Rookie Steelers NT Ta'amu finds a natural mentor in Polamalu

Rookie Steelers NT Ta'amu finds a natural mentor in Polamalu

Associated Press
Published: May 5, 2012 at 05:48 a.m.

PITTSBURGH -- Alameda Ta'amu's "welcome to the NFL" moment didn't come when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected the massive nose tackle in the fourth round of last week's draft.

Instead it came a little later when All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu -- who like Ta'amu is of Samoan heritage -- buzzed the rookie's cell phone.

"When he called me, I didn't think it was really him," Ta'amu said with a laugh. "But then you know his voice from those Head & Shoulders commercials. I was talking to him and it was crazy."

Polamalu offered Ta'amu a sounding board and someone to lean on as he gets acclimated to life as a professional. As mentors go, Ta'amu could do a lot worse.

The pep talk helped calm Ta'amu's nerves before he joined 39 other newcomers for the team's rookie minicamp this weekend. Sweat beading on his ample forehead, Ta'amu just smiled when asked what it's like to go from college kid to NFL player in six days.

"I was worried that I'd come here and start hitting and it would feel different," Ta'amu said. "I feel pretty good. I feel in football shape."

There are no real teachers at the ready for first-round pick David DeCastro. The All-American guard from Stanford will step in right away to help shore up a sometimes leaky offensive line.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d...or-in-polamalu

vasteeler wrote:

Rookie Steelers NT Ta'amu finds a natural mentor in Polamalu

Associated Press
Published: May 5, 2012 at 05:48 a.m.

PITTSBURGH -- Alameda Ta'amu's "welcome to the NFL" moment didn't come when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected the massive nose tackle in the fourth round of last week's draft.

Instead it came a little later when All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu -- who like Ta'amu is of Samoan heritage -- buzzed the rookie's cell phone.

"When he called me, I didn't think it was really him," Ta'amu said with a laugh. "But then you know his voice from those Head & Shoulders commercials. I was talking to him and it was crazy."

Polamalu offered Ta'amu a sounding board and someone to lean on as he gets acclimated to life as a professional. As mentors go, Ta'amu could do a lot worse.

The pep talk helped calm Ta'amu's nerves before he joined 39 other newcomers for the team's rookie minicamp this weekend. Sweat beading on his ample forehead, Ta'amu just smiled when asked what it's like to go from college kid to NFL player in six days.

"I was worried that I'd come here and start hitting and it would feel different," Ta'amu said. "I feel pretty good. I feel in football shape."

There are no real teachers at the ready for first-round pick David DeCastro. The All-American guard from Stanford will step in right away to help shore up a sometimes leaky offensive line.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d...or-in-polamalu

A what? Sometimes leaky offensive line? Sometimes?

solardave wrote:

vasteeler wrote:

Rookie Steelers NT Ta'amu finds a natural mentor in Polamalu

Associated Press
Published: May 5, 2012 at 05:48 a.m.

PITTSBURGH -- Alameda Ta'amu's "welcome to the NFL" moment didn't come when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected the massive nose tackle in the fourth round of last week's draft.

Instead it came a little later when All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu -- who like Ta'amu is of Samoan heritage -- buzzed the rookie's cell phone.

"When he called me, I didn't think it was really him," Ta'amu said with a laugh. "But then you know his voice from those Head & Shoulders commercials. I was talking to him and it was crazy."

Polamalu offered Ta'amu a sounding board and someone to lean on as he gets acclimated to life as a professional. As mentors go, Ta'amu could do a lot worse.

The pep talk helped calm Ta'amu's nerves before he joined 39 other newcomers for the team's rookie minicamp this weekend. Sweat beading on his ample forehead, Ta'amu just smiled when asked what it's like to go from college kid to NFL player in six days.

"I was worried that I'd come here and start hitting and it would feel different," Ta'amu said. "I feel pretty good. I feel in football shape."

There are no real teachers at the ready for first-round pick David DeCastro. The All-American guard from Stanford will step in right away to help shore up a sometimes leaky offensive line.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d...or-in-polamalu

A what? Sometimes leaky offensive line? Sometimes?

Did someone say leaky?