He Just Doesn't Want to Mess Up His Hair...

"When there's an injury like this, it's always best to take the safe route because it's a very long season. If you continue to re-injure it this early, there's no telling how bad it could really get. So, if there's any down time that's good, it's right now."

- Troy Polamalu

Alright, you guys wanna talk about Troy's injury? Let's talk about Troy's injury. I mean, farbeit from me to try and write about something more humorous, yet less relevant to Steelers football (like I might normally do)...

First of all, it's completely unrelated to his injury last season. That was some sort of a sternum thing (ribs?) if I remember correctly. This is just a pulled hammy. Hell, I pulled a hammy humping Kristin Bell playing Rock Band the other night. In fact, one time, I pulled a hammy just by being awesome. So let's call it what it is - nothing. At least in the context of a finely tuned, professional athletic machine.

Second of all, to be honest, Troy looked pretty shitty last season (using a relative comparison, that is). After firmly emerging as the defensive backfield's stud in years 2004 - 2006 ('03 doesn't count), dude spent the better part of 2007 either writhing on the sidelines or underachieving on the field. Now, I'm no Doctor. I'm not even a nurse (though I do know how to properly administer mouth-to-mouth on a beautiful woman). But that sounds to me like a guy who needs some rest and rehabilitation.

So Troy's on the PUP list for the beginning of training camp. Good. I'd rather him sit through ALL of camp if it means he'll be 100% Polamalu come September.

Of course, the ideal sitch, at least in my mind, is for Troy to observe the first week, then try and at least do some drills on his own thereafter. And once he's comfortable, put on the pads and engage in a little light "how you doin' Willie Reid"'s.

No sense in pushing the man. Am I wrong?

Besides, he's probably just trying to sneak off to see Dark Knight anyhow.

Oh, and I particularly enjoyed when he described his trainer-of-choice, Marv Marinovich's routine as "very awesome." That comment was "very sophisticated." USC, what a very quality edumacation. Nahmeen?

So, what do you guys think? Worried? Disappointed? Satisfied? Hungry? Do you now think differently about Marv Marinovich's "very awesome" workout regimen? Will Polamalu return to form this year?

Let's discuss in the comments. Yes, that means you.

PS - Someone please send this post to Deadspin. I'm drowning here.

That's Just Troy Being Troy...

As I'm sure you all well know by now, Troy Polamalu is not at Steelers OTAs this year. Rather, he's out in California training with Marv Marinovich - famed father of two troubled sons (Todd and Mikhail), and purveyor of this crazy holisticness.

Needless to say, there are some who question the effectiveness of letting a player train on his own, in an unorthodox fashion, with Marv Marinovich. Count Trib writer John Harris in that camp.

On Saturday, Harris wrote an interesting article asking the question...

"If the Steelers are so comfortable with Polamalu missing OTAs to train on his own because they are only voluntary workouts, why bother having OTAs at all? Why not permit players to train on their own?"

The same day, Fanhouse's Michael David Smith then posted a reply that can be summed up in one line (taken directly from the post)...

"The Steelers are not comfortable with all their players working out on their own because not every player is Troy Polamalu.

I pretty much fall into the Michael David Smith camp, with one important caveat - not every player has Troy Polamalu's motivation.

Yes, a large part of the Steelers accepting Polamalu's unorthodox methods is his superior ability. Just as a large part of the Steelers treatment of James Harrison was his superior ability (kidding...sort of). But even more importantly to me is that he is clearly powered by a notably stronger internal drive than most. He and the Energizer Bunny have that in common. Hence, he'll get the same or better out of whatever workout regimen he feels is best for him.

So to answer the question Harris poses - it certainly would NOT be beneficial in my mind for all of the Steelers to do their own thing. Some players, rookies in particular, need a structured workout. Or at least I would think (though I'm obviously not drawing from any personal experience on this one). They either haven't been at the pro level long enough, or haven't been strict enough with themselves to establish a routine that will prepare them for the grueling five to six months between late July and late December to late January (in our case, hopefully the latter). Not to mention the fact that working out on one's own can never help establish chemistry with one's team.

Nevertheless, for Polamalu, his independent training should afford him the same benefits as OTAs might for others. He certainly needs no work at his position. And no matter what workout he's maintained he's always been a beast. So I wonder, why would anyone rather he do something he has decided doesn't feel right?

Of course, OTAs are, as Harris says, "voluntary." So really, why all this discussion?

You guys have any thoughts on this? Anyone know anything further about this Marv Marinovich what-have-you? Where do you align - with Harris or Smith (and me)?

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Steelers OTAs Being Questioned [Trib]
If Polamalu Jumped Off A Bridge, Would The Other Steelers Do It Too? [Fanhouse]

I Like The Way You Think...

Troy Polamalu on his new deal, worth approximately $30.19 million over the next 4 years:

"You have to earn the money...It's not for what I did in the past, it's for what I've got to earn now."

When asked HOW he thought he could earn this money, Polamalu replied -

"Four Super Bowls in a row?"

Can't argue with that logic. Troy, you are a gentleman and a scholar.

PS - yes I'm way far behind on Steelers news. Trying to dig out this evening...stay tuned.