aggressive style they both play someone has to stay back and play safety.

I have to put McClain in the backfield with Fast Willie. Its an automatic upgrade to the offense.

What kind of bar is this? There are Ravens and Steelers fans singing "Kumbaya" back in the corner. I'm outta here!

I'd let you know after the Ravens edge
out the Pittsburghese.

The Bar patron is asking us to make this a civilized thing! Maybe he likes his chairs and glass not broken.

The player has to be Reed, (but we got a pretty solid and smart Ryan Clark) has to be Mason, great receiver with a brain on his head, plus talks more softly, than average Raven player. Why not one of those Raven RB -I think this is the best idea- or Ngati not bad for our run defense.

Man I would really dislike Lewis on my team, but I guess we are all safe of that possibility, he most likely will stay in Baltimore. After all he has talked -mixing- deep philosophy with football so much and not being able to accept that official felt goo enough to change that play... mmmh what a blind sore looser... personally I think that pass could easily have stayed as called on the field... but to make such a drama for it... Would he go to another team for money? I don't think so. Maybe the Cowboys would take him, me thinks.

So regarding Lewis, we are all fine, my take is he stays at Baltimore we keep our softer speaking guys. Er... By the way are you interested in a great defensive promise that talks a bit more than should - our very own Anthony Smith?

Cheers guys - be right there Sunday!

Thanks to the patron- good football place here.

Can we hear "The Streets of Baltimore by The Little Willies"

With Rex Ryan probably on his way out, I’d go with Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau.

I change my vote. It should be McClain, for the reasons so well said above.

But, back to Ward, he is a guy who just plays hard. He never takes a play off the way most wide receivers do. If you don't throw to them, they are out of the play.

Hines runs ahead of a ball carrier and runs to help out any receiver who has caught, or is going to catch a ball. He runs hard every play. Not only that, but as a vet, he teaches the young guys that receivers block as well as run routes. They are buying into it.

As a receiver, he knows he will be hammered, and sometimes helmet-to-helmet or square in the back. He knows his head and the ground have an excellent chance of holding a sudden meeting. But that's okay with him, because he loves the game.

Now, for his hits on linebackers and safeties? He sees his job as plowing the road. Every play. And, his hits are generally not cheap, but one thing he can't control is the positioning of the safety's body. He hits hard, and makes the d-backs and linebackers glancing arou8nd, the way receivers often do when they are about to catch the ball. Why should d-backs be able to head-hunt with impunity when a ball is thrown in their coverage area?Let them do some looking around, too.
Football is hitting on both sides of the ball.

He is a complete player.

Now, trash-talking and whining? He is one of the players who does that the least. I wouldn't call "I hope they do have a bounty on me" whining. Being fair about it, I doubt you would want him to be any other way, if he were on your team.

One more thing. He gets pounded and jumps up smiling. I love it. It's a whole lot better than guys who look for their mommies after they've been hit.

I would definitely take Polamalu - he has a nose for the ball and hits backs and receivers A TON - much like Ronnie Lott did in his prime - and that's quite a compliment. But for all the Steelers fans, as it relates to Ray-Ray, not only is he one of the best to EVER play the game, but he raises the level of play for every player on our defense...Not only is he an emotional leader, but he leads completely by example - you will NOT find him taking plays off - ever! As good as Pittsburgh's defense is, I think Ray Ray would make it the best defense ever to play the game - hands-down

you keep your purple bounty boys, We'll keep our protectors of the lombardi trophy, and your purple birdies can watch us win our sixth title. FEEL THE STEEL BABY

Ed Reed.

I'm a Steelers fan.

I'd like Ed Reed, please. Reed and Polumalu as your secondary? The only better combination might be Chuck Norris and Jesus.

Big Ben

Were undefeated if we had him.

Pittsburgh would be undefeated if they had our O-line and running game.

Both teams are uber on defense and both offenses are near equal, the biggest difference is Big Ben.

Ward is a bad ass and their defense is awesome, like ours. But they got Ben.

Go Ravens!!!

Wow: Pick a Raven and put him on the Steelers? That would be fun...

My first instict was to pick Reed. With Reed at FS, Troy would be freed up to play near the line even more frequenly and blitz much more often. The Steelers run defense would be even better and opposing quarterbacks would be facing even greater pressure in the pocket with even fewer open receivers. Brutal.

However, I would have to go with McClain. One of the things that has always made the Steelers great is their ability to take eight minutes off the clock in a drive. In their last SB year, if they had a lead in the 4th, they won - period. They just handed the ball to Bettis and watched the clock tick away. And if their opponents were to get one possession? They'd have to deal with a well-rested Steeler-D. That was awesome.

As much as I hate to admit it, here in Baltimore we need a big play reciever. I hate Hines Ward with a passion. But he is one of those guys you love to hate...if he isn't on your team. He's like Wes Welker in New England. Because he is so good you hate him, if you don't like the Patriots. But the man is a very good football player. As is Hines.

Get out of here. We don't need no stinking steelers.

I can't quite put my finger on it, but the bar actually smells funky this week. Putrid knd of smell....like B.O.. I wonder what it is?

Gimme a Dos Equis and a corned beef sandwich on pumpernickel.

The easy and obvious pick for a Steelers fan would be Ed Reed, he is a force in the secondary and a complete game changer. While Ed Reed would be great playing with Troy, I would have to take the big guy in the middle, Haloti Ngata. He has extended Ray Lewis' career by a couple of years by reaking havoc in the middle and occupying two blockers at a time. With Big Hamps getting older I think Hgata would look great in the Black and Gold.

The obvious answer for both teams would be the saferty swap to pair Reed and Polamu. That would be terrifying for any opposing offence. Not even P. Manning or Brady would be comfortable throwing the ball.

But as a Ravens fan I would take Willie Parker. With our "fast Willie" Willis McGahee not right all year it would be nice to have a homerun hitter in the backfield to pair with La'Ron McClain.

Well, once I get beyond respect and hatred for all things Ravens (and Browns from the days of yore) I would take the big RB McClain. Somedays I miss the bus, and he was the reason Parker ran off right-center for 77 in the SuperBowl.

Now, if I WAS a RAVEN's fan - and I'm not - I'd grab Hines Ward and just not buy the merchandise since I'd hate him so much. The Ravens' Woodson jerseys seemed to sell really well...

You say hines is a cheap shot artist but baltimore did the same thing heinz ward does when they intercepted the ball in miami and returned it for a touchdown. Haloti Nata hit a player that wasnt looking. Its' not any player responsibility to make sure an opposing player is paying attention.

As A die hard steeler fan, I would honestly say that I wouldnt want to see any of our guys on your team. I am glad though to see Baltimore and Pitt in this game. Can't get any better than that!!!! I just really wish people would see Hines for what he is, a complete player. I do think Lewis is also very good, but too much bad history with him. Should be a great game and be sure next year when your in our city to stop by and see that 6th Lombardi trophy in the coca-cola great hall....

Whats up with a classless organization comment?, we have 5 SB's and the largest fan base in the country, so no nned to hate.
You gotta take Ed Reed, but my second is Ngata, hes the only dude I've seen that is faster at that size than Big Snack(Casey Hampton)

I would either take Le'Ron McClain for those 4th and inches we never seem to make or Willie Anderson to keep Ben's uniform clean.

That's easy.

Le'Ron McClain. Reminds me of Bettis.

I hate the Steelers and don't want to root for anyone who wears their uniform - but if I had to take one player off their team and put him on the Ravens it would be James Harrison. He could take the place of an injured T-Sizzle on Sunday - and then I'd send him straight back to the 'burgh afterwards.

Now for a player I don't want on the Ravens. How about Ben Turd-burglar? He's a drama queen and his "Fat Head" commercial is atrocious.

Go Ravens!!!!!

Give me Ed Reed!

As much as I would to take the high road, I have to answer this question honestly. I would never take a Steeler on my squad, EVER! I didn't like when Cordell Stewart became a Raven. In his prime, he made our defense look silly at times. I do appreciate the Steeler fans honesty about who they would take and I was very much suprised with some of the players they spoke of. It makes me appreciate them more but it's too much bad blood for me to picture a Steeler in Purple & Black. I'm getting sick to my stomach thinking about it now.

Bonus Think Special: I would positively, absolutely not want any Steeler on the Ravens headed by Hines (Smiley) Ward.

Reed seems to be a popular choice but personally I think he is just a product of the system and players up front, as well as the most overrated player in the NFL. He occasionally has a good interception where he cuts in front of the receiver, like his first? in Miami and I believe earlier in the year against maybe Washington, but most of INT come from very poorly thrown balls that aren't near the receiver, likewise, making him not near the receiver either. Like his other Miami INT. He wouldn't of even made the tackle unless the other defender missed.
I prefer players who make things happen. Which brings me to D. Mason. I think one of the most underrated players in the NFL. Why do they even waste time reviewing if this guy had his feet down on the big catch? He is the consumate tachtician. I think if he stays healthy as Flacco matures he will start to put up big numbers. But I'd just be happy for the Mr. Clutch that he is.

We'll gladly take Reed off of your hands, if we could have a second player it would be McClain. Y'all can have Mitch Berger and Steely McBeam.

If we're including coaches, I'd be very tempted to steal away Tomlin, and it's not because I'm not a fan of Harbaugh (I think Harbaugh has done a impressive job in his first year, and i'm happy to have him), it's because I think that at the young age of 37, Tomlin has the leadership and motivational skills to be an elite head coach for a long time.

If we're sticking to players, i'd take Polamalu. He is an excellent player and (from what i've seen, an even better person). Anyone see him helping up Ravens after plays in Baltimore? He's also a great family man and is supposedly very down to earth.

Huh, what? Please!!!! Would a slug want a saltine cracker? I don't want ANYnasty Pittsburgh player on the Ravens, case closed and end of conversation.

Give me Lamar Woodley, please. He's a monster. A true force at the LB position. Plus, he's only 24 so he's got plenty of good football left.

And any Ravens fan who says they wouldn't want Hines Ward on their team is a liar. Sure you might hate him, but he's the total package. He is the epitome of a football player.

Go Ravens.

I absolutely disagree with any Ravens fan who says we would take Hines Ward. Ward is, in spite of his media reputation, a cheap shot artist who is not worthy of wearing a Ravens uniform. He makes his great blocks away from the play, often taking out guys for highlight reels while jeopardizing their livlihood. Ward does not have the guts to hit Ed Reed head on "mano a mano." His cheap shot, if you remember was the beginning of Reed's neck and shoulder problems in last year's blowout at Heinz field. A clear cheap hit.
I would take Harrison, a guy the talent laden Ravens foolishly let slip away without giving him a chance.

Although I can certainly agree that a combination of Ed Reed and Polamalu in the Steelers secondary would be unreal, I'd have to go to the Steelers biggest area of need and say give us your best offensive lineman (sorry, I honestly don't know who that is). All these people who think Willie Parker is the problem with the Steelers running game this year are a bit nuts. If he had an offensive line to run behind (and if Ben had one protecting him from being slammed to the ground on every play) he would look a lot more like the FWP of previous years and probably wouldn't be injured so much either. The Steelers offensive line has been mediocre to awful the whole year. They did great against San Diego last week, but let's see if they can do the same thing against Baltimore. Thank goodness we have a great D to make up for their deficiencies.

As for Ray Lewis, no thanks. Too much bravado, too many celebratory dances after routine tackles. He's good, but he's not as good as everyone (especially him) thinks.

I would take James Harrison, can you imagine him and Suggs playing on the same side? That would be an opposing QB's nightmare.

Pretty hard to figger out what Kevin meant by his post. In fact, it's hard to determine if he is a Ravens or a Steelers fan. I would think, from "Homestead, PA" he would be a Steelers fan, but we know that doesn't always hold true. Still... his metaphor is kinda vague.

Did he mean nasty as in a "good nasty" player, like most of both teams are? Or a bad nasty? Oh well, now he will probably have me pondering all day which is which (slug and saltine) and how they go together.

Hey, Kev! Do ya like the Steelers or the Ravens?

OK. I've agreed with just about everything said in this forum. Did somebody really just say that Ed Reed is the most overrated player in the NFL? I'm all for trash talk, but that comment is stupid borderlining on criminally insane!

You say he's the product of a system...Well, no $hit! What safety isn't? Polamalu himself is only as good as the 7 men in front of him, and the same goes with Reed. Besides, name me one (just one) other player in this league that is a living, breathing pick 6 just waiting to happen!

I said Reed is overrated and stand by it. I don't come to this conclusion by listening to the hype but watching his highlights. He mainly hangs back and lets his guys up front pressure then takes the easy pickens. Polamolu or many others could do that for the Ravens but he couldn't for other teams. Playing in a system and being a product of it are not the same things.
If you can't remeber most of his INTs how do you account for his low tackle totals for a safety and high return yardage? I don't see him miss many tackles, do you think he's a great ball hawk who just can't tackle? No. Its because he isn't near the play. So when QBs are remotely accurate he's a nonfactor as in the Titans game.
I still want Mason though.

The reason the Steelers own the Ravens is named Ben Rothlisberger .period