The Steelers are staying loyal to Troy Polamalu
By Kim Myers
Dec 8, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu (43) runs with the ball after a missed Miami Dolphins field goal during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Miami Dolphins won 34-28. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN is reporting this morning that the Pittsburgh Steelers are more inclined to re-work the deal for veteran safety Troy Polamalu as opposed to cutting him to save the salary cap space. Polamalu’s salary cap his for 2014 will be $10.88 million. The Steelers are now more than $15 million over the salary cap since Jason Worilds signed his transition tag tender but if these reports are true, the cuts necessary to get that figure down won’t start with Troy.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter cites a source said that the Rooney family is just too loyal to Troy and that Troy has been too valuable to the team for them to consider possibly going the route they took last year with James Harrison.
It’s true that Polamalu has been valuable to the team, in previous seasons he missed a ton of time due to lingering calf/Achilles injuries but last year he played every snap of the season, had 85 tackles, forced 5 fumbles and took 2 interceptions. For a defense that had been seriously lacking in the creating turnover department, Polamalu’s contributions on defense last season were definitely valuable, to say the least.
Personally, I’d love to see the Steelers come to reasonable terms with the 12-year veteran in a way that benefits both parties mutually. I don’t think anyone wants to see the situation that played out between Colbert and James Harrison last offseason happen again, especially with Troy Polamalu. I’d guess that if both Colbert and Harrison had to do that all over again they’d both make some concessions, considering Harrison ended up signing with Cincinnati for less than the Steelers were offering and he played a less prominent role in their defense, having to switch to a 4-3.
What are your thoughts, Steeler Nation? Do you value the contributions of Troy Polamalu enough to appreciate the Steelers loyalty to him?
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