January 31st, 2011 Monday
MONDAY’S HEADLINES
TROY POLAMALU SNAGS TOP DEFENSIVE HONOR
The Steelers’ strong safety won a well deserved Defensive Player of the Year Award this year for his outstanding efforts on the field for the Black and Gold. Polamalu led the team with seven interceptions and caused nine turnovers in 2010. Without question Polamalu is the heart and soul of the secondary and one of the defenses big impact players. When Polamalu is healthy and in the lineup the Steelers’ defense is a much more effective unit. The former Trojan adds this award to an already impressive resume that includes six Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pro selections. While there might be some contention with Polamalu receiving this award over Packer’s linebacker Clay Matthews Jr (who many thought had won the award), it’s hard to argue against his deserving the award; 63 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, 7 interceptions, one defensive touchdown scored and he is one of the teams’ key players that helped lead the league’s overall number two ranked defense in 2010.
THE STEELERS COULD BE MISSING A FEW NOTABLES
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, there are multiple sources reporting that the Steelers will be without both defensive end Aaron Smith (triceps) and center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) for Super Bowl Sunday. While this really comes as little surprise to anyone, Pouncey’s absence could play more of a significant on Sunday. With Smith out defensive lineman Ziggy Hood will continue in his role as the starter and provide the strong play the team has become accustomed to. With Pouncey out Doug Legursky would start at center and face a steep challenge going up against the Packers and Dom Caper’s exotic pass rush scheme. Legursky filled in admirably against the Jets in the AFC Championship, but on Sunday he’ll face one of the leagues fiercest pass rush, second only to the Steel Curtain; this will be a matchup to watch.
PACKERS FACING SOME DISTRACTIONS BEFORE SUPER SUNDAY
It’s really hardly a distraction, but it seems to be quite entertaining to see all the attention and fuss that is being made about a few tweets on Twitter from some of the Packers regarding their team photo. What is amazing is how something as simple as a tweet can be spun into a story or even anything worth taking up a few breaths at the watercooler. As this so-called story has been followed, it appears all of the Packers in question have now made nice and there really shouldn’t be anything worth bringing up as both teams now prepare for Sunday. If anything, the Packers might want to use the fact that in some people’s eyes Clay Matthews Jr was snubbed out of the DPOY award and use that as locker room material.
By David Ortega
The Steelers’ strong safety won a well deserved Defensive Player of the Year Award this year for his outstanding efforts on the field for the Black and Gold. Polamalu led the team with seven interceptions and caused nine turnovers in 2010. Without question Polamalu is the heart and soul of the secondary and one of the defenses big impact players. When Polamalu is healthy and in the lineup the Steelers’ defense is a much more effective unit. The former Trojan adds this award to an already impressive resume that includes six Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pro selections. While there might be some contention with Polamalu receiving this award over Packer’s linebacker Clay Matthews Jr (who many thought had won the award), it’s hard to argue against his deserving the award; 63 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, 7 interceptions, one defensive touchdown scored and he is one of the teams’ key players that helped lead the league’s overall number two ranked defense in 2010.
THE STEELERS COULD BE MISSING A FEW NOTABLES
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, there are multiple sources reporting that the Steelers will be without both defensive end Aaron Smith (triceps) and center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) for Super Bowl Sunday. While this really comes as little surprise to anyone, Pouncey’s absence could play more of a significant on Sunday. With Smith out defensive lineman Ziggy Hood will continue in his role as the starter and provide the strong play the team has become accustomed to. With Pouncey out Doug Legursky would start at center and face a steep challenge going up against the Packers and Dom Caper’s exotic pass rush scheme. Legursky filled in admirably against the Jets in the AFC Championship, but on Sunday he’ll face one of the leagues fiercest pass rush, second only to the Steel Curtain; this will be a matchup to watch.
PACKERS FACING SOME DISTRACTIONS BEFORE SUPER SUNDAY
It’s really hardly a distraction, but it seems to be quite entertaining to see all the attention and fuss that is being made about a few tweets on Twitter from some of the Packers regarding their team photo. What is amazing is how something as simple as a tweet can be spun into a story or even anything worth taking up a few breaths at the watercooler. As this so-called story has been followed, it appears all of the Packers in question have now made nice and there really shouldn’t be anything worth bringing up as both teams now prepare for Sunday. If anything, the Packers might want to use the fact that in some people’s eyes Clay Matthews Jr was snubbed out of the DPOY award and use that as locker room material.
By David Ortega
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