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[JoeKickAss]

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/s...=ESPNHeadlines

The Pittsburgh Steelers, the first NFL team to sign all of its rookies, opened training camp with a bang Monday by reaching a four-year contract extension with safety Troy Polamalu.

Polamalu became the league's highest-paid safety by agreeing to a deal that will pay him $33 million through the 2011 season, which will allow the 26-year-old to be in line for another long-term contract in his early 30s.


Polamalu was scheduled to become a free agent after the 2007 season. He will receive $15.375 million in both guarantees and roster bonuses.

With Polamalu slated to make around $2.85 million this season, the extension will net him slightly more than $30 million over the ensuing four years. From the Steelers' standpoint, they will keep one of the best safeties and one of the best playmakers in the league under contract for $6.6 million per year until 2011.

Re-signing Polamalu was one of the keys to the season. The fifth-year safety is ranked among the best at his position in football for range and play-making ability. In four seasons, he has 301 tackles and 10 interceptions, but few safeties do what Polamalu can do.

He's a tireless runner. Often, Polamalu will run from his position to the line of scrimmage and then run all the way back to his safety spot to confuse quarterbacks. When the ball is in the air, few safeties can move as quickly as Polamalu to be in position to make a play.


Polamalu, a first-round pick of the Steelers in 2003 out of USC, has missed only three games (all in 2006) in four seasons. As a rookie, he quickly established himself as one of the best defensive players in the league.


"Troy Polamalu is a very special football player who has been a key ingredient to our success over the past few seasons," Steelers president Art Rooney II said. "We are excited to know he will be a Steeler for many seasons to come."


With Polamalu signed, the Steelers still have to decide what to do with linebacker Clark Haggans, right tackle Max Starks, guard Kendall Simmons and fullback Dan Kreider -- starters whose contracts expire at the end of the season. Pittsburgh already has determined it will lose guard Alan Faneca, a Pro Bowl player waiting to cash in on a $7 million-a-year contract. Faneca is a free agent after this season.

[Afro]

I guess the new thing in the NFL is to make the overrated players of the league the highest paid ones as well

[eazye76]

Originally Posted by Afro

I guess the new thing in the NFL is to make the overrated players of the league the highest paid ones as well

Polamalu has been a great player, with the exception of last year. That's what doesn't make sense to me, he had a down year last year and they are still paying crazy $. With DB's like him and Nate Clements getting that kind of cash what happens when Ed Reid's contract time comes.
By the way, I read an article somewhere that Julius Peppers is about to get a new deal that is as big, or bigger than the Manning contract - just a rumor though.

[Severn]

As a life long, diehard Steeler fan I'm glad they spent the money on him. Mike Tomlin's upcoming hybrid defense needs Troy to be the key to his new system. I'm glad he's in there for a few more years.

[JPeezy]

I'd love to hear how Polamalu is over-rated??? He is the best Safety in football near the LOS, a terror when he blitzes, outstanding vs the run, and very good in coverage. He had 1 bad game last yr due to injuries and is a perennial Pro Bowler...

[stonedface]

its never good to have the highest paid player at any position just means your paying to much

[Kimuras"R"Us]

Originally Posted by Afro

I guess the new thing in the NFL is to make the overrated players of the league the highest paid ones as well

This coming from a guy who LOVES Sean Taylor.
haha I remember like a year ago we had a convo afro on who the top safeties were and you were hatin on polamalu then too.


As for him having a bad year last year few people outside of Pittsburgh know Troy played the whole season completely banged up. He'll be back to his old self this year, especially in Tomlin's D.

[Afro]

Originally Posted by Kimuras"R"Us

This coming from a guy who LOVES Sean Taylor.
haha I remember like a year ago we had a convo afro on who the top safeties were and you were hatin on polamalu then too.


As for him having a bad year last year few people outside of Pittsburgh know Troy played the whole season completely banged up. He'll be back to his old self this year, especially in Tomlin's D.

I like Sean Taylor, but Sean had a bad season last year too.. I can admit that.. Sean Taylor is highly talented, full of potential.. but he isnt the best Safety in the league. Troy Polamalu isnt either.. and Troy is overrated, he is a liability in coverage.

[Thaistylist]

polamalu is flashy but nowhere near the best safeties in the league. Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins, and Adrian Wilson are all better IMO. I would say Polamalu is on the same level as Sean Taylor, Kerry Rhodes, and Chris Hope but probably below them due to his lack of tackles/cover ability.

edit* I hope I dont get flamed by steelers fans for this analysis but I will be happy to back up my conclusions with stats.

[Afro]

Originally Posted by Thaistylist

polamalu is flashy but nowhere near the best safeties in the league. Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins, and Adrian Wilson are all better IMO. I would say Polamalu is on the same level as Sean Taylor, Kerry Rhodes, and Chris Hope but probably below them due to his lack of tackles/cover ability.

edit* I hope I dont get flamed by steelers fans for this analysis but I will be happy to back up my conclusions with stats.

So right, he misses too many tackles, overshoots too many plays, and should not be trusted for over the top coverage.. hes a headhunter and he makes a lot of plays but technically he is poor.