By Mike Prisuta
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, August 22, 2005
Finding Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu on a given snap is growing tiresome this August for Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt.
Wonder how Whisenhunt's counterparts across the NFL are going to enjoy it come September?
Like the players he coaches, Whisenhunt has emerged frustrated, at time,s trying to figure out where Polamalu is going to line up and what he's going to do during training camp practices. It's a daily battle that can be draining and deflating, but also one the Steelers' offense will be better for having fought so often, Whisenhunt maintains.
"We see things that other people don't see," he said.
What they're seeing this season, and what the Miami Dolphins saw on Saturday night, is Polamalu playing strong safety at times, and a strong safety/linebacker hybrid at others. For while the Steelers' "quarter" package features six defensive backs, as the "dime" traditionally has, it also features Polamalu playing a "hero" or "rover" role that's designed to take advantage of his ability to anticipate and accelerate in pursuit of collisions.
In "dime," linebacker Larry Foote and a lineman are removed and replaced by a couple of cornerbacks.
In "quarter," Foote comes out and is replaced, in essence, by Polamalu, while another safety also is added.
Technically, there still are six DBs on the field. But in most instances Polamalu is a defensive back in name only, and can be spotted crowding the box, charging the line of scrimmage, dropping into coverage, anything he can think of to disguise what the Steelers are playing and at the same time free himself up to fly to the football.
"You definitely have to account for it," Whisenhunt said. "It takes time. You have to really prepare for that, because if you don't, you're going to get hit in the backfield, because he's going to come free.
"He's in so many different places. You have to make sure you're protected, scheme-wise."
And even then, a second of hesitation, miscommunication or indecision can be enough to get your quarterback hit in the mouth.
The theory is similar to the freedom the Dolphins are affording Jason Taylor this season, except neither the Dolphins nor anyone else has taken the concept as far as Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau has with Polamalu, in Whisenhunt's estimation.
"They don't do as many things as Troy," he said, "and obviously Troy's a special player."
Polamalu was special enough to make second-team All-Pro in 2004, his first season as a starting safety.
The Steelers envision Polamalu doing even more this season, and are doing everything they can schematically to make it happen.
"Troy's growing as a player, just like some of the other guys are, and they're doing more things with him," Whisenhunt said.
Where's Troy?
Figuring that out will be the Tennessee Titans' problem come Sept. 11.
Mike Prisuta is a columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
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