Home 2015 Off-Season Source: Polamalu Had Issues With Tomlin

Source: Polamalu Had Issues With Tomlin

by Steeldad
Polamalu

No one can blame Troy Polamalu if he wants to keep playing. Football has been the center of his life since he was a child but now he and the Pittsburgh Steelers are at a crossroads and from what I’m hearing, a solution isn’t going to be pretty.

A source familiar with the Polamalu situation told me that the future Hall of Fame safety grew more and more upset with Head Coach Mike Tomlin and most of it centered around players brought in and attitudes that were tolerated.

Besides being fed up a few years ago with the “Young Money Crew,” Polamalu struggled to gain a rapport with new secondary mate Mike Mitchell. Polamalu was reportedly upset about Mitchell’s playing style and lack of focus.

In general, Polamalu became more and more disappointed in the way Tomlin dealt with younger players and in turn he became even more reserved than normal and focused his energy on his loyalty to Dick LeBeau.

The Steelers are desperate for Polamalu to retire because if they are forced to cut him then they are facing a cap hit of several million dollars. The team is ready to move on at his strong safety position but it sounds like the soft-spoken Polamalu isn’t going to go quietly.

I’m told much of Polamalu’s disdain for Tomlin centers around two things as I eluded to above; the tolerance of players whose attitudes were not that of “being Steelers” and the dismissal of defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.

Polamalu was not alone in his feelings and you can refer to comments made by guys like Ryan Clark, James Harrison and Brett Keisel for proof.

Also…

-Go back to the jokes that surrounded Tomlin’s decision to cut off access to the pool table and ping pong table. Those things didn’t sit well with veteran players allegedly.

-Go back to the comments by Polamalu following games this season where quite often he would answer a question with “Go ask coach.” Have you ever known that comment to be used in a positive situation? (For the record, Ben Roethlisberger uses that phrase more and more as well.)

The Loyalty Question

When James Harrison retired and teared up at his presser he did so because of LeBeau, not Tomlin and when he returned in 2014, he did so for LeBeau not Tomlin as I’ve been told. That loyalty is also why Harrison could very well end up in Tennessee when the season starts.

It’s not uncommon for players to have closer bonds with positional coaches more than they do with head coaches but the love and respect players have for LeBeau is overwhelming and undeniable.

Just because I’ve lobbied for Coach LeBeau to move on doesn’t mean I can’t recognize the love his players have for him. “Coach Dad” was far more than just a coach to these men and you can find any number of examples to support their feelings.

The source also told me that Polamalu felt a very strong sense of loyalty to Dan Rooney as well and that played a part in him re-doing his deal last year. The hope was that he could play out his contract through 2016 and then he and the Steelers could part ways with no monetary issues.

What Does the Organization Do?

If you’re the Steelers, do you want any of this coming out? Do you want your fan base getting wind of one of their most beloved players leaving with such a poor taste in his mouth?

It wouldn’t be the first time a cherished player has left a team with hard feelings but with Polamalu it just seems so impossible doesn’t it? At the end of the day, this is a business and no matter what the Steelers feel like they have to make the best possible financial move and that’s why they desperately want him to retire.

It seems so unlike Polamalu to hold a grudge or do something out of spite but we don’t know these men as personally as we think we do.

There’s no question in my mind that Troy Polamalu’s best days are behind him and I agree with the Steelers that it’s time to move forward. There’s a much bigger issue at play here than how things end up with Polamalu.

If other veterans are as dissatisfied with Tomlin as Polamalu allegedly is then what does this say about Tomlin?

 

 

 

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31 comments

Jumbo March 5, 2015 - 2:14 am

Love Troy, but this is far from the first time that an aging vet wants to stay on too long and teams are put in uncomfortable situations. If anything, the Steelers under Tomlin have held onto players too long out of loyalty. That has been a bigger criticism recently than disloyalty.

steeldad March 5, 2015 - 3:09 am

No question Jumbo. The Steelers have made a habit of keeping guys too long and signing TP to that deal last season was another example of it. Thanks for reading.

Mario L March 5, 2015 - 3:19 am

really Steelers keep players too long, they cut bait w/ Joey Porter, told/asked Hines 2 retire, let Rod Woodson leave, cut bait on Harrison. Only reason these players are still around is Kevin Colbert, Tomlin & the pathetic excuse for scouts the Steelers employ. Go check them out, i’d like to see some of their Qualifications!

bob graff March 5, 2015 - 3:36 am

Is Troy over-rated??? only 32 picks. I for one feel Donnie Shell was a better safety. Was Troy great, sure, but i think more flash than solid play. I feel with L.C. Greenwood and shell still waiting to get into the hall does Troy really belong?? And as far playing goes we have already been over-paying Troy and have alter our defense to fit his needs [who plays a 3-5] . It is time to move on.

The Murph March 5, 2015 - 11:04 am

Sorry in advance my fellow Steeler fans but I completely disagree. I believe Troy has 1 more year left and I think the Steelers should ask him to play for less ( far less) as they did with Harrison who rejected that offer and signed with the Bengals. We all agree he is not an 8 million dollar player. However would he are to renegotiate his contract @ at perhaps 2 mill?? 2 Seasons ago this guy made yet another pro-bowl and had 5 force fumbles. Last season he was headed 4 another pro-bowl before he hot hurt (this time it was “friendly fire”). He was second on the team with tackles before injury occurred. Talent aside he is one of the smartest safeties ever to play.
His leadership and skills could prove to be invaluable to what looks like a young and inexperienced secondary this season. I felt the same way when the Steelers said goodbye to Rod Woodson. He went on to make another pro-bowl and won a ring with Balt. I’m letting you know in advance letting Troy walk will.lead to regret by Steelers Nation!

SteelerJill March 5, 2015 - 11:50 am

I totally agree!!!

tyler March 5, 2015 - 2:40 pm

thank you man totally agree… no TP is not the great safety he once was but I think he is still worth a couple mill! with all the young guys we have now every vet counts! we need the younger guy to learn what it means to not only to play good defence but to play “Steelers Football”

SteelhHedgehogg March 5, 2015 - 7:25 pm

A~MENnnn.
One more `Year for ‘TROY’…
WOULDd`AHhhh BEENn ‘GREATttt’.
Buttt…Hha`ha`HE wont ‘Stay’…Since B.i.G. ‘Daddy’ D.i.c.k. Le`Beau is !GONE!
Maybe…Alll the ‘Nay`Sayerzs’ are ‘Right’ and Tttt`TOMLiNnnn…ISzsie a ‘Second’ Tier ‘Coach’. Hha`ha`WHO…k`NOW?!? But…The ‘Playerzs’…WHO…[‘HE’] Kkkk`COACHzs!?!

!GO! `Stiiilllerzs.

];@~

Maxdaddy March 5, 2015 - 11:34 am

It appears to me that Tomlin has a problem in the locker room that he has failed to address, again. I have to believe that communication is not Tomlins strong point and he needs to improve in this area. It probably takes quite a bit of something to upset TP and it sounds like he has had enough.

silversurfer March 5, 2015 - 12:54 pm

Tomlin has a history of blunders when it comes to head coaching. If anything Tomlin should get the boot for the most blatant coachling and personnel errors in the history of football. Booting Blount and letting Pats ride his back to a Superbowl championship. I mean seriously. An angry motivated Blount could have been our ticket to the superbowl but Tomlin couldn’t communicate even enough to keep Blount simmering on the sidelines. Imagine what he could have done to the ratbirds. Get rid of this horrible excuse of a coach.

mike porter March 5, 2015 - 1:05 pm

I think at times the steelers are not treating their veteran players very well, and I don’t think they should leave with animosity! hines ward, terry bradshaw are a couple cases where they didn’t leave on good terms, and later in life these things look bad for the steelers. while I understand it’s a “business”, many consider the steelers as family, and I know not everybody thinks that way, but a good many do. I hope whatever happens with troy, it’s done with respect and dignity.

steelbydesign March 5, 2015 - 2:12 pm

I don’t think the Steelers have really ever disrespected anyone. I think that players get touchy when they’re clearly past their prime and feel like they’re being disrespected.

The teams gave the players a chance to play, and in most cases they’re well compensated for it. The players game the team their best effort and years of a high level of play. I don’t think either side “owes” the other anything, but that’s often not how the players feel.

Bigwoody March 5, 2015 - 3:06 pm

time to go Troy.U played with two substandard cornerbacks, ike taylor and William gay.
Your years of brilliance are being tainted by playing hurt.

bobyarina March 5, 2015 - 5:01 pm

the steelers are ignorant and stupid if they let Troy go .I know him personally and know he still has game left in him

bob yarina March 5, 2015 - 9:38 pm

fight on brother

Hungry1Sports March 5, 2015 - 10:27 pm

Troy still has another year or two left……. but not as a safety. His speed is what has dropped off, and it is his lack of speed that will make him vulnerable as a safety. We need to use him as a hybrid linebacker who roams the middle of the field. He still has GREAT insticts, and has a knack for getting to the ball and making plays; forcing fumbles, etc. Remember that “interception” Troy made (that was overruled) against Peyton Manning and the Colts in the 2005 divisional playoffs? Troy made that play 10 yards from the line of scrimmage! He was right where a linebacker would be. We need Troy’s ability to confuse and disrupt an offense. But it is no longer as a safety 20-30 yards downfield! ** P.S… To Bob Graff who thinks Troy is overrated?? No safety in NFL history played the game like Troy did in his prime. He is unique and special as a player, and while I agree that Donnie Shell and L.C should be in the hall of fame, Troy was never overrated, and will go down as one of the best safeties ever.

chsteel March 6, 2015 - 3:29 am

EySteelhedgehog are u even a steelers fan hope not u dont sound like it and maybe this is true but it might not be some people just have nothing else to write about so they start rumors im not saying its false just sayin yes polamalu was a great player but as some of u said once he got hurt do u see a pattern there he always is injured they will need a leader but one of the younger ones will have to step up they have a new d cordinater they might run a different system its time for change now

steeldad March 6, 2015 - 3:20 pm

I can assure you what I wrote is not a rumor. Dejan Kovacevic and Mark Kaboly have confirmed exactly what I wrote in the last 24 hours.

Mark Zorger March 15, 2015 - 3:44 am

To Chsteel, use punctuation, idiot! Your rambling is completely incoherent, and could be interpreted dozens of different ways because you write like a kindergardener. Your point was lost in the muddle, and the only thing you communicated was your ignorance.

Jay March 6, 2015 - 12:52 pm

Just further proof that Tomlin is the most overrated coach in the NFL. Obviously, the next man up needs to step into the coaches position- obviously. They’re all professionals there and obviously the standard is the standard. In case you didn’t get it, this walking cliche needs to go.

Polamalu is Just One Piece of What Has to be a Bigger Story - Steel City Blitz March 6, 2015 - 5:17 pm

[…] Wednesday evening I published an article about the Steelers’ Troy Polamalu having issues with how things have gone in recent years under Mike […]

frank searcy March 6, 2015 - 5:37 pm

tomln and cowher both overrated.cowhers 1st SB was with ateam built by noll w

frank searcy March 6, 2015 - 5:55 pm

cowbers first SB was a team that was built by noll.he didnt make it to another one for 10 years in between them years he was constently outcoached in the playoffs .it was the steelers players desire to get bettis a super bowl ring tbat drove them not their love for cowher.

Steel March 6, 2015 - 7:28 pm

Is the source former trib writer Dejan Kovacevic? He pretty much wrote about this in a recent article

Steel March 6, 2015 - 7:29 pm

never mind, saw the comment up above

Dorian March 15, 2015 - 2:23 am

Of Course It’s Tomlin.. You Never Saw This Exodus Of Coach’s Under Cowher…. Be Realistic, WHY Else Would You See A 3 Time Super Bowl Offensive Coordinator And Defensive Coordinator Leave A Team Under The Same Circumstances? Tomlin’s Ignorant And HARDLY An X & O Guy…. Motivator AT BEST.. Who’s Fault Will It Be Next?

Dorian March 15, 2015 - 2:25 am

Make That A 4 Time Super Bowl Coordinator In LeBeau … Won 2 Been To 4……

Eleanor Bessenhoffer March 24, 2015 - 7:31 am

I heard about this during the season. It seems that Mike (Mitchell) and Troy couldn’t seem to gel, to the detriment of both. Mike said he played a lot better with Will (Allen) than with Troy. He always knew where Will was, unlike Troy. But that was part of Troy’s prowess. Ball carriers never knew where he was until he landed on them. Still, Troy is the master and it is Mike’s job to get on Troy’s page not vice-versa. Over the past three years, Troy has had to deal with a lot of newcomers. Frankly, I think they pulled him down. I don’t think Troy is being spiteful. I think he’s just plain disgusted and he has a right to be. The man is a consummate professional and a perfectionist. His career is on the line but there are other factors to consider. It’s not just age.

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[…] to toot our own horn, but Steel City Blitz’s own Marc reported that there was a tense relationship between Troy Polamalu and Mike Tomlin that stemmed from a divide between young and old players in the locker […]

Troy Polamalu Skips Superbowl XL Anniversary Celebration - Steel City Blitz November 16, 2015 - 2:11 pm

[…] This is in line with what we were hearing and reporting during Troy Polamalu’s final season with the Steelers. Marc wrote early on about Troy Polamalu’s issues, mainly with head coach Mike Tomlin. […]

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