NFL: Creating the all-time roster with football's legends

NFL: Creating the all-time roster with football’s legends

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker and Hall of Fame enshrinee Ray Lewis is introduced before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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Troy Polamalu (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

NFL: Creating the all-time roster with football’s legends: SS, Troy Polamalu

Career stats:

32 interceptions
783 combined tackles

Accolades:

8 time Pro Bowler
4 time All-Pro
1 time Defensive Player of the Year
2 time Super Bowl Champ

It was easy to spot Troy Polamalu. His long hair became his signature look as it crept from underneath his helmet. From a distance, the Steelers’ long-time strong safety resembled a model as opposed to an actual NFL player.

With that said, don’t let the long hair fool you, Polamalu was a beast.

For as great as Ed Reed is, he’ll need a bit of help to make sure no one is coming across the field or over the top for chunk yards. In the case of Polamalu, he’ll easily take care of those issues. During his time in Pittsburgh, Polamalu was consistently in the discussion as the best safety in the game.

Not only did he routinely defend double-digit passes every year but he was a major threat to pick off opposing quarterbacks. On three separate occasions Polamalu would register at least five interceptions and five different times, he put together seasons of at least three.

The accolades he accrued stack up favorably against the best in the world. Polamalu was a former Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. He was also an eight-time Pro Bowler and was given the First-Team All-Pro nod four times.

With Polamalu and Reed in the safety spots, opposing quarterbacks are better off handing the ball to a running back.

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