***Rumor Alert*** Troy Polamalu could be released after season

[SteelCrazy]

Troy Polamalu could be released by the Pittsburgh Steelers after the season if he does not impress the team the rest of the season, according to a report.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who said over the weekend that we can expect Ben Roethlisberger to ask for a trade after the season, came through with more Steelers rumors on Thursday. Rapoport reported on “Total Access Kickoff” that there could be “significant turnover” to the Steelers’ offensive coaching staff and defensive secondary. Rapoport also said that safeties Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark have to play “incredibly well” in the final seven games to earn a chance to come back next season.

Polamalu was drafted in the first round by the Steelers in 2003 and has played his entire career in Pittsburgh. He’s a seven-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro, two-time Super Bowl champ and he was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. Despite his ability to make huge hits and game-changing plays, we have pointed out how he sometimes struggles in pass coverage. Just two weeks ago we showed you how faked out he was on a Tom Brady touchdown pass.

Polamalu is set to earn $8.25 million in the final year of his contract next season. If the Steelers release him, that would reportedly count as $2.637 million in dead money against the 2014 salary cap. Unless he agrees to a major discount, we can picture him being released. Don’t be surprised by all this; the Steelers are notoriously frugal and wouldn’t pay big money for a player who they don’t believe is worth it.

[url]http://larrybrownsports.com/football/troy-polamalu-released-after-season/210691[/url]

[feltdizz]

This Ian guy must need to impress his boss to keep his job.

[SteelBuckeye]

This Ian guy must need to impress his boss to keep his job.

Actually, I read somewhere awhile back (before all this) that Ian will NOT be writing at NFL.com after the season. Soooo, not a stretch to say he's auditioning for other jobs.

[steelblood]

Ian is gunning for the Steelers.

[Shoe]

Let's not attack the messenger, just because we don't like what he's saying. If he is auditioning for jobs, he probably wouldn't go about it by slinging mud and hoping something sticks.

Polamalu is definitely going to have to live on less next year, one way or another. Clark is toast, as we've seen. And as for Ben... it isn't far-fetched, to think we (with a top 10 pick) consider drafting a QB (and moving Ben).

[steelz09]

If Polamalu goes then you might as well release Ike too

[feltdizz]

Let's not attack the messenger, just because we don't like what he's saying. If he is auditioning for jobs, he probably wouldn't go about it by slinging mud and hoping something sticks.

Polamalu is definitely going to have to live on less next year, one way or another. Clark is toast, as we've seen. And as for Ben... it isn't far-fetched, to think we (with a top 10 pick) consider drafting a QB (and moving Ben).

Troy and Clark have to impress or they are gone? That's lazy journalism... I don't likehow he says these things.

[pittpete]

Clark's gone no matter what so whoooop dee do Ian

[flippy]

This rumor could make more sense because at least we have Shark and Golden as young backups with potential. And the Steelers could spin it as it's time for the young guys to step in.

But I think it would be asinine to get rid of Troy. Wonder if the way things played out for James Harrison will help the team with some of these older guys? Will they take more of a discount to avoid getting screwed over like James?

[Discipline of Steel]

People that believe this are focusing on the times he has guessed wrong this season and forget the fact he can still hurdle the entire line of scrimmage to make plays.