With Troy Polamalu now retired, can Shamarko Thomas fill the massive void left at safety? Being the player that has to follow a legend is never easy, and when you are an organization like the Pittsburgh Steelers, there have been many legends that eventually had to call it a career and needed replaced. Who could forget the struggles of Mark Malone trying to fill the shoes of Terry Bradshaw? How about Walter Abercrombie for Franco Harris? Or more recently, the likes of Cam Thomas for the vastly ... Read More
Madden Curse alters Troy Polamalu’s greatness
As everyone knows, Pittsburgh Steelers great Troy Polamalu officially played his last game of pro football. Polamalu was an unbelievable playmaker on defense and was frequently described as possibly becoming the greatest safety ever. It looked like he was an unstoppable force until he became victim to a curse, not just any curse, the “Madden Curse.” Don’t believe me. Just take a look at Polamalu’s career before and after his placement on the Madden cover. Polamalu was drafted by the ... Read More
Steelers re-sign safety Will Allen
One day after veteran safety Troy Polamalu’s retirement, the Steelers quickly started preparing for life after Polamalu. In order to add much needed depth at the safety position the Steelers re-signed veteran Will Allen on Friday. Allen, who turns 33 in June, has played 11 seasons in the league for three different teams. Of those 11 seasons Allen has spent five with the Steelers. Over his career Allen has played 163 games mainly as a backup and has recorded six interceptions and forced five ... Read More
COLUMN: Steelers lose more than a great player with Troy Polamalu’s retirement
When I awoke early this morning to the news of Troy Polamalu's announcement that he would be retiring after 12 incredible years as a Pittsburgh Steeler, my immediate reaction was the Steelers did not lose a great player, they were losing an remarkable man. I want to be careful and make myself clear; when you think about the greatest to ever play the position of safety in NFL history, Polamalu is one of a handful of players that are up for debate. At his peak, it's fair to say no safety ever ... Read More
Troy Polamalu announces his retirement
Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu has retired. Jim Wexell of SteelCityInsder.com broke the story late Thursday evening with an exclusive interview with the legendary Pittsburgh defensive back. Polamalu, 33, will retire as one of the Steelers all-time greats. In 12 seasons, he started 158 games, made 581 tackles, and accounted for 39 takeaways as one of the unquestioned leaders of a Steelers defensive unit that won two Super Bowls and played in a third. Troy cited his ... Read More
PSN Steelers mock draft: Round one
Despite of drafting defensive players in the first round the past two years, it seems likely the Steelers will once again focus on defense with the 22nd selection of the upcoming NFL draft that begins on April 30. Assuming the Steelers look to bolster their defense with that pick, the question becomes who do they select? The 2015 draft class is certainly not short on defensive talent worthy of a first round grade, and it's possible the Steelers could select a pass rushing outside linebacker, ... Read More
Troy Polamalu reportedly won’t return to Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are faced with some tough decisions this offseason regarding some of their veteran players who have played a pivotal role in their success over the course of the last decade-plus. Perhaps none of the decisions will be as big as what to do with safety Troy Polamalu. According to several reports, the future Hall of Famer won’t be returning to the Steelers for a 13th season. Whispers around the team indicate that the Steelers hope Polamalu elects to retire so the ... Read More
Greatest games of the LeBeau era: Steelers defeat Ravens three times in one year to win AFC championship
When it comes to the NFL and it's best rivalries, there is little doubt that the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers are as good as it gets. The 2008 season was the best example of how intense and heated this rivalry was. During the regular season, the teams faced off in two low scoring slugfests that were both won by the Steelers. The second of these games, a December match up in Baltimore, was one of the more brutal and intense games in the rivalry. The Steelers would win the game 13-9 ... Read More
Greatest games of the LeBeau era: Steelers take down Colts en route to Super Bowl title
When legendary defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau announced he would not be returning to the Steelers for the 2015 season, it ended a legendary run. The 77-year-old Hall of Fame coach led some of the more dominant defensive units in NFL history, and those defenses helped the Steelers earn three trips to the Super Bowl in six years, along with two Lombardi trophies. During LeBeau's tenure with the Steelers, the defense played in some memorable games where their performances became part of ... Read More
Are Steelers better without Taylor and Polamalu?
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 ... Read More