In a pinch, Polamalu can be running back

[tony hipchest]

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sports_details/article/1373/2010/november/11/in-a-pinch-polamalu-can-be-running-back.html


PITTSBURGH — If one more Steelers running back would have gotten hurt Monday night, Troy Polamalu may have been called upon to carry the football.

“Troy is always our emergency running back,” offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said.

...

If Rashard Mendenhall would have gone down, it would have been Polamalu, the all-star safety, who would have gone in at running back.

“Definitely,” said Polamalu, who played running back and defensive back in high school. “I practiced at running back during our bye week. It was nice. It was fun.”

Throughout his career, Polamalu has showed his talents running with the football after intercepting passes or recovering fumbles.

“That’s true, but it would be a different story if I had to run against real defenders,” Polamalu said.


Because of injuries on the offensive line in the win over the Bengals, the Steelers were also down to five O-linemen in the second half.

“There was a lot of scrambling going on along that sideline Monday night,” Arians said. “We had (tight end) Matt Spaeth getting ready to play tackle and we were getting Troy ready to play running back.”



while i would never wish to lose all our rb's it certainly woulda been fun to watch troy back there (although im thinking he may not wanna meet up with d. peko in the hole again).

[lionslicer]

I think Troy should be punt returner, the way he returns interceptions, running around like Barry Sanders out there, he is always a threat to take anything for a touchdown. In superbowl 40 if Ben didn't get that touchdown, Cowher was going to put Troy in at running back and go for it on 4th down and have him leap over the top... I think He should be the goal line back, he definatally could clear the pile.

[joeyssteelcurtain]

I would love to see that

[steeltheone]

No, No and No....Just like your QB Troy is needed to much on Defense to get hurt playing elsewhere.

[kirklandrules]

I love hearing story that have lines like "he played running back in high school". I know a lot of guys that played positions in high school and would get whipped good trying to do it in the pros. Troy is talented enough to play safety in the NFL. When he makes a pick and runs around everyone for a score ... well that doesn't translate into him playing running back or punt returner. Once you line up on the other side of the ball, you really have to have the skills to face the guys on the other side who are highly paid to kick your azz. Even punt return, you face professionals who spend lots of time running down the field (in their lanes) trying to jack you up.

[stb_steeler]

I think Troy should be punt returner, the way he returns interceptions, running around like Barry Sanders out there, he is always a threat to take anything for a touchdown. In superbowl 40 if Ben didn't get that touchdown, Cowher was going to put Troy in at running back and go for it on 4th down and have him leap over the top... I think He should be the goal line back, he definatally could clear the pile.

Troy asked Cowher to let him take it over the top, but all Cowher could say was i know you would Troy. He should have left Troy do it, we all see how he jumped the Tatans line. :thumbsup:

[fer522]

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lionslicer]

Troy asked Cowher to let him take it over the top, but all Cowher could say was i know you would Troy. He should have left Troy do it, we all see how he jumped the Tatans line. :thumbsup:

People seem mad that Troy might play running back making the defense weak, but the Fridge was the starting defensive tackle for the Bears and still ran short yardage. Troy can do it, plus he's the most conditioned athlete, 1 or 2 runs on offense every drive wont wear him out. I think it's unique to have someone on defense play on offense or vice versa. because its something the other team doesn't expect and they don't know how to defend it.

[SCMom]

If it's ever needed, it's good to know that he's willing and practicing for an emergency situation like that. I hope it never comes down to that, cause obviously it'll mean injuries to our starters and backups, but I think it would be interesting to see how he'd do.