Polamalu Missed Tackles

[tunes4life]

Preface - I realize Troy had more tackles last week than anyone on defense, and I also realize that if the line and LBs were doing there jobs Troy wouldn't have to make as many tackles as he has had to make -

But, with that said, I've never seen Troy miss so many tackles. Picking the wrong angles, tackling too high, not wrapping up, going for the ball and not the tackle.......

He hasn't been in the right places for INTs this year either. Is this the result of an aging defense? I'm not sure. I understand that he is most likely playing a little bit more carefully, instead of just flying into plays headfirst like we've seen of him in the past. But I'll have to admit it worries me a bit. I don't want to see him hurt but I do want my Pro Bowl Troy back! He just signed a huge contract. :noidea:

[plenewken]

Preface - I realize Troy had more tackles last week than anyone on defense, and I also realize that if the line and LBs were doing there jobs Troy wouldn't have to make as many tackles as he has had to make -

But, with that said, I've never seen Troy miss so many tackles. Picking the wrong angles, tackling too high, not wrapping up, going for the ball and not the tackle.......

He hasn't been in the right places for INTs this year either. Is this the result of an aging defense? I'm not sure. I understand that he is most likely playing a little bit more carefully, instead of just flying into plays headfirst like we've seen of him in the past. But I'll have to admit it worries me a bit. I don't want to see him hurt but I do want my Pro Bowl Troy back! He just signed a huge contract. :noidea:

Although Polamalu is one of my fav Steelers, I have never considered him a great tackler and even him admits that it's not his forte. He's an awesome play reader and will INT passes more than anyone else in the team but he'll miss tackles, even easy ones.

[SteeleReign]

I think it's more a matter of 1) Troy losing half a step. Can't fault him for that. 2) The rest of the defense not helping. The pass rush was what typically allowed Troy to make the splash play. Troy is instinctual. If the QB is given too much time, Troy's advantage is lost.

We have no pass rush...ergo...Troy not making many plays other than tackles. Think of our one takeaway this season. QB pressure (strip sack), Troy in the right place....TD.

[tony hipchest]

troy hasnt lost a step!

people need to go back and re-watch every missed tackle from this season. just about EVERY one is because troy is running faster than a speeding bullet and it is very difficult to change that trajectory and react to a quicker than a blink juke.

the good thing is not everybody can juke like that, and troy usually gets them. the move arian foster put on him in the backfield seals him as an upper eschelon back in this game, with reflexes of a cat. cant blame troy for that. if he had actually SLOWED down he probably makes that tackle.

[kirklandrules]

No, Troy didn't lose a step. As much as he makes splash plays, he also will miss some tackles because he is usually giving his best impression of a jet fighter by flying to the point of attack. Hell, if you're going to make a mistake, do it at 100 mph. It's not a big deal when the Steelers win, but it sure does make some critical when they lose.

[SteeleReign]

Maybe Troy hasn't lost a step. Hard to say for sure because he was so much faster to react than most. Troy's issues are more related to the lack of QB pressure. There's no backfield in history that could cover if the QB has all day to throw.

[DanRooney]

What the **** is everyone talking about?

Troy, Taylor and Harrison are the only players who care out there. Everyone else seems to not give a shit this season.

[SteeleReign]

What the **** is everyone talking about?

Troy, Taylor and Harrison are the only players who care out there. Everyone else seems to not give a shit this season.

Not talking about who cares and who doesn't. Just talking about why Troy isn't racking up all the splash plays as usual. I don't think it has much to do with Troy as it does a lack of pass rush.

[Steelers17]

troy hasnt lost a step!

people need to go back and re-watch every missed tackle from this season. just about EVERY one is because troy is running faster than a speeding bullet and it is very difficult to change that trajectory and react to a quicker than a blink juke.

the good thing is not everybody can juke like that, and troy usually gets them. the move arian foster put on him in the backfield seals him as an upper eschelon back in this game, with reflexes of a cat. cant blame troy for that. if he had actually SLOWED down he probably makes that tackle.

There, it is settled and Troy has not lost a step. Placed in context that he is significantly older, coming off serious knee and Achilles injuries, and that his weight may soon reach Jenny Craig figures, he has defied human physiology and indeed, has NOT lost a step!

:tt03:

[Sixburgher]

There, it is settled and Troy has not lost a step. Placed in context that he is significantly older, coming off serious knee and Achilles injuries, and that his weight may soon reach Jenny Craig figures, he has defied human physiology and indeed, has NOT lost a step!

:tt03:

What, no Ayn Rand quote? :rolleyes:

[steeltheone]

Troy's style of play is much less effective on a bad defense...Much more effective than normal on a good,,..

[Steelers17]

What, no Ayn Rand quote? :rolleyes:

Not Ayn but applicable, “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king,” Desiderius Erasmus.

:tt03:

[Sixburgher]

Not Ayn but applicable, “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king,” Desiderius Erasmus.

:tt03:

In light of this post, just as applicable:

"The true means of being misled is to believe oneself finer than the others," Francois de La Rochefoucauld.

[DanRooney]

Not talking about who cares and who doesn't. Just talking about why Troy isn't racking up all the splash plays as usual. I don't think it has much to do with Troy as it does a lack of pass rush.

He isn't? He won the Colts game by himself pretty much. He's been all over the field.

[DanRooney]

Troy's style of play is much less effective on a bad defense...Much more effective than normal on a good,,..

I think that applies to everyone...

[SteeleReign]

He isn't? He won the Colts game by himself pretty much. He's been all over the field.

Really? By himself? Granted, he was all over the place, but Harrison had as much to do with that win as anyone.

Despite the fact that Troy has been one of the few defensive players to play well so far, he hasn't been making the usual number of game-changing plays. Again, I don't put that on him, but more on the lack of QB pressures.

[tony hipchest]

troy has been awesome this season. as good as ive ever seen him. at some points im left wondering if his brain cant keep up with his body, or if his body cant keep up with his instincts.

when he DOES make a tackl it looks like a freaking hungry lion leaping on a gazelle in the serengeti.

nobody in the nfl gives the ballcarrier a running ddt like troy does.

[DanRooney]

Really? By himself? Granted, he was all over the place, but Harrison had as much to do with that win as anyone.

Despite the fact that Troy has been one of the few defensive players to play well so far, he hasn't been making the usual number of game-changing plays. Again, I don't put that on him, but more on the lack of QB pressures.

Troy has been making a ton of tackles and has been all over the field. He's one of the only defenders playing. Being critical of his play is beyond stupid when you have guys like Smith, Farrior, Foote and Woodley sucking ass. It's like saying Mike Wallace isn't getting open because he only had 77 yards instead of 100 last game.

[ggoldman]

Has Timmons even been playing? He needs to step it up, especially at OLB for at least this week

[BKAnthem]

Troy is Fine, PERIOD.

[SteeleReign]

Troy has been making a ton of tackles and has been all over the field. He's one of the only defenders playing. Being critical of his play is beyond stupid when you have guys like Smith, Farrior, Foote and Woodley sucking ass. It's like saying Mike Wallace isn't getting open because he only had 77 yards instead of 100 last game.

I'M NOT BEING CRITICAL OF TROY! Read my post again. I'm being critical of the lack of pass rush. Troy can't do it all by himself - he needs the help so he can be his usual free-lancing disruptive self.

[kirklandrules]

Being critical of his play is beyond stupid when you have guys like Smith, Farrior, Foote and Woodley sucking ass.

You forgot to include Hampton, Keisel, Hood, Heyward, Clark, etc, etc. I don't think much has changed since the Ravens game where Tomlin cited Sepuleda as being the only player he thought performed well.

[Riddle_Of_Steel]

Troy changed his offseason workout regiment his year from his usual high-impact training he does down here in San Juan Capistrano:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqKysjhHopA

...in favor of attending whatever that camp is in Florida that Farrior and Taylor go to. Is a training regimen designed around "extending shelf life", as opposed to playing like a bullet with no regard to his health like he usually does.

That might have something to do with it.

[DanRooney]

You forgot to include Hampton, Keisel, Hood, Heyward, Clark, etc, etc. I don't think much has changed since the Ravens game where Tomlin cited Sepuleda as being the only player he thought performed well.

Farrior/Foote are players most of us expected to suck.

The real problem is Lamarr Woodley. I was never high on him to begin with. I always thought he was overrated because he would do little to nothing for 8 games out of the year and then play spectacular in the other half of the season. But this year he's brought it to a new level. He's absolutely terrible out there. They are double teaming Harrison and leaving Woodley one-on-one with tight ends and he still can't get any pressure. He's in the prime of his career. You would think he'd be able to pick up the slack from some of the older guys who have lost a step. But his crappy play is actually making their jobs a hell of a lot harder.

[OX1947]

I'm amazed at some of the stuff Steeler fans think about Troy. If there are 50 plays in a game, he is around 40 of them. The guy is always there. What do you want him to do, he is human, he cant make every tackle and as amazing as he is at being everywhere, he is still one man playing 11.

[Rick5895]

Farrior/Foote are players most of us expected to suck.

The real problem is Lamarr Woodley. I was never high on him to begin with. I always thought he was overrated because he would do little to nothing for 8 games out of the year and then play spectacular in the other half of the season. But this year he's brought it to a new level. He's absolutely terrible out there. They are double teaming Harrison and leaving Woodley one-on-one with tight ends and he still can't get any pressure. He's in the prime of his career. You would think he'd be able to pick up the slack from some of the older guys who have lost a step. But his crappy play is actually making their jobs a hell of a lot harder.
Absolutely agree on Woodley. Teams are max protecting on us so we are going to strugle with a pass rush. My biggest concern with Woodley so far is he seems to always be out of position on run plays. Not keeping contain, over running angles. When you are on the outside and you don't maintain your responsibilities the defense breaks down then you get things like Fosters cut back on his 40 yard td. People on that play point to Troy missing a tackle, but it was Woodley who was out of position. If he's where he should be, Foster is tackled for little or no gain. That has been common place with Woodley this season. Scheme on Defense is more about everyone doing thier respective jobs than any one great individual effort. We are having far too many individual breakdowns starting with Woodley, farrior and Smith.

[kirklandrules]

Absolutely agree on Woodley. Teams are max protecting on us so we are going to strugle with a pass rush. My biggest concern with Woodley so far is he seems to always be out of position on run plays. Not keeping contain, over running angles. When you are on the outside and you don't maintain your responsibilities the defense breaks down then you get things like Fosters cut back on his 40 yard td. People on that play point to Troy missing a tackle, but it was Woodley who was out of position. If he's where he should be, Foster is tackled for little or no gain. That has been common place with Woodley this season. Scheme on Defense is more about everyone doing thier respective jobs than any one great individual effort. We are having far too many individual breakdowns starting with Woodley, farrior and Smith.

Guess I don't get when one person or just a few people are singled out. :noidea: That's like giving Tony Stewart a speeding ticket at the Daytona 500. The entire team is playing like crap with very few exceptions. This team reminds me of Cowher's last year ... that seemed like a team full of talent that took the year off.