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Old 09-08-2006, 08:57 PM   #1
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Default Troy Polamalu

I was thinking last night about something. If I made the statement that Troy Polamalu is the best defensive player in the NFL would it be a stretch? Everytime I watch him he looks like he sees the game way better and plays the game way faster and with way more intensity than his peers. He's unbelievable.

Other than Cincinatti and Carson Palmer, is there any team that picked ahead of Pittsburgh in 2003 that wouldn't rather have Polamalu than the player they drafted?

http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/years/2003
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Old 09-08-2006, 09:12 PM   #2
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IIRC the Chiefs could have been in position to draft him, but traded down. It worked out alright as they did get Larry Johnson, but that defence really could have used Polamalu. Especially in 03 he might have been enough of a boost to the defence to have made that team able to challenge for the Superbowl.
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Old 09-08-2006, 09:23 PM   #3
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I agree, he is something special.

He is a safety, but he is always around the ball - in the backfield or deep, it doesn't matter. That is what you notice the most about him, it is extremely impressive.

Maybe its the flowing hair too, but he just looks like he comes flying out of nowhere so often.
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Old 09-08-2006, 10:34 PM   #4
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Man, did you have to bring that draft up, it's pretty painful for us Saints fans seeing as we traded up for that fat tub of goo, Jonathan Sullivan. Little wonder we suffer year after year, god bless Reggie Bush!
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Old 09-08-2006, 10:53 PM   #5
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I think the Jets, Baltimore & Seattle are happy with their picks, but the rest wonder, "What if".

Detroit must just hate themselves.
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Old 09-08-2006, 11:13 PM   #6
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Well let's go through it in order....

Detroit must just be kicking themselves as Charles "The Fragile One" Rogers now has no team. It is rumored though that many teams are interested. (PLEASE NO VIKINGS, PLEASE NO)

Andre Johnson seems to be working out for the Texans, and at the time they didn't really need a saftey.

NYJ...oh my, there's rumblings that Robertson may be the odd man out in their 3-4 system. He is a good DT but not living up to that #4 overall status. The Jets DEFINATELY could have used this guy...imagine Vilma and Polamalu....sick.

Terence Newman has been a solid player for the Cowboys. And they have Roy Williams...so NEXT!

Saints...no comment. The pick speaks for itself.

Gross has been a stud for the Panters...so has Williams for the Vikings....so has Suggs for Baltimore...so has Trufant for Seattle.

Jimmy Williams...he's servicable...and has his moments of greatness. But the Rams could have used Troy as well.

NE was set at saftey...and Ty Warren has been a good player for them.

Micheal Haynes...if the Bears didn't have him they would suffer on the D-Line. That's saying alot.

And lastly Philly was set at saftey...their secondary was the best in the league.

The way I see it....Troy Polamalu is the best SS in the game today. Best defensive player isn't a stretch, he's top 5 for sure. But some players such as Urlacher for the Bears and Dwight Freeny to the Colts are essential to their teams and also the best palyers at their respective positions.
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Old 09-09-2006, 12:30 PM   #7
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[quote=Pagal4321;548615]

Micheal Haynes...if the Bears didn't have him they would suffer on the D-Line. That's saying alot.

Mr. Haynes is now a Saint, claimed on waivers last week, let's hope he is a late bloomer.
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Old 09-09-2006, 03:57 PM   #8
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I don't watch enough NFL to rate Polamalu but he is definitely an elite defensive player. USC has sophomore LB - Rey Maualuga who is being compared to Polamalu with a little more size. Look for this guy in the next couple of years.
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Old 09-10-2006, 10:05 AM   #9
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Rey Maualuga

Man is this another Hawaiin or Samoan, (or some other language with 7 consanances and all the vowels) dude? Polamalu, Lofa Tatupu, and now this name. Those are some damn fine defensive Hawaiian sounding dudes.
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Old 09-14-2006, 10:45 AM   #10
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Newman - Dalls
Trufont - Seattle
Suggs - Baltimore

Currently I would only take Newman ahead of Polo

You have to remember that Pitt has so many good Defensive players, and the rush-back scheme they play is perfectly suited to Polo - I agree he does see the field well.

Boldin at 54 with Arizona is also very good.

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Old 09-14-2006, 12:12 PM   #11
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Newman - Dalls
Trufont - Seattle
Suggs - Baltimore

Currently I would only take Newman ahead of Polo

You have to remember that Pitt has so many good Defensive players, and the rush-back scheme they play is perfectly suited to Polo - I agree he does see the field well.

Boldin at 54 with Arizona is also very good.

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You would take Newman ahead of Polumalu????

He is an okay player but nowhere near the level of Polumalu. You could have him and Williams play together or just get rid of the overrated Williams.

Other than Palmer I don't see how any team could say they would take their pick over Troy. He is clearly better than any other guy ahead of him.
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Old 09-14-2006, 12:39 PM   #12
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Other than Palmer I don't see how any team could say they would take their pick over Troy. He is clearly better than any other guy ahead of him.
I think it comes down to the perceived value of the position. Safety is probably considered the least important position on defense in the NFL. Not sure if it is deserved, but certainly the perception is there. Personally, I think Polamalu is only maybe the #1 safety - Ed Reed certainly is at a similar level though a different type, and Roy Williams in Dallas is probably at least as good. Also, Sean Taylor in Washington is a wrecking ball, but has rocks for brains so probably will squander his superior physical talent.

As for best defensive players in the league overall, I personally think pass rushing tackles such as Henderson (Jax) bring the most value. (Shaun Rogers as well). The difference between a stud tackle and an average one is more of a defense maker than anywhere else, IMO. Pressure of the middle from a big body kills the running game, and gives QB's fits unlike guys like Freeney who can be gameplanned around much easier.
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Old 09-14-2006, 12:44 PM   #13
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I think it comes down to the perceived value of the position. Safety is probably considered the least important position on defense in the NFL. Not sure if it is deserved, but certainly the perception is there. Personally, I think Polamalu is only maybe the #1 safety - Ed Reed certainly is at a similar level though a different type, and Roy Williams in Dallas is probably at least as good. Also, Sean Taylor in Washington is a wrecking ball, but has rocks for brains so probably will squander his superior physical talent.

As for best defensive players in the league overall, I personally think pass rushing tackles such as Henderson (Jax) bring the most value. (Shaun Rogers as well). The difference between a stud tackle and an average one is more of a defense maker than anywhere else, IMO. Pressure of the middle from a big body kills the running game, and gives QB's fits unlike guys like Freeney who can be gameplanned around much easier.
I would agree that it is true for an average safety versus average guys at other positions. But with Polamalu and Reed they are able to change the game so much with their coverage, INTs, sacks, tackling that I think they are able to impact the game more than almost any other defensive player in the league. Because of how special they are I would take eithe r over a guy like Rogers (and I am a huge lions fan and love Rogers) because of their versatility.
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Old 09-14-2006, 04:31 PM   #14
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As for best defensive players in the league overall, I personally think pass rushing tackles such as Henderson (Jax) bring the most value. (Shaun Rogers as well). The difference between a stud tackle and an average one is more of a defense maker than anywhere else, IMO. Pressure of the middle from a big body kills the running game, and gives QB's fits unlike guys like Freeney who can be gameplanned around much easier.
Yeah, I think you're pretty bang on with that assessment. Being a Chiefs fan I've watched that defence suck for many years and I'm convinced that the tackle position is the source of that weakness. They tried beefing up the linebackers, the D-ends and the secondary, yet they still can't effectively stop the passing game. The only reason the Chiefs don't get torched worse on the running side is because the teams throw so well against them. The reason is no pressure from up the middle. Teams who can consistantly get pressure up the middle and clog up that line of scrimmage always have a very effective defence.
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Old 09-21-2006, 02:08 PM   #15
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I can't belive you guys talk about the best safeties in the league without throwing Brian Dawkins name in there. Anyways, I really like Polamalu but there are definitely a few better players out there.

On a side note, how bad are the Raiders at drafting? Is it any wonder they're so terrible at this point?
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Old 09-22-2006, 08:34 PM   #16
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On a side note, how bad are the Raiders at drafting? Is it any wonder they're so terrible at this point?
Has a franchise ever nose dived so badly after going to the superbowl? I mean really, it has been nothing short of amazing/embarassing.
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Old 09-22-2006, 09:06 PM   #17
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Has a franchise ever nose dived so badly after going to the superbowl? I mean really, it has been nothing short of amazing/embarassing.
Pretty pathetic. And then Al Davis just makes it worse by hiring one the worst clock management coaches in the history of the NFL. If a coach has been out of the NFL for an extended period of time, there's usually a very good reason. I don't see anyone clamoring for a speedy return for Butch Davis.
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Old 09-25-2006, 03:04 PM   #18
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I was thinking last night about something. If I made the statement that Troy Polamalu is the best defensive player in the NFL would it be a stretch? Everytime I watch him he looks like he sees the game way better and plays the game way faster and with way more intensity than his peers. He's unbelievable.

Other than Cincinatti and Carson Palmer, is there any team that picked ahead of Pittsburgh in 2003 that wouldn't rather have Polamalu than the player they drafted?

http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/years/2003

Oh I dunno, Leftwich could still turn out to be a solid QB for Jacksonville (despite how slow he is) and I think that Patriots have been pretty impressed as of yet with Ty Warren playing alongside Seymour and Wilfork.

Not to mention Andre Johnson put up some pretty good numbers last year....in fact right now he's playing alongside Chad Johnson for my Bengals franchise on Madden 07.
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