There will never be another like Troy Polamalu, God willing

[stillers4me]

I was there when the Steelers drafted Troy Polamalu (I still remember a reporter asking him to pronounce his name for her at the introductory press conference.)


I was there for Polamalu’s rookie year when he was clueless and had no chance in heck of beating Mike Logan for the starting strong safety position.


Actually, I was there for all of Troy Polamalu’s games and was amazed as the next when he came up with that big play.


You know which ones – the Flacco strip sack, the Flacco interception, the dive over the center at Kerry Collins, the dragging down by the hair by Larry Johnson, the finger tip interception against the Chargers (which should be viewed as one of the all-time best interceptions in the history of the league, but has been basically forgotten.)..........







Read more: http://blog.triblive.com/steel-mill/2015/04/10/kaboly-there-will-never-be-another-like-troy-polamalu-god-willing/#ixzz3Wtx02uWj


http://blog.triblive.com/steel-mill/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2014/10/palla.jpg (http://blog.triblive.com/steel-mill/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2014/10/palla.jpg)

[86WARD]

The pick 6 where he ran over college roommate?

[Lady Steel]

Then there was the time that I brought up Polamalu’s Sesame Street apperance with Elmo. Well, let’s just say I will keep that conversation private, but I will say that it was classic Troy.

Damnit! I wanted to hear that story. :lol:

[Mojouw]

Also needs to be said that I don't think that any team has essentially built a defense around a safety the way Lebeau did when Troy was here.

10 guys had assignments and one guy had a simple mission - destroy whatever plan the offense was trying to execute.

I highly doubt we will see anything like it for a long time.

[stillers4me]

I wore my Troy earrings today to work, one last time. I'm going for a cardio walk at the nature center, then come home and read all the articles on twitter I have marked, and then I might be ready to talk about this.

[stillers4me]

https://scontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1470037_10153299536694905_8923497582256877217_n.jp g?oh=0067b6106eec7af088fc308c4f89fade&oe=55E25C75

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[fansince'76]

And now for a different, and completely idiotic take...


Polamalu shouldn't be a first-ballot HOFer. I think he's a virtual lock to get in, but people dramatically overestimate him. He was really, really good, but he didn't have a particularly long career and Ed Reed was simply better than him. He's a guy who played a position that's relatively low on the totem pole, was never the best at his position, and didn't have an especially long career. The rings will definitely help, and I think he's a lock to get in eventually, but I would think the standard for 'consensus first ballot' would be a little higher.

I think people just generally tend to underestimate how high a bar you have to clear to get into the HOF at all. Guys like Wilfork may or may not get in, and I'd put Polamalu right around that tier. I think the difference--what makes him a lock and Wilfork not--is that he played a higher-profile position in a higher profile way. But saying day one that someone will be a first ballot guy is pretty much reserved for transcendent, generational talents. At any given time, there's a handful of them in the league, and Polamalu was not one of those guys. Maybe if something close to his prime had lasted a few more years.

I always knew Pats fans were stupid, but Jeezus...

[Mamaduck43]

All I can say is that if 'another like Troy Polamalu' comes around, I certainly hope that he ends up in Steelers colors......

[Mojouw]

And now for a different, and completely idiotic take...



I always knew Pats fans were stupid, but Jeezus...

No doubt. I know I am a big numbers guy, but this is a post by someone who only watched Troy play the few times he played the Pats. His impact on the game was immense. For several years, every offense's first priority was trying to figure out what #43 was going to do. He changed and impacted game plans by simply stepping on the field.

[Polamalu Princess]

You all know how much I love Troy. I will always be his Polamalu Princess!

[Hawkman]

https://scontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1470037_10153299536694905_8923497582256877217_n.jp g?oh=0067b6106eec7af088fc308c4f89fade&oe=55E25C75

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https://scontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/15677_737981226323357_6132742278734842665_n.jpg?
oh=e1a4065323c1907ef2ab561580b1750d&oe=55A0EBF8

.....but you NEVER had a Troy crush?!:wink02:

[Hawkman]

And now for a different, and completely idiotic take...




I always knew Pats fans were stupid, but Jeezus...


First time I clicked on that link.....I was sent to a porn site.....Really, be careful.

[salamander]

And now for a different, and completely idiotic take...




I always knew Pats fans were stupid, but Jeezus...

What would you expect from a guy named "BradyFTW!"?

[fansince'76]

First time I clicked on that link.....I was sent to a porn site.....Really, be careful.

I don't go there often - usually just to point and laugh. And there's PLENTY to laugh at. I will stop linking directly when I do refer to that site from here on out, however - sorry for the misdirect. Seems they're as knowledgeable about website security as they are about football...

[fansince'76]

What would you expect from a guy named "BradyFTW!"?

No doubt - with a picture of a chimp in a Pats jersey for an avatar, no less.

[Lady Steel]

No doubt - with a picture of a chimp in a Pats jersey for an avatar, no less.

But you like chimps. :chuckle:

[fansince'76]

But you like chimps. :chuckle:

http://images.sciencedaily.com/2012/11/121120194926-large.jpg

:chuckle:

[stillers4me]

AAAAAAnd back to the topic....:lol:

Watching all of Troy's iconic and utterly superhuman displays of athleticism, I've come to the conclusion that I (we) truly took it all for granted for all these years. I'm spoiled. I watched the Steeler's defense for the last decade and became so used to Troy's body and hair flying across the field to make spectacular splash plays that it's now the standard I expect from my team. Troy lined up here, but by the time the ball was snapped, Troy was over there with the ball in hands or a QB eating grass. God, I loved that man. I have no idea how a team game planned for him.

And now he's gone. Yes, his level of play has diminished in the last several years, and some of that may really be due to the fact that he no longer had his supporting cast around him. In his prime, his teammates were so well tuned to his free lancing that they could adapt immediately to his reaction and the entire defense was a well tuned machine. Ryan Clark was the ying to Troy's yang. As the revolving door started turning, it was evident that the chemistry changed, along with father time slowing Troy down just enough to turn him from a game changer to a road block.

Troy set the bar for the Steelers so high that I'm a bit depressed to know that it is unlikely we will ever see it again. Watching his highlights made me realize that it was a privilege to watch him play and call him our own. He was truly a one of a kind player and an even better human being. I hope his life brings him as much joy and passion as he gave to us.

And now that I'm crying, I bid you adieu, Troy. Godspeed in "your life's work".

https://scontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11082657_10153299636694905_2007361365420315087_n.j pg?oh=ff5a18854de68e3ab9010645195b0e53&oe=55E5F27B

[stillers4me]

And #43 had better be unofficially retired. NOBODY had better ever wear this number again.

[Godfather]

AAAAAAnd back to the topic....:lol:
Watching all of Troy's iconic and utterly superhuman displays of athleticism, I've come to the conclusion that I (we) truly took it all for granted for all these years.


I know what you mean about taking him for granted. Someone else was always my favorite Steeler. But now with Troy being gone, I'm the least excited I've ever been about an upcoming season.