[InsManKV]

He was a non-factor throughout the playoffs. I have to believe that he wasn't right healthwise. And that may be his overall legacy, much like Bob Sanders. Great during those times when they are healthy.

hes good when hes allowed to do what he does good, covering fast receivers is not one of the things he does good.

[muBXvWIC]

To repeat as SB champions is very hard. Some of they guys GB lost to IR were replaced by players who ended up being better than the guys they replaced....I think 1/2 the guys they lost played ROLB which was never a strong point anyways.

My other point is predicting 2011, while fun and everyone will do, is idiotic. to me NFL is hardest sport to predict. 1-2 plays can change an entire season.

I've been saying that all year. The loss of Grant and Finley was worse than the other 13 players combined.

Brady Poppinga? Meh.
Brad Jones? Meh.
Justin Harrell? Meh.

True, some players (Bishop and Bulaga come to mind) outplayed the guys that went down in front of them when given a chance.

But the big effect was on special teams as players brought in for that specific purpose had to be moved off of those units for a bigger role elsewhere.

[beloveds]

True, some players (Bishop and Bulaga come to mind) outplayed the guys that went down in front of them when given a chance.

But the big effect was on special teams as players brought in for that specific purpose had to be moved off of those units for a bigger role elsewhere.

I dont remember our Special Teams being "special" at any point this season, except for Masthay.

[xLQLRcXh]

True, some players (Bishop and Bulaga come to mind) outplayed the guys that went down in front of them when given a chance.

But the big effect was on special teams as players brought in for that specific purpose had to be moved off of those units for a bigger role elsewhere.

Oh, I get that. I'm just saying, in general, a lot of the guys that went down were outperformed by their replacements. You know I was bitching about special teams all year. My contention though, is that the injuries that they fought so valiantly to overcome, really weren't THAT big of an impact, especially on defense. Yes, the running game was more or less suck without Grant, and losing Finley hurt. But the WR's made up for that, with 4 guys all having 40+ catches and 500 or more yards.

Losing Taushcer.......meh. Bulaga held his own. As he should. A first round lineman was drafted.

Even not having Harris.......meh. Had Harris not gone down, do Williams and Shields emerge they way they did?

Williams had as good a season as Harris ever had in GB, and that's saying something. I'm not saying the injuries had no impact, but the guys that stepped into those starting roles (or in the case of Shields, a key role in backup), they played just as good or better than we could have even expected those starters to play.

[icyfreshy]

Fucking crazy with the giants there buddy, crazy.

lol

[sisimelanyk]

Who will they finish above?

Detroit or Chicago

[mosypeSom]

Like I said.......not denying the guy's a great safety, and maybe moses' comment was meant to be somewhat tongue in cheek, but......best ever?

He's not even the best SAFETY ever, let alone player.

He was a non-factor throughout the playoffs. I have to believe that he wasn't right healthwise. And that may be his overall legacy, much like Bob Sanders. Great during those times when they are healthy.

I've come to the realization that Troy Polamalu is the greatest player to ever grace an NFL football field. He's the sole reason USC was good in the early 2000s.


Huh? I'm not denying the guy is a great safety, but his award this year was basically a 'lifetime achievement award'. And his performance in the Super Bowl, the games biggest stage, was AWFUL. Rodgers carved him up.

I don't exactly remember Rodgers targeting Polamalu all that much in the Superbowl. Regardless, that secondary has about 0 skill outside of him and somehow they were one of the best defenses in the league. Polamalu does things that shouldn't be humanly possible.

And Polamalu is far better than Bob Sanders -- though he does have some health concerns.

[Grainiary]

I don't exactly remember Rodgers targeting Polamalu all that much in the Superbowl. Regardless, that secondary has about 0 skill outside of him and somehow they were one of the best defenses in the league. Polamalu does things that shouldn't be humanly possible.

And Polamalu is far better than Bob Sanders -- though he does have some health concerns.

I read a column (sorry, no link) where a Pitt writer said that was the worst game he had ever seen Polamalu play.

I watched some post game stuff that showed SEVERAL instances of Rodgers looking off receivers, forcing Polamalu away from the open guy. They were picking on him, he tried to guess routes all night, and they got completely picked apart.

Again, not saying the guy is not a great football player.

But he's not best ever. Safety, or otherwise.

[JakeBarkings]

I read a column (sorry, no link) where a Pitt writer said that was the worst game he had ever seen Polamalu play.

I watched some post game stuff that showed SEVERAL instances of Rodgers looking off receivers, forcing Polamalu away from the open guy. They were picking on him, he tried to guess routes all night, and they got completely picked apart.

Again, not saying the guy is not a great football player.

But he's not best ever. Safety, or otherwise.

Troy got torched by a few teams. He is too damn big. Needs to play LB

[Dpkefsuf]

I'd say he's the single most important player on the entire Pittsburgh team.

Not disagreeing with that.

[Carol]

I read a column (sorry, no link) where a Pitt writer said that was the worst game he had ever seen Polamalu play.

I watched some post game stuff that showed SEVERAL instances of Rodgers looking off receivers, forcing Polamalu away from the open guy. They were picking on him, he tried to guess routes all night, and they got completely picked apart.

Again, not saying the guy is not a great football player.

But he's not best ever. Safety, or otherwise.

I'd say he's the single most important player on the entire Pittsburgh team.

[Master_B]

Troy got torched by a few teams. He is too damn big. Needs to play LB

He's 5'10.

[vansVoish]

Detroit or Chicago

So you're saying Detroit or Chicago could each finish above the Vikings, but not both?

[smazibummigue]

I'd say he's the single most important player on the entire Pittsburgh team.

Maybe, maybe not. He's a great playmaker, but clearly not a great cover safety. You could certainly make a case for crybaby Harrison as well.

[toopyimport]

He's 5'10.

I didnt say he is too tall. He is a tweener. Hes listed at 207 but is probably closer to 225. When he is made to cover someone and spread out he gets abused. The Cardinals, Pats and Packers all did it to him.

[Teprophopay]

So you're saying Detroit or Chicago could each finish above the Vikings, but not both?

Yes.

Also I understand, I, like 99% of all fans am biased towards my team...i think strenghts are bigger than they are and weakness's are lss than they are, and am optimisit...although I'm also a fatalist....few reasons why I think they'll imrpove:

2010-Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Injuries to areas that lacked depth occured.

MN had a brutal start to their schedule, our first 5 road games: New Orleans, New York Jets, Chicago (where they've won one time in past decade), Green Bay, New England....we also played the road warriors Dolphins. Once MN hit 2-5, I think they just mailed it in.

MN also had injuries to area's with little no to depth. I know all teams faced injuries. I get that.

MN had 41 year old QB coming off arguably his best season in his career, to his worst. I didnt expect favre to repeat his 09 magic, but i also didnt think he'd revert to Rex Grossman

Dome Collapsed-MN only had 6 home games

Over Confident-I think a few players rested and thought they could show up and get a W.

In 2011 MN will have a last place schedule, hopefully some stability in where they play. They have some good young players and some good veterans...and if anything, NFL is one of the more unpredictable things....who knows AD could go day week 1 and call it a season

[Fuerfsanv]

oh, and in all 16 games MN was hosed by the Ref's. The ref's hate us

[Lvnufcdc]

although, according to fahvra, if I don't believe my team is going to the SB, I'm a fairweather fan. I wouldn't want that, so your 2011 SB Champs will be the vikings

[mincbiori]

According to Pro-footballreference.com, Polamalu wasn't even the best player in the NFL this year. that would have been Clay Matthews, according to their 'approximate value' formula.

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...10/leaders.htm

[Queuerriptota]

According to Pro-footballreference.com, Polamalu wasn't even the best player in the NFL this year. that would have been Clay Matthews, according to their 'approximate value' formula.

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...10/leaders.htm

.....and Arian Foster.