The Troy Polamalu Effect
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) - Most of the Pittsburgh Steelers selected safety Troy Polamalu as the team's most valuable player, but one player wasn't happy with that selection. That player was Troy himself.
Polamalu doesn't believe in individual awards because it gives too much attention to individual players when football is the perfect team sport.
"It's just uncomfortable winning anything like this," Polamalu said. "Football is such a perfect team sport, it's hard to make anybody, especially our team and the way we play on defense, a most valuable player. I've never been a fan. If I was ever a coach, I probably wouldn't ever have an award like this."
Polamalu is having one of his best years even with an Achilles injury that has kept him out of the lineup for a couple games.
Polamalu is so much a part of the Steelers number one ranked defense, that oddsmakers even adjust betting lines because of him, something few NFL defensive players force them to do.
Players can point to a half-dozen plays that Polamalu impacted to alter the AFC North race and allowed the Steelers to receive a first-round bye.
In the Baltimore Ravens game, if Polamalu didn't force a fumble while sacking Joe Flacco late in the game the Ravens would have won the division. And the Steelers would be playing this weekend.
No matter where the Steelers look, Polamalu's fingerprints are all over a season in which they are one victory away from playing in their fifth AFC championship game in 10 seasons.
Polamalu often moves an entire defense to play better.
Polamalu has seven interceptions and 63 tackles this season. The seven interceptions match his career-high from 2008. He has a total of 27 career interceptions.
Polamalu's seven picks are one-third of the Steelers' 21 interceptions; the most they've had since 1996.
Going into the playoffs, the Steelers also are second in total defense and first against the run, allowing 28 yards rushing per game fewer than any other team.
"I don't know if it's been my best year, but it definitely has been the most challenging year given the circumstances that we've had on defense," Polamalu said.
