Troy Polamalu returns to Pittsburgh Steelers practice

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By Kareem Copeland

Around the League Writer

Published: Nov. 23, 2012 at 03:37 p.m.

Updated: Nov. 23, 2012 at 04:31 p.m.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] practiced with the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] for the first time in seven weeks Friday, The Associated Press reported.

A strained right calf has limited the seven-time [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] safety to just five quarters of playing time this season.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] The intense race for the playoffs is in full gear. Check out the latest situation in the postseason chase. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

"It was a [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]-Christmas gift to see him out there," [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] cornerback [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] said, via The AP.

The [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] listed Polamalu as limited in practice and doubtful for [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] against the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]. But if anyone can go straight to the field without much practice, it's the former NFL defensive most valuable player.

The [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] honestly don't need much help against the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and their 20th-ranked pass offense. But they'll need Polamalu in their [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] with the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].

I think Polamalu should rest another week. The Steelers have been better without him because they have played the safety approach typical to their historically effective 3-4. The scheme was too reliant upon Troy, and decent QBs simply used him as an easy key. Run when he's deep, throw when he's near the line...easy pickins and evidence that LeBeau has lost some of hie 'genius'. With Troy out, Dick got back to the basis of his 3-4, and Timmons has flourished. when Troy returns, he needs to be used as a safety, not a linebacker. If you want a hybrid of those too positions, continue to use the younger and more healthy version in Timmons. With Troy and Clark back there, you have two players capable of playing strong and free, with Troy manning the latter role more likely to pay off in the form of picks. In short, Ryan Clark has been the defensive MVP, followed closely by Timmons. Troy should now back them up, instead of vice versa.