Safety First!

Fantasy football fan? Well who are your defenses? Do you have a list of top safeties? Well, if you don't have Troy Polamalu on yours, here’s something that’ll make you think twice about what you got goin there. Yesterday, my favorite safety signed a four-year contact extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth $30.19 million!! That makes him the highest paid player in Steelers history, and also the highest paid safety in the NFL. At 5’10”, 207 pounds, Polamalu is regarded as one of the top defensive players in the league. The long haired Samoan, nicknamed the Tasmanian Devil, is one of the most unique and multitalented players in the NFL.

The Steelers chose USC’s Polamalu in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2003 NFL Draft. He was already scheduled to make $2.81 million in 2007. $1,088,000 of that is his actual salary, and the rest, a whopping $1,722,000, in guaranteed bonuses. This extension goes into effect next season, which means that from 2008-2011, Pittsburgh will pay him $15,375,000 in guaranteed money and roster bonuses. That’s right baby, $15 MILLION!! Polamalu will be in black and gold until he turns 30 in 2011. His age and talent level leave room for him to negotiate another explosive deal before his NFL career ends.

Polamalu is one of the most versatile and extraordinary safeties in the league. He’s speedy and sneaky on the field, and you never know where he’ll be. He’s instinctive and anticipatory; 2 characteristics that make him a killer safety. There’s rarely a defensive play on the field that he isn’t a part of. Whether it’s the interception, the bat down, or the sheer presence of the Flyin Hawaiian, you can always count on Troy to make major stops. He garners respect; he’s made the Pro Bowl the past 3 seasons! He was 2nd team All-Pro in 2004, and made 1st team All-Pro in 2005 when the Steelers won the Super Bowl.

Let me also say his timing couldn’t be any more perfect. The Steelers are in prime financial position to offer the face of their defense as much as they can to keep him. The Steelers released linebacker Joey Porter (He signed a 5-yr, $32 mil deal w/ Miami Dolphins a week later so don’t feel too bad) this off-season in lieu of paying him a $1 million roster bonus. Running back Verron Haynes was released along with Porter, and this double move saved the Steelers more than $6 million in cap room. All-Pro guard Alan Faneca was looking to restructure his own contract with the Steelers, but those talks fell through. Faneca says 2007 will be his final season in Pittsburgh. He is set to make $4.375 million this season, and will be a free agent in 2008. Let’s also keep in mind that Bill Cowher is no longer on the payroll. All these moves make for mo’ money, mo’ money, mo’ money for Troy!!

Another thing I love about him is his demeanor. While I love the personalities of a T.O. and a Chad Johnson, it’s wonderful to see a humble man playing a sport that he loves. He’s very religious, he’s married and loves his wife, and he spends his time with his family. You and I BOTH will be damned if I EVER see him chillin wit Pacman Jones shootin up the club and makin it rain on some strippers! He’s a quiet, Christian man who respects himself and his family, and sees every opportunity to make a play as a blessing. He works hard on the field, and his coaches, teammates and opponents can attest to that. But he also understands that football is not his life, but is part of his life. He deserves all the best.

Now that new head coach Mike Tomlin has some of the bigger money issues out of the way, he can focus all of his attention on a certain QB who had way too many issues last season. Yeah, that would be Ben Roethlisberger. In his 2nd year he became the youngest player in NFL history to win the Super Bowl. The Steelers finished the 2005-2006 season with a 15-1 record. Last season Roethlisberger led the NFL with 23 interceptions, and finished up ’06 at 8-8. With all the things he went through last season, including the motorcycle accident and multiple concussions, the numbers are more than understandable. I’m a Steelers fan so I definitely want to see them do better. The AFC North is looking rough so we’ll see how they fare against teams like Baltimore and Cincinnati. I see them making it to the playoffs this season. Yeah I said it, and what!?!

By the by - Wide receiver Hines Ward was Pittsburgh’s highest paid player prior to Polamalu’s blockbuster deal. In 2005, Ward signed a four-year contract extension with a maximum value of $25.8 million and guarantees him $10 million.