View topic - Polamalu and why he was injured so many times last year

[Hi5Steeler Profile]

Polamalu's regimen calls OTAs into question


By John Harris
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, May 31, 2008

Legitimate concern about strong safety Troy Polamalu's physical well-being is why the Steelers are permitting him to work out on his own in California while his teammates participate in organized team activities.
Polamalu, who signed a five-year, $33 million contract extension last summer, missed five games and part of another in 2007 because of injuries to his knee, ribs and abdomen. It wasn't one of his best seasons, and it certainly wasn't the best way to usher in his new deal, even though he was named to the Pro Bowl -- a reward that was based more on reputation.

Polamalu has made every Pro Bowl since becoming a starter in 2004. But with a history of concussions and other injuries, Polamalu is in danger of becoming damaged goods.

Trouble is, the trait that makes Polamalu so effective -- his aggressiveness -- is what sent him to the sideline so often last season.


Polamalu plays without regard for his body, launching himself head-first to make jarring tackles. His playing style has come at a physical sacrifice, resulting in him missing eight games since 2006. He underwent knee surgery after last season.
At least six concussions and numerous injuries to other body parts later, Polamalu received permission from coach Mike Tomlin to return to his training roots.

Organized team activities are voluntary, but most players attend. Some Steelers have missed voluntary workouts for personal reasons, but Tomlin is apparently comfortable with Polamalu staying away from the team until training camp opens in late July because he's unable to practice -- even though the foundation for training camp begins with OTAs.

"Of course, Troy's not practicing," Tomlin told reporters last week. "He's just rehabbing."

If the Steelers are so comfortable with Polamalu missing OTAs to train on his own because they are only voluntary workouts, why bother having OTAs at all? Why not permit players to train on their own?

For example, what would the Steelers' reaction be if those players who train with a speed and conditioning coach in Orlando, Fla., skipped OTAs and remained in Florida throughout the offseason?

"For the most part, we've got great team camaraderie," Tomlin said. "We've got the vast majority of our guys working. I'm not going to worry about the few guys, for whatever reason -- legitimate or otherwise -- that aren't here."

As for Polamalu, it's obvious that he doesn't believe the Steelers trainers can help him.

Maybe the Steelers should consider making changes within their training staff that would allow Polamalu to rehabilitate under their supervision.

Teams make exceptions for star players all the time -- and this is clearly one of those times. If Polamalu is healthy for training camp after doing things his way, everyone will be happy -- especially Tomlin, who won't have to explain why he has two sets of rules.


John Harris is a sports writer for the Tribune-Review. He can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Doesn't sound good. I don't like that Troy might not believe in our trainers.
He might be right though. Over the years we have had a lot of lingering injuries, like the dreaded "High- Ankle Sprain" that never seem to get healed on our players.

[indysteel Profile]

What might help is if they stopped putting him at the NT position. Geez. I remember one game last year it seemed every other play that had him blitzing at the start of the play right up the C/G lane. I don't care how good he is, Troy is not going to win too many G/C/T matches head on.

[Zorro Profile]

Troy doesn't just think he knows more than the Steeler's training staff. He thinks he knows more than everyone on everything. The guy is a great player with more closing speed than any defender in the NFL. However, Palamalu is a loner, and football is the ultimate team sport. I know for a fact that there are people with the Steelers organization have become tired of his antics. In particular, I know there are people on the Steelers training staff who have become tired of his antics. Troy Palamalu will not take a fucking asprin for pain to allow himself to manage pain when injured. This guy has the 2nd largest contract in the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he will not listen to anyone when it comes to his health, training, conditioning, rehabilitation, etc. I am not surprised that he is staying away from our training staff, because I also know there is some tension there.

I'm not saying that I want the Steelers to part ways with Troy; however, my feelings towards him have been gradually shifting more and more negative towards him over the past couple years. Between all his know it all bullshit off the field and his complete inability to tackle in the open field, I'm running out of patience.

I'm not saying the following events are related, but I would not surprised if the fact that Anthony Smith is being worked out at SS is semi related to Troy's antics.

[955875 Profile]

What might help is if they stopped putting him at the NT position. Geez. I remember one game last year it seemed every other play that had him blitzing at the start of the play right up the C/G lane. I don't care how good he is, Troy is not going to win too many G/C/T matches head on.

Exactly.. They completely negate Troy's speed when they bring him directly up on the line and have him rush man up on an olineman. Just doesn't make sense to me.. If it worked I could see why. However, how many sacks has Troy had recently using this scheme? Not many.. 1 maybe.

Between all his know it all bullshit off the field and his complete inability to tackle in the open field, I'm running out of patience.

Another good point. When was the last time we actually saw Troy deliver a "bone rattling hit?" Guy is a great athlete and big time player. However, he has allowed his body mass to get smaller as well as his technique to deteriorate. No wonder he has so many injuries.. Look at the way he "tackles"... His tackles are nothing more than throwing his body through the air in hopes it brings the ball carrier down. He basically throws his shoulder at whatever he can make contact with.

I am all for aggressive play. Love it. However, he needs to find a balance. His training regimine may make him more explosive with his "quick twitch" exercises but I do not see how it is helping him take the pounding a SS takes. Especially one who plays like he does.

[Hi5Steeler Profile]

zorro you may have connections for gossip but remember...its only gossip. Also Troy doesnt like pain meds. steeler trainers do. fine but you miss the point that the steeler trainers as all trainers have the teams best interest at heart. not the health of the player. troy is very intelligent. he is not your standard football idiot . he knows that playing with a needle of painkillers in several spots on the body like maddox always did can shorten his career or end it.

I spoke personally with tommy maddox'es parents for about an hour once. They went into detail how he ALWAYS played with injuries and half the time a good part of his body was basically numb if you will. before big games they would shoot up his whole body with needles.

scary fucking shit and part of the reason jerome bettis takes 45 minutes to get out of bed and make it to the bathroom in the morning.

he had four injuries last year by training steeler trainer style. when he game trained for game speed with his own trainer he avoided injuries. steeler coaches understand this.


evidently you do not.


if troy has no injuries this year you will see a beast. he is still young.


troys position is one where more speed kills opposing plays. THAT is what he is training for.

[StillMill Profile]

Good thread. My take --

I can live with Pola doing his own, unique workouts. He did this before (ie, '04, 05, 06) and had good results. Last year was a horrible season for him, so him getting back to his roots is fine by me.

Certain players must attend OTAs --

1. rookie or unproven greenhorns

2. fat, doughboy type guys like Levon Kirkland, Hampton, etc.

3. player coming off major injury

4. Player needing to learn more in order to move from the bench to a starting job

5. Malcontents like Plax Burress

Pola fits none of these categories. He's been a very good citizen and has shown that he is more than capable of working out on his own. I'd insist on a teleconference every so often, along with some sort of verifiable weight & workout measurement.....but overall, I can live with his regimen.

[Zorro Profile]

zorro you may have connections for gossip but remember...its only gossip. Also Troy doesnt like pain meds. steeler trainers do. fine but you miss the point that the steeler trainers as all trainers have the teams best interest at heart. not the health of the player.

The Steelers have invested a lot of cash in Troy. They are not going to knowing recommend actions that would hurt him.

troy is very intelligent. he is not your standard football idiot .

This is true, but Troy is still just a 27 year old kid with an undergrad degree from USC in social sciences/history. He is not a rocket scientist. The people on the Steelers training staff are well schooled and experienced. I'm going to side with them every time.

he knows that playing with a needle of painkillers in several spots on the body like maddox always did can shorten his career or end it.

I spoke personally with tommy maddox'es parents for about an hour once. They went into detail how he ALWAYS played with injuries and half the time a good part of his body was basically numb if you will. before big games they would shoot up his whole body with needles.

Maddox also spent his off seasons golfing instead of preparing himself to play in the NFL. At the end of his career, he looked more like he was 45 than 35 due to lack of training and preparation.

he had four injuries last year by training steeler trainer style. when he game trained for game speed with his own trainer he avoided injuries. steeler coaches understand this.

evidently you do not.

if troy has no injuries this year you will see a beast. he is still young.

troys position is one where more speed kills opposing plays. THAT is what he is training for.

First of all, he did not get 4 injuries training Steeler style. He has never trained Steeler style.

Also, I have NO problem at all with him using his training techniques. They certainly have worked for him in the past, and I get that he trains for quickness etc. That said, his training techniques and traditional weightlifting are not mutually exclusive activities. He should be doing both. There are very very very few players in the NFL who just weight train exclusively. Troy would not lose a step or suffer in any way by adding a little bulk throughout his shoulders and chest. It would only serve to help his game and allow him to withstand the beating one takes at SS in the NFL.

All that aside, I think he should be present for OTAs. OTAs are less than a month long. He could easily do his own workouts in Pittsburgh during that time, help the rookies learn the defense, and support his teammates. Football is a team sport. As a member of the team, he should be there. This is not a business/contract issue. He simply does not want to be there.

[baumblvd Profile]

Surely our trainers are supported in their recovery recommendations by actual physicians -- ie. guys with MDs from good places. Taking anti-inflammatories is a pretty basic way to speed the healing process. I'm surprised to hear that Troy won't take simple meds.

What is he Amish or something?

Take the damned pills and heal.

[4nic8 Profile]

He might be getting some good advice from Ryan Clark...

[Deadguy Profile]

fine but you miss the point that the steeler trainers as all trainers have the teams best interest at heart

As well they should! Also, so should Troy! There is a trade off... compensation for health. It's a violent game and players must do everything possible to be on the field. I honestly do not give a shit if he's healthy beyond football.

Lastly... doesn't mean your smart if you listen to wacky trainers that have nothing but a negative attitude towards modern day medicine. Natural isn't alway better. Sure, sometimes the medical field can overdue something, but for the most part, they are the best option.

If he continues on his current path, especially if he gets hurt again, the Steelers need to part ways. I can't remember him being a factor since the super bowl year. He needs to step up this year! Get on the field or get the F out.

[PATitanSteveCJ Profile]

For the past two summers Troy has trained at my local gym with Coy Wire, formerly of the Bills, and Paul Puzluzny.

He is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, very fuckin strong and atheletic... he and Coy stand on exercise balls and throw a football back and forth.

Troy can also jump out of three feet of water... on to the edge of the pool

[wardXplex Profile]

There is no anti-Steelers sentiments from Troy if he wants to continue training by himself. His devotion to an alternative training style goes back to his time at USC, under the tutelage of Marv Marinovich and his innovative training strategies. If he gets injured after OTAs, it is only common sense to return to his training roots. Some of you guys read entirely too much into things.

[Teegre Profile]

This is true, but Troy is still just a 27 year old kid with an undergrad degree from USC in social sciences/history. He is not a rocket scientist. The people on the Steelers training staff are well schooled and experienced. I'm going to side with them every time.

Troy is not a rocket scientist.
The trainers at the center in Cal-Poly are.

While Troy may not listen to Pittsburgh;s trainers, he does listen to his personal trainers (Marinovich, from Cal-Poly). Marinovich has a track record of improving players and reducing their injuries...he is a genius. The way he trains is 100% low weight & quick movements, which improve his "muscle explosion"...whereas, most trainers try to bulk players up in the weight room.

[Teegre Profile]

Another good point. When was the last time we actually saw Troy deliver a "bone rattling hit?"

More importantly, how many times has he gotten beaten this year?
How many times has been around the ball (in the air)?
How many times does he break up passes/make contact with the intended receiver?
In other words, I will take the current "quicker, pass-breaking up, interception machine" Troy over "head-on tackling" Troy any day of the week.

I am all for aggressive play. Love it. However, he needs to find a balance. His training regimine may make him more explosive with his "quick twitch" exercises but I do not see how it is helping him take the pounding a SS takes. Especially one who plays like he does.

Since he went back to the Cal-Poly trainers exclusively (i.e. this past summer), he has yet to be injured. When he was with the Steelers trainers (i.e. last season) he was injured all year long.

[jstallworth82 Profile]

For the past two summers Troy has trained at my local gym with Coy Wire, formerly of the Bills, and Paul Puzluzny.

He is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, very fuckin strong and atheletic... he and Coy stand on exercise balls and throw a football back and forth.

Troy can also jump out of three feet of water... on to the edge of the pool

Go back to Tennessee. You post those pics as if they have accomplished something of importance. When they win 5 rings then come back and join the ELITE organizations' fans. Until then post your pics on a Titan site.... do they have computers down there?

About Troy jumping out of 3feet of water and onto the edge of a pool

Well I know Jeff Fisher he can fall into a thornless rosegarden and still smell like shit. He is so full of himself that he is not even welcome in his hometown. Even in HS he was a self-centered ahole. And if Tenn goes anywhere he will be out there saying how HE did it all. Mark my words

[PATitanSteveCJ Profile]

For the past two summers Troy has trained at my local gym with Coy Wire, formerly of the Bills, and Paul Puzluzny.

He is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, very fuckin strong and atheletic... he and Coy stand on exercise balls and throw a football back and forth.

Troy can also jump out of three feet of water... on to the edge of the pool

Go back to Tennessee. You post those pics as if they have accomplished something of importance. When they win 5 rings then come back and join the ELITE organizations' fans. Until then post your pics on a Titan site.... do they have computers down there?

About Troy jumping out of 3feet of water and onto the edge of a pool

Well I know Jeff Fisher he can fall into a thornless rosegarden and still smell like shit. He is so full of himself that he is not even welcome in his hometown. Even in HS he was a self-centered ahole. And if Tenn goes anywhere he will be out there saying how HE did it all. Mark my words

Some people just aren't worth replying too... this Stallworth dude is one of them. Have fun on the message boards dude, hope it fills that void in your life! Also, you may wanna look into Hooked on Phonics..