In the Bill Cowher era, the Pittsburgh Steelers were well-known for a smashmouth rushing attack and a stout defense. In 2002 though, the Steelers lit up the skies in the passing game, putting together one of the better wide receiver groups in NFL history, according to Pro Football Network’s Dalton Miller.
That 2002 group in the black and gold was headlined by Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress, and featured rookie receiver Antwaan Randle El, who successfully made the transition to receiver from quarterback at Indiana University. Together, Ward and Burress produced more than 2,600 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns with quarterbacks Tommy Maddox and Kordell Stewart, helping the Steelers record a 10-5-1 record and winning the AFC North before losing in the playoffs to the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional Round.