The Pittsburgh Steelers have gone to the Super Bowl 3 times in the past six years. Two forces anchor the defense that gets them there – Strong Safety Troy Polamalu and Outside Linebacker James Harrison. Both players need to stay injury free if the Steelers expect to cash in on their frequent flier miles and attend Super Bowl XLVI for the Steeler Nation. Fans expect nothing less than 4 out of 7 years, and a win, please.
Polamalu and Harrison opened their season with a strong showing against the Philadelphia Eagles after sitting out last week while they recovered from injuries sustained last season. Polamalu had two passes defensed and one interception which he returned for 36 yards, and Harrison recorded half a sack as the Steelers beat the Eagles 24-14 aided by four interceptions.
In spite of the injuries, the Steelers defense looks like it is still firing on all cylinders.
Polamalu was not his typical explosive self in the Steelers’ Super Bowl XLV loss to the Green Bay Packers last season. He spent the offseason recovering from an Achilles’ tendon injury. “Coach has been taking great care of me,” Polamalu said.
James Harrison is returning after back surgeries in the offseason. The question on people’s minds (especially opposing quarterbacks) is whether or not the back surgeries will make Harrison ease up on the hard hitting for which he is known.
Harrison ended the 2010 season as the NFL’s most heavily fined player – $125,000 in levies incurred for hits. Since he is one of the toughest players in the NFL, the levies may have a bigger impact on his hits than the surgeries.
Other injuries, notably Ike Taylor’s thumb and Bryant McFadden’s hamstring, have the Steelers a little nervous. Neither played in Thursday’s game. So, the team added some defensive back insurance policies. Their names are Kevin Dockery and Macho Harris. Dockery earned a Super Bowl ring with the Giants in Super Bowl XLII. As for Harris, well his name is “Macho.” Enough said.
