CBS' La Canfora: End Of Road Looming For Steelers & Polamalu?
PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - The Pittsburgh Steelers are back in training camp, and CBS Sports NFL insider Jason La Canfora joins Troy Clardy on Sportsradio 93.7 The Fan for a preview.
La Canfora predicted the Steelers would cut ties with Hines Ward and James Harrison months before those transactions occurred, and he sees similarities with Troy Polamalu's situation.
"He's very much in the same boat that Hines was in two years ago, and guys like Casey Hampton and James Harrison were in last year," La Canfora says. "Because of health and other things, he hasn't lived up to that most recent contract extension. At a certain point, these guys are getting older and not younger, and you have to move on. If he's not the Troy of old this year, I certainly think they will move on."
"It's going to come down to performance, an ability to stay healthy, and willingness to restructure the contract. It's just the reality of the situation."
La Canfora also looks at what to expect from Pittsburgh this season.
"It's hard to knock the Steelers," he says. "I know people do there, and I get it. Last year wasn't the season everybody wanted. But I think people are a little spoiled and their expectations get a little skewed. I don't ever write the Steelers off, especially as they're presently constructed when there's enough guys there who can help them win football games. If they get the kind of the games from this draft class that they think they can, to me they're back in the playoff equation, and they're a team to be feared every week."
Jason also sizes up the rest of the AFC North, looks at whether the New England Patriots' tumultuous offseason spells trouble in the AFC East, and whether Pittsburgh-Baltimore is still the most important rivalry in the NFL.
Catch Troy Clardy Sunday mornings on Sportsradio 93.7 The Fan...and listen to the entire interview below!
