The Pittsburgh Steelers scoff at the idea they are better off without Troy Polamalu.
Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers having their best games defensively the last two weeks while Troy Polamalu was injured, the Steelers feel they need Polamalu and that they are better with him on the field.
More from NFL
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Chargers loosen grip on checkbook to pay Justin Herbert: Best memes and tweets
- Patriots backup plan for DeAndre Hopkins is a shot in the dark
- Raiders: Saquon Barkley’s new contract may have screwed over Josh Jacobs
The Steelers face the Baltimore Ravens in the wildcard round of the playoffs Saturday night at Heinz field and it appears Polamalu will be back for the Steelers. There has been talk this week that Polamalu might not start and a debate that the Steelers are better off with fresh legs rather than the aging 33-year-old former defensive player of the year.
The safety has been battling a knee injury for the past couple of weeks and his better days in the league have long since passed. Don’t tell that to the locker room however. They believe they are at their best when their leader is out there on the field.
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” safety Mike Mitchell said to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “That’s absurd. It just shows the disrespect that some people have, and they have no clue about our game.”
Head coach Mike Tomlin had interesting comments earlier in the week when discussing inserting Polamalu back into the lineup.
“The decisions are complex and they’re not going to boil down to just simply medical clearance,” Tomlin said to reporters on Tuesday, “We’re too far on the journey for that to be the case. There are complexities to these things and we’re going to deal with them on a case-by-case basis at the appropriate time. The number one element of discussion is the overall health of the individual.”
The stats say they have improved without Polamalu on the field and perhaps that could lead to changes down the road in the offseason, but the players feel they are in tune with him on the field. Polamalu is the heart and soul of the defense and a legend in Pittsburgh. Casting him off won’t be exactly easy after he’s given so much to the team.
Polamalu hasn’t played since December 14, but he will have a chance to prove himself this week is he is able to get out on the field. If anyone knows how to play the Baltimore Ravens, it’s Polamalu who has made big play after big play against Pittsburgh’s nemesis since coming into the league.
Could Saturday night be his last game in the steel city?
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle