No Troy Palamalu = 2 shutouts (1 Viewer)

[Captain Spaulding]

Now I realize that last nights game was a complete joke for many reasons, but it is strange that the 2 games this season that Troy P. missed (Seattle game as well) the Steelers D. shut out their oppontents. Is this just dumb luck/Coincidence, or is the way **** Lebeau is utilizing Troy P. in defensive schemes more detrimental to their overall defensive abilities then playing more vanilla defensive scheme at safety position with a less athletic/gifted backup player? There is no denying that Troy P. is one of the most freakishly gifted athletes at the safety position in the NFL (explosive speed burst and great tackling abilities), but this is kinda weird isn't it?

 

[Jous]

I don't think last night's game can count too much. I'd say that every team in the league would've struggled last night on that field and I can't imagine even the Patriots scoring more than 10 points on that field... so the shutout doesn't mean too much.

 

[sho nuff]

I don't think last night's game can count too much. I'd say that every team in the league would've struggled last night on that field and I can't imagine even the Patriots scoring more than 10 points on that field... so the shutout doesn't mean too much.

Exactly...for about 59 minutes and 40 seconds of that game, Miami shut out Pitt.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I don't think last night's game can count too much. I'd say that every team in the league would've struggled last night on that field and I can't imagine even the Patriots scoring more than 10 points on that field... so the shutout doesn't mean too much.

I agree...last night's game doesn't prove much due to the conditions (and that Miami's offense is horrendous anyway). Plus the week before Miami's offense was shut out (only points coming from Ginn JR. runback).But perhaps there still is something a Steeler homer can shed to this trend (however inconclusive the trend data really is).

 

[treat88]

The shutouts are just coincidence. Tyrone Carter/Ryan Clark certainly didn't induce them.

However, Troy has regressed this season for whatever reason. He consistently over pursues and is missing tackles going for the KO shot. He's routinely out of position in coverage or just flat out blowing his assignment. He's always done these things, but they are more prevalent this season and not being balanced by the spectacular plays he used to make. Health maybe?

I have no way to accurately know this, but as amazing as Troy's physical abilities are, he plays like his mental abilities are inversely proportional.

I'm certainly not suggesting that the Steelers have better options at the position than Troy, but most of the impressive numbers the Steelers D is putting up are in spite of Troy not because of him.

Hate to say it, because he's one of my favorite players and IMO could be the greatest SS to play the game if he could just figure out the mental aspect of the position

 

[Godsbrother]

The shutouts are just coincidence. Tyrone Carter/Ryan Clark certainly didn't induce them.However, Troy has regressed this season for whatever reason. He consistently over pursues and is missing tackles going for the KO shot. He's routinely out of position in coverage or just flat out blowing his assignment. He's always done these things, but they are more prevalent this season and not being balanced by the spectacular plays he used to make. Health maybe? I have no way to accurately know this, but as amazing as Troy's physical abilities are, he plays like his mental abilities are inversely proportional. I'm certainly not suggesting that the Steelers have better options at the position than Troy, but most of the impressive numbers the Steelers D is putting up are in spite of Troy not because of him.Hate to say it, because he's one of my favorite players and IMO could be the greatest SS to play the game if he could just figure out the mental aspect of the position

Well said -- I agree with this 100%.

 

[CrossEyed]

The shutouts are just coincidence. Tyrone Carter/Ryan Clark certainly didn't induce them.However, Troy has regressed this season for whatever reason. He consistently over pursues and is missing tackles going for the KO shot. He's routinely out of position in coverage or just flat out blowing his assignment. He's always done these things, but they are more prevalent this season and not being balanced by the spectacular plays he used to make. Health maybe? I have no way to accurately know this, but as amazing as Troy's physical abilities are, he plays like his mental abilities are inversely proportional. I'm certainly not suggesting that the Steelers have better options at the position than Troy, but most of the impressive numbers the Steelers D is putting up are in spite of Troy not because of him.Hate to say it, because he's one of my favorite players and IMO could be the greatest SS to play the game if he could just figure out the mental aspect of the position

Well said -- I agree with this 100%.

Make that 2 of us.

 

[CalBear]

I have no way to accurately know this, but as amazing as Troy's physical abilities are, he plays like his mental abilities are inversely proportional.

Of course. He went to USC.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

The shutouts are just coincidence. Tyrone Carter/Ryan Clark certainly didn't induce them.However, Troy has regressed this season for whatever reason. He consistently over pursues and is missing tackles going for the KO shot. He's routinely out of position in coverage or just flat out blowing his assignment. He's always done these things, but they are more prevalent this season and not being balanced by the spectacular plays he used to make. Health maybe? I have no way to accurately know this, but as amazing as Troy's physical abilities are, he plays like his mental abilities are inversely proportional. I'm certainly not suggesting that the Steelers have better options at the position than Troy, but most of the impressive numbers the Steelers D is putting up are in spite of Troy not because of him.Hate to say it, because he's one of my favorite players and IMO could be the greatest SS to play the game if he could just figure out the mental aspect of the position

:( Well said -- I agree with this 100%.

Make that 2 of us.

Make that 3 of us. I'm tired of seeing Troy go flying into the backfield to tackle a RB for a loss and whiff 3 out of every 4 times. Additionally, when **** L. sends him on a safety blitz most of the time he gets picked up by a blocker or flies in there so fast he whiffs by the QB and ends up 10 yards behind him. If you do a corner or safety blitz you have to at least hurry the QB, hit him hard or get the sack. If not you defense suffers tremendously. You're better off with Ryan Clark or Tyrone Carter covering pass in zone, instead of basically playing with 10 on defense (i.e. when Troy's blitz is ineffective).

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Troy is supposed to be out again this Sunday night against Cincy (a fairly potent offense). Lets see how the Steelers D does without him. Of course if Cincy has under 250 yds on the game it will because of the field conditions...no coorelation with Troy being out.

 

[pecorino]

agreed about the "coincidence" thoughts as well as dismissing the miami game. howevah...

i have claimed all year that troy has lost his mojo. he has been out of position more than ever, he's been missing tackles even when in good position. in short, i think his game has dropped off considerably this year. granted, the defense seems to be playing more to contain than to dictate, so he has been playing off the line more often. but even so, he seems to be noticeably off his game..

 

[ninerfanatic492000]

well his play slipping could very well be from all the injuries he's accrued- have made his atheltic gifts start to slip where his mental miscues are much more obvious.

 

[Pygmy Marmoset]

They're also averaging about 15-20 points per game below their average when Polamalu's not there. Perhaps Polamalu is really their primary offensive threat.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Don't get me wrong here. I love Paulamalu. He's my favorite player on the Steelers defense. I just think if he goes a game without an INT, a QB sack, creating a forced fumble or blowing up at least 2-3 runs in the backfield....its highly likely that his high risk/high reward style at safety is not helping the Steelers defense as much as when they have Tyrone Carter/Ryan Clark in there playing more "vanilla" at safety. Its **** Lebeau's job to get Troy into better situations to succeed, better utilize his skills and correct bad techniques (like flying by the QB too fast on a blitz and taking himself out of the play).

 

[Phurfur]

Now I realize that last nights game was a complete joke for many reasons, but it is strange that the 2 games this season that Troy P. missed (Seattle game as well) the Steelers D. shut out their oppontents. Is this just dumb luck/Coincidence, or is the way **** Lebeau is utilizing Troy P. in defensive schemes more detrimental to their overall defensive abilities then playing more vanilla defensive scheme at safety position with a less athletic/gifted backup player? There is no denying that Troy P. is one of the most freakishly gifted athletes at the safety position in the NFL (explosive speed burst and great tackling abilities), but this is kinda weird isn't it?

I think he also missed most of the AZ game which they lost.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

10 pts and 257 total yards given up against the Bengals (a well above avg offense). Although not a shutout..that's a pretty stout defensive effort w/o Troy. Pass coverage was excellent all game.

 

[Steelnation]

The shutouts are just coincidence. Tyrone Carter/Ryan Clark certainly didn't induce them.However, Troy has regressed this season for whatever reason. He consistently over pursues and is missing tackles going for the KO shot. He's routinely out of position in coverage or just flat out blowing his assignment. He's always done these things, but they are more prevalent this season and not being balanced by the spectacular plays he used to make. Health maybe? I have no way to accurately know this, but as amazing as Troy's physical abilities are, he plays like his mental abilities are inversely proportional. I'm certainly not suggesting that the Steelers have better options at the position than Troy, but most of the impressive numbers the Steelers D is putting up are in spite of Troy not because of him.Hate to say it, because he's one of my favorite players and IMO could be the greatest SS to play the game if he could just figure out the mental aspect of the position

Well said -- I agree with this 100%.

Make that 2 of us.

3 of us.....

 

[dudaman]

If you are going to critique the safety play of the Steelers, you should include Anthony Smith. The LB's did a lot of the dirty work last night, but when the Bengals broke through the front 7, Smith was always around the ball.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

I was a pretty big critic of Ty Carter last year but the dude has played really well in Polo's absence this year.

Steelers D is:

Polo playing lights out > Ty Carter in there for TP > TP playing like he has been part of this year.

I'm just hoping it's something correctable or that needs to heal. He did have some problem with a hernia (abdominal strain?) ~6 weeks ago. Horrible to hope for an injury but I kinda hope that's still lingering....so that once it heals he can get back to his old self. If it's a mental thing then who knows how it will get corrected.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

I have said this before and got killed... TP is vastly over rated. The guy reminds me of another over rated Cowboy safety but with a bit more speed.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

I have said this before and got killed... TP is vastly over rated. The guy reminds me of another over rated Cowboy safety but with a bit more speed.

Isn't lack of speed the only thing keeping Roy Williams from being completely dominant?

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I think the reality is when Troy is in the game, he plays like an extra linebacker (but only at 200lbs) and the Steelers pass defense against the medium and deep routes are truly playing a man down. When Troy is out of games, the backup safety plays more of a true safety position...covers deep middle routes/zones and assists CB's on coverage of deep sideline patterns etc. Additionally, since Troy spends so much energy taking on tackling RB's and fighting off lineman 2x his body weight, it seems he gets worn down late in games. Just my observation/theories.