Thursday, August 25, 2011

Troy Polmalu/Mike Wallace Not Going Anywhere


So the Pittsburgh Steelers resigned Lawerence Timmons to a six-year $50 million contract. That’s great. Timmons is a good inside linebacker, and one of the only defensive starters on the Steelers that is under the age of 30.

LaMarr Woodley is the other starter under 30, and he also received a brand new contract by the Steelers.

Meanwhile, Troy Polamalu’s contract is up after this season. Steelernation is panicking. Why have the Steelers not locked up the reining defensive player of the year? Is it because of money? Are they waiting to
see if he’s healthy?

 Polamalu is the most important player on the Steeler’s defense. They struggle when he’s not on the field or at 100%.

That being said his health is an issue. Polamalu has only played all 16 games in a season once in his entire career. Not to mention that his agent wants him to be the highest paid defensive player in the league. That’s not going to happen in Pittsburgh, nor should it.

I would expect Polmalu’s next contract, if it’s with the Steelers to be a five-year deal, around $9 million a year. Right now Polamalu is due $8.6 million for the 2011 season.

I expect Polamalu to get the franchise tag for next season. Similar to what they did with Woodley this year. The Steelers won’t just let him walk. If they can’t re-sign him for any reason, they’ll at least get one more year out of him and then possibly do a sign and trade or trade him next offseason.

Right now the Steelers are saying that it’s due to a “cash flow” problem. That’s why all contract talks have been put on hold until after the 2011 season.

Next year receiver Mike Wallace is due to be a restricted free-agent. So they are going to look to re-sign him. That’s a scary thought considering that Wallace is expected to have a huge 2011 season. He is going to want a big contract also.

I’m not worried though and neither should you. The Steelers will find a way to keep both Wallace and Polamalu for the long haul. The Steelers have a lot of veterans who are on their last legs.

·        Casey Hampton
·        James Harrison
·        Ryan Clark
·        Hines Ward
·        Aaron Smith
·        James Farrior

All the players mentioned above are on their last legs. All of those players could see the 2011 or 2012 season as their last. There’s a lot of money that will be dropped off of the books if that holds true.

That will be enough money for the Steelers to lock up Wallace for a long-term deal, and for them to ensure Polamalu retires with the black and gold.

Polamalu is a Pittsburgh Steeler icon. Perhaps one of the most popular players in team history. His hair has become on unofficial icon for the team. Not to mention that he’s a future Hall of Famer.

Steelernation should relax, number 43 is going to a Steeler as long as he and the team wants him to be here. 

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