Tennessee Titans: Is Troy Polamalu An Option?
By Les Bailey
ESPN’s Pittsburgh Steelers reporter, Scott Brown, said in a March 5th post that the Steelers are hoping legendary Safety Troy Polamalu will retire before the Free Agency period begins the next week so they won’t be forced to release him. Could he be heading to the Tennessee Titans?
Sources close to the 33 year-old legend are saying that he is trying to make up his mind on returning for one more season in 2015. After spending 12 seasons in the Steel City, he may want to show Pittsburgh that he still has some gas left in the tank, and might sign with another team, if the situation were right.
"“Troy is still determining whether he wants to retire or try and play in 2015,” his agent, Marvin Demoff, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “We will make a decision fairly soon, but (it is) not imminent.”"
With the departure of former defensive coordinator, Dick LeBeau, the Steelers have decided to get younger on the defensive side of the ball, and are ready to turn over the reins to their 4th round draft pick, Shamarko Thomas.
Polamalu turns 34 in April, and is really just becoming another victim of the system, and salary cap. He has two years remaining on his contract, and is due $6 million when the new NFL year begins on March 10th.
He missed four games in 2014 because of a knee injury, but had 61 tackles with one forced fumble. It was the first time since 2007 that he didn’t record a sack, or interception.
"The iconic Polamalu was one of the cornerstones on the defenses that led the Steelers to two Super Bowl victories and three appearances in the NFL’s showcase event from 2005 to 2010. His 40-yard interception return for a touchdown in the 2008 AFC Championship Game helped clinch a 23-14 win over the Baltimore Ravens."
In my opinion, Dick LeBeau and the Tennessee Titans need to be all over Troy Polamalu, in attempt to bring him to Music City for at least one year, and hopefully two.
The one thing we know about Dick LeBeau’s 3-4 defense, it’s complicated, and it takes time to learn. What could be better than having an eight-time Pro Bowler in the lineup, calling signals in the defensive backfield, and showing the youngsters how it works?
Polamalu was a first-round pick out of the University of California(16th overall) in the 2003 NFL Draft. At 5 foot 10, 203 pounds, he has played all of his thirteen seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Considered as one of the best safeties from his generation, Polamalu has 771 career tackles, to go along with 14 forced fumbles, and 32 interceptions.
In his hay-day, Polamalu hit like a truck, and was everywhere on the field. He set the bar for the position in the modern era of the National Football League.
If Troy Polamalu wants to play for a couple more years, The Tennessee Titans need to be all over him in attempt to bring him to LP Field for at least the 2015 season.
Next: Will the McCourty Twins Reunite in Tennessee?