PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu practiced in a limited role for the first time in seven weeks, although it seems unlikely he will play Sunday in Miami.
Polamalu has missed 10 full games and most of two others with a pair of left knee injuries. He hasn't played since Nov. 15 against Cincinnati because of a sprained posterior cruciate ligament.
Polamalu called his current layoff "frustrating," but said it would be difficult to play after only a few days of practice following such a long time off.
According to Polamalu, his knee is still healing. He did not run at close to full speed and he appeared tentative doing some work.
Players such as Ray Lewis, Champ Bailey, DeMarcus Ware, Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, Charles Woodsen, Darren Sharper, Assante Samuels. Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, Elvis Dumervil, Darelle Revis, Ed Reed and Brian Dawkins (I am sure I overlooked a few others) come to mind as defensive game changers but IMHO none of them possess quite the impact that Palamalu brings to a defense when he is healthy...
You can't compare any defensive players loss to the loss of the top tier of QBs around the league (Curtis Painter in for Peyton Manning anyone) but in Palamalu's case he is the defensive equivalent to any of the top QBs around the league. In other words his team has no sub that can keep his defense at the same level of play they had with Troy.
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While we are at it lets talk Quarterbacks.
My top five QBs right now on the eve of week 17.
1. Peyton Manning, Drew Brees -- Tie
2. Philip Rivers
3. Tom Brady
4. Aaron Rodgers
Honorable mention but shaky of late: Brett Farve
Dangerous but also cumbustable: Donavan McNabb
Potential to join top tier group: Matt Schaub, Big Ben.
Up and comers: Matt Ryan, Tony Romo, Eli Manning and Joe Flacco
Solid but past their prime Vets:Kurt Warner, Carson Palmer, Matt Hasselback
Journeymen: Kyle Orton, David Garrard, Marc Bulger
Who Knows: Vince Young, Jay Cutler. Chad Henne, Mark Sanchez, Jason Campbell, Matthew Stafford, and Matt Cassel.
Washed up: Jake Delhomme and Kerry Collins.
I am sure there are some sleepers waiting as back-ups to show their talent but until they do they remain unknown.
Ready to make the jump from college to pro are some potential stars, some are underclassmen who are coming out early to avoid the potential rookie cap that may be part of the 2011 players contract.
Looking to play on Sundays:
Jimmy Clausen, Jake Locker, Jevan Snead, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, Tony Pike, Sam Bradford, Ryan Mallett, Christian Ponder and Jarett Brown among a few others who figure to get drafted in the top 100/150 players selected (if they come out early).
Clausen has the best chance of going in the top 5 depending upon what teams with early picks need..The Jaguars would love a shot at drafting the hugely popular in Florida Tim Tebow where he could be brought along slowly behind David Garrard.
Just my 2 cents for the day....
wil.
Polamalu has missed 10 full games and most of two others with a pair of left knee injuries. He hasn't played since Nov. 15 against Cincinnati because of a sprained posterior cruciate ligament.
Polamalu called his current layoff "frustrating," but said it would be difficult to play after only a few days of practice following such a long time off.
According to Polamalu, his knee is still healing. He did not run at close to full speed and he appeared tentative doing some work.
Players such as Ray Lewis, Champ Bailey, DeMarcus Ware, Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, Charles Woodsen, Darren Sharper, Assante Samuels. Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, Elvis Dumervil, Darelle Revis, Ed Reed and Brian Dawkins (I am sure I overlooked a few others) come to mind as defensive game changers but IMHO none of them possess quite the impact that Palamalu brings to a defense when he is healthy...
You can't compare any defensive players loss to the loss of the top tier of QBs around the league (Curtis Painter in for Peyton Manning anyone) but in Palamalu's case he is the defensive equivalent to any of the top QBs around the league. In other words his team has no sub that can keep his defense at the same level of play they had with Troy.
--------------------------
While we are at it lets talk Quarterbacks.
My top five QBs right now on the eve of week 17.
1. Peyton Manning, Drew Brees -- Tie
2. Philip Rivers
3. Tom Brady
4. Aaron Rodgers
Honorable mention but shaky of late: Brett Farve
Dangerous but also cumbustable: Donavan McNabb
Potential to join top tier group: Matt Schaub, Big Ben.
Up and comers: Matt Ryan, Tony Romo, Eli Manning and Joe Flacco
Solid but past their prime Vets:Kurt Warner, Carson Palmer, Matt Hasselback
Journeymen: Kyle Orton, David Garrard, Marc Bulger
Who Knows: Vince Young, Jay Cutler. Chad Henne, Mark Sanchez, Jason Campbell, Matthew Stafford, and Matt Cassel.
Washed up: Jake Delhomme and Kerry Collins.
I am sure there are some sleepers waiting as back-ups to show their talent but until they do they remain unknown.
Ready to make the jump from college to pro are some potential stars, some are underclassmen who are coming out early to avoid the potential rookie cap that may be part of the 2011 players contract.
Looking to play on Sundays:
Jimmy Clausen, Jake Locker, Jevan Snead, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, Tony Pike, Sam Bradford, Ryan Mallett, Christian Ponder and Jarett Brown among a few others who figure to get drafted in the top 100/150 players selected (if they come out early).
Clausen has the best chance of going in the top 5 depending upon what teams with early picks need..The Jaguars would love a shot at drafting the hugely popular in Florida Tim Tebow where he could be brought along slowly behind David Garrard.
Just my 2 cents for the day....
wil.
