polamalubeast
08-19-2014, 11:11 AM
Troy Polamalu had a dream/nightmare/premonition this year that led him to speculate about where his future might lie.
“What if our corners went down and I was forced to play corner all year?” Polamalu wondered. “I’d go from linebacker to corner and I don’t play any safety!”
Yes, he probably could do that, but, as he enters his 12th NFL season, Polamalu finds himself back where he belongs, at strong safety after a year in which he played more at inside linebacker than he did his given position.
That is because of rookie Ryan Shazier’s presence at the mac inside linebacker spot. Last year, they did not trust the pass-coverage skills of then-rookie linebacker Vince Williams after Larry Foote was lost for the season with an injury in the opener. Shazier showed off his coverage skills very pointedly Saturday night with a leaping interception.
But last year, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau devised a defense in which Polamalu replaced Williams in passing downs when there were five other defensive backs on the field as well.
Polamalu responded to the new position by not missing a defensive snap in 2013 for the first time in his career. Saturday night, he was back at safety and making contact for the first time this year. Coach Mike Tomlin, in deference to Polamalu’s 12th NFL season and 33rd birthday, kept him out of all live drills at training camp and did not suit him up for the preseason opener.
“Of course, I appreciate it,” said Polamalu, adding it was not among his easiest training camps because he missed time with injuries in previous ones.
Nevertheless, one year after playing every down, Polamalu feels as healthy at 33 as he did one year ago and feels he can duplicate that feat.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/08/19/Steelers-strong-safety-dreaming-of-an-outstanding-season/stories/201408190082#ixzz3Ar4Tx7wJ
“What if our corners went down and I was forced to play corner all year?” Polamalu wondered. “I’d go from linebacker to corner and I don’t play any safety!”
Yes, he probably could do that, but, as he enters his 12th NFL season, Polamalu finds himself back where he belongs, at strong safety after a year in which he played more at inside linebacker than he did his given position.
That is because of rookie Ryan Shazier’s presence at the mac inside linebacker spot. Last year, they did not trust the pass-coverage skills of then-rookie linebacker Vince Williams after Larry Foote was lost for the season with an injury in the opener. Shazier showed off his coverage skills very pointedly Saturday night with a leaping interception.
But last year, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau devised a defense in which Polamalu replaced Williams in passing downs when there were five other defensive backs on the field as well.
Polamalu responded to the new position by not missing a defensive snap in 2013 for the first time in his career. Saturday night, he was back at safety and making contact for the first time this year. Coach Mike Tomlin, in deference to Polamalu’s 12th NFL season and 33rd birthday, kept him out of all live drills at training camp and did not suit him up for the preseason opener.
“Of course, I appreciate it,” said Polamalu, adding it was not among his easiest training camps because he missed time with injuries in previous ones.
Nevertheless, one year after playing every down, Polamalu feels as healthy at 33 as he did one year ago and feels he can duplicate that feat.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/08/19/Steelers-strong-safety-dreaming-of-an-outstanding-season/stories/201408190082#ixzz3Ar4Tx7wJ