Top 5 scheme-changers. Polamalu???

[tony hipchest]

troy doesnt make the top 5. but neither does ladainian tomlinson. heres an interesting take on why ed reed edges out troy:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...ike&id=3056627

"Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu have a far greater impact on the game than any corner, and it's not even close," one quarterback on our panel said.



Baltimore's Reed and Pittsburgh's Polamalu were the only safeties who came close to earning spots on the short list of scheme-changing players. Reed came closer than Polamalu.



Quarterbacks marvel at Reed's range and overall playmaking ability. An interception Reed made against San Francisco on Sunday left the 49ers in awe. Reed somehow picked off a short pass to the flanker after lining up in the middle of the field, as if he'd been in two places at once.



Polamalu moves around constantly and blitzes from various angles. He moves around so much that some offensive coordinators tell their quarterbacks not to worry about him too much. They would rather ignore Polamalu than let him bait them into guesswork.



In that sense, safeties can be wild cards to the extent that teams resist making significant changes to their plans for fear of outsmarting themselves.



"Polamalu is an issue in protection while Reed is a factor for the quarterback and where his throws are going," the defensive coordinator said. "He's supposed to be in the post, but he might be jumping a route on the other side of the field."


Two scouts believe even the greatest safeties are generally too far from the football on most plays to force significant changes to game plans. Quarterbacks disagreed, saying Reed could change what they do.


"Ed Reed is special," another GM said. "The guy at Pittsburgh [Polamalu] is really good, not overrated, but there are some holes in his game."

[HometownGal]

"Ed Reed is special," another GM said. "The guy at Pittsburgh [Polamalu] is really good, not overrated, but there are some holes in his game."

Yeah, buddy - seems to be some holes in your head too.

Not taking anything away from Ed Reed, as he is one of the best safeties in the NFL, but he has one more year of starter/playing experience over Troy. Both can definitely be considered fierce competitors and intense playmakers and I know I'm going to sound like a homer here, but I'd take Troy over Reed any day of the week and twice on Sundays. He is far more elusive than Reed, imho, and went to the Pro Bowl in each of his first 3 seasons as a starter, an accomplishment Reed can't boast of.

[The Duke]

Originally Posted by HometownGal

Yeah, buddy - seems to be some holes in your head too.

Not taking anything away from Ed Reed, as he is one of the best safeties in the NFL, but he has one more year of starter/playing experience over Troy. Both can definitely be considered fierce competitors and intense playmakers and I know I'm going to sound like a homer here, but I'd take Troy over Reed any day of the week and twice on Sundays. He is far more elusive than Reed, imho, and went to the Pro Bowl in each of his first 3 seasons as a starter, an accomplishment Reed can't boast of.

I would also take troy over reed, but I agree with what he says that there are some holes in troy's game, although if there's a problem usually the other guys in the D are always there to cover it

[steel striker]

I remember during the pre season game against the eagles Donavan said don't about Troy. Then on the very next play Troy sacked him. So Donavan are you going to pay attention to Troy now?

[tony hipchest]

Originally Posted by steel striker

I remember during the pre season game against the eagles Donavan said don't about Troy. Then on the very next play Troy sacked him. So Donavan are you going to pay attention to Troy now?

i thought that was the funniest part of the article. the coaches are pretty much telling the qb "hey, we havent been able to figure him out, so dont even waste your time". to me, thats scheme changing impact (moreso than ed reed)

could you imagine a defensive coach telling his players "we cant cover that guy or figure out what hes doing, so dont worry about him"?

[Galax Steeler]

I think you have to worry about troy at all times he can change the game in one play.

[stillers4me]

What a bonehead. Was I the only one that noticed how the game changed AFTER Troy was pulled from the Arizona game???????????

I think not.

[steel striker]

No doubt about Troy means so much to our team and, I know we stepped up against the seahags. The cards game really changed after Troy and Casey left. With that being said Troy is such a great player and, I'm glad he is on our team! Even the cheater coach for the pats said you need to know where Troy's is on every play or he will make you pay. Troy plays with a tremendous passion for the game and, no doubt Ed Reid for the ratbirds is a very good player. I rather have Troy!!