Polamalu Speaks

Bobikus · Joined: 07 Jun 2009 Posts: 9413

Polamalu has kind of the Kurt Warner thing going on where he's missed a fair deal of time but when at 100% was just ridiculously dominant, except unlike Kurt the missing time was purely from injury and has never actually been mediocre while on the field like Kurt was for a stretch.

What really sets Troy apart though is just how much being the joker in the Lebeau-Tomlin defense really set apart what a safety could do for a defense. No safety has fully impacted how a defense plays in all aspects and how an offense has to adjust to account for a safety as prime Polamalu in the joker/rover role he was in.

I think the recent play that sums up the impact that Troy's presence has on the game was back in week 1 against the Broncos, the pre-snap chess match between Troy and Manning that resulted in Peyton burning a time out.
_________________

steelcurtain29 · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 35813 Location: Monongahela, PA

FourThreeMafia · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 61804 Location: East of Sixburgh

stefan52268 · Joined: 14 Apr 2010 Posts: 7318 Location: Pittsburgh

Troy is a class act and in a class by himself. One of my favorite players to watch. We all know the end is drawing near. I hope he had at least one more season left in him after this season.
_________________

Props to Lyasr529 on the sweet sig!

SouthwestSteel · Joined: 08 Jan 2008 Posts: 1389

One thing to keep in mind is that the last few years have been "Low Mileage" years on his body compared to most other NFL players, since he has missed so much time with nagging injuries. Despite the intensity of the way he has thrown himself around on the field, he might have two years left in the tank, not just one. I suspect with the way he eats and takes care of himself in general, and how much he loves the game, we will see him for a while longer! And I am looking forward to some more philosophical quotes from him, like the words posted today.

at23steelers · Joined: 05 Mar 2011 Posts: 3705 Location: United States

steelcurtain29 · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 35813 Location: Monongahela, PA

FourThreeMafia · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 61804 Location: East of Sixburgh

The Curtain · Joined: 24 Sep 2012 Posts: 666

It isn't just about being part of a number of epic defenses, which is what Ike Taylor was. Troy was the face of those defenses. And as big a playmaker as there was. Whether it of been a tackle, a strip, a recovery, an INT, he made some crazy plays. And he made a lot in clutch moments, too. As well as supporting the running D better than any safety I've ever seen.

For the next 15-20 years at least, when people talk about the S position, they'll be talking about Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed.

I don't know how close to retirement Troy actually is, but with the injuries and the fact that he's had what was it, 9 concussions? It could be over at any moment when at that point.