IDP Spotlight: S Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers

  Posted 7/16 by Anthony Borbely, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

Troy Polamalu is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL and has been a driving force behind the Pittsburgh defense for several years. Polamalu, a five-year veteran out of USC, is an elite athlete and makes plays all over the field. He is versatile and can play anywhere from the line of scrimmage to deep in coverage. Because of his playmaking abilities, Polamalu is a player who offenses must be aware of at all times.

Polamalu's biggest problem has been staying healthy. He was bothered by nagging injuries for much of last season and did not register a sack or an interception. He missed five games last year and three in 2006. When healthy, Polamalu is one of the best all around safeties in the NFL and can be counted on to be a difference maker for the Steelers. He does not put up huge tackle numbers, but he mixes in enough big plays to put himself in or near the top ten fantasy DBs.

As the 2008 season draws closer, all eyes will be on the health of Polamalu. He had knee surgery early in 2008 and there are some questions regarding his ability to be ready for training camp. A healthy Polamalu is one of the best players in the NFL, but as we saw last year, a hobbled Polamalu loses a lot of his effectiveness and makes fewer big plays. The decline in big plays takes Polamalu from the elite category to just another solid NFL safety.

Positives

• Polamalu is one of the most versatile defensive backs in the NFL and is equally adept at rushing the passer and playing in deep coverage.
• He is a physical safety who plays with the ferocity of a linebacker.
• He has great ball skills and tremendous instincts.
• He brings great energy to the defense and is one of the hardest working players in the league.

Negatives

• Polamalu has missed eight games in the last two years and has not been 100% healthy even when he has played.
• He had no interceptions or sacks last year, although injuries were part of the reason.
• Despite being one of the most physical safeties in the league, he does not put up consistent tackle numbers.
• The Steelers are known as a run-first offense and they added a first round RB in Rashard Mendenhall to add to their attack. This could limit the number of plays Polamalu plays.
  

Final Thoughts

Troy Polamalu is a proven star in this league and his 2008 numbers will likely be directly related to his ability to stay healthy. He has been a top-ten DB in the past and would have likely been inside the top-15 in each of the last two seasons had he remained healthy. Polamalu does not put up tackle numbers like some elite safeties do, but he has the capability to put up solid big play numbers and that is usually enough to vault him into the lower DB1 tier. The key is the condition of Polamalu's balky knee. If Polamalu is healthy, he should be a solid DB2 with the upside to crack the top-ten. Pay attention to his health before drafting him and realize there is a risk.

Quotes from the IDP Spotlight Message Thread

To view the entire thread, click here.

Jayrod:
"Polamalu had a disappointing season last year. It marked the second straight year of decline for him and the second straight year of missing time due to injuries. That said, he is still a joy to watch on the field and can make plays. The main question is then, have his skills declined already at just 27 and going into his 6th season, or is he still a playmaker that just had a couple of down years?

I think he rebounds this season to crack the top 20 once again. Not top 10 form like in '04 & '05, but better than recent years. Solid DB2 year from a guy who is just plain fun to watch on Sundays running around with that crazy black mane flowing behind him."

Polyethylene Bag:
"Great talent that can't stay healthy. His recurring knee issues are a big red flag and the fact that he doesn't seem to be fully recovered from his knee injury last year does not bode well for his prospects this year."

BigSteelThrill:
"Troy is a caution-laden player. Too many things working against him to be among the IDP elite producing backs. He is certainly capable, but his injury history is too darn questionable. I expect him show up on the injury report half the games he plays in. When he does play, the defense is good enough to relegate him into a cerebral center field position for the betterment of the team and the detriment of fantasy squads."

Projections

IDP Scoring System

• 1.5 pts per Solo Tackle
• 0.75 pts per Assisted Tackle
• 4 pts per Sack
• 4 pts per Forced Fumble
• 4 pts per Fumble Recovery
• 5 pts per Interception
• 1.5 pts per Pass Defensed
• 6 pts per Touchdown
• 2 pts per Safety