Friday night 5 questions and open thread

As the Pittsburgh Steelers now prepare for life without Troy Polamalu, so do the fans of the most successful franchise in the history of the NFL. No better way to begin the recovery process than with a nice beverage, some good conversation and as always some friendly banter amongst the best fans around.

As always, be sure to announce your beverage of choice, please stop checking other sites who consistently rip off the work done at this fine establishment and if you enjoyed your service, place a tip in the jar on the counter. Time to tune up the band and get this party started right...

1. Troy Polamalu...the name simply says it all, but what comes to your mind first when you hear the legendary safety's name? The hair? The plays?

2. The Steelers now move on without Polamalu in the deep secondary. They re-signed Will Allen tonight if you hadn't noticed. Do you see this being an open competition between Allen and Shamarko Thomas for the starting spot along side Mike Mitchell, or was the Allen signing simply for experienced depth?

3. It seems like weeks ago, but Thursday Le'Veon Bell was suspended 3 games my the NFL for his DUI with LeGarrette Blount last August. Assuming Bell's appeal isn't granted and the suspension stays at 3 games, will Bell still rush for over 1,200 yards in 2015?

4. Earlier today Ivan Cole wrote a great piece about Polamalu's retirement being the end of an era. You had to be there, certainly signified the early 2000 teams and their accomplishments. Of all the players and teams of that era, which stand out the most? 2005 and one for the thumb? Joey Porter and the boys talking trash?

5. Time to play a little OVER/UNDER game this Friday Night: Number of sacks Jarvis Jones records in 2015. The line is set at 7.5.

Extra Credit: For some casual reading, our friends at Bleeding Green Nation (SB Nation's Philadelphia Eagles site) wrote an article stating how Brian Dawkins was the better safety compared to Polamalu. Try to contain your laughter...