The Steelers defense was once defined by a certain maniac on the field.
He carried the nickname, The Tasmanian Devil. As that fur greyed over the last few years, Troy Polamalu‘s performance and impact also came to a slow spin rather than a whirlwind of chaos. The “X-factor” had now become more of a fly to swat at than a force to be reckoned with.
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A mere sidestep for offensive coordinators rather than something to plan your entire scheme around for a solid week.
Polamalu’s way out is almost nigh. He will either take a major reduction in time on the field, or the Steelers will ask him to leave. Either way, the time for his replacement has come.
So, who is that replacement?
I’m fully confident at this point that it will be Shamarko Thomas. Limited to mainly special teams, Thomas has been under Polamalu’s wing for nearly two years. He’s even trained with Polamalu out in California during the offseason. The Steelers drafted him with the intent of replacing Troy.
Would the Steelers switch gears, however, and look to the draft?
Mark Kaboly from the Trib thinks that might be the case. In one of his recent posts from the combine, Kaboly regards Ole Miss’ Cody Prewitt as someone who models his game after the wild mane of hair that wears #43. The Steelers did speak with Prewitt while he was at the combine this week.
Two things: A) Prewitt is a free safety not strong. It’s not the type of position where you can just change up easily either. I’m not sure about Kaboly’s thinking that Prewitt would be a good target for a Polamalu replacement. B) Check out his scouting report:
"WEAKNESSES Is tight-hipped in space and is a marginal athlete by NFL standards. Uses high backpedal and doesn’t have juice to explode from stand-still — needs a build-up. Has average feet and is much better straight-line than laterally. Loiters around piles and doesn’t stick his nose in. He will tackle, but he isn’t going to send any messages with his hits. Can get exposed when asked to play man coverage in space. Benefited from attacking defensive front and aggressive cornerbacks. – NFL.com"
How can Kaboly even think that Prewitt structures his game around like what Polamalu does? What NFL.com says (and take it with a grain of salt, I guess) is the exact antithesis of Troy Polamalu.
Just because he may look like him from the neck up, doesn’t mean he’ll play like the future HOF’er.
You want a replacement for Troy in the draft?
Jan 24, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad safety Jaquiski Tartt of Samford (6) enters the field during player introductions before the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The North won, 34-13. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jaquiski Tartt out of Samford or Landon Collins out of Alabama. Those two play with the aggressiveness, confidence, and physicality that defined Troy Polamalu and his career. I actually believe that Tartt is the stronger of the two even though Collins comes from the SEC powerhouse.
But, let’s double back and reiterate the point that Shamarko Thomas was slated for and will be Troy Polamalu’s replacement – either this season or next. If the Steelers are doing any kind of drafting for safety in the draft, it will be to find Mike Mitchell’s replacement, who will more than likely return even though he did nothing to show he belongs back.
I think Kaboly’s blowing smoke here, even if the Steelers spoke with Prewitt while at the combine.