As for the draft itself, it occurred on a random Tuesday morning at the Americana Hotel in New York City, smoke from cigarettes and cigars filling the room. Back in Pittsburgh, easels surrounded tables pulled into a T-shape, with players listed by position and in order of preference.

The group, headlined by Rooney Jr. — who was Steelers personnel director from 1965-86 — created a top-200 list and cross-referenced its own rankings with BLESTO marks. While the draft class was hardly lauded at the time, perhaps a reaction to the Steelers coming up short in 1973, there was nonetheless an impressive process unfolding.

"We took [Joe] Greene, [Terry] Bradshaw, [Mel] Blount, [Jack] Ham and Franco [Harris]," Rooney Jr. told Hall of Fame P-G Steelers writer Ed Bouchette on April 14, 2002. "We had an off year in '73, then came in with those four the next year. That, to me, shows it was not blind luck. We were doing something right."

Exactly what Noll set out to do: build through the draft. If you're looking for more historical context on how different it was back then, check out the NFL Films' documentary "The Future Is Now," highlighting the totality of that draft.

One part focused on George Allen, the former Redskins coach, and his propensity for trading draft picks. In fact, he somehow traded the pick right before the Steelers twice before former commissioner Pete Rozelle stepped in and awarded it to the Bears.

Different times for the NFL ... yet not for the Steelers.

Gordon bristled when I read to him another clip I found from Musick, one where he quoted Noll downplaying the importance of the draft.

"In a year that has produced a skinny crop of collegians, [the Steelers' first-round pick] would probably be the only meaningful one," Musick wrote. "As Chuck Noll had it figured, the draft would be worthwhile for only 'about a round and a half.' The Steelers selected 21st, meaning that only a single mistake was likely to be fatal."

Saying there would be one meaningful pick in '74 and that a single mistake could be fatal made me laugh. But it's not what irked Gordon. Noll's desire to build through the draft when others dismissed the idea remains a huge part of his legacy, a thread connecting the current team to its 1970s dynasty.

"In 1970, when we drafted Bradshaw, we had all these offers, including some outstanding NFL players," Gordon said. "I could remember vividly the night before the '70 draft where Chuck said, 'We're not looking for mediocrity. We want to win championships. And it starts with your Number 1 draft choices.'"

Gordon recalled one specific offer, as the St. Louis Cardinals tried to sway the Steelers with a combined seven picks and players, including seven-time Pro Bowler Roger Wehrli, to move up to No. 1.

"Chuck Noll came in with the idea that you build an NFL football team through the draft," Gordon said. "He followed through on his theory."

That groundwork, as crazy as it might seem when turning back the clock by five decades, remains as important as ever, the Steelers looking to address key needs through the NFL draft and return to the postseason.

And from this seat, we'll do our best to reserve judgment — at least until next week.

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