Steelers Likely To Have Polamalu and Hampton In Uniform Against the Giants

by TheMostViolentTeam on Oct 21, 2008 1:44 PM EDT Comment 28 comments

Bumped from the fanposts. Thanks to TMVT for the submission. This certainly changes the complexion of the game. Troy and the doctors know best, but man, I sure hope he's not rushing back because he views this particular game against the defending champs as especially important. It's just one game, and I think we all would prefer Troy sit for his own well being, as well as for the well being of the team later in the year if it's a borderline decision this weekend. For now though, let's chalk it up to great news! - Blitz-

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From the Post-Gazette:

Coach Mike Tomlin said today he expects safety Troy Polamalu to play against the New York Giants, even though the coach confirmed he sustained a concussion in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati.

"As of right now, we anticipate him playing," Tomlin said.

More good news for the Steelers: Nose tackle Casey Hampton and fullback Carey Davis also are expected to play Sunday against the Super Bowl champions, Tomlin said, and halfback Willie Parker will practice Wednesday and has improved since he reinjured his sprained left knee last Monday.

Analysis: Well we can stop planning how we would use An. Smith and Timmons to replace Polamalu's versatility. The fact we have already been cautious with injuries so far this year leads me to believe Polamalu has been more than fine with the medical staff this week, as they have no need to rush him back. Sounds like we'll have everybody back. Losing B-Mac, but keeping Polamalu really, really lessens the blow of losing McFadden. Polamalu is going to give Eli nightmares with his pre-snap movement and ability to cover up huge chunks of ground. Here's to hoping though he doesn't try to tackle big Brandon Jacobs with his head, and instead goes for the legs of the big guy. With Hampton and Parker likely to return, this is the closest we'll have been to full strength since Week 1.

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Really?

How many concussions does Troy have now? When I heard that he couldn’t even remember the play, I thought he’d miss at least a week. I agree Blitz, I hope they’re not rushing him back b/c this is a big game. I’d much rather have Troy for weeks 17 and 18 than this one.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Oct 21, 2008 2:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And Week 19!

Got 5? ... We do! Check the RINGS!!!

by warftr5 on Oct 21, 2008 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

7

is the number i’ve heard, including high school and college. only his 2nd in the Pros I believe.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Oct 21, 2008 2:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

that's an awfully high number

especially for a guy who’s only got one gear. It’s not like he’s a QB who can avoid contact. He will bang heads if he’s in the game.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Oct 21, 2008 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Faith

With the spotlight being on concussions all offseason I would like to think that the doctors, coaches, Troy, his wife, a couple of freinds from back home, ANYONE is telling this guy “If you do not feel right don’t play!” I know the tests may be better now then back in the day, but still your whole life is ahead (no pun intended) of you, don’t risk it because a lot of fans love/admire/respect you. If he walked away right now I’d be hurt because he is such a great PERSON. At training camp this year you could just see that he loved greeting people and was genuinley accepting and bashful all at the same time. He even held someones baby while he was signing other autographs. If there is one person who I would miss but still be happy that they could live a fruitful life outside af football it is him, and we have other guys on this team that are in the same category (Aa. Smith comes to mind). A side note, my wife thinks he is ‘too cute to play football’. Yeah, I know, and I still like the guy :P

60 minute men

by I.W.H.F.M.D.95 on Oct 21, 2008 2:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

lol

Chicks dig polamalu. Probably fan favorite of women in the entire league.

Nice thoughts btw.

You should read Wexell’s book. There’s tons of pages devoted to Troys and Aa Smith’s upbringings. Did you know Polamalu grew up in rural Oregon? Or sadly, that Aaron Smith had a BRUTAL childhood? All the players are so much more human to me now after reading the book. I couldnt reccommend it more. And no, Wexell isnt paying me to say any of this. I just liked the book that much. Read it in one day.

by Blitzburgh on Oct 21, 2008 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Need the Book

I have a subscription to the insiders network and they have been posting excerpts from Wexell’s book( he also writes columns on the site). I really want that book but the funds to get it aren’t there yet, sadly we are in a recession…………………VOTEVOTEVOTE ON THE 4TH PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! Ahhhh feels good to get that out. I read those two and there was one about Greg Lloyd (my favorite player of all time, if you can tell by my screen name) and the fallout with his wife and son. By the way, if anyone knows how/where to get the DVD of the Superbowl season of ’05 please let me know, Sports Illistrated screwed me on that one!

60 minute men

by I.W.H.F.M.D.95 on Oct 22, 2008 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You can just buy the DVD, I think its actually a 4-disc set of the whole playoff run, from nflshop.com. I think they use the Tunch call, too, so thats a bonus.

Guns don't kill people. Lamar Woodley kills people.

by BostonWahoo on Oct 22, 2008 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

a little easier

25% off coupon for borders

http://hot-deals.org/link/?391153d2841973139752e35812e4a204-1

by schnifin on Oct 22, 2008 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome thanks guys

HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!!!!!!!!!!!!

60 minute men

by I.W.H.F.M.D.95 on Oct 22, 2008 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

I counted him out. I don’t know how smart this is from a risk perspective, but from a football perspective, it’d be a huge lift for our secondary considering the uncertain depth. Okay, so we’re going to focus on stopping the run, now right?

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 21, 2008 4:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

last time

he got a concussion in the NFL was in ’06. and he played in the very next week. may have just been a minor concussion. from reading his history he has never had a major one where it affected his cognitive ability for the next few days.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Oct 21, 2008 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He better be 100% if he is going to play.

Playing so recently after a concussion just doesn’t sound good to me.

I think if we threw Anthony Smith in Troys place and used Clark to counter Smith’s recklessness than we would (will) be fine.

by shleeve on Oct 21, 2008 10:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed

but if the UPMC docs say Troy is fine, then he is fine. best docs in the world, especially about concussions.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Oct 21, 2008 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

and it’s not like he can throw 4 interceptions in this game or anything.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 22, 2008 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

true

but it was specifically mentioned that Cowher rushed Ben back in that instance, Tomlin has said he’s only going by the doctors. Possible he’d rush him back, but with the way Tomlin has been about injuries this year so far, I don’t see why he would rush Troy back now.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Oct 22, 2008 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s a good point about Tomlin so far. I don’t remember what the doctors said about Ben’s health going into the Oakland game, one way or another. I just remember thinking, “it’s Oakland. Why are we rushing him back?” I didn’t hear any reports of Cowher going against the medical staff, so they may have cleared him. That whole year was such a mess, though.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 22, 2008 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ugh

one of the hardest games to watch ever. Our defense couldn’t have played the game any better, save it if they had recorded safeties, interceptions, or fumbles on every single play. Oakland had 100 yards of TOTAL offense.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Oct 22, 2008 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

of course

Oakland’s D had an interception for TD on what seemed like every time we got the ball in their red zone. Gigantic kick in the balls.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Oct 22, 2008 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

INT for TD

This is the official month of the TAINT.

INTs returned for touchdowns are hereby referred to as TAINTs (Td After INT).

The more you know™.

Guns don't kill people. Lamar Woodley kills people.

by BostonWahoo on Oct 22, 2008 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks

Bill Simmons. Ike Taylor getting a TAINT off of Eli Manning would be nice to watch. Man, does that sound bad.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Oct 22, 2008 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Personally I expect to see our LB crew all over Eli’s taint – had to go there.

by steelguy99 on Oct 22, 2008 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bill Gay

will get the taint. He had an eye for the ball last preseason, so he might be the only guy we have that can catch. Well, Troy may have a good chance at the taint as well.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 22, 2008 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, that’s where I got it, but it has a life of its own now. Normally I don’t even read The Sports Guy, since I hate him, his writing, and everything he roots for, I root against. But it’s been slow for me at work, and I’ve been reading anything and everything.

Anyway, we should touch Eli’s TAINT a couple times this week, leaving him permanently scarred for life.

Guns don't kill people. Lamar Woodley kills people.

by BostonWahoo on Oct 22, 2008 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Has anyone up that way....

heard whether FWP will be ‘a-go’ for Sunday? Figured someone there may have the inside scoop as opposed to what the espn website says!

by Cdsumm on Oct 22, 2008 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think we’re cautiously optimistic. Tomlin’s press conference seemed to say that Hampton, Parker, and Polamalu were all going to play. That could change, though.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 22, 2008 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs