Steelers seek to reach long-term deal with Polamalu

[fer522]

The Pittsburgh Steelers would like to keep Troy Polamalu in the black and gold for years to come, and for the star safety, the feeling is mutual.


With a new contract in the books for linebacker LaMarr Woodley, the Steelers' front office hopes to strike a long-term pact with Polamalu, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Saturday.

Polamalu is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season at the end of a five-year, $33 million contract he signed in 2007. That deal made him the league's highest-paid safety at the time.

"My only comment is, because I know things can really get misconstrued a lot, is that everything regarding our contract talks will stay between the Rooneys and my agent (Marvin Demoff)," Polamalu said. "Other than that, I would love to retire a Pittsburgh Steeler."

Demoff told the Tribune-Review in July that he expected the team to take action.

"The Steelers always have done this sort of thing the year before a contract is up," Demoff said.

Polamalu spent the offseason rehabilitating an Achilles' tendon injury in Los Angeles. The three-time All-Pro has played a full, 16-game schedule in just four of his eight seasons because of his physical style of play. He has missed 13 regular-season games the last three seasons but still has 17 interceptions and 35 passes defended.



http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d...headline_stack

[tanda10506]

I figured they would want to see if he could stay healthy first. Good news though, as long as he's on the field, he makes the defense. I've never seen player make such an impact on defense when he goes out.

[steeltheone]

Gonna have to get rid of many Vets next year to secure TP43

[Steelers17]

Originally Posted by tanda10506

I figured they would want to see if he could stay healthy first. Good news though, as long as he's on the field, he makes the defense. I've never seen player make such an impact on defense when he goes out.

The Steelers are expert at knowing when the gig is up and are anything other than a non-profit charitable entity. Additionally, overcoming an Achilles injury is simply brutal.

Not a positive perspective at all.

[steeltheone]

Originally Posted by Steelers17

The Steelers are expert at knowing when the gig is up and are anything other than a non-profit charitable entity. Additionally, overcoming an Achilles injury is simply brutal.

Not a positive perspective at all.

The gig has been up for many of our vets....No replacements

[pancake]

I'm betting that Troy gets a new deal before the season starts. I hope Timmons too, but we will see...

[Fire Arians]

we have no choice but to sign him, who else can take his spot? nobody on our roster is ready to fill in as a long-term fix and we didn't draft a safety. i was hoping we'd land robert sands because we will probably have to find a replacement for troy in a few years

[solardave]

Originally Posted by Fire Arians

we have no choice but to sign him, who else can take his spot? nobody on our roster is ready to fill in as a long-term fix and we didn't draft a safety. i was hoping we'd land robert sands because we will probably have to find a replacement for troy in a few years

Next year we'll find his replacement.

[Kingmagyar]

It would be a very bad mistake to sign Troy now. He still is not 100% and that achilles could totally rip at any moment. The best strategy for Troy is to Franchise him next year after you see him get through this season. The franchise tag for a safety would be I believe the top 5 salaries of Safeties in the league and considering how much Troy would get in a contract, the Steelers would pay him less per year as the franchise player. If he shows to be totally healed sign him next year to a long term deal. No need to do it now with that Franchise option next year. Save the over 20 million you will need in a signing bonus this year.

The Franchise tag for Timmons however would be over 10 million. Sign Timmons this year and Franchise Troy next year then try to work a deal based off that. and you could Franchise him the next two years if needed.

[meanfish]

Originally Posted by solardave

Next year we'll find his replacement.

As much as I'd like to believe that, you don't just replace Troy. He's a freak! If I remember correctly we had to move up in the first round to get him and that was after he dropped due to concussion concerns??

He's special and when the time comes we'll just have to get someone that can play.