***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.

[phillyesq]

I heard Jerry Dulac say the same thing on the radio a few weeks back. Polamalu isn't the player he once was, but he is still an asset. He got fooled by Tom Brady. It happens. Years ago, Champ Bailey got faked out by Cedrick Wilson.

I think the Steelers may try to work out an extension with Troy, at a lower future salary, to decrease the cap hit this year. I think that would be the prudent move.

[Ghost]

Understanding the $$ is a huge factor; as long as TP makes it through the season without injury and is committed to staying in crazy shape for the next few years; it would be wise to keep him as a Steeler. Shamarko has potential but is no where near Troy's league yet and wont' be next year (if ever).

There's only so many draft choices. Can't cut the entire team.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

I don't think this is a big story line. I think both Troy & Ike are being evaluated. I think both may be asked to take a pay cut. I think their $$$ may be the focus of re-tooling. I think this is the offseason the Steelers will make one or two FA signings like a Farrior & a Von Oelhoffen caliber for "investment insurance & draft deficiencies" to put it nicely. They put themselves in a situation where the draft won't fill holes fast enough to get them where they want to be. Since they will fight to the end & they are showing signs of life...the may go from a Top 10 to a mid to upper teen. They might be outside the Top 3 franchise LTs & Nix sweepstakes. Fill those holes in FA with their mid tier guys & draft the Top WR & TE in the 1st two rounds. If they falter down the stretch & end up in the Top 10...Take the franchise LT.

[phillyesq]

I don't think this is a big story line. I think both Troy & Ike are being evaluated. I think both may be asked to take a pay cut. I think their $$$ may be the focus of re-tooling. I think this is the offseason the Steelers will make one or two FA signings like a Farrior & a Von Oelhoffen caliber for "investment insurance & draft deficiencies" to put it nicely. They put themselves in a situation where the draft won't fill holes fast enough to get them where they want to be. Since they will fight to the end & they are showing signs of life...the may go from a Top 10 to a mid to upper teen. They might be outside the Top 3 franchise LTs & Nix sweepstakes. Fill those holes in FA with their mid tier guys & draft the Top WR & TE in the 1st two rounds. If they falter down the stretch & end up in the Top 10...Take the franchise LT.

Ike will be interesting. He was restructured mid season, which would make releasing him prohibitve from a cap standpoint. The Steelers typically don't restructure guys they are planning to release.

Harrison was a prime example - most of the big contracts were restructured the season before he was cut - except for him.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Ike will be interesting. He was restructured mid season, which would make releasing him prohibitve from a cap standpoint. The Steelers typically don't restructure guys they are planning to release.

Harrison was a prime example - most of the big contracts were restructured the season before he was cut - except for him.

Taylor's restructure wasn't significant. They needed cap space because of injuries. They only converted a small part of his base salary to gain cap space. His '14 cap number is close to 12 mil & releasing him next year clears up close to 7 mil so you could see why he would be a candidate. His base is 7 mil so that is where the pay cut talk would come in. Cutting Troy next year frees up over 8 mil. Having Ike at 12mil cap & Troy at 11 mil cap sticks out with close to 15 mil in savings based on declined play. To be honest, Ike may be approached after Troy if at all. He still is playing well. I love Troy & what he has done throughout his career but he is not very good off the LOS. He lost allot of range in pass coverage. His instincts are keeping him at good level but smart QBs will pull him out of position & take him out of being a factor.