When the Steelers defensive starters were introduced last night in the electric playoff-like atmosphere of Heinz Field, it was hard not to notice two names missing as the starters were announced.
After a decade of getting used to, and maybe a little spoiled by hearing the names of Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu in big time games like the one last night against the Bengals, nagging injuries kept both on the sidelines.
For Taylor, it’s been a career with little fanfare or recognition beyond Pittsburgh, but for those who have looked beyond the periphery, it’s understood that for much of his career he’s been one of the better cover corners in the NFL.
Polamalu on the other hand has been one of the greatest to ever play the safety position. Most believe his resume, which includes eight Pro-Bowls and four All-Pro honors, will eventually culminate with his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Polamalu also happens to be as popular as any player to ever put on a Steelers uniform, and like Taylor, is revered among teammates and coaches as irreplaceable parts of the organization.
Yet in recent weeks with Polamalu and Taylor out of the lineup, the Steelers defense, particularly against the pass, has been noticeably better. Once two constants in the Steelers secondary are now being discussed for being liabilities, and whether or not they can be trusted to make an impact as the playoffs begin.
This has left many to openly wonder if the Steelers might be need to reevaluate how irreplaceable these two players truly are as they get ready to face the Baltimore Ravens Saturday night in the AFC Wild Card game at Heinz Field.
Not long ago, it would have been hard to imagine a playoff game against the hated Ravens without Polamalu and Taylor.
Now, it might be the exact opposite.
After missing over two months with a forearm injury, Taylor returned in Week 13 against the Saints and was consistently victimized by receiver Kenny Stills. The following week against the Bengals A.J. Green was even worse, and though Taylor would leave that game with a shoulder injury, there were not so subtle whispers that the Steelers were better off using Brice McCain and Antwon Blake moving forward.
It’s hard to debate that argument. Since the Steelers have inserted McCain into the starting lineup, and utilized Blake as a third corner, the Steelers have won four straight and have looked significantly better against the pass. This includes seven interceptions and limiting the big play in their past four games.
Meanwhile, Will Allen has done great work replacing Polamalu while he has been nursing a knee injury. With Allen joining the secondary, the group as whole has become faster and displayed better range, almost impossible to believe considering Polamalu’s reputation of wreaking havoc from his safety position.
Sadly, it’s become clear that Polamalu is simply not the player he once was. Age and a long list of injuries have simply caught up with a Steeler great. It happened to Joe Greene, to Jack Lambert, to Hines Ward. Though it does not make it easier to accept for Steeler fans, it seems that in the cases of both Taylor and Polamalu, it’s simply time to move on, and move on now.
Maybe neither player will be healthy enough to go this Saturday, but now is not the time to risk making a change, regardless of the past, regardless of how valuable both men have been to this proud organization.
From a football standpoint, throwing either of these aging warriors into a must win scenario would be a mistake. Especially playing against a Ravens’ passing attack with a propensity for the big play.
It still does not make the idea of Polamalu and Taylor being on the sidelines for a home playoff game against the Ravens any easier to swallow. Especially considering it is almost certain that Taylor will not be back in 2015, and the talk of Polamalu retiring at the end of the season seemingly getting louder every day.
The Steelers will have to make a painful decision; Do you make a change to the lineup that has helped you not only win four in a row, but also an AFC North title? Or, do you stick with what has worked, even if that means risking an unceremonious ending to the careers of Taylor and Polamalu?
In a game where winning has to be the top priority, the Steelers have little choice. No matter how tough it is to see the end coming for Steeler greats like Taylor and Polamalu, the team must put the best players on the field, even if you could have never imagined those players being the likes of Will Allen and Antwon Blake.
That won’t be much consolation during pre-game introductions this Saturday night.
