Troy Polumalu (1 Viewer)

[Bankerguy]

I'd take that overrated player on my team anytime.

 

[Chaka]

Dude was playing hurt! I would take him in a heartbeat on the colts! And I have alotta love for Bob Sanders!

Seriously, he was playing with one arm. One thing Theisman got right tonight.And there were lots of times he was there to make the tackle he had to literally turn his body to the other side so as not to get hit.If anything he shouldn't have started. He is in no way overrated. Ed Reed 1Troy and Sanders...tied for 2nd.End of Story.

I think there are a lot of very good safeties in the NFL right now. Reed, Taylor, Dawkins, Sanders, Polamalu, M. Brown, Sharper and R. Williams. I think Reed is clearly at the top of the list. Taylor is a notch above the rest at #2. The rest is kind of a mess. I would give the edge to either Troy or Dawkins.

Not to hijack, but based on what?

Range, tackling, recovery speed, filling rushing lanes, ball awareness, discipline in pass reads, maintaining position in coverage and making plays on the ball.

wow! You must watch a lot of game film to use those metrics as your basis for comparison!

I do.

You used to be such a sensible boy.

 

[D-BO]

I'd take that overrated player on my team anytime.

Overrated, LMAO!

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Polamalu is a throwback.

Polamalu hampered by shoulder injury

By Mike Prisuta

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Thursday, September 21, 2006

It was a play that could have changed the game.

It was a play Troy Polamalu could have made, if only ...

Second-and-five from the Jacksonville 13-yard line, Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich looked for wide receiver Reggie Williams on a flanker screen along the near sideline.

Polamalu, the Steelers' All-Pro strong safety, anticipated the play, jumped the route and deflected the ball with his left hand but failed to intercept it.

That's how close a 3-0, fourth-quarter Jaguars lead came to turning into a 7-3 Steelers advantage.

"I reached out there with my right arm," Polamalu said Wednesday, the Steelers' first day back at practice following Monday night's 9-0 loss. "I think if I would have had maybe about three or four more inches, which I probably could have (if I were) healthy, but who knows if I would have even caught the ball, anyway, you know?"

What's certain is Polamalu is playing at less than 100 percent efficiency -- to the extent that his gait is noticeably different on and off the field due to a right shoulder injury sustained in the Steelers' 28-17, season-opening win over Miami on Sept. 7.

"You guys have seen it, I guess," Polamalu said to a media assemblage. "It's just tough to let my arm hang, in general. If walking is tough, tackling (Jacksonville's) Fred Taylor or any running back for that matter is always going to be tough."

Polamalu opened last week listed as questionable on the Steelers' injury report but was quickly upgraded to probable.

He characterized his injury prior to the Jacksonville game as "a bone bruise, a shoulder contusion and something with my bursa sac."

It's not a condition Polamalu anticipates having to deal with all season.

"I'm sure it'll go away, God willing," he said yesterday.

The Steelers had to adjust the way Polamalu attacked in Jacksonville, and they might have to do so again when Cincinnati visits Heinz Field on Sunday.

"He still made the correct reads, the correct calls," cornerback Deshea Townsend said. "You probably didn't see him just throwing his body in there as much because of the shoulder, but he still went out there and played a good game.

"Certain defenses where he might have had the chance to sacrifice his body, he might have sent (free safety) Ryan (Clark). That allowed him to play that much longer."

Polamalu finished with three tackles and two passes defended.

"Ryan did a good job to help complement me and keep me out of certain situations," Polamalu said. "We played great team defense, but we missed a lot of tackles and could have done a lot of things better.

"There are a lot of things I could have done better."

Polamalu practiced yesterday but was listed on the injury report as questionable for Sunday.

"There are a lot of people playing with pain and injuries on this team that I'm sure you guys don't even know about," he said. "And if it was up to me, you guys wouldn't even know about this injury. But, unfortunately, I guess, it's that obvious. You just have to push through it, just like everybody else on this team."

"I'm just one guy of 11 on this defense, just one arm of 22."

Mike Prisuta can be reached at mprisuta@tribweb.com

 

[The Jacket]

I thought Polamalu was overrated, but i'll tell you who's seriously overrated after reading this thread: Bob Sanders.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Your mom's overrated.

[/kipdynamite]

 

[JohnnyU]

The man makes huge plays everytime I watch the Steelers play, and I mean EVERYTIME. Overrated? I think not. Are people jealous of his success? I think so.

 

[Stillers Jr.]

The man makes huge plays everytime I watch the Steelers play, and I mean EVERYTIME. Overrated? I think not. Are people jealous of his success? I think so.

Hit the nail on the head.

 

[Gr00vus]

I think Troy is as good as any safety, but the truth is that safeties are a dime a dozen in the NFL. There are just a lot more people that fit the athletic mold of a safety than most other positions in football. You don't have to be 6'5", or have 4.3 speed, be overly strong, or weigh 300 pounds. So there's a large pool of people that fit, which means there's a glut of very good players at that position. The Adrian Wilson comment posted above is a good example. People must have listed 15 guys(all good safeties) before his name was even mentioned and Wilson is one heck of a safety. And there's plenty more that haven't been mentioned yet.

 

[Sheriff66]

I think Troy is as good as any safety, but the truth is that safeties are a dime a dozen in the NFL. There are just a lot more people that fit the athletic mold of a safety than most other positions in football. You don't have to be 6'5", or have 4.3 speed, be overly strong, or weigh 300 pounds. So there's a large pool of people that fit, which means there's a glut of very good players at that position. The Adrian Wilson comment posted above is a good example. People must have listed 15 guys(all good safeties) before his name was even mentioned and Wilson is one heck of a safety. And there's plenty more that haven't been mentioned yet.

So you don't think the Cardinals would rather have Ed Reed, Sean Taylor or Polamalu in a split second if their teams wanted to trade, straight up ?? You could say the same about any position in the NFL, they are all great athletes if they are pros.

 

[Gr00vus]

I think Troy is as good as any safety, but the truth is that safeties are a dime a dozen in the NFL. There are just a lot more people that fit the athletic mold of a safety than most other positions in football. You don't have to be 6'5", or have 4.3 speed, be overly strong, or weigh 300 pounds. So there's a large pool of people that fit, which means there's a glut of very good players at that position. The Adrian Wilson comment posted above is a good example. People must have listed 15 guys(all good safeties) before his name was even mentioned and Wilson is one heck of a safety. And there's plenty more that haven't been mentioned yet.

So you don't think the Cardinals would rather have Ed Reed, Sean Taylor or Polamalu in a split second if their teams wanted to trade, straight up ?? You could say the same about any position in the NFL, they are all great athletes if they are pros.

You seem to have missed his point, I'd try and reframe it, but reading his post again I don't think I could do better.

 

[Sheriff66]

I think Troy is as good as any safety, but the truth is that safeties are a dime a dozen in the NFL. There are just a lot more people that fit the athletic mold of a safety than most other positions in football. You don't have to be 6'5", or have 4.3 speed, be overly strong, or weigh 300 pounds. So there's a large pool of people that fit, which means there's a glut of very good players at that position. The Adrian Wilson comment posted above is a good example. People must have listed 15 guys(all good safeties) before his name was even mentioned and Wilson is one heck of a safety. And there's plenty more that haven't been mentioned yet.

So you don't think the Cardinals would rather have Ed Reed, Sean Taylor or Polamalu in a split second if their teams wanted to trade, straight up ?? You could say the same about any position in the NFL, they are all great athletes if they are pros.

You seem to have missed his point, I'd try and reframe it, but reading his post again I don't think I could do better.

No, I didn't. You say that any safety in the NFL is pretty much interchangable, I'm saying that Reed, Polamalu and Taylor are the cream of the crop, and the others at are not really all that close.

 

[Steelers4Life]

I think Troy is as good as any safety, but the truth is that safeties are a dime a dozen in the NFL. There are just a lot more people that fit the athletic mold of a safety than most other positions in football. You don't have to be 6'5", or have 4.3 speed, be overly strong, or weigh 300 pounds. So there's a large pool of people that fit, which means there's a glut of very good players at that position. The Adrian Wilson comment posted above is a good example. People must have listed 15 guys(all good safeties) before his name was even mentioned and Wilson is one heck of a safety. And there's plenty more that haven't been mentioned yet.

So you don't think the Cardinals would rather have Ed Reed, Sean Taylor or Polamalu in a split second if their teams wanted to trade, straight up ?? You could say the same about any position in the NFL, they are all great athletes if they are pros.

You seem to have missed his point, I'd try and reframe it, but reading his post again I don't think I could do better.

Safeties are NOT a dime a dozen in the NFL.Sure, there are lots of good players at every position.However, safety is no different than any other position in that there are average players, good players, and game changing players.Troy Polamalu is one of 2 or 3 game changing safeties in the NFL. His speed, ability to stop the run, cover receivers, AND recover when he guesses wrong is virtually unmatched by anyone. He's the total package. Just because he was playing with one arm against the Jags and missed a few tackles because of it doesn't change that.

 

[Gr00vus]

I think Troy is as good as any safety, but the truth is that safeties are a dime a dozen in the NFL. There are just a lot more people that fit the athletic mold of a safety than most other positions in football. You don't have to be 6'5", or have 4.3 speed, be overly strong, or weigh 300 pounds. So there's a large pool of people that fit, which means there's a glut of very good players at that position. The Adrian Wilson comment posted above is a good example. People must have listed 15 guys(all good safeties) before his name was even mentioned and Wilson is one heck of a safety. And there's plenty more that haven't been mentioned yet.

So you don't think the Cardinals would rather have Ed Reed, Sean Taylor or Polamalu in a split second if their teams wanted to trade, straight up ?? You could say the same about any position in the NFL, they are all great athletes if they are pros.

You seem to have missed his point, I'd try and reframe it, but reading his post again I don't think I could do better.

No, I didn't. You say that any safety in the NFL is pretty much interchangable, I'm saying that Reed, Polamalu and Taylor are the cream of the crop, and the others at are not really all that close.

I don't see anywhere that he said any safety in the NFL is pretty much interchangable. What I do see him saying is:Within the context of the NFL (not the entire population of the world), when considering what it takes to be good at a position on defense, the requirements for playing safety are lesser than the other positions - therefore to quote verbatim " there's a large pool of people that fit, which means there's a glut of very good players at that position." This does not mean that in considering NFL safeties against each other there is no difference, or that one is not in fact better than another. It does mean it's easier to find a good safety than it is say a good CB or run stuffing DT. It does mean that there is more depth at the safety position in terms of quality players of that position around the league than other defensive positions, and that the"cream of the crop" (which doesn't even seem to be a consistent or consensus group depending on who you talk to) isn't in fact that far and above the next level of guys. Put it this way, as a Charger fan, the difference between Kiel and Reed, while notable, is much less important than the difference between Jammer and Bailey.

 

[Wadsworth]

I think Troy is as good as any safety, but the truth is that safeties are a dime a dozen in the NFL. There are just a lot more people that fit the athletic mold of a safety than most other positions in football. You don't have to be 6'5", or have 4.3 speed, be overly strong, or weigh 300 pounds. So there's a large pool of people that fit, which means there's a glut of very good players at that position. The Adrian Wilson comment posted above is a good example. People must have listed 15 guys(all good safeties) before his name was even mentioned and Wilson is one heck of a safety. And there's plenty more that haven't been mentioned yet.

So you don't think the Cardinals would rather have Ed Reed, Sean Taylor or Polamalu in a split second if their teams wanted to trade, straight up ?? You could say the same about any position in the NFL, they are all great athletes if they are pros.

You seem to have missed his point, I'd try and reframe it, but reading his post again I don't think I could do better.

No, I didn't. You say that any safety in the NFL is pretty much interchangable, I'm saying that Reed, Polamalu and Taylor are the cream of the crop, and the others at are not really all that close.

I don't see anywhere that he said any safety in the NFL is pretty much interchangable. What I do see him saying is:Within the context of the NFL (not the entire population of the world), when considering what it takes to be good at a position on defense, the requirements for playing safety are lesser than the other positions - therefore to quote verbatim " there's a large pool of people that fit, which means there's a glut of very good players at that position." This does not mean that in considering NFL safeties against each other there is no difference, or that one is not in fact better than another. It does mean it's easier to find a good safety than it is say a good CB or run stuffing DT. It does mean that there is more depth at the safety position in terms of quality players of that position around the league than other defensive positions, and that the"cream of the crop" (which doesn't even seem to be a consistent or consensus group depending on who you talk to) isn't in fact that far and above the next level of guys. Put it this way, as a Charger fan, the difference between Kiel and Reed, while notable, is much less important than the difference between Jammer and Bailey.

You where wrong, you could state it better.

 

[jurb26]

I think Troy is as good as any safety, but the truth is that safeties are a dime a dozen in the NFL. There are just a lot more people that fit the athletic mold of a safety than most other positions in football. You don't have to be 6'5", or have 4.3 speed, be overly strong, or weigh 300 pounds. So there's a large pool of people that fit, which means there's a glut of very good players at that position. The Adrian Wilson comment posted above is a good example. People must have listed 15 guys(all good safeties) before his name was even mentioned and Wilson is one heck of a safety. And there's plenty more that haven't been mentioned yet.

So you don't think the Cardinals would rather have Ed Reed, Sean Taylor or Polamalu in a split second if their teams wanted to trade, straight up ?? You could say the same about any position in the NFL, they are all great athletes if they are pros.

You seem to have missed his point, I'd try and reframe it, but reading his post again I don't think I could do better.

No, I didn't. You say that any safety in the NFL is pretty much interchangable, I'm saying that Reed, Polamalu and Taylor are the cream of the crop, and the others at are not really all that close.

I don't see anywhere that he said any safety in the NFL is pretty much interchangable. What I do see him saying is:Within the context of the NFL (not the entire population of the world), when considering what it takes to be good at a position on defense, the requirements for playing safety are lesser than the other positions - therefore to quote verbatim " there's a large pool of people that fit, which means there's a glut of very good players at that position." This does not mean that in considering NFL safeties against each other there is no difference, or that one is not in fact better than another. It does mean it's easier to find a good safety than it is say a good CB or run stuffing DT. It does mean that there is more depth at the safety position in terms of quality players of that position around the league than other defensive positions, and that the"cream of the crop" (which doesn't even seem to be a consistent or consensus group depending on who you talk to) isn't in fact that far and above the next level of guys. Put it this way, as a Charger fan, the difference between Kiel and Reed, while notable, is much less important than the difference between Jammer and Bailey.

I couldn't disagree more. What seperates good safeties form great ones is INSTINCTS. You just can't coach that ability to see the field as if it's in slow motion. Beat the other guy to the spot. Safties are the QBs of D.

 

[Sheriff66]

I think Troy is as good as any safety, but the truth is that safeties are a dime a dozen in the NFL. There are just a lot more people that fit the athletic mold of a safety than most other positions in football. You don't have to be 6'5", or have 4.3 speed, be overly strong, or weigh 300 pounds. So there's a large pool of people that fit, which means there's a glut of very good players at that position. The Adrian Wilson comment posted above is a good example. People must have listed 15 guys(all good safeties) before his name was even mentioned and Wilson is one heck of a safety. And there's plenty more that haven't been mentioned yet.

So you don't think the Cardinals would rather have Ed Reed, Sean Taylor or Polamalu in a split second if their teams wanted to trade, straight up ?? You could say the same about any position in the NFL, they are all great athletes if they are pros.

You seem to have missed his point, I'd try and reframe it, but reading his post again I don't think I could do better.

No, I didn't. You say that any safety in the NFL is pretty much interchangable, I'm saying that Reed, Polamalu and Taylor are the cream of the crop, and the others at are not really all that close.

I don't see anywhere that he said any safety in the NFL is pretty much interchangable. What I do see him saying is:Within the context of the NFL (not the entire population of the world), when considering what it takes to be good at a position on defense, the requirements for playing safety are lesser than the other positions - therefore to quote verbatim " there's a large pool of people that fit, which means there's a glut of very good players at that position." This does not mean that in considering NFL safeties against each other there is no difference, or that one is not in fact better than another. It does mean it's easier to find a good safety than it is say a good CB or run stuffing DT. It does mean that there is more depth at the safety position in terms of quality players of that position around the league than other defensive positions, and that the"cream of the crop" (which doesn't even seem to be a consistent or consensus group depending on who you talk to) isn't in fact that far and above the next level of guys. Put it this way, as a Charger fan, the difference between Kiel and Reed, while notable, is much less important than the difference between Jammer and Bailey.

I couldn't disagree more. What seperates good safeties form great ones is INSTINCTS. You just can't coach that ability to see the field as if it's in slow motion. Beat the other guy to the spot. Safties are the QBs of D.

Wow, you read my mind, I was just coming to post this after reading his reply, VERY

 

[Gr00vus]

I couldn't disagree more. What seperates good safeties form great ones is INSTINCTS. You just can't coach that ability to see the field as if it's in slow motion. Beat the other guy to the spot. Safties are the QBs of D.

Wow, simply put I think you're totally wrong. But I'll say a bit more.Saftey is where you go when you're too small/weak to play the front 7 and too slow/not agile enough to play CB. Safety should be the LEAST important part of your 11 defensive players. Plays should be getting made in front of him most of the time. Safetys have the MOST time to react of any defensive player on the field, and thus have the LEAST need for "INSTINCTS" of any defensive player on the field. They have anywhere from 10 to 30 yards (as opposed to the 2 to 20 feet all the other players have to deal with) of lead space to see a play develop and react - all they have to do on the run is see which gap the RB is going towards and run to it (unless you're playing Barry Sanders, then you just stay home), very little instict required compared to the other positions. On passing plays they just need to keep the play in front of them - that's really what they're required to do most of the time - again not much instinct required. It may be a bit more cerebral in that they can see more of the field and thus would be better able to recognize offensive formations, read the qb in his progression, etc. and make a decision based on that - but calling the safety the QB of the defense is a real stretch. I always thought that was one of the linebackers.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I couldn't disagree more. What seperates good safeties form great ones is INSTINCTS. You just can't coach that ability to see the field as if it's in slow motion. Beat the other guy to the spot. Safties are the QBs of D.

Wow, simply put I think you're totally wrong. But I'll say a bit more.Saftey is where you go when you're too small/weak to play the front 7 and too slow/not agile enough to play CB. Safety should be the LEAST important part of your 11 defensive players. Plays should be getting made in front of him most of the time. Safetys have the MOST time to react of any defensive player on the field, and thus have the LEAST need for "INSTINCTS" of any defensive player on the field. They have anywhere from 10 to 30 yards (as opposed to the 2 to 20 feet all the other players have to deal with) of lead space to see a play develop and react - all they have to do on the run is see which gap the RB is going towards and run to it (unless you're playing Barry Sanders, then you just stay home), very little instict required compared to the other positions. On passing plays they just need to keep the play in front of them - that's really what they're required to do most of the time - again not much instinct required. It may be a bit more cerebral in that they can see more of the field and thus would be better able to recognize offensive formations, read the qb in his progression, etc. and make a decision based on that - but calling the safety the QB of the defense is a real stretch. I always thought that was one of the linebackers.

To say that playing safety requires less instinct than any other defensive position really ruins the credibility of your entire post and pretty much shows that you have no background in actual football. Safety is the position that least often finds itself with a very specific assignment, instincts are absolutely vital there much moreso than pretty much any position on defense. I could possibly see someone making an argument for LBs, although personally I would call that more reaction than instinct (they immediately see which way the play is headed and go head first attacking it, they don't really have to instinctively figure out where the play is going), but outside of that (which again I still disagree with) there is no other position that can really be compared to it on defense in terms of the importance of instinct.

 

[Gr00vus]

the position that least often finds itself with a very specific assignment, instincts are absolutely vital there much moreso than pretty much any position on defense

In that case you read and react - that's an application of knowledge and analysis. At safety you have more time than anyone else on the defense to see the play unfold and make a knowledgable decision about where to go and what to do in response. Applying knowledge and analysis is the exact opposite of working off instinct.

in‧stinct1  /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-stingkt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation–noun1.	an inborn pattern of activity or tendency to action common to a given biological species.2.	a natural or innate impulse, inclination, or tendency.3.	a natural aptitude or gift: an instinct for making money.4.	natural intuitive power.

Your post makes no sense to me. How can it require less instinct to need to react correctly in a milliseccond timeframe (linemen, CB, linebacker somewhat) than a second or multiple second time frame (safety)?Also please to be listing all the safeties who've successsfully been converted to CBs at the pro level, in comparison to all the CBs who've made the successful transition to safety, usually late in their careers? I'll save you the trouble - it doesn't really happen does it? You know why? Because as you get older you lose a step or two, your reaction time slows, you aren't able to act on your "instincts" as well, so you're moved to a position where those things are less vital - safety.Let me reiterate - the safety's job is to keep the play in front of them. That's not an instinctual job - that's a read and react, information analysis and processing job. You don't guess, play hunches or go over to instinct at safety - because you're much more likely to be out of position if you do, which can lead to you getting burned and burned badly.All those times people are wondering where the safety is on big plays - the answer is always either he read the play wrong (reading is not an instinct) or his "instinct" led him to be out of position.

 

[commisholio]

Your post makes no sense to me. How can it require less instinct to need to react correctly in a milliseccond timeframe (linemen, CB, linebacker somewhat) than a second or multiple second time frame (safety)?Also please to be listing all the safeties who've successsfully been converted to CBs at the pro level, in comparison to all the CBs who've made the successful transition to safety, usually late in their careers? I'll save you the trouble - it doesn't really happen does it? You know why? Because as you get older you lose a step or two, your reaction time slows, you aren't able to act on your "instincts" as well, so you're moved to a position where those things are less vital - safety.Let me reiterate - the safety's job is to keep the play in front of them. That's not an instinctual job - that's a read and react, information analysis and processing job. You don't guess, play hunches or go over to instinct at safety - because you're much more likely to be out of position if you do, which can lead to you getting burned and burned badly.All those times people are wondering where the safety is on big plays - the answer is always either he read the play wrong (reading is not an instinct) or his "instinct" led him to be out of position.

You are absolutely right here Gr00vus.

 

[Sheriff66]

I couldn't disagree more. What seperates good safeties form great ones is INSTINCTS. You just can't coach that ability to see the field as if it's in slow motion. Beat the other guy to the spot. Safties are the QBs of D.

Wow, simply put I think you're totally wrong. But I'll say a bit more.Saftey is where you go when you're too small/weak to play the front 7 and too slow/not agile enough to play CB. Safety should be the LEAST important part of your 11 defensive players. Plays should be getting made in front of him most of the time. Safetys have the MOST time to react of any defensive player on the field, and thus have the LEAST need for "INSTINCTS" of any defensive player on the field. They have anywhere from 10 to 30 yards (as opposed to the 2 to 20 feet all the other players have to deal with) of lead space to see a play develop and react - all they have to do on the run is see which gap the RB is going towards and run to it (unless you're playing Barry Sanders, then you just stay home), very little instict required compared to the other positions. On passing plays they just need to keep the play in front of them - that's really what they're required to do most of the time - again not much instinct required. It may be a bit more cerebral in that they can see more of the field and thus would be better able to recognize offensive formations, read the qb in his progression, etc. and make a decision based on that - but calling the safety the QB of the defense is a real stretch. I always thought that was one of the linebackers.

I think that is what you are not getting, you may not need as many INSTINCTS(debatable) as a CB, but the truly great ones have incredible instincts. They also are the one calling the coverages for the defense like a LB makes the calls for the front 7. What do you think set Rodney Harrison apart from all the rest of the safeties in the league for so long ? This isn't your Dad's NFL anymore, the offenses are complex, the WRs and RBs are faster than ever before, the coverages have to keep up, and your not going to stick Joe Blow out there as your saftey anymore and be successful. The safety position has been revolutionized( just as the TE position has) with all the new great players coming into the league (Reed, Polamalu, Taylor). Go ask the players on the Steelers, Redskins and Ravens D who their best player is....

 

[jurb26]

I couldn't disagree more. What seperates good safeties form great ones is INSTINCTS. You just can't coach that ability to see the field as if it's in slow motion. Beat the other guy to the spot. Safties are the QBs of D.

Wow, simply put I think you're totally wrong. But I'll say a bit more.Saftey is where you go when you're too small/weak to play the front 7 and too slow/not agile enough to play CB. Safety should be the LEAST important part of your 11 defensive players. Plays should be getting made in front of him most of the time. Safetys have the MOST time to react of any defensive player on the field, and thus have the LEAST need for "INSTINCTS" of any defensive player on the field. They have anywhere from 10 to 30 yards (as opposed to the 2 to 20 feet all the other players have to deal with) of lead space to see a play develop and react - all they have to do on the run is see which gap the RB is going towards and run to it (unless you're playing Barry Sanders, then you just stay home), very little instict required compared to the other positions. On passing plays they just need to keep the play in front of them - that's really what they're required to do most of the time - again not much instinct required. It may be a bit more cerebral in that they can see more of the field and thus would be better able to recognize offensive formations, read the qb in his progression, etc. and make a decision based on that - but calling the safety the QB of the defense is a real stretch. I always thought that was one of the linebackers.

To say that playing safety requires less instinct than any other defensive position really ruins the credibility of your entire post and pretty much shows that you have no background in actual football. Safety is the position that least often finds itself with a very specific assignment, instincts are absolutely vital there much moreso than pretty much any position on defense. I could possibly see someone making an argument for LBs, although personally I would call that more reaction than instinct (they immediately see which way the play is headed and go head first attacking it, they don't really have to instinctively figure out where the play is going), but outside of that (which again I still disagree with) there is no other position that can really be compared to it on defense in terms of the importance of instinct.

I agree. GrOOvus, you are not making yourself look good here IMO. Safties have the MOST reads of anyone in a D. They have the most on field "coaching" responsibility of anybody. They are the ones that most Ds design to make tackles by filling allies. On every given play the Saftey has at LEAST 2 major reads. Other positions have 2 at most. They are the 1st read of EVERY QB from High School to NFL. They get out of position by even 1 yard it will cost their entire D as a QB WILL NOT miss it. There is a reason that QBs look off the SAFETY you know. QBs and Os are designed to get Safeties out of positon more than any other postions in football. Just likes Ds are designed to confuse and baffle QBs. This is not a an event of chance. They are also the last line of defense in a lot of cases and are least affordable of making a mistake 2nd only to CBs. Sure, you can atake a guy with what you call "average' athletic abilities and throw him out there to play Saftey. You know what though, the entire D will be working to cover up that average player becaue he is a vital cog in that D. Plus, you could say the same exact thing about ANY position except CB IMO. Odds are however if that guy is average in physical attributes and playing safety, he has remarkable football instincts and play recognition ability. There is a reason why the top Safties in the NFL allow their Ds so much freedom on the field. They not only have the range and athletic ability to recover, they have impecable instincts to not end up out of position in the first place. It's not often a Safety makes a mistake and we all don't see. How often can you say that about other positions?

 

[jurb26]

Your post makes no sense to me. How can it require less instinct to need to react correctly in a milliseccond timeframe (linemen, CB, linebacker somewhat) than a second or multiple second time frame (safety)?Also please to be listing all the safeties who've successsfully been converted to CBs at the pro level, in comparison to all the CBs who've made the successful transition to safety, usually late in their careers? I'll save you the trouble - it doesn't really happen does it? You know why? Because as you get older you lose a step or two, your reaction time slows, you aren't able to act on your "instincts" as well, so you're moved to a position where those things are less vital - safety.Let me reiterate - the safety's job is to keep the play in front of them. That's not an instinctual job - that's a read and react, information analysis and processing job. You don't guess, play hunches or go over to instinct at safety - because you're much more likely to be out of position if you do, which can lead to you getting burned and burned badly.All those times people are wondering where the safety is on big plays - the answer is always either he read the play wrong (reading is not an instinct) or his "instinct" led him to be out of position.

Wow, just wow. You make it sound as if Safties just sit back in a prevent D all day long. This is totally inacurate. COVERAGE and the defensive PLAY determins what a Safety does on any given play. It is only a starting piont however. He then has few key reads that take over at the snap of the ball. Every formation change has an effect on his responsiblities and those of the entire D. The Safety is the one who has to call out those changes and react as a football player and on field coach. Reading your tackles can change reposnibility at the snap of the ball. This is the most complex position of any on Defence as far as reads and football instincts. You say that CBs get thrown into safety all the time. How many of those "superior athletes" actually make that swtich effectivly? Not many. You know why. Insticts and reads. You can give me the best athlete in the world, that don't mean he can play safety. You can give me the best athlete in the world but he sure as hell can play CB. Just leave him 1 on 1 with a WR and forget about everything else. Need I even remind you of Carnel Lake?

 

[poopdawg]

the position that least often finds itself with a very specific assignment, instincts are absolutely vital there much moreso than pretty much any position on defense

In that case you read and react - that's an application of knowledge and analysis. At safety you have more time than anyone else on the defense to see the play unfold and make a knowledgable decision about where to go and what to do in response. Applying knowledge and analysis is the exact opposite of working off instinct.

in‧stinct1  /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-stingkt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation–noun1.	an inborn pattern of activity or tendency to action common to a given biological species.2.	a natural or innate impulse, inclination, or tendency.3.	a natural aptitude or gift: an instinct for making money.4.	natural intuitive power.

Your post makes no sense to me. How can it require less instinct to need to react correctly in a milliseccond timeframe (linemen, CB, linebacker somewhat) than a second or multiple second time frame (safety)?Also please to be listing all the safeties who've successsfully been converted to CBs at the pro level, in comparison to all the CBs who've made the successful transition to safety, usually late in their careers? I'll save you the trouble - it doesn't really happen does it? You know why? Because as you get older you lose a step or two, your reaction time slows, you aren't able to act on your "instincts" as well, so you're moved to a position where those things are less vital - safety.Let me reiterate - the safety's job is to keep the play in front of them. That's not an instinctual job - that's a read and react, information analysis and processing job. You don't guess, play hunches or go over to instinct at safety - because you're much more likely to be out of position if you do, which can lead to you getting burned and burned badly.All those times people are wondering where the safety is on big plays - the answer is always either he read the play wrong (reading is not an instinct) or his "instinct" led him to be out of position.

Consider how many times Polamalu is up on the line in a blitz package and has to react. Sometimes dropping back into coverage. Safety is not always the furthest from the action.

 

[Wadsworth]

But instincts have nothing to do with this debate.

What if the player was 5'6" 145 lbs and had amazing instincts? Is he going to be a great safety? Of course not because to play safety in the NFL, no matter how good your intstincts are you have to have a certain level of size. Look at left tackles. Would a really hard working guy that was 6'0" with short arms be able to play LT? No. The prototype LT is about 6'7" 315 lbs, has long arms, fast feet, and good balance. God just doesn't make many people like that. So it's a much smaller pool of people that are possible LTs in the NFL.

Jump back to safeties. You can play safety in the NFL being anywhere from 5'10" to 6'4" or so. You don't need great speed, size or strength. Sure the great safeties have great football instincts. But there's a much larger pool of football players that athletically fit the mold of a potential safety. Safety is were the good football players go that are not big enough to play up front and aren't fast or fluid enough to play corner or WR. And there are a LOT of football players like that. It doesn't mean that the great safeties are not great football players. But it does mean that behind the great safeties are a ton of guys that are pretty close to as good. That's why teams rarely break the bank to pay safeties. Why pay a star safety 8m per when you can get a pretty dang good one for 3m per per. You can't do that with most of the other positions.

Interior O-linemen are in a similar position for the big guys. There are a lot more guys with the physical tools to play guard than tackle. That's why tackles get so much more money. They are harder to find and more expensive to replace.

 

[jurb26]

You can play safety in the NFL being anywhere from 5'10" to 6'4" or so. You don't need great speed, size or strength. Sure the great safeties have great football instincts. But there's a much larger pool of football players that athletically fit the mold of a potential safety. Safety is were the good football players go that are not big enough to play up front and aren't fast or fluid enough to play corner or WR. And there are a LOT of football players like that.

This is wher I feel you and GrOOvus are simply missing the boat. Sure, safeties don't "need" to have the athletic measurables as many other positions. However, whatever they lack or don't quite need in athletic ability is made up for in football instinct and play recognition. Nobody is saying that Safties need to be athletic freaks like some CBs and DEs. Only that they have to be the smartest football players out there on D. If their not, they become an instant liability.

 

[ren hoek]

Polamalu is a throwback.

Polamalu hampered by shoulder injury

By Mike Prisuta

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Thursday, September 21, 2006

It was a play that could have changed the game.

It was a play Troy Polamalu could have made, if only ...

Second-and-five from the Jacksonville 13-yard line, Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich looked for wide receiver Reggie Williams on a flanker screen along the near sideline.

Polamalu, the Steelers' All-Pro strong safety, anticipated the play, jumped the route and deflected the ball with his left hand but failed to intercept it.

That's how close a 3-0, fourth-quarter Jaguars lead came to turning into a 7-3 Steelers advantage.

"I reached out there with my right arm," Polamalu said Wednesday, the Steelers' first day back at practice following Monday night's 9-0 loss. "I think if I would have had maybe about three or four more inches, which I probably could have (if I were) healthy, but who knows if I would have even caught the ball, anyway, you know?"

What's certain is Polamalu is playing at less than 100 percent efficiency -- to the extent that his gait is noticeably different on and off the field due to a right shoulder injury sustained in the Steelers' 28-17, season-opening win over Miami on Sept. 7.

"You guys have seen it, I guess," Polamalu said to a media assemblage. "It's just tough to let my arm hang, in general. If walking is tough, tackling (Jacksonville's) Fred Taylor or any running back for that matter is always going to be tough."

Polamalu opened last week listed as questionable on the Steelers' injury report but was quickly upgraded to probable.

He characterized his injury prior to the Jacksonville game as "a bone bruise, a shoulder contusion and something with my bursa sac."

It's not a condition Polamalu anticipates having to deal with all season.

"I'm sure it'll go away, God willing," he said yesterday.

The Steelers had to adjust the way Polamalu attacked in Jacksonville, and they might have to do so again when Cincinnati visits Heinz Field on Sunday.

"He still made the correct reads, the correct calls," cornerback Deshea Townsend said. "You probably didn't see him just throwing his body in there as much because of the shoulder, but he still went out there and played a good game.

"Certain defenses where he might have had the chance to sacrifice his body, he might have sent (free safety) Ryan (Clark). That allowed him to play that much longer."

Polamalu finished with three tackles and two passes defended.

"Ryan did a good job to help complement me and keep me out of certain situations," Polamalu said. "We played great team defense, but we missed a lot of tackles and could have done a lot of things better.

"There are a lot of things I could have done better."

Polamalu practiced yesterday but was listed on the injury report as questionable for Sunday.

"There are a lot of people playing with pain and injuries on this team that I'm sure you guys don't even know about," he said. "And if it was up to me, you guys wouldn't even know about this injury. But, unfortunately, I guess, it's that obvious. You just have to push through it, just like everybody else on this team."

"I'm just one guy of 11 on this defense, just one arm of 22."

Mike Prisuta can be reached at mprisuta@tribweb.com

Cute.I'd agree that as far as instincts and ball-hawking ability go, he's above-average. From a purely athletic standpoint, he's as good as any safety in the league.

I also think he's a terrible tackler. And I bet that if you asked people how many INTs he had last year, they would have guessed a hell of a lot more than 2.

If he has regular hair, nobody really gives a crap about him. He is over-rated.

 

[Wadsworth]

You can play safety in the NFL being anywhere from 5'10" to 6'4" or so. You don't need great speed, size or strength. Sure the great safeties have great football instincts. But there's a much larger pool of football players that athletically fit the mold of a potential safety. Safety is were the good football players go that are not big enough to play up front and aren't fast or fluid enough to play corner or WR. And there are a LOT of football players like that.

This is wher I feel you and GrOOvus are simply missing the boat. Sure, safeties don't "need" to have the athletic measurables as many other positions. However, whatever they lack or don't quite need in athletic ability is made up for in football instinct and play recognition. Nobody is saying that Safties need to be athletic freaks like some CBs and DEs. Only that they have to be the smartest football players out there on D. If their not, they become an instant liability.

I would counter that centers have to fill a similar role on offense. Besides QB, centers have the most thinking to do presnap. You need a smart center. But how many centers get the big free agent money? Not many, because there are a lot of guys that physically fit the requirements for a center, so the drop off from a great one to a good one isn't a severe as it is at other positions. Two ways I can think of to settle this debate and I don't know the answer to either off the top of my head. 1. Look at the franchise tag cap hit for the position. The lower it is, the more replaceable the position is considered.2. Look at the draft. How many players where drafted by position and how early. A position that is tough to replace talent at should have more teams drafting that position more often, more early.

 

[Sheriff66]

Polamalu is a throwback.

Polamalu hampered by shoulder injury

By Mike Prisuta

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Thursday, September 21, 2006

It was a play that could have changed the game.

It was a play Troy Polamalu could have made, if only ...

Second-and-five from the Jacksonville 13-yard line, Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich looked for wide receiver Reggie Williams on a flanker screen along the near sideline.

Polamalu, the Steelers' All-Pro strong safety, anticipated the play, jumped the route and deflected the ball with his left hand but failed to intercept it.

That's how close a 3-0, fourth-quarter Jaguars lead came to turning into a 7-3 Steelers advantage.

"I reached out there with my right arm," Polamalu said Wednesday, the Steelers' first day back at practice following Monday night's 9-0 loss. "I think if I would have had maybe about three or four more inches, which I probably could have (if I were) healthy, but who knows if I would have even caught the ball, anyway, you know?"

What's certain is Polamalu is playing at less than 100 percent efficiency -- to the extent that his gait is noticeably different on and off the field due to a right shoulder injury sustained in the Steelers' 28-17, season-opening win over Miami on Sept. 7.

"You guys have seen it, I guess," Polamalu said to a media assemblage. "It's just tough to let my arm hang, in general. If walking is tough, tackling (Jacksonville's) Fred Taylor or any running back for that matter is always going to be tough."

Polamalu opened last week listed as questionable on the Steelers' injury report but was quickly upgraded to probable.

He characterized his injury prior to the Jacksonville game as "a bone bruise, a shoulder contusion and something with my bursa sac."

It's not a condition Polamalu anticipates having to deal with all season.

"I'm sure it'll go away, God willing," he said yesterday.

The Steelers had to adjust the way Polamalu attacked in Jacksonville, and they might have to do so again when Cincinnati visits Heinz Field on Sunday.

"He still made the correct reads, the correct calls," cornerback Deshea Townsend said. "You probably didn't see him just throwing his body in there as much because of the shoulder, but he still went out there and played a good game.

"Certain defenses where he might have had the chance to sacrifice his body, he might have sent (free safety) Ryan (Clark). That allowed him to play that much longer."

Polamalu finished with three tackles and two passes defended.

"Ryan did a good job to help complement me and keep me out of certain situations," Polamalu said. "We played great team defense, but we missed a lot of tackles and could have done a lot of things better.

"There are a lot of things I could have done better."

Polamalu practiced yesterday but was listed on the injury report as questionable for Sunday.

"There are a lot of people playing with pain and injuries on this team that I'm sure you guys don't even know about," he said. "And if it was up to me, you guys wouldn't even know about this injury. But, unfortunately, I guess, it's that obvious. You just have to push through it, just like everybody else on this team."

"I'm just one guy of 11 on this defense, just one arm of 22."

Mike Prisuta can be reached at mprisuta@tribweb.com

Cute.I'd agree that as far as instincts and ball-hawking ability go, he's above-average. From a purely athletic standpoint, he's as good as any safety in the league.

I also think he's a terrible tackler. And I bet that if you asked people how many INTs he had last year, they would have guessed a hell of a lot more than 2.

If he has regular hair, nobody really gives a crap about him. He is over-rated.

You must have only seen one Steelers game in your life, Monday night....

 

[Steelers4Life]

Polamalu is a throwback.

Polamalu hampered by shoulder injury

By Mike Prisuta

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Thursday, September 21, 2006

It was a play that could have changed the game.

It was a play Troy Polamalu could have made, if only ...

Second-and-five from the Jacksonville 13-yard line, Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich looked for wide receiver Reggie Williams on a flanker screen along the near sideline.

Polamalu, the Steelers' All-Pro strong safety, anticipated the play, jumped the route and deflected the ball with his left hand but failed to intercept it.

That's how close a 3-0, fourth-quarter Jaguars lead came to turning into a 7-3 Steelers advantage.

"I reached out there with my right arm," Polamalu said Wednesday, the Steelers' first day back at practice following Monday night's 9-0 loss. "I think if I would have had maybe about three or four more inches, which I probably could have (if I were) healthy, but who knows if I would have even caught the ball, anyway, you know?"

What's certain is Polamalu is playing at less than 100 percent efficiency -- to the extent that his gait is noticeably different on and off the field due to a right shoulder injury sustained in the Steelers' 28-17, season-opening win over Miami on Sept. 7.

"You guys have seen it, I guess," Polamalu said to a media assemblage. "It's just tough to let my arm hang, in general. If walking is tough, tackling (Jacksonville's) Fred Taylor or any running back for that matter is always going to be tough."

Polamalu opened last week listed as questionable on the Steelers' injury report but was quickly upgraded to probable.

He characterized his injury prior to the Jacksonville game as "a bone bruise, a shoulder contusion and something with my bursa sac."

It's not a condition Polamalu anticipates having to deal with all season.

"I'm sure it'll go away, God willing," he said yesterday.

The Steelers had to adjust the way Polamalu attacked in Jacksonville, and they might have to do so again when Cincinnati visits Heinz Field on Sunday.

"He still made the correct reads, the correct calls," cornerback Deshea Townsend said. "You probably didn't see him just throwing his body in there as much because of the shoulder, but he still went out there and played a good game.

"Certain defenses where he might have had the chance to sacrifice his body, he might have sent (free safety) Ryan (Clark). That allowed him to play that much longer."

Polamalu finished with three tackles and two passes defended.

"Ryan did a good job to help complement me and keep me out of certain situations," Polamalu said. "We played great team defense, but we missed a lot of tackles and could have done a lot of things better.

"There are a lot of things I could have done better."

Polamalu practiced yesterday but was listed on the injury report as questionable for Sunday.

"There are a lot of people playing with pain and injuries on this team that I'm sure you guys don't even know about," he said. "And if it was up to me, you guys wouldn't even know about this injury. But, unfortunately, I guess, it's that obvious. You just have to push through it, just like everybody else on this team."

"I'm just one guy of 11 on this defense, just one arm of 22."

Mike Prisuta can be reached at mprisuta@tribweb.com

Cute.I'd agree that as far as instincts and ball-hawking ability go, he's above-average. From a purely athletic standpoint, he's as good as any safety in the league.

I also think he's a terrible tackler. And I bet that if you asked people how many INTs he had last year, they would have guessed a hell of a lot more than 2.

If he has regular hair, nobody really gives a crap about him. He is over-rated.

If you believe Polamalu is a terrible tackler, you haven't watched much Steelers football. He's a tremendous tackler and is one of the key pieces in the Steelers' run defense. He missed a few tackles in the game against the Jags because he was basically playing with one arm.There's no sense in arguing things like this. He's a game-changing safety and the one member of the defense who the Steelers can least afford to lose.

 

[The Jacket]

The man makes huge plays everytime I watch the Steelers play, and I mean EVERYTIME.

Watch more games then. Last Monday would've been a good one.

 

[This_Is_Not_VRR]

You can play safety in the NFL being anywhere from 5'10" to 6'4" or so. You don't need great speed, size or strength. Sure the great safeties have great football instincts. But there's a much larger pool of football players that athletically fit the mold of a potential safety. Safety is were the good football players go that are not big enough to play up front and aren't fast or fluid enough to play corner or WR. And there are a LOT of football players like that.

This is wher I feel you and GrOOvus are simply missing the boat. Sure, safeties don't "need" to have the athletic measurables as many other positions. However, whatever they lack or don't quite need in athletic ability is made up for in football instinct and play recognition. Nobody is saying that Safties need to be athletic freaks like some CBs and DEs. Only that they have to be the smartest football players out there on D. If their not, they become an instant liability.

You must have the safety position confused with the middle linebacker position.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

The man makes huge plays everytime I watch the Steelers play, and I mean EVERYTIME.

Watch more games then. Last Monday would've been a good one. the exception to the rule.

fixed

 

[FreeBaGeL]

the position that least often finds itself with a very specific assignment, instincts are absolutely vital there much moreso than pretty much any position on defense

In that case you read and react - that's an application of knowledge and analysis. At safety you have more time than anyone else on the defense to see the play unfold and make a knowledgable decision about where to go and what to do in response. Applying knowledge and analysis is the exact opposite of working off instinct.

in‧stinct1  /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-stingkt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation–noun1.	an inborn pattern of activity or tendency to action common to a given biological species.2.	a natural or innate impulse, inclination, or tendency.3.	a natural aptitude or gift: an instinct for making money.4.	natural intuitive power.

Your post makes no sense to me. How can it require less instinct to need to react correctly in a milliseccond timeframe (linemen, CB, linebacker somewhat) than a second or multiple second time frame (safety)?Also please to be listing all the safeties who've successsfully been converted to CBs at the pro level, in comparison to all the CBs who've made the successful transition to safety, usually late in their careers? I'll save you the trouble - it doesn't really happen does it? You know why? Because as you get older you lose a step or two, your reaction time slows, you aren't able to act on your "instincts" as well, so you're moved to a position where those things are less vital - safety.Let me reiterate - the safety's job is to keep the play in front of them. That's not an instinctual job - that's a read and react, information analysis and processing job. You don't guess, play hunches or go over to instinct at safety - because you're much more likely to be out of position if you do, which can lead to you getting burned and burned badly.All those times people are wondering where the safety is on big plays - the answer is always either he read the play wrong (reading is not an instinct) or his "instinct" led him to be out of position.

I can't say that anything you're saying here really makes sense to me. Saying that having less time to react means more instinct is foolish in this case. While I'm not downplaying the thinking aspect of LB at all as there is a lot of it, on a run play from that spot you basically see everyone going left, so you go headfirst to the left. Reaction. And if you're wrong, you give up a few extra yards.With a safety you're looking so much further in advance from the point you have to make your read to the point where the read actually happens. If you decide to jump on an out underneath you can't wait until the ball is half-way there. The thing about Pololamu is that a lot of times it's almost like he knows where the QB is throwing the ball before the QB does, and unlike the LB if he's wrong it's a lot more than a couple extra yards.You act like safeties sit up in the stands, wait for the play to play itself out and then say "oh hey I guess I'd better go tackle that guy", which just isn't the case especially with a guy like Troy.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Just an update, and it doesn't exactly fill me with hope....

http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?n...78568&rfi=6

Polamalu ... refused to miss practice even though the pain in his bruised right shoulder is excruciating.

Coach Bill Cowher said that Polamalu is "playing hurt." That was evident at practice Wednesday when Polamalu could hardly raise his right arm.

 

[Fla\/\/ed]

My guess is that weasel3515=BGP.

 

[Sheriff66]

My guess is that weasel3515=BGP.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I also think he's a terrible tackler.

I respect your opinion, but come on. I forget which game it was (maybe someone can help me,) but I distinctly recall one game where the opposition was trying to convery a 3rd and 8 or 9 and threw a well-executed screen pass. The receiver had 2 blockers in front of him and only Polamalu between him and the first down. Polamalu managed to fight off 2 offensive lineman and stop the receiver with one arm a yard short of the first down.Granted, this is one play I'm bringing up, but a "terrible tackler" would not have made that play in a million years. In fact, I'd venture to say there are VERY few players in the NFL who could have made that stop. Polamalu is an athletic freak who plays with a non-stop motor, can cover, can lay the wood against the run, and has a knack for making big plays in big moments. There's a reason why people would have guessed he had more than 2 interceptions - because when he makes those plays, they're always in big spots, and he often runs the ball back for a TD with one of his Taz-like returns. He's not the guy making the pick on the last-second hail mary in a 42-0 game. He comes up big when the stakes are high, and that's why he is not overrated.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

For a change i'm just a spectator in a Steelers thread.

For the record if Polumalu is overrated then so is Jessica Alba.

 

[Jayrod]

the position that least often finds itself with a very specific assignment, instincts are absolutely vital there much moreso than pretty much any position on defense

In that case you read and react - that's an application of knowledge and analysis. At safety you have more time than anyone else on the defense to see the play unfold and make a knowledgable decision about where to go and what to do in response. Applying knowledge and analysis is the exact opposite of working off instinct.Your post makes no sense to me. How can it require less instinct to need to react correctly in a milliseccond timeframe (linemen, CB, linebacker somewhat) than a second or multiple second time frame (safety)?Also please to be listing all the safeties who've successsfully been converted to CBs at the pro level, in comparison to all the CBs who've made the successful transition to safety, usually late in their careers? I'll save you the trouble - it doesn't really happen does it? You know why? Because as you get older you lose a step or two, your reaction time slows, you aren't able to act on your "instincts" as well, so you're moved to a position where those things are less vital - safety.Let me reiterate - the safety's job is to keep the play in front of them. That's not an instinctual job - that's a read and react, information analysis and processing job. You don't guess, play hunches or go over to instinct at safety - because you're much more likely to be out of position if you do, which can lead to you getting burned and burned badly.All those times people are wondering where the safety is on big plays - the answer is always either he read the play wrong (reading is not an instinct) or his "instinct" led him to be out of position.

I can't say that anything you're saying here really makes sense to me. Saying that having less time to react means more instinct is foolish in this case. While I'm not downplaying the thinking aspect of LB at all as there is a lot of it, on a run play from that spot you basically see everyone going left, so you go headfirst to the left. Reaction. And if you're wrong, you give up a few extra yards.With a safety you're looking so much further in advance from the point you have to make your read to the point where the read actually happens. If you decide to jump on an out underneath you can't wait until the ball is half-way there. The thing about Pololamu is that a lot of times it's almost like he knows where the QB is throwing the ball before the QB does, and unlike the LB if he's wrong it's a lot more than a couple extra yards.You act like safeties sit up in the stands, wait for the play to play itself out and then say "oh hey I guess I'd better go tackle that guy", which just isn't the case especially with a guy like Troy.

I was thinking the same thing. Instinct is not the same as reaction. Reaction occurs after something happens, instinct reacts before it happens. Polamalu sees what the offense is doing well before most players and has the quickness to get there and make a difference in the play. That is the rare combination that makes him one of the top 3 safeties in the league. I watch a ton of football and played at the collegiate level, and IMO, Troy Polamalu is one of the best defensive players in the league today.

 

[JohnnyU]

The man makes huge plays everytime I watch the Steelers play, and I mean EVERYTIME.

Watch more games then. Last Monday would've been a good one.

That's right, let's have a knee jerk reaction to one game He's looked great so far in his young career. At least I know that much