Life after Troy
Commentary by PalmerSucks
April 13, 2015
Yes, it’s official: Troy Polamalu will be hanging up the cleats, something that no doubt has the front office beaucoup happy. Not only are the Stillers spared the embarrassment of having to cut their living legend, they also look to clear at least $3.75 million in cap savings.
Insecure Ravens fans immediately took to the net, posting trash about how Ed Reed was “better.” (Ignoring, in truly clueless fashion, that the two played completely different positions.) Look, Reed was great, but through history there have been a number of Reeds, ball-hawk specialists who excelled running it back, too.
However, there’s only been one Troy Polamalu, an all-around threat who wreaked havoc both in pass defense and as a roaming 4.3-speed, 43-inch-vertical man-seeking missile, a whack-a-mole DB who could pop up anywhere on the field, at any time. He’s simply been one of the unique players in league history. Find me another safety – no, player – who could leap the center and sack the QB on a sneak, and I’ll change my opinion. Until then, shut up, Baltimore.
There’s no replacing Pola’s skill set, but the Stillers do need to address his absence. It’s time now to implement “Plan Palmer” and take the following steps:
1. I mentioned in my “Right Now” commentary (February 19th) that Mike Mitchell’s natural position is strong safety. It’s time to move Mitchell over, and open up a competition for the other spot between Shamarko and Will Allen. (Apparently Mike Tomlin is open to the idea, as last week Coach said he’d consider shifting Mitchell to the other side.) The Stillers can also hope that playmaking Alabama safety Landon Collins falls to them as a potential pick in the upcoming draft.
2. Like I said, there’s no replacing Pola’s skills, but there is another defensive player on the roster who possesses his kind of versatility. That would be Ryan Shazier – whom the Stillers should anoint as the next rolling rover. As I said when he was drafted, Shazier’s freaky speed allows him to function as a DB in certain spots. Just as Pola played some de facto linebacker, Shazier can play some safety. He should inherit the “freelance” role Polamalu played in LeBeau’s scheme.
3. Pola’s exit marks the end of the 3-4 LeBeau era. The Stillers should now look at swapping in some 4-3 sets. The defense desperately needs to start putting more heat on QBs, and given the current personnel, this makes sense.
The bad news is the Stillers are losing a future Hall of Famer. The good news is, they’re only replacing a player who’s been a shadow of his former self the last year or two. At this point, some youth and speed would be an upgrade.
It goes without saying I was disappointed with the Stillers’ lack of movement in the free-agent market. However, that’s now water under the Sixth-Street Bridge. Once again, it’s up to management to get aggressive, and start putting an aggressive group on the field.
Questions or comments? Send ‘em to PalmerSucks@Stillers.com
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