Issue I have with Troy

In a few recent threads the lack of leadership has been mentioned. Id like to point out something I have seen and am wondering if any of you have seen the same.

I may make it to one game every 2 years. So I watch all games on tv. (Bobby know you go to all games. Id guess you watch side line. Please tell me if Im wrong). I have noticed whenever Troy is shown on sideline he is more times than not sitting by himself head bowed lips moving blessing himself over and over. I have no issue with a man speaking to his god.However there is a time and place for that as well.

With Troy being here his entire career (now 11 seasons) and Im sure a HOF S. Id like to see Troy huddled around Dick,Ryan,Ike,Willie,ect game planing our next stand. Not sitting by himself praying.

We need leaders and from what Im seeing a 11 year potential HOF isnt providing any.

Thoughts.

 

Can't offer any input. Im on the visitors sideline and in the end zone. When I do score club tickets, they're also on the visitors side (Club East).

 

I do notice the same thing on TV though. Right or wrong, he's not a rah-rah leader type of guy. More of a silent lead by example guy. I think it would be out of character for him to be any different.

 

I dont totally believe that lead by example principle. It does have some merit. However it also leads to....Well if I dont do it...he will.

Tell me what Im doing right. Tell me what Im doing wrong.

 

I dunno man hard to fault a guy
who is making the sign of the cross
or thanking god for his ability

 

You can't turn a guy into a leader. Some guys are naturally born leaders, others aren't. Troy isn't that guy, never has been, never will be. A team needs guys to lead and needs guys to take a step back and follow. Too many leaders wouldn't be a good thing either. Unfortunately I'm not convinced we have any true leaders.

 

I just wanted to add that I've been to a few games over the years and I actually have noticed Troy talking with other defensive players on the sideline. Of course they could be talking about what they want for dinner that night or what makes a good wedding present I don't really know. I even remember taking a picture of them on the sidelines one year at a game against the Carolina Panthers. (Why I remember what game it was I have no idea)

 

Yeah, we never know what they are really saying. I've read that in the huddle during important drives Willie Parker would randomly ask stuff like, "What did you guys get the kids for Christmas?"

 

Everyone leads in their own way. And not everyone can be leaders or else no one will follow.

I think in the last few years Troy has been more vocal about sending messages through interviews, not so much on the field.

 

. AMEN to that!

 

If you are a football player and can't be inspired by Troy, you should just get the hell out of the league. I bet he motivates everyone on both sidelines. You don't need to be a loudmouth to be a leader. I'd rather have a quiet Polamalu leading my team than a loud Tyrone Carter, and not just because of the difference in talent. The guy makes me want to run around and hit people, and I'm on a couch. If I was on the field with him??? I'd follow him to hell and back, and I bet his teammates would, too. We've got other issues.

Plus, not seeing something on TV means nothing. I know he coaches up the other players, and works with them during games. LeBeau has called Troy the smartest player he's ever seen. I doubt Troy keeps that all locked up for himself.

 

Ummm, yeah, this X eleventy billion! Well done.

 

I have absolutely no problem with the way Troy chooses to be a leader on this team.

 

My only issue with Troy is when he gambles and loses.

 

He's not gambling but instead of playing with instinct he's thinking too much, he lets QBs look him off now, he doesn't have that closing speed any more after 11 years and the good QBs take advantage of that, look for Stafford to get him out of position sunday, like Ed Reed, father time has caught up to Troy, he's trying to compensate for it but it happens to all the players that play longer than a decade.....

 

I understand where Myron is coming from. I too would like to see Troy and Lake/LeBeau huddled with other Defensive players. I can't say they don't or do. I only see what the camera's allow me to see.

One thing is for sure.Troy is a HOFer and our defense has been top 1,2,3 every year for a long time. Some-one or something has been going right.

My problem is troy freelances too much. Its a double-edged sword just like Ben. Troys style is what makes him Great yet at times will cost you a game. It is what it is!!!!!!!!


Cajun-

 

The part about time catching up with him is accurate. However, Troy frequently guesses in coverage and guesses wrong. His strong suit has never been in coverage and age has only magnified that.

I

 

Here's my take. Troy is a leader, as others have said, in his own way. Goes about his business, coaches up the guys in practice, but is not rah-rah on the sidelines or in the media. There is nothing wrong with that. The problem lies in the fact that all the leaders we have on the Steelers seem to be the "silent leader" type. We don't have a Joey Porter or a Hines Ward or a James Harrison or someone will just say what they want, intimidate opponents, etc. I think teams need a balance of silent leaders and vocal leaders.

Another problem I see is that Ben has tried to take on the role of being a vocal leader. And when he does it, 50% of the fan base, or at least the people on here, find some reason to bash him for it and say he should shut up. Ben is trying to be a vocal leader on this team rather than the lead by example, study film, etc. type of leader, but for whatever reason people (and maybe teammates, I don't know) don't seem to want to accept him being that way.

 

Regarding Troy Polamalu, I have absolutely no problem with either his play or his leadership. I definitely have no problem with him engaging in his spiritual ritual either during the game or on the sidelines.

 

As others have said, in this thread, some guys got it, and some guys don't. Based on popular reaction, Ben doesn't seem to have it, either way (vocal or example).

I'm not trying to bash him by saying that. I'm just making an observation, based on your input. Someone can both want to be and try to be a leader, as much as they want, but, if others won't follow, then they either adjust their strategy or accept that they aren't the leader they think they are.

However, based on players interviews, it would seem that the offense follows Ben's lead.

 

i don't give a hoot about his beliefs. i just want him to play hard. he's been playing ok lately but this isn't his best season.

 

I think Troy is more of a leader than most people will ever know. I imagine that he has a ton of respect in the league. I also believe that a lot of players in the league could learn a good bit about themselves if they followed the type of leadership he has.

One good thing about Polamalu is that I don't have to worry about seeing a bad rap/incident/arrest when I wake up and put sportcenter on in the morning while getting ready for work.

As for a vocal leader, I think Ben had that in his early years on the field but not so much now.

The next vocal leader I would like to see for the Steelers is Cam Hayward. I thought it would eventually be Woodley or Timmons but that isn't really panning out.