Ryan Clark: Troy Polamalu is the third-best safety in NFL

[Mister Pittsburgh]

I agree that the defense played very well without Troy as they were able to play 'their' positions vs. trying to adjust to what Troy was doing with his ad-libbing on plays. But, Troys return also was right when Ike went down and we had a rookie at CB.

[ikestops85]

This statement is misleading at best. Yes, when Troy initially went down, it DID affect the defense because they had to figure out how to play without him. But I think the secondary actually started to play better without Troy once they settled down.
Consider after the Titans games (first game Troy was out) there was not a single 200 yd passer until Troy returned. Someone said once that the defense tends to play more "disciplined" when Troy is not in the game. That may have been a factor in why they did so well without him.

Good point but I think they played better when they moved Clark to SS and replaced Mundy with Will Allen. Clark became a star with that lineup. He was all over the field and the defense did play much better. Although you also have to account for the fact that Harrison was getting healthier.

[Captain Lemming]

Good point but I think they played better when they moved Clark to SS and replaced Mundy with Will Allen. Clark became a star with that lineup. He was all over the field and the defense did play much better. Although you also have to account for the fact that Harrison was getting healthier.

Clark has always played like a strong safety anyway. I know in our defense the posistions are very similar but we in essance have two stong safeties when Troy is in.

I would suggest they switch roles, making Troy more of a traditional free safety. He has the hands and speed to make plays on the ball, let him do that all day long like Reed does.
The secondary benefit is that it may be good for his health.