Posted on 01/20/2006 10:31:23 AM PST by beyond the sea
Reporters and cameramen surround Troy Polamalu in the visitors' locker room at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. You lean in to try to hear what the Pittsburgh Steelers safety has to say, but it's fruitless. Polamalu barely speaks above a whisper. And you think: This is the guy who terrorized Peyton Manning?
Another anecdote, from a few years back: Polamalu asks USC teammate Alex Holmes for permission to take out his sister, Theodora. Holmes wouldn't let anyone else on the team talk to Theodora, let alone date her. But he tells Polamalu, ``Of course. Nothing could make me happier.''
Holmes accedes because Polamalu ``is such an exceptional person.'' You hear this and think: This is the guy who gives offensive coordinators nightmares?
Polamalu is indeed that guy. Soft-spoken off the field, teeth-rattling hitter on it. Mild-mannered, generous person, maniacal, intimidating player.
In many ways, Polamalu embodies the defense for which he toils: The first-glance perception and the reality are separate entities. The Denver Broncos must contend with both in the AFC championship game Sunday. It's no easy task.
Polamalu's bedevilment of the Colts included seven tackles, two pass breakups and three near-interceptions. The previous week, in a victory over Cincinnati, he had six tackles, a half-sack and an interception no replay review could reverse.
``That's becoming normal for him, to be pretty much the most dominant player on the field,'' said Holmes, who not only became Polamalu's brother-in-law but also plays tight end for the Miami Dolphins. ``That's a crazy thing to say in the NFL.''
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
No, not from Penn. I'm in Conservative Hell. San Francisco Bay Area.
I don't even know how to post a picture, let alone a profile LOL.
It will be a good game. I am worried though that Steelers are only coming in tomorrow night w/no acclimation, but, maybe they'll be sucking the oxygen on the way over.
Hopefully, it's just a good game. Best team to win. I agree. AFC S.B. winners are much more palatable.
No Cleveland Browns fan should ever root for the Broncos in an AFC championship game !
Remember it was the Steelers who protested the loudest when Modell moved the Browns to Baltimore.
Difference is the air is thinner at a "mile high"...ball travels further on punts, kicks, and passes...ask the Rockies! At Coors field there are more home runs than any other stadium in MLB!
Right on (50), and his kickoffs will go a little further too. And, some of those long passes that Ben has been slightly underthrowing all year just may go two or three yards further......... perfect....... maybe.
:-)
Cowher will know that Reed is good at 5 to 8 yards further...
I'm torn. As a Raider fan, I'm predisposed to hate the Broncos. However, I still haven't forgiven the Steelers for the Immaculate Reception.
Decisions, decisions.
Jeez - A 30 year grudge! Let it go!
And here I am in Pittsburgh still occasionally wearing that Raider jacket given to me by Al Locassale!
The only problem is that with the Steeler defense, Plummer won't know how many are "in the box" until after the ball is snapped. Makes it hell to do an audible --- just ask Peyton Manning.
I'm still looking for a Troy Polamalu teeshirt. My local outlet was all sold out.
I'm a proud owner of that SI special issue.
Shanahan = more 1000 yd rushers in shorter period of time than any other in the history of the NFL...Davis (2), O. Gary, Mike Anderson (2), Ruben Droughns, and Clinton Portis (2)...we'll be ready!
The only Raider jackets I have ever seen in the Burgh were on gang bangers. (I guess they identify with that team) ;~))
What's a DUCE?
Having a garbage pitching staff contributes to that. &^)
He is a physically gifted athlete and could become another terror like Mel Blount.
I'm not sure whether the Pats should have gotten him or Ty Warren. Both are nice players, of course, and we were set at safety when Troy was in the draft. Oh, well. It's not like we got Katzenmoyer over Al Wilson or anything...
Prayers offered up for a Steeler win. (Oops, wrong thread. Thought it was the religion thread, hehehe.)
No good pitcher in his right mind would go to the Rockies at Coors...where we say "no lead is safe" at Coors Field!
Why would a Browns fan root for the Broncos? The Drive? The Fumble? C'mon man, you guys must hate the Broncos, don't you?
Plummer better watch out for Steelers defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen. Dirty Player!!
Guess who my team is!!
How big was Doug FLutie?
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