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For those unaware, the Sports Illustrated curse has recently been replaced by the Madden Curse, with the player on the cover of the popular annual video game often suffering an injury and/or slump of a season. This year's title features Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh Steelers Safety Troy Polamalu.

Last night--after serving as a one-man wrecking ball for a quarter and a half, Polamalu sprained his MCL while trying to block a FG. He's expected to miss 3-6 weeks. As a Steelers fan this is terrible news. But, as a football fan it's equally bad. Polamalu is, at the very least, the most exciting player in the league. He may well be the best football player in the NFL. The game is just more fun when he's out there terrorizing everyone on the other team.

Yes, Polamalu is awesome. I'm a big fan, as I'm a USC guy. However, I don't know if I'd call him the most exciting player in the league. As much as I hate to admit it, I'd have to give that to Ed Reed. It seems like every time he gets his hands on the ball, he finds the end zone. My vote would go to Ed Reed, though Polamalu is definitely up there though.

bjornolf wrote:Yes, Polamalu is awesome. I'm a big fan, as I'm a USC guy. However, I don't know if I'd call him the most exciting player in the league. As much as I hate to admit it, I'd have to give that to Ed Reed. It seems like every time he gets his hands on the ball, he finds the end zone. My vote would go to Ed Reed, though Polamalu is definitely up there though.

We'll have to agree to disagree ;) Ed Reed is excellent, and he's a better cover safety than Polamalu. But he isn't nearly as versatile, and isn't asked to do nearly as much as Polamalu. Reed is a safety in the mold of a corner. Polamlu is a safety in the mold of a linebacker, and he runs that defense (he's the Peyton Manning of the Steelers defense, so to speak). He's like Ronnie Lott, but faster. Plus the hair instantly makes him more exciting.

It sucked to see Troy go down, he was all over the place last night (plus 2 15 yard penalties). They say 3-6 weeks, hopefully no longer than that. Side note..has anyone seen his Head & Shoulder's commercial? It's hilarious.

rockymtn devil wrote:

bjornolf wrote:Yes, Polamalu is awesome. I'm a big fan, as I'm a USC guy. However, I don't know if I'd call him the most exciting player in the league. As much as I hate to admit it, I'd have to give that to Ed Reed. It seems like every time he gets his hands on the ball, he finds the end zone. My vote would go to Ed Reed, though Polamalu is definitely up there though.

We'll have to agree to disagree ;) Ed Reed is excellent, and he's a better cover safety than Polamalu. But he isn't nearly as versatile, and isn't asked to do nearly as much as Polamalu. Reed is a safety in the mold of a corner. Polamlu is a safety in the mold of a linebacker, and he runs that defense (he's the Peyton Manning of the Steelers defense, so to speak). He's like Ronnie Lott, but faster. Plus the hair instantly makes him more exciting.

Everything you said is true, and like I said, I love Polamalu. And all of it makes him a great player. However, nothing you said makes him more exciting (except maybe the hair, but that's debatable). To me, there are a few things that make a defensive secondary player more exciting... breaking up a long pass, big hits, turnovers, and taking it to the house. In three of those four, Ed Reed has the longer highlight reel. ;) But I don't really think you lose arguing either of those guys.

I'll tell you which SET of safeties I think have the opportunity to be the most exciting in years to come (both are VERY young), and that's the Redskins' LaRon Landry and Chris Horton. Those guys are both unbelievable, and Horton is a LATE round pick.

Man, that was really rough to watch. He was all over the field. I love watching that guy play D. He'll be missed for sure.

Miles wrote:Man, that was really rough to watch. He was all over the field. I love watching that guy play D. He'll be missed for sure.

He was fun to watch last night, that's for sure. Good thing it's only a sprain.