Troy Best Days Behind Him

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Are Troy Polamalu's Best Days Behind Him?





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As a Pittsburgh native, I have been geographically endowed with two blessings: Primanti Bros. and a perennially great [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] defense. Having watched some of the most celebrated defenses of the last decade, I would not hesitate to sum up that era with one word: Polamalu.

Perhaps the most instinctual player of his generation, Troy Polamalu will be remembered for his uncanny ability to find the football and make a play when it matters most; whether it be[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] as soon as he snaps the ball or a [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] when the game is on the line, if anyone ever fit the role as a "prime-time performer" it's Polamalu.

However, in recent years, health and durability are questions that have loomed over the five-time All-Pro and 2010 Defensive Player of the Year. His explosive play sometimes works to his detriment, as his 5'10", 207-lb frame is not always so forgiving against running backs and tight ends that outweigh him by as much as 50 pounds ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]' tight end Rob Gronkowski clocks in at 6'6", 265 lbs).

While there is no doubting his abilities on the field when he is healthy, the various ailments he has accumulated over his 10-year [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] career could limit his productivity in the future.

Already this season Polamalu has missed two games; his absence was most notably evident in the Steelers' most recent 34-31 loss to the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]. Unable to get off the field on third downs (Oakland converted seven of 12) and allowing a [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] to the Raiders' [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], the Steelers seriously missed Polamalu's presence.

Considering his recent past with injuries (not to mention several documented concussions) I'm only confident that he may be able to play 10-12 games a year. And yes, while there is this mentality in the NFL of "the next man up," the proof is in the pudding for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

When Polamalu isn't on the field, they are a different defense.

His warrior-like style of playing defensive back is one that will surely be emulated by young safeties, but it should come with a warning that there is a limit to what your body can absorb. Polamalu's instinctual abilities will never fail him; if anything, it will be his physical ones.

leejr wrote:[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

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Are Troy Polamalu's Best Days Behind Him?





By
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.](Contributor) on October 3, 2012



271 reads

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]


Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse more stories[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

As a Pittsburgh native, I have been geographically endowed with two blessings: Primanti Bros. and a perennially great [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] defense. Having watched some of the most celebrated defenses of the last decade, I would not hesitate to sum up that era with one word: Polamalu.

Perhaps the most instinctual player of his generation, Troy Polamalu will be remembered for his uncanny ability to find the football and make a play when it matters most; whether it be[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] as soon as he snaps the ball or a [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] when the game is on the line, if anyone ever fit the role as a "prime-time performer" it's Polamalu.

However, in recent years, health and durability are questions that have loomed over the five-time All-Pro and 2010 Defensive Player of the Year. His explosive play sometimes works to his detriment, as his 5'10", 207-lb frame is not always so forgiving against running backs and tight ends that outweigh him by as much as 50 pounds ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]' tight end Rob Gronkowski clocks in at 6'6", 265 lbs).

While there is no doubting his abilities on the field when he is healthy, the various ailments he has accumulated over his 10-year [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] career could limit his productivity in the future.

Already this season Polamalu has missed two games; his absence was most notably evident in the Steelers' most recent 34-31 loss to the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]. Unable to get off the field on third downs (Oakland converted seven of 12) and allowing a [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] to the Raiders' [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], the Steelers seriously missed Polamalu's presence.

Considering his recent past with injuries (not to mention several documented concussions) I'm only confident that he may be able to play 10-12 games a year. And yes, while there is this mentality in the NFL of "the next man up," the proof is in the pudding for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

When Polamalu isn't on the field, they are a different defense.

His warrior-like style of playing defensive back is one that will surely be emulated by young safeties, but it should come with a warning that there is a limit to what your body can absorb. Polamalu's instinctual abilities will never fail him; if anything, it will be his physical ones.

He hasn't played anywhere near the amount of time that Balitmore's Ed Reed has played although Reed plays the free safety position and Troy plays the strong safety position.

DiehardSteelersfan wrote:

leejr wrote:[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

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Are Troy Polamalu's Best Days Behind Him?





By
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.](Contributor) on October 3, 2012



271 reads

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]


Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse more stories[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

As a Pittsburgh native, I have been geographically endowed with two blessings: Primanti Bros. and a perennially great [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] defense. Having watched some of the most celebrated defenses of the last decade, I would not hesitate to sum up that era with one word: Polamalu.

Perhaps the most instinctual player of his generation, Troy Polamalu will be remembered for his uncanny ability to find the football and make a play when it matters most; whether it be[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] as soon as he snaps the ball or a [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] when the game is on the line, if anyone ever fit the role as a "prime-time performer" it's Polamalu.

However, in recent years, health and durability are questions that have loomed over the five-time All-Pro and 2010 Defensive Player of the Year. His explosive play sometimes works to his detriment, as his 5'10", 207-lb frame is not always so forgiving against running backs and tight ends that outweigh him by as much as 50 pounds ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]' tight end Rob Gronkowski clocks in at 6'6", 265 lbs).

While there is no doubting his abilities on the field when he is healthy, the various ailments he has accumulated over his 10-year [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] career could limit his productivity in the future.

Already this season Polamalu has missed two games; his absence was most notably evident in the Steelers' most recent 34-31 loss to the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]. Unable to get off the field on third downs (Oakland converted seven of 12) and allowing a [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] to the Raiders' [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], the Steelers seriously missed Polamalu's presence.

Considering his recent past with injuries (not to mention several documented concussions) I'm only confident that he may be able to play 10-12 games a year. And yes, while there is this mentality in the NFL of "the next man up," the proof is in the pudding for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

When Polamalu isn't on the field, they are a different defense.

His warrior-like style of playing defensive back is one that will surely be emulated by young safeties, but it should come with a warning that there is a limit to what your body can absorb. Polamalu's instinctual abilities will never fail him; if anything, it will be his physical ones.

He hasn't played anywhere near the amount of time that Balitmore's Ed Reed has played although Reed plays the free safety position and Troy plays the strong safety position.

Is it possible to maybe move Troy over to the free safety position and maybe we'd see more picks from Troy and preserve him for a few more years? This would be a question for one of you real strong football knowledge guys. I'm not sure that Troy would be good playing that position.

Is it possible to maybe move Troy over to the free safety position and maybe we'd see more picks from Troy and preserve him for a few more years? This would be a question for one of you real strong football knowledge guys. I'm not sure that Troy would be good playing that position.



Die,just my opinion Troy is quick, but I just don't think he's fast enough to play FS. Does this make sense?

leejr wrote:Is it possible to maybe move Troy over to the free safety position and maybe we'd see more picks from Troy and preserve him for a few more years? This would be a question for one of you real strong football knowledge guys. I'm not sure that Troy would be good playing that position.



Die,just my opinion Troy is quick, but I just don't think he's fast enough to play FS. Does this make sense?

Yea, makes sense. I thought the same thing but I wasn't sure. I noticed his speed isn't all that great on chasing receivers down so maybe in the back of my mind, I already knew the answer. I just hate to see such a great talented player go downhill so fast. He has such an amazing skill-set.

IF TEH OFFENSE KOULD MOVE TEH BALL..AND ALSO ESTABLISH A RUN GAME....IT WOULD TAKE A LOT OF PRESSURE OFF TEH DEFENSE...EXACTLY HOW LONG DID YOU THINK THIS DEFENSE KOULD COVER FOR TOMLIN AND TAHT GARBAGE OFFENSE?....IT WORE THEM OUT...SIMPLE AS THAT...TEHY HAVE HAD TO RELY AND COMPENSATE FOR ALL TEH OFFENSE'S PROBLEMS FOR YEARS....CANT BE DONE NO MORE....TOMLIN HAS FAILED..AN DITS OBVIOUS HE HAS NO PLAN...OR AT LEAST SOME OF TEHSE ISSUES WOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED...HE HASNT EVEN ATTEMPTED TO FIX THEM...JUST UNTIL THIS LAST YEAR HE HASNT DONE A THING WITH TAHT LINE....AND HES NEVER ATTEMPTED ONCE TO PUT A RUN GAME TOGETHER....AND HIS BAD DRAFTING IS TEH ICING ON TEH CAKE...

AND TEH PLAYCALLING AND TOMLIN'S OFFENSIVE PHILOSIPHYS ARE AS BAD OR WORSE THAN WHEN ARIANS WAS HERE....TAHT PLAYBOOK WILL NEVER GET THEM ANYWHERE...

Troy is clearly faster than Ryan Clark...he's plenty fast enough for either safety position. At FS, he';d be one of the faster guys in the league, as a matter of fact, but he just fits better at SS.

DaRKMuMMySauRuS wrote:AND TEH PLAYCALLING AND TOMLIN'S OFFENSIVE PHILOSIPHYS ARE AS BAD OR WORSE THAN WHEN ARIANS WAS HERE....TAHT PLAYBOOK WILL NEVER GET THEM ANYWHERE...

Did somebody fart?

Stampede wrote:

DaRKMuMMySauRuS wrote:AND TEH PLAYCALLING AND TOMLIN'S OFFENSIVE PHILOSIPHYS ARE AS BAD OR WORSE THAN WHEN ARIANS WAS HERE....TAHT PLAYBOOK WILL NEVER GET THEM ANYWHERE...

Did somebody fart?

Dozens of times?

wyckedheart8 wrote:BTW, Troys next stop is Canton. AND I STILL HATE HIM

It's always nice to see an honest opinion.