Dunlap: Polamalu And Steelers Need To Patch Things Up

[hawaiiansteeler]

Dunlap: Polamalu And Steelers Need To Patch Things Up

By: Colin Dunlap
November 16, 2015



Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the bench against the Baltimore Ravens during their AFC Wild Card game at Heinz Field on Jan. 3, 2015 in Pittsburgh.

This needs to be fixed.

Or, as we say here in Pittsburgh, simply: “This needs fixed.”

Troy Polamalu is one of our conquering heroes; that long hair flopping from the back of his helmet flowing down onto shoulders seemingly built to deliver a day-wrecking blow to anyone who dared cross the middle.

And as he did his work, we followed him each step. All 12 seasons as he connected with us here in Pittsburgh more magnetically than just about any athlete in his generation. We clung to him as one of our football conquerors.

Polamalu is a legend, a star and icon all rolled into one in these parts — for both the way he played on the field and his generosity, many times anonymous, off it.

All of that is why this needs (to be) fixed. And something needs to be done quickly.

You see, the Pittsburgh Steelers this past weekend held a celebration remembering and celebrating the Super Bowl XL winning team from 10 years ago.

The team that roared through the playoffs as a No. 6-seed and eventually captured the title with a win over the Seahawks.

The team that gave Jerome Bettis that win in his hometown of Detroit.

The team from which no fewer than, oh I’d say about 20 gazillion fans, list Troy Polamalu as their favorite player.

But when all the festivities were held this past weekend here in Pittsburgh honoring that team, Troy was nowhere to be found.

Multiple sources have confirmed Polamalu wanted no parts; he declined the invitation and has, make no mistake, distanced himself from the organization from which he was tied so deeply to and retired from in April.

I’m told the eight-time Pro Bowler and one of the most dominant safeties in the history of the National Football League still hasn’t come to terms with how it all ended with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With two seasons left on a contract, Polamalu decided to retire at 34 rather than go through what looked to be the inevitability of the Steelers releasing one of their legends.

Long story short: Polamalu felt he had more football left; the Steelers disagreed — and therein lies the crux of the standoff at this point.

to read rest of article:

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/...tch-things-up/

[Rotorhead]

I hope they can patch things up, Troy was a generational,first ballot hall of famer. He was the reason our def was so dominant for so long.

[Steeldude]

Oh well. It's a business.

[fansince'76]

So what? How many old timers functions does Lambert show up to?

Long story short: Polamalu felt he had more football left; the Steelers disagreed — and therein lies the crux of the standoff at this point.

If anything, the Steelers did him a favor keeping him around as long as they did, because he was completely ineffective at the end.

Peyton Manning thought he had something left in the tank too. Guess what, he didn't. Unfortunately, neither did Troy.

[steelreserve]

I love Troy, but he was no longer the player he used to be. And as we found out many times, Troy's style of football doesn't work when he's 70% effective; it actually does more harm than good. The sooner everyone can come to grips with that and not be all butthurt about it, the better for everyone.

[tube517]

Troy just left for a trip w/Ryan Clark and Ike Taylor to China to represent the NFL.

http://www.steelers.com/news/article...5-ea8add8d9647

[hawaiiansteeler]

by Ed Bouchette

--- Troy Polamalu did not attend the 10-year anniversary celebration of Super Bowl XL over the weekend in Pittsburgh, culminating with the appearance and halftime introduction of the many players who did return. Polamalu is reportedly unhappy the Steelers did not want him back for this season and were going to release him if he did not retire.

He, of course, is one of their all-time great players and great people as well, and if all of this is true, it is very un-Troy like. However, the Steelers did give him an extra year or two because they knew he no longer could play anywhere near his standards and he was at times a liability to their defense because of it. He should not have played in 2014 never mind 2015.

http://sportsblogs.post-gazette.com/...-Steelers.html

[fansince'76]

However, the Steelers did give him an extra year or two because they knew he no longer could play anywhere near his standards and he was at times a liability to their defense because of it.

This. If he played in New England, he would have been unceremoniously dumped a good two years before the Steelers basically forced him out. How long were the Steelers supposed to keep carrying him at almost $7 mil per year?

[stillers4me]

Holding a grudge seems very Un-Troy like to me.

[Count Steeler]

Holding a grudge seems very Un-Troy like to me.

Pride is an ugly sin that even the most humble struggle with. Troy is religious but not perfect. I hope in time that this situation gets resolved and he gets his due honor at Heinz Field. Hopefully before he goes into the HOF.

[salamander]

I will always have a lot of respect for Troy but his play had greatly declined, whether he wants to admit that or not. If he could still play then why isn't he playing for anyone else? He needs to realize that this is a business and nothing more.

[86WARD]

Yet we haven't heard anything out of Troy's mouth about it...??

[tube517]

Yet we haven't heard anything out of Troy's mouth about it...??

Troy won't say anything. He's not the type. Most of this is second hand knowledge, reporters have tweeted they have "heard" things, etc.


Troy only did one interview when he retired (Not the Trib or Gazette, or BSPN or NFLN or anybody else) and he called Dan Rooney to tell him. That's about it.

[teegre]

Troy retired because his wife asked him to do so. After the 2013 season, she was worried about concussions. She ultimately let him play one more season, but when he got a concussion during the 2014 season, she drew the line.

Regardless, might he have been released anyway: most likely.

Would someone one else have picked him up: absolutely.

Look at the safety play in the NFL. Troy was NOT the same Troy from 2008, but he still was better than 1/3 of the starting safeties in the league.

[Polamalu Princess]

Ahhhhh....I miss my man and I always will.

[Mojouw]

These issues always work themselves out.

Hell, Favre is back at Lambeau - that didn't look like it would ever happen only a few months after he finally retired.

Time will fix this. Assuming anything needs fixed and it wasn't a simple schedule conflict like pointed out above.

[tube517]

[Godfather]

I'm not sure Troy is holding a grudge. He's always kept to himself.

[lipps83]

Pretty sure there is no grudge there. Sounds like somebody is just trying to sell an article.

Sources tell me Troy was going to kidnap Cam Heywards new baby and take it with him on his trip to China, holding it hostage until the Steelers agreed to terms on a contract allowing Troy to step in as their starter at safety for the rest of the season.

[TeeTee]

My post got deleted? That is BULL SHIT.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Troy is obviously holding a huge grudge.

notice the only one of the three NOT sporting Steelers clothes?

[Count Steeler]

My post got deleted? That is BULL SHIT.

I don't see any deleted posts.

[Steel Peon]

I think we all wanted Troy to stay as long as possible, just hoping he could have just one more stellar year. As time went on, I was just hoping for a comparably decent year, due to the injury bug digging in and becoming a permanent resident. So really, truly, honestly Troy, we all wanted you to keep playing, but not at the expense of yourself and the team, and that's the way it was looking last season. What you did for the Steelers is impossible to measure, and we all truly appreciate everything you did more than you can imagine. In the end, I don't want to say you did too much, but you packed so much excellence into such a short period of time that your own mortality couldn't handle it. You were one of the best ever, and no one can take that away from you. I think I can safely say, start writing your speech for Canton right now.

[tube517]

Sure looks pissed to me.

[Hawkman]

Sure looks pissed to me.

Has his Steeler gear on in this one. It's Ike that doesn't look happy.

[zulater]

Has his Steeler gear on in this one. It's Ike that doesn't look happy.

The lack of cool shades proves that he's upset with Tomlin.

[Hawkman]

The lack of cool shades proves that he's upset with Tomlin.

Couldn't help yourself, could you Zu?

[86WARD]

The lack of cool shades proves that he's upset with Tomlin.

who isn't upset with Tomlin?

[stillers4me]

who isn't upset with Tomlin?

Me.

Sure looks pissed to me. Oh, and I stole this picture from the Steelers official FB page. So if Troy is holding a grudge against them, they are apparently unaware of it.

[86WARD]

Me.

Sure looks pissed to me.

I'm not getting where the disconnect and "hatred" that Polamalu allegedly has for the organization. Where has Polamalu said anything to that effect?

To me, this is more of a media creation than anything else. It's lazy journalism...connecting a few dots in a way you want to create the "dirty" story you want...no need to do research and find all the "dots" when they have a story they like?