Go Long
Go Long Podcast
Levon Kirkland on the 'Blitzburgh' 90s, Kordell, Big Ben, today's NFL
0:00
-1:24:53

Levon Kirkland on the 'Blitzburgh' 90s, Kordell, Big Ben, today's NFL

There will never be another defense quite like the “Blitzburgh” Steelers of the 1990s.

They were mean. They were violent. They… probably could not exist in today’s NFL.

We take a look back at the Steelers of old and the Steelers of today on this week’s edition of the Go Long Podcast. It’s an interesting time for a team quarterbacked by the 39-year-old Ben Roethlisberger. There’s some sound logic to this franchise’s desire to win now, but the future Hall-of-Famer has struggled.

Kirkland is a master storyteller and doesn’t hold back on…

  • His pal, Greg Lloyd, who once smashed his wrist and left permanent damage. Lloyd was one of a kind.

  • His own game. At 280, Kirkland would still carry tight ends up the seam.

  • The “Art of Defense,” and what exactly made that Steelers 3-4 defense so special.

  • His memorable battles with fullbacks Sam Gash and Howard Griffith. (Kirkland rights the history, too.)

  • Why he believes Kordell Stewart was held back at QB — Kirkland says he was made for today’s NFL, too.

  • What’s up with the Steelers of today? Kirkland has some thoughts. He believes the quarterback is holding the team back.

ICYMI, here’s our feature at Go Long last season on the history of the Steelers’ linebacker, too, through the eyes of Kirkland, Joey Porter, Chad Brown and Vince Williams. It’s a tradition unlike any other in the NFL. And Kirkland helps bring it all to life here on the pod for those in need of a little 90s nostalgia.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discussion about this podcast

Go Long
Go Long Podcast
Here on the Go Long Podcast network, founder Tyler Dunne hosts "How the NFL Works" with players/coaches/execs around the league and co-hosts the "Ty & Bob Pod" with Hall of Fame scribe Bob McGinn, in addition to other one-off episodes. Go Long covers pro football through a humanizing lens. Our aim? Take you behind the curtain. Subscribe today at GoLongTD.com to access all podcasts and all feature stories.