Is It Time to Trade Polamalu?

[Steeler Mafia]

Re: Is It Time to Trade Polamalu?

Trade away our best Defensive player?

C'mon Man!

[Chadman]

Re: Is It Time to Trade Polamalu?

Chadman would have absolutely no problem moving Troy to FS. After all, as has been discussed by the Steelers in the past, the Safety position for the Steelers is interchagable between SS & FS- it's why a SS in Ryan Clark was able to switch to FS with little problem.

However, moving Troy to 'protect' him is not the right reason. If it's now at the stage that Troy is so fragile he must be protected, you have to consider the value for money in having him on the roster. Personally, Chadman thinks Troy is fine- injuries happen. THe problem is that there is so little depth behind him, and the scheme is so reliant on him being there. Blame the coaches & scouting staff for the significant drop-off with Troy out.

The Steelers need to target a NT & a Safety this off-season- be it through the draft or FA. The Safety needs to be a 'playmaker'. If he happens to be a SS, then yes, shift Troy to FS. If it's a FS, then leave Troy as he is.

As for trading Troy- no. You won't see the 'value' in the return. Trade Ike? Now THAT might be an idea worth investigating..

[Shoe]

Re: Is It Time to Trade Polamalu?

It's the Madden Curse... and it's not like Troy was hurt blitzing...
He was hurt on a fluke play. The Colts win without Sanders but theyalways blow it in the
playoffs...

I think the Colts would trade a 12-4 season for a 7-9 season if SB win proceded it. What was the Colts record after they won the SB? Did they even make the playoffs?

We tend to over react after a SB hangover season. Lose some of the dead weight and find a few more hungry players who want a ring.

In the NFL many players get hurt every season. Star or otherwise.

There is no silly Madden Curse. I am absolutely amazed that any sane, rational adult would buy into such hogwash.

you can only buy into something if it's being sold... Go back and look at the players who have been on the cover and show me how many had a decent season... The numbers are baffling. I said it as a joke for those who scream there isn't a curse... Yet when you research the history it's obvious that the chances of having a good season are slim to none.

Since 1999... When they started putting players on the cover
Hearst... great season but breaks ankle in playoffs and misses 2 full seasons
Barry Sanders... Retires out of nowhere.
Eddie George... Fails to crack 1000 yards and miss the playoffs
Culpepper... 19 less TD's and the worst Vikes record ever
mcnabb...knocked out for the year after 8or 9 games
vick... Broke his leg in the preseason
faulk... Had a yukkie year and retired soon after.
VY... Meltdown and benched
Ray Lewis.... Avoided the curse and had a decent season
Favre.... Had a great year with the Jets. Not!!!
Troy... Freak injury on a blocked FG and missed most of the season and we are 6-6.

Out of 11 players 2 had decent seasons and one of them still missed 2 seasons after a
playoff injury. It's definitely a reoccurring coincedence...

People downplay it but it's hard to argue with... next year, put Brett Favre and Peyton Manning and Tom Brady* on it. Actually, put any Patroit player on.

[eniparadoxgma]

Re: Is It Time to Trade Polamalu?

For those that say that it isn't a coincidence, I would like to know what exactly you think causes this curse. I'm curious.

[Mel Blount's G]

Re: Is It Time to Trade Polamalu?

It's the Madden Curse... and it's not like Troy was hurt blitzing...
He was hurt on a fluke play. The Colts win without Sanders but theyalways blow it in the
playoffs...

I think the Colts would trade a 12-4 season for a 7-9 season if SB win proceded it. What was the Colts record after they won the SB? Did they even make the playoffs?

We tend to over react after a SB hangover season. Lose some of the dead weight and find a few more hungry players who want a ring.

In the NFL many players get hurt every season. Star or otherwise.

There is no silly Madden Curse. I am absolutely amazed that any sane, rational adult would buy into such hogwash.

you can only buy into something if it's being sold... Go back and look at the players who have been on the cover and show me how many had a decent season... The numbers are baffling. I said it as a joke for those who scream there isn't a curse... Yet when you research the history it's obvious that the chances of having a good season are slim to none.

Since 1999... When they started putting players on the cover
Hearst... great season but breaks ankle in playoffs and misses 2 full seasons
Barry Sanders... Retires out of nowhere.
Eddie George... Fails to crack 1000 yards and miss the playoffs
Culpepper... 19 less TD's and the worst Vikes record ever
mcnabb...knocked out for the year after 8or 9 games
vick... Broke his leg in the preseason
faulk... Had a yukkie year and retired soon after.
VY... Meltdown and benched
Ray Lewis.... Avoided the curse and had a decent season
Favre.... Had a great year with the Jets. Not!!!
Troy... Freak injury on a blocked FG and missed most of the season and we are 6-6.

Out of 11 players 2 had decent seasons and one of them still missed 2 seasons after a
playoff injury. It's definitely a reoccurring coincedence...

I just needed to say that trying to scoop up a loose ball from a pile of writhing 200-300 lb football players, all after that same loose ball, and having your knee tweaked is about as far from a "freak" injury as possible.

Okay, carry on.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Re: Is It Time to Trade Polamalu?

Some people were saying trade Troy a couple of years ago. That would had looked real dumb. I don't believe would had won the SB last year without Troy.

Troy was not hurt on a routine play. Troy was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I say no, you don't trade one of the best players in the league when he has shown no signs of slowing down. He is still in the prime if his career.

[Shoe]

Re: Is It Time to Trade Polamalu?

I'm not saying we should trade him at all... after all, I think I love watching him play as much as ANY Steeler I've ever watched (Lloyd, Woodson, Ward, etc.)

But in terms of stepping up as a leader and tough guy, he doesn't do that... e.g. Hines has looked awfully hurt on many many occasions... yet he consistently goes out and straps it up.

Same goes for the other aforementioned... and pretty much every star player we've had over the past 20 years. But Troy?

I don't see that. He consistently takes longer to come back from injury. Again, I love watching him and him being out there; but that's my honest opinion.

[stlrz d]

Re: Is It Time to Trade Polamalu?

I'm not saying we should trade him at all... after all, I think I love watching him play as much as ANY Steeler I've ever watched (Lloyd, Woodson, Ward, etc.)

But in terms of stepping up as a leader and tough guy, he doesn't do that... e.g. Hines has looked awfully hurt on many many occasions... yet he consistently goes out and straps it up.

Same goes for the other aforementioned... and pretty much every star player we've had over the past 20 years. But Troy?

I don't see that. He consistently takes longer to come back from injury. Again, I love watching him and him being out there; but that's my honest opinion.

Have you ever had a knee injury?

[NWNewell]

Re: Is It Time to Trade Polamalu?

I'm not saying we should trade him at all... after all, I think I love watching him play as much as ANY Steeler I've ever watched (Lloyd, Woodson, Ward, etc.)

But in terms of stepping up as a leader and tough guy, he doesn't do that... e.g. Hines has looked awfully hurt on many many occasions... yet he consistently goes out and straps it up.

Same goes for the other aforementioned... and pretty much every star player we've had over the past 20 years. But Troy?

I don't see that. He consistently takes longer to come back from injury. Again, I love watching him and him being out there; but that's my honest opinion.

Sure... he should tough it out... go out there and limp around the field and get burnt on every play! That would be better for the team!

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Is It Time to Trade Polamalu?

I'm not saying we should trade him at all... after all, I think I love watching him play as much as ANY Steeler I've ever watched (Lloyd, Woodson, Ward, etc.)

But in terms of stepping up as a leader and tough guy, he doesn't do that... e.g. Hines has looked awfully hurt on many many occasions... yet he consistently goes out and straps it up.

Same goes for the other aforementioned... and pretty much every star player we've had over the past 20 years. But Troy?

I don't see that. He consistently takes longer to come back from injury. Again, I love watching him and him being out there; but that's my honest opinion.

Sure... he should tough it out... go out there and limp around the field and get burnt on every play! That would be better for the team!

Yeah, since his playmaking is based on speed an explosiveness, an injured Troy would not be an effective Troy, so let him heal.

On the other hand, when is Ben going to complain about Hines not playing 4 days after a hamstring injury, just like Hines was complaining about Ben not playing 7 days after a head injury?

[ramblinjim]

Re: Is It Time to Trade Polamalu?

I think you have to give Troy another year of injuries before we consider trading him. I agree that you always have to be looking to get better and perhaps this would be something to consider one of these days. It hurts to say it though. I admit.

[webofsteel75]

Re: Is It Time to Trade Polamalu?

troy is obvious the lifeline of the defense just like joey porter in '05, in my opinion and when he left we had a horriable season after. noone has stepped up to fill that role since troy has been out. i understand the thought of trading him because of the way that we are playing, but just cause hes down doesnt mean hes out, he is untracable during plays, and doesnt buckle. our DB's have been inconsistent throughout the past few years we need his leardership and INTENSITY.

[papillon]

Re: Is It Time to Trade Polamalu?

Why stop with Polamalu? Lets trade Ben too. Can you imagine how good we'll be then after we pick a couple first rounders for Ben? We'd be on the path to three or four more superbowls by trading those two players.

Man, it's amazing the things you read on this board and any other board after a rough stretch of games. Do you realize who owns and runs the Pittsburgh Steelers? When was the last time saw panic or knee jerk reactions from the Rooneys? They have built the Steelers for 40 years with the same philosophy: draft well, develop young players and keep your core group together at all costs and compete year in and year with an occasional down period.

So, now the Steelers have 4 first round picks 2 each for Ben and Troy, who should they draft? :P

Pappy

[stlrz d]

Re: Is It Time to Trade Polamalu?

Why stop with Polamalu? Lets trade Ben too. Can you imagine how good we'll be then after we pick a couple first rounders for Ben? We'd be on the path to three or four more superbowls by trading those two players.

Man, it's amazing the things you read on this board and any other board after a rough stretch of games. Do you realize who owns and runs the Pittsburgh Steelers? When was the last time saw panic or knee jerk reactions from the Rooneys? They have built the Steelers for 40 years with the same philosophy: draft well, develop young players and keep your core group together at all costs and compete year in and year with an occasional down period.

So, now the Steelers have 4 first round picks 2 each for Ben and Troy, who should they draft? :P

Pappy

Trade down!

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Re: Is It Time to Trade Polamalu?

[quote=cruzer8]

Move Troy to FS, trade up and draft Taylor Mays, put him at Strong Safety.

You may not have to trade up for Mays...it appears that we will be picking in the middle portion of the draft anyway, which is where I think Mays might land (I think Tennessee's ballhawking safety Eric Berry goes before Mays in the draft, likely in the top 10). Although Mays will likely live up to his "Trojan Torpedo" moniker (his combination of size, speed, and hitting ability is without peer), I'd prefer a safety with better coverage ability and ball skills, which is our defense's true weakness right now.

That is why you move Troy to FS. The way he is used right now he is a mini hybrid linebacker that takes on 300 pound linemen on a consistent basis. Move him to FS and let him just worry about run support and his superior coverage skills. You move him to FS and he probably has 8 picks in a season.

He's only taking on those guys because he is quick to the play. Not because he's being blitzed as often as many of you think he is.

As was stated earlier, before this season he's only missed 8 of 96 games.

This is a foolish thread.[/quote:qirmrobl]

I agree. He has not been doing the blitzing up the middle thing in a few years. His injury was not an "injury prone" thing, it is a "big fat 300 pounder fell on my leg" thing.

IMO, also lost in this thread was the huge loss of Aaron Smith. I've been banging for years on the fact that he is by far our most underrated player and when coupled with the missed games by Troy we are missing 2 out of our best 3 or 4 defenders - in positions where we don't have backups that can play anywhere near their levels.