Polamalu carving his name among greats

By Scott Brown, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Wednesday, August 5, 2009

It can be difficult to reconcile the relentless, hard-hitting player with the person whose soft-spoken manner betrays a gentle soul as well as an aversion to adulation.

Maybe, then, it should come as no surprise that Troy Polamalu, who turns into the Tasmanian Devil on Red Bull when he dons a football uniform, sees himself as anything but a win-at-all-costs player.

"Honestly, I don't like to compete," said Polamalu, whose actions strongly suggest otherwise. "Competition is a good thing as a lot of coaches say, but sometimes it brings out the worst in people. It brings a lot of ego and pride out of people. It brings undermining of friendships. That's not fun."

Polamalu is not nearly as philosophical when the subject is football. And the game, he said, is simply fun to him even at the stage of his career where the aches and pains are more pronounced.

Polamalu's passion for football is one reason why if the Steelers' defense unexpectedly springs a leak this season, it likely won't come on the back end.

Polamalu, who has made five consecutive Pro Bowls, and Ryan Clark form one of the top safety tandems in the NFL. And Polamalu thrust himself back into the discussion of best safety in the NFL with the season he had in 2008.

He intercepted a career-high seven passes during the regular season and had nearly 90 tackles. Polamalu, then, clinched the Steelers' berth in the Super Bowl when he intercepted a Joe Flacco pass and returned it 40 yards for the touchdown that put the AFC title game out of reach.

As offensive coordinators around the league ponder ways to solve a defense that nearly led the NFL in all three majors categories last season, Polamalu is one player for which they will always have trouble accounting.

That is because the strong safety moves around frequently before the snap and has been given enough latitude to do a certain amount of free-lancing.

"I think Troy probably has as much innate football feel as anybody," Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said. "That's probably where Troy's a little different than most people I've coached."

LeBeau said Polamalu compares favorably with former Steelers star Carnell Lake.

"They're two of the best players I've ever had at any position," LeBeau said. "The common points there are their size and their unbelievable acceleration. You just can't believe how fast they are for people that big. Carnell's probably a little stronger, and Troy's probably a little more instinctive."

Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 26: Derrick Ward #34 of the New York Giants is tackled by Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 26, 2008 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Polamalu showed good instincts in 2008 when he opted to spend most of the offseason training in California following two-injury plagued seasons.

Rejuvenated last season, the 5-foot-10, 207-pounder played in all 16 games and collected numerous honors, including a place on the All-Pro team. Polamalu, again, spent this offseason working out in California, and leaving for camp may have been harder than in past years.

Polamalu had to say goodbye to his wife and son, Paisios, who was born this past October, though they have been in Latrobe for the start of camp.

As much as he could do without the drudgery of training camp and having to leave his family, Polamalu, who has many interests outside of football, said he is not even close to thinking about the end of his career.

"Honestly, when you talk about going into the seventh, eighth, ninth year of the NFL, it's more the prime of your career than the end of it," said Polamalu, who is going into his seventh season.

The Steelers seem intent on doing everything they can to preserve Polamalu.

He has practiced on a limited basis since camp began. And Polamalu figures to get his share of days off over the next couple of weeks given his status and familiarity with the Steelers' defense.

"I would imagine he could role out of bed and play strong safety in the NFL," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "That's what makes him Troy."