Carter's play masks Polamalu's absence

[83-Steelers-43]

Carter's play masks Polamalu's absence

By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, December 22, 2006


Troy Polamalu called his selection to a third consecutive Pro Bowl an "honor."
Whether he actually plays in the Feb. 10 all-star game is another question.

The same can also be said for Sunday, when the Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens in a game that has both playoff and pride implications.

Polamalu, who has missed the last three games because of a medial collateral ligament sprain in his left knee, has been upgraded from questionable to probable for the 1 p.m. game at Heinz Field.

The strong safety said Thursday that it is not certain he will play even though his knee is "coming along."

"It's really a six-week injury," said Polamalu, who hurt his knee in the Steelers' 27-0 loss to the Ravens on Nov. 26. "Obviously, I'm pushing it by even practicing."

The Steelers' late playoff push is a big reason why Polamalu is doing everything he can to return to the starting lineup.

Tyrone Carter is a big reason why Polamalu and the Steelers will almost certainly err on the side of caution when it comes to his knee.

In the three games Carter has started in place of Polamalu the Steelers have allowed a total of 13 points, and coach Bill Cowher has raved about the seventh-year veteran's play.

"We had a number of guys step in and play at a high level because we've had our share of injuries," Cowher said. "Look at what Tyrone Carter has done stepping in for Troy. He's stepped in and played at a very high level."

The 5-foot-8, 195-pound Carter is undersized as NFL safeties go, but he makes up for it with a style of play that at times blurs the line between reckless and fearless.

Carter got a concussion near the end of the Steelers' 37-3 win last Sunday over the Carolina Panthers, and coaches and trainers had to stop him from going back into the game.

Carter literally knocked himself out to preserve a victory earlier this season when he forced a fumble with a big hit near the end of the Steelers' 37-30 win over the New Orleans Saints.

Carter, who was an All-American at the University of Minnesota, said the two concussions he's sustained this season are the first ones he's had since 2002.

He got them even though he switched to the Revolution helmet, which has extra padding and is supposed to give players more protection against head injuries.

Carter will go back to his old model for the Ravens' game, and he knows he'll return to his former role of nickel back as soon as Polamalu is ready to play.

"That's Troy's job," Carter said. "I know that. He's our ace."

The injury that sidelined Polamalu is the same one that led Carter to Pittsburgh.

After hurting his knee during the 2004 preseason, Carter was released by the Minnesota Vikings, and he signed with the Steelers in October.

He hadn't started a game for the Steelers before Polamalu went down but has since exceeded his goal of being "accountable" when called upon to play.

Carter has been credited with 38 tackles, two forced fumbles and a pair of sacks.

He hasn't just impressed Cowher with his play.

"I've done a lot of learning from (watching) him," Polamalu said. "I think he's played really, really well."

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_485293.html

[IamTheSteelGod]

No seriously WHY is Polamalu in the Pro Bowl, he has done near enough F*** all this year, kerry Rhodes has been a well better player, and he didn't even get a sniff.

Same with Hampton, Iam saying this and Iam a Steelers fan. Pro Bowl is just a farce, players go through on merit not what they have done this season.

[vasteeler]

JUST LIKE THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECETIONS ITS ALL A POPULARITY CONTEST

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by IamTheSteelGod

No seriously WHY is Polamalu in the Pro Bowl, he has done near enough F*** all this year, kerry Rhodes has been a well better player, and he didn't even get a sniff.

Same with Hampton, Iam saying this and Iam a Steelers fan. Pro Bowl is just a farce, players go through on merit not what they have done this season.

First of all... if your a true Steelers fan, then you know why he made it.. yeh the last few weeks he has been hurt and it has taken time for Clark to learn that FS spot's job. So, that means that Troy has had to stay back and help him more than he had to with Chris Hope.. so think about and watch a real game before you start questioning a no brainer to the Pro Bowl.... If anyone is a question of how he makes it every year in Pittsburgh it should be Alen Faneca...

[clevestinks]

Originally Posted by IamTheSteelGod

No seriously WHY is Polamalu in the Pro Bowl, he has done near enough F*** all this year, kerry Rhodes has been a well better player, and he didn't even get a sniff.

Same with Hampton, Iam saying this and Iam a Steelers fan. Pro Bowl is just a farce, players go through on merit not what they have done this season.

Couldnt disagree more, maybe Rhodes deserved more attention in the voting, But Troys biggest assets is total disruption of the other teams offensive schemes. Every qb that we play, looks around the entire field to figure out where he is. Then the audible out guessing where he will be. He doesnt play a straight up safety position, so he does not get the stats. But talk about a player that changes a game. How many runs go outside troy is there so it gets turned back up field for someone else to register the tackle.No stats fopr all these things. And most qbs throw away from him. No stats there. I live in the cleveland area, and hate it, everyone around me hates the Steelers, but they all come to me and say that they love the way troy plays the game. Especially when he didnt give up, as usual and brought edwards down after a long gain, no td.

Hines Ward, Troy Polamula, these type of players are the kind you want your kids to play like, this it was you teach, never give up, play each play like its your last, and be a great TEAM player.

My vote is tro for the Pro bowl