So is everyone looking forward to Ike and Troy's return for our end-of-season run?

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

I'm not sure I am ...

I'm worried that after turning on the afterburners in his "new" defense (Gay, McCain and others) this past month or so, DL will fall back into his comfort zone when his big dogs return. I just know that more often than not recently when Troy and Ike were on the field, "comfortable" wasn't the word to describe what I felt when the clock hit 0:00. Ike: so dang many "1st down at the spot of the penalty" fouls because he was burned so badly. Troy: so many WFT decisions on the field that put him way out of position, missing tackles, etc.

Maybe part of what makes our secondary look OK recently is the increased performance and pressure of the guys up front, and we'll continue to do OK in the secondary. Either way, I sure hope we don't lose momentum in these last 5 games ... like someone else said in another post, we have zero margin for error, pretty much on every play!

[Eddie Spaghetti]

I am

I.think they will solidify the back end

[7 UP]

I know I sure am. I think Troy and Ike will play their best during the stretch run.

[K Train]

getting those guys back will be huge, especially with a certain comfort level in the reserve guys rotating in now

[RuthlessBurgher]

Are Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor better players than Will Allen and Brice McCain or Antwan Blake? Yes. Yes, they are.

Sure, they are old, but still better than retread backup types, just like Old James Harrison and Old Brett Keisel are better than Arthur Moats and Cam Thomas.

[Eich]

I don't know that I am. When was the last time that Troy made a significant impact in a game? It's probably a positive to have more healthy guys in the rotation but I don't necessarily think that having Troy and Ike back is going to make us better skills set wise.

[K Train]

Troy had a pretty great year last season....he doesnt make the same impact he used to, but he definitely boosts the defense

I think we will welcome Ike back for the showdown twice vs AJ Green. Green has always struggled against Ike

[Flasteel]

I don't think the current group we have on defense is capable of allowing this team to go deep into the playoffs. If we do make such a run, I'm of the belief that it will be in part due to the return of these guys. Their talent level, and especially in the case of Troy and Ike, their playoff experience, will help us solidify our problematic defense. If that doesn't happen, I don't think we can go too far.

[feltdizz]

we weren't a shut down defense when Ike and Troy were healthy this year...

I say stick with the youth and sprinkle these guys in but I know Troy is starting regardless.

[feltdizz]

I don't think the current group we have on defense is capable of allowing this team to go deep into the playoffs. If we do make such a run, I'm of the belief that it will be in part due to the return of these guys. Their talent level, and especially in the case of Troy and Ike, their playoff experience, will help us solidify our problematic defense. If that doesn't happen, I don't think we can go too far.

Ike was set on fire in his last playoff game.

[Oviedo]

Are Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor better players than Will Allen and Brice McCain or Antwan Blake? Yes. Yes, they are.

Sure, they are old, but still better than retread backup types, just like Old James Harrison and Old Brett Keisel are better than Arthur Moats and Cam Thomas.

Agree. They will help and we will see if they have any future moving forward. Valuable info for off season decisions

[Oviedo]

we weren't a shut down defense when Ike and Troy were healthy this year...

I say stick with the youth and sprinkle these guys in but I know Troy is starting regardless.

Do you really think that McCain, Blake, etc are the secondary of the future???? I sure don't. Our future secondary is 50% not on this team yet. Mitchell and Allen are the other 50%...IMO

[pittpete]

Hmmmm, tough question...
Defense was shaky before they both were injured.
Nice to get the vets back though

[SidSmythe]

I'm looking forward to IKE having fresh legs for the final stretch. We can use all the help we can get right now in the secondary.

[RuthlessBurgher]

we weren't a shut down defense when Ike and Troy were healthy this year...

I say stick with the youth and sprinkle these guys in but I know Troy is starting regardless.

Youth? Will Allen is 32 and in his 11th season and Brice McCain turns 28 in 2 weeks and is in his 6th season.

We've seen these guys play and know what they are...they are NFL backups. Troy and Ike, ages 33 and 34, both in their 12 seasons, are simply better players, even at their age.