Polamalu looks like old self, but injury questions remain

By Ed Bouchette / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Who was that player bouncing around in the Steelers defense early Saturday night at Heinz Field, jumping over linemen, disrupting the New York Giants' running game?

Troy Polamalu has been missing much of the past year and has had a quiet training camp. He made news just once this summer when coach Mike Tomlin reasoned that he gave his 32-year-old safety a day off because of a contusion to his birth certificate.

But that was vintage Polamalu in the early stages of the first exhibition game Saturday night, darting here and there at the line of scrimmage, making a pest of himself as the Giants struggled on the ground.

Yet all he wanted to talk about after New York's 18-13 victory was the mistake he made in coverage that allowed Victor Cruz to get deep for a 57-yard touchdown reception from Eli Manning.

"I was guessing," Polamalu said.

Cruz raced past cornerback William Gay down the middle and Polamalu came too late to his assignment, which was to pick him up deep.

"The good part, to be honest, is I know I can correct those mistakes," Polamalu said. "It's tough when you have to rely on other people to correct their mistakes. It's nice that I'm a weakness at this point

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/steelers-polamalu-looks-like-old-self-but-injury-questions-remain-698995/#ixzz2boo6B5f2

I have cautious optism that he will make it through this season unharmed.

stlrtruck wrote:

I have cautious optism that he will make it through this season unharmed.

I hope he has a good year this year. It would be nice to see him being considered for Defensive Player of the Year again.