Steelers: The Role of the Safety
First, I’d like to welcome one of my favorite players to twitter @Tpolamalu. Not sure what worldly advice he will impart through that channel, but Steeler Nation is happy to see him there.
His first tweet:
Back to football…
Last year, we saw just how important Troy, or lack thereof, was for our defense. Opposing teams had a much easier time planning without Troy in the game. The role of safety, both strong and free, is a little bit linebacker and a lot wide receiver.  The role requires speed, agility, athleticism and agressiveness. It’s arguably one of the most difficult positions to fill because it’s hard to find a player that has all of those characteristics and can play in the same manner as a Troy, or even an Ed Reed. The one thing you can say about both of them, where the ball is, so are they. And they play completely different, yet at the same time, both are critical to each team’s defense.
What the Ravens now face is a gap due to Reed’s injury. I say the Ravens are the team to beat in the AFC North, but their one weakness will be also the strength, the aging, yet amazing defense.
The safety position has evolved and become such a leading role on the defense over the last decade. The play action game has changed the way teams view the role of safety, not to mention the changes in rules to protect QBs and WRs. The safety is often both necessary for challenging the run and definitely as the last line of defense on the passing game. There just aren’t a lot of players like Troy. (Yes I still love you Ryan Clark, you’re a baller too) It’s not just his athleticism that makes Troy, Troy…it’s his character, his commitment to the game, and most of all, his acknowledgment that Sunday is when he goes to work. He’s just a player. It’s who he is and what he does.
I think I can speak for all of Steeler Nation when I say, ITS GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK TROY! Now just stay healthy. And say no to Madden game covers from now on. I never want to see you on the cover of that game again.
PS – training camp opens for the fans a week from today. There are 95 on the roster as of today. Get ready for the games, “show us what ya got” (cue JayZ)…let’s go!
Corbin Clardy:
July 24th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
I think it was a combo of both Troy and Aaron Smith being out for the yr. They seem to hold together the D together and allow the rest of D become Blitzburgh…
Steelergurl:
July 24th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Agree, a point I have made before. I’m just glad to have a full healthy and hopefully happy D to counteract the offensive drama! lol
DG:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:34 am
I just found your site via link from Steelersgab. I’ve been reading through and thoroughly entertained – I’m sure I’ll be back throughout the season.
Re: Troy – I made myself wildly unpopular at the end of last season when I suggested that if dude can’t stay healthy, we need to make a change. Watching a backfield that was so built around him that they didn’t seem to know what to do when he was out for nearly the entire season was just sooo frustrating. He’s the best of the best when he’s healthy, but his absence seems to suck the intensity out of the defense.
Steelergurl:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:59 am
HI DG – thanks for coming over and commenting. Truly appreciate it.
Yes, I actually agree that we need to find a back up to Troy that can back him up. A strong safety is tough to fill, especially when they play the kind of game Troy plays. He’s an anomaly for sure. I heard there’s an undrafted rookie on the roster right now, name escapes me, who has Troy-like qualities. I’ll check it out at camp and let you know what I see. Til then, though, the secondary has to be able to compete at a high level with or without Troy. We should never rely on one person to cover all the ground and make all the plays he makes.
The stat I saw recently, well, knew but I guess didn’t want to address, is that Troy led our defense in interceptions last year with 3 (out of 12 total) – he missed half the season!!! That says a lot. I want to see those CBs making those plays this year for sure. It’s just got to happen.
Otherwise, Troy will play himself to injury once again – trying to make plays no one else seems to be able to do….