Too Reliant on Special Players

We Miss you Troy, hurry back.

-Mason Noland (@M_Noland386)

Troy Polamalu and James Harrison are both special players. These two men are both former defensive player of the year for the Steelers and are integral to the success of the defense. I believe Polamalu is a little too integral however. Sure, the defense could put up more sacks with Harrison in the lineup. With Harrison, LaMarr Woodley wouldn't be facing double teams, so someone could be free to chase quarterbacks. I really feel like Harrison's production can eventually be replaced, as Jason Worilds didn't have any reps in the Preseason, so he may just be getting up to speed. This is not to say we don't need Harrison. His presence alone on the field could bring a little swagger back to the team. I mentioned how the linebackers are playing well without Harrison, but with him, they should be able to terrorize QB's and running backs again.

Now why do I think Polamalu is too integral to our defense? It is simple, with him, the defense is great, without him, we look average at best. Football is the ultimate team game. Its a very simple game when you think about it. Eleven men on offense are trying to cross a goal line, while  eleven men on defense are trying to stop them. You usually have one or two players on either side of the ball that have the extraordinary ability to change the outcome of any given play, drive, quarter, half or game. Luckily for Steelers fans, Troy Polamalu has been one of those players. Troy plays with a wreckless abandon that, while can be fun to watch, is detrimental to his health, and therefore, can be detrimental to the Steelers defensive success.

I love the way Polamalu plays. He makes things happen on defense that sometimes defy the laws of physics. His ability to break a game wide open on defense has gotten the defense out of many a jam. Its almost to the point where we expect Troy to do this.  Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau seems to have based his entire defense around the many talents of Troy Polamalu and who can really blame him. When Troy is in the game,  quarterbacks are always looking for him as to avoid him. His style of play however leads to being on the shelf with an injury. My problem with the defense being designed around his unique talents is that when he is inevitably injured, there is no answer for him not being there. Ryan Mundy is a fine backup and special teamer, but he is no Polamalu. LeBeau's defense seems to not be able to tick without Troy. Its would seem that the defense could be tweaked a bit not to be centered around Polamalu, but to use him as a piece of the puzzle. The problem is when you allow one player to be a freelancer and you base everything around it. When that freelancer isn't there, no one can pick up their pieces.

I'm not even sure if its for a lack of playmakers at other positions. LaMarr Woodley has been a man on a mission this year. What needs to happen, whether Polamalu or even Harrison is on the field for that matter, is some of the younger players need to be Tomlin's "next man up" and make an impact. A good pass rush can cover for your secondary. It would be nice if Worilds, Carter, Cam Heyward or Ziggy Hood could get into the back field a little more, or at least take some pressure off of Woodley and Timmons. Conversely, if the young guys in the secondary can start taking ownership in the game, maybe the Defensive Line and Linebackers could have an easier time getting into the backfield. If Cortez Allen, Keenan Lewis and Curtis Brown were a little tighter at Corner, it may take a little pressure off of whoever is playing safety. I guess what I saying is this defense has the talent to be a dominant defense. We have trouble against good quarterbacks who run no huddle well. I'm sure LeBeau and Tomlin will find a way to maximize the talent we have.

It's still early in the season. Hopefully Polamalu and Harrison can make an impact at some point this season, but if they can't, its up to the younger players to step up and make the big plays we need to change games.