Steelers set winning example...Giants well on their way?

Given their record number of Super Bowl rings, and overall consistency, especially when considering the salary cap...could the Pittsburgh Steelers be considered the best franchise in all of sports? I can't recall any point during my lifetime when the Steelers truly were a bad team. A look at their franchise history confirms this. The continued success of the Steelers has been staggering. They have finished .500 or better, 30 of last 36 seasons. Yes, a mere six losings seasons since 1972. And only three of them came in the past 17 seasons, what would be considered the "salary cap/parity" era in the NFL. I think it's no coincidence that they have had only three head coaches during this incredible run - Noll, Cowher, and Tomlin - stability that is unheard of. In looking again at more recent success, four times since 2001, the Steelers have had the #1 defense in the NFL in total yardage allowed, and that's with all the big name players they've developed then had to replace...guys like Joey Porter, Earl Holmes, Kendrell Bell, and Kimo von Olehoffen, all signed big contracts elsewhere, but each time the Steelers filled the void with drafting smart and finding gems. LaMarr Woodley was a 2nd rounder. Larry Foote, a 4th. NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison, undrafted.

I think if there is another team that might approach that kind of organizational consistency in the coming years, it's the Giants. With what they have in place, it looks like they'll be a strong contender for a long time. I like what I've seen so far from the Reese/Coughlin combination, and I think they'll make the right moves this offseason to add to the strong young nucleus they have. Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward are both becoming free agents. Obviously, re-signing Jacobs is a must. And I don't expect to see Plaxico Burress back in a Giants' uniform, so wide receiver will be another pressing need. The lack of a downfield threat really hurt them towards the end of last season. On defense, it appears they're set, but if there is one area that can imrpove the most, it's the secondary, which is simply slightly above average, and middle linebacker, where Antonio Pierce is starting to show his age. In the 2009 draft the Giants have one 1st round pick, and two 2nd round picks, so I'm eager to see what they do. Ah, the NFL season never ends. The Lions are on the clock!