Steelers' Polamalu not likely to play vs. Jets

[NJ-STEELER]

Troy Polamalu, who has made game-changing defensive plays in each of the past three games, is not expected to play Sunday against the New York Jets after aggravating his lower-leg injury on a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Polamalu has not practiced the past two days, which has been the routine for the five-time Pro Bowl safety since he was injured last month. But he has always practiced Friday and played Sunday -- until now.

The Steelers do not have to list Polamalu's official injury status for the game until today after practice. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by Ryan Mundy or Will Allen.

Despite aggravating his injury in the second quarter against the Bengals, Polamalu never missed a play and even had a second interception in the fourth quarter.

His teammates have suggested that one of the reasons he lateraled the ball to cornerback Bryant McFadden on the second interception -- a move that upset coach Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau -- was because Polamalu did not want to continue to run with his injury, especially because it could have been a lengthy return.

Polamalu, who has four of his team-high six interceptions during the team's four-game winning streak, has been a defensive hero lately.

His diving interception at the Steelers' 2 in the final three minutes in Buffalo prevented the Bills from tying the game or scoring the go-ahead touchdown in the Steelers' overtime victory. The following week, his strip sack on Rats quarterback Joe Flacco led to the winning touchdown with 2:51 remaining in a 13-10 victory in Baltimore. And his interception return for touchdown against the Bengals tied the score and ignited the Steelers in a 23-7 victory.



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[rpmpit]

Re: Steelers' Polamalu not likely to play vs. Jets

Sux that Troy is hurt. But its great that he could sit the next 3 weeks + the bye week and he'll be good as gold come our first playoff game.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Steelers' Polamalu not likely to play vs. Jets

Not one of the top games I would want him to miss. However, I would rather have a healthy Troy for the playoffs.

So....Give a helmet to Butler and put him in the dime package.

A loss to the Jets doesn't hurt us as long as we win out no matter what the Ravens do. The Browns game right not is hug for the tie breaker...Who would have predicted that! If the Ravens lose at 1:00, the Steelers could still win the division even if they lose to the Jets & Carolina...As long as the Steelers beat the Browns...Just to shed some light. I don't think we will lose against the Panthers or Browns. This one will be tough given the Jets state and the offensive struggles by the Steelers. I'm hoping the offense...I mean BA....Really finds something this week!!!

[Oviedo]

Re: Steelers' Polamalu not likely to play vs. Jets

He has been the game winner the past two games. Unfortunately I think this could mean the win streak ends. Neither Allen or Mundy can play to his level especially the latter. I expect we will see lots of Cover 2 by the safeties which will make Sanchez's reads much easier to make.

This is terrible news.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Re: Steelers' Polamalu not likely to play vs. Jets

He has been the game winner the past two games. Unfortunately I think this could mean the win streak ends. Neither Allen or Mundy can play to his level especially the latter. I expect we will see lots of Cover 2 by the safeties which will make Sanchez's reads much easier to make.

This is terrible news.

Have we ever been more injured than we are this year?

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Re: Steelers' Polamalu not likely to play vs. Jets

This sucks.

Jets 17, Steelers 13.

Kiss the bye good-bye.

(Hope I'm wrong.)

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Steelers' Polamalu not likely to play vs. Jets

He has been the game winner the past two games. Unfortunately I think this could mean the win streak ends. Neither Allen or Mundy can play to his level especially the latter. I expect we will see lots of Cover 2 by the safeties which will make Sanchez's reads much easier to make.

This is terrible news.

It definately doesn't help my confidence. I feel better having Allen or Mundy in this game rather than...<cough> Tyrone Carter.

I think the key now is to put the pressure on Sanchez and make him make quick decisions. Don't let the WRs run around in the secondary. Troy covers alot of ground in his zone. Don't give Sanchez the time to find the soft spot. 3rd and 10 or more...2 deep / man under. 3rd and shorter or anytime the nickel or dime hits the field...Cover 0 (replace SS with CB & Clark is only S) or Cover 1 (Clark only S).

Just in case some don't know. Cover 0 is all out man-to-man. Cover 1 is man-to-man with a single high S. Everyone else is in the box on designed blitz. If there are eligible receivers at TE or RB...The defender in man is still in the box to confuse blocking scheme. The defender covering the RB still comes and peels off in coverage if he relases. The defender covering the TE covers him on the LOS like he is coming and jams his release if he tries to go in pattern and occupies him to block if he stays in.

And by the way...That is how you have to play the Pats. Make the football players play football. Make Brady make a decision presnap or quickly after snap and hit him. If the Steelers do their homework, the will guess right occasionally. It only takes 1 or 2 guesses to change the outcome of a ball game. If Brady is the man...Make him be the man. Make the Pats WRs win the individually battles. Don't let Brady & Belichek beat the system. They can win that battle more often than not.

[Oviedo]

Re: Steelers' Polamalu not likely to play vs. Jets

He has been the game winner the past two games. Unfortunately I think this could mean the win streak ends. Neither Allen or Mundy can play to his level especially the latter. I expect we will see lots of Cover 2 by the safeties which will make Sanchez's reads much easier to make.

This is terrible news.

It definately doesn't help my confidence. I feel better having Allen or Mundy in this game rather than...<cough> Tyrone Carter.

I think the key now is to put the pressure on Sanchez and make him make quick decisions. Don't let the WRs run around in the secondary. Troy covers alot of ground in his zone. Don't give Sanchez the time to find the soft spot. 3rd and 10 or more...2 deep / man under. 3rd and shorter or anytime the nickel or dime hits the field...Cover 0 (replace SS with CB & Clark is only S) or Cover 1 (Clark only S).

Just in case some don't know. Cover 0 is all out man-to-man. Cover 1 is man-to-man with a single high S. Everyone else is in the box on designed blitz. If there are eligible receivers at TE or RB...The defender in man is still in the box to confuse blocking scheme. The defender covering the RB still comes and peels off in coverage if he relases. The defender covering the TE covers him on the LOS like he is coming and jams his release if he tries to go in pattern and occupies him to block if he stays in.

And by the way...That is how you have to play the Pats. Make the football players play football. Make Brady make a decision presnap or quickly after snap and hit him. If the Steelers do their homework, the will guess right occasionally. It only takes 1 or 2 guesses to change the outcome of a ball game. If Brady is the man...Make him be the man. Make the Pats WRs win the individually battles. Don't let Brady & Belichek beat the system. They can win that battle more often than not.

Allen gives me some faint hope. Mundy couldn't get into the line up when carter was stinking up the joint last year so he gives me no hope whatsoever.

This is just another flashing red light about how weak our secondary is and how we have no options or quality depth. We need to fix this in the upcoming draft.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Steelers' Polamalu not likely to play vs. Jets

This sucks.

Jets 17, Steelers 13.

Kiss the bye good-bye.

(Hope I'm wrong.)

Maybe I could help make your weekend better. The Steelers need to suffer 2 losses before we get into tie-breaker over first round bye. To put it in perspective, the Steelers could lose to the Jets and beat the Panthers & Browns. They will win the divsion and have first round bye no matter what anyone else does. Keep the towel swinging Steeler Brother!

[Leper Friend]

Re: Steelers' Polamalu not likely to play vs. Jets

Please god , anyone but Ryan Mundy.There isn't even a term to measure the degree of drop off between Troy and Mundy.I watched Mundy stat 2 games last year in person and for the life of me , I don't know how he's on an NFL roster , let alone being considered to start.

I hate bashing any player at the pro level but I've never seen a guy bring less to the table besides maybe Cedric Wilson.He makes Ryan Clark look all world.I don't care what QB they are facing , this is a sickening feeling , especially with Holmes ready to go.

Why did they sign Will Allen if they aren't ever going to use him ,especially now ? At least he's been somewhat successful at the starting level in the past.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Steelers' Polamalu not likely to play vs. Jets

Please god , anyone but Ryan Mundy.There isn't even a term to measure the degree of drop off between Troy and Mundy.I watched Mundy stat 2 games last year in person and for the life of me , I don't know how he's on an NFL roster , let alone being considered to start.

I hate bashing any player at the pro level but I've never seen a guy bring less to the table besides maybe Cedric Wilson.He makes Ryan Clark look all world.I don't care what QB they are facing , this is a sickening feeling , especially with Holmes ready to go.

Why did they sign Will Allen if they aren't ever going to use him ,especially now ? At least he's been somewhat successful at the starting level in the past.

Another thought is maybe Lewis or Gay. I don't know what or who is working where in practice. But I do know both of them saw time as S in camp. If Gay plays S, I would hope they move Clark to SS. Might be too much position switching and I expect it will be Allen at SS. But like I said, I like Allen over Carter. I even like Mundy over Carter from a run defense stand point. Don't know where I stand on Mundy's coverage skills. I agree, based on last year...God I hope he improved!

[proudpittsburgher]

Re: Steelers' Polamalu not likely to play vs. Jets

I still wouldn't rule him out unless he can't walk. At this point in his career, Troy has been given carte blanche as to how he handles his training and injury recovery. IMO, Troy could sit out Friday's practice and still have a major contribution in Sunday's game. If the Steelers win this week against the toughest team left on the schedule, Troy can likely have three straigth weeks off after that, considering he can sit vs. Carolina and Cleveland and then foer the first round bye. The biggest key here is if he can make it worse by playing on it, or if it will just lengthen the time it takes to heal. A lot of healing could be done in three weeks.

[Oviedo]

Re: Steelers' Polamalu not likely to play vs. Jets

I still wouldn't rule him out unless he can't walk. At this point in his career, Troy has been given carte blanche as to how he handles his training and injury recovery. IMO, Troy could sit out Friday's practice and still have a major contribution in Sunday's game. If the Steelers win this week against the toughest team left on the schedule, Troy can likely have three straigth weeks off after that, considering he can sit vs. Carolina and Cleveland and then foer the first round bye. The biggest key here is if he can make it worse by playing on it, or if it will just lengthen the time it takes to heal. A lot of healing could be done in three weeks.

I agree with what you say. From my persepctive this game is close to "must win" because it makes things soooooo much easier for the rest of the season leading up to the play offs.

That is why Troy being out is such a huge hit. The Jets are last last challenging team on the schedule and if we beat them we can rest lots of people and make lots of smart decisions.

Hopefully the offense can pick it up, but I'm not counting on that because I think the Jets will blitz almost every down and Ben will be sacked at least 4-5 times behind the poor OL we have now.

[MaxAMillion]

Re: Steelers' Polamalu not likely to play vs. Jets

This sucks.

Jets 17, Steelers 13.

Kiss the bye good-bye.

(Hope I'm wrong.)

Steelers will win the division and get the bye if they beat the Panthers and the Browns. The Stains game will be more difficult because McCoy will play but it is still a game the Steelers should win.

I would rest a lot of guys this week and try to win the last two games.

[Leper Friend]

Re: Steelers' Polamalu not likely to play vs. Jets

Please god , anyone but Ryan Mundy.There isn't even a term to measure the degree of drop off between Troy and Mundy.I watched Mundy stat 2 games last year in person and for the life of me , I don't know how he's on an NFL roster , let alone being considered to start.

I hate bashing any player at the pro level but I've never seen a guy bring less to the table besides maybe Cedric Wilson.He makes Ryan Clark look all world.I don't care what QB they are facing , this is a sickening feeling , especially with Holmes ready to go.

Why did they sign Will Allen if they aren't ever going to use him ,especially now ? At least he's been somewhat successful at the starting level in the past.

Another thought is maybe Lewis or Gay. I don't know what or who is working where in practice. But I do know both of them saw time as S in camp. If Gay plays S, I would hope they move Clark to SS. Might be too much position switching and I expect it will be Allen at SS. But like I said, I like Allen over Carter. I even like Mundy over Carter from a run defense stand point. Don't know where I stand on Mundy's coverage skills. I agree, based on last year...God I hope he improved!

From what I know of Mundy , he probably is serviceable vs the run. It's his coverage that scares me.He looked always 2 or 3 steps late.

Ike better have his 'A' game sunday or Holmes may go off.