The Steelers must do this to return to the Super Bowl #3

Ask 10 people what caused the Steelers to miss the playoffs after their Super Bowl Championship last year and I'm convinced a majority of them will tell you the absence of Troy Polamalu for large part of the season. Troy looked unbelievable for the short time he was in the opening game of the season. He flew into the backfield and made an amazing tackle. He made an ubelievable one handed interception. Then injured his knee. Later on in the season he injured his other knee and didn't play again. Troy is a difference maker for the Steelers. But, his all out play has a tendency to lead to injuries. In the postseason prior to the Super Bowl he decided to forgo the Steelers offseason program and go with his own in California. The plan seemed to work and the Steelers got another ring. He went with the same offseason program this year, but 2 knee injuries ensued and that was the season. The thing about Troy is that he makes other players around him better. Ryan Clark is a true Steeler, a hard hitter and the quarterback in the backfield. But, with the area Troy covers that cuts down significantly what Ryan has to take care of. With Troy out and aging Tyrone Carter as his replacement Ryan has to make up for that. A few years ago Ryan probably could, but now not so much. Again, don't get me wrong. He is still a quality safety. But, he needs help. Ty Carter is also still a good player. He is no Troy Polamalu. But, who is?



So, item 3 on the list for the Steelers to get back to the Super Bowl is upgrade the depth of the Safeties. Two knee injuries is not a good indication that Troy has a healthy future ahead. Hopefully, he'll rebound and have a healthy 2010 season, but they can't depend on that. They need to resign Ryan Clark hopefully at a discounted price and also sign a free agent or draft a quality Safety. Ryan Mundy hasn't shown that he can give them what they need so back to the drawing board. Meanwhile, hope Troy has a healthy 2010 and 2011.