Polamalu: LeBeau Gives Him Flexibility In Defense
PITTSBURGH (KDKA 93-7 The Fan)- Joe Starkey of Starkey, Miller and Mueller had the opportunity to catch up with Steelers safety Troy Polamalu before the Ravens game.
It was a wide-ranging interview, and Starkey started by asking whether Polamalu has freedom to make his own decisions within the defense that's called.
"Coach LeBeau gives me flexibility to change positions or maybe manipulate the defense a little bit as long as it stays sound," Polamalu said. "I think it's a trust he's built, that we've built over the years that we've been together."
Polamalu said that a lot of people like the violence in football, but he likes the rhythm and artistry of the game.
"To me, it's very artful," Polamalu told Starkey. "For example, watching a great quarterback. To me that's very artful in how they dissect defenses."
Polamalu added that it's the same way with how LeBeau can call a game.
Starkey asked Polamalu if he's always in search of playing a perfect game. Polamalu replied that he's not sure if that's really possible.
"In football, especially given maybe the position that I'm in on this defense, any time a mistake is made, I feel that whether it's my mistake or somebody else's mistake, that I could have done something to prevent it," Polamalu said.
Does Polamalu have a deep love for football at this stage of his career?
"I think it's dangerous for people to say that they love football," Polamalu said. "I love life, and football is just a part of my life. I don't place football above anything else in my life, but it's definitely a big part of it. In that way, I do enjoy playing football."
