Troy Polamalu in The Onion

Troy Polamalu All Over Orthopedic Clinic.

Two Steelers named first-team All-Pro

Two Steelers have been named to the first-team on the Associated Press 2008 NFL All-Pro roster: Safety Troy Polamalu and outside linebacker James Harrison. It's the first All-Pro honor for Harrison, who was recently named AP Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, James Farrior was named to the second team at inside linebacker.

Polamalu only Steeler on PFW's midseason All-Pro team

Yesterday Pro Football Weekly (PFW) announced its midseason All-Pro team. Safety Troy Polamalu is the only Steelers' player on the list. Notably, Joey Porter (Miami Dolphins) did make the team as one of the two outside linebackers.

Casey Hampton "Physically Unable to Perform"

The Steelers have announced that Casey Hampton (conditioning), Troy Polamalu (hamstring) and Chris Kemoeatu (triceps) have all been placed on the team's Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and will be ineligible to practice (until removed from the list).

Should Colbert be on the hot seat?

Guest contribution courtesy of Nick Beckwith ...

Pittsburgh’s recent first round successes — Troy Polamalu (2003), Ben Roethlisberger (2004), Heath Miller (2005) and Santonio Holmes (2006) — have masked a problem, namely relatively poor drafting in later rounds. Over the last five years the team has drafted only six starters, and Brett Keisel (7th round) is one of the few late round players to blossom into a significant contributor. Therefore, if director of football operations Kevin Colbert is not on the hot seat, his chair should at least be a bit warm.

It is easy to criticize the man in front of the big board; it is more difficult to offer solutions. But I have, if not a solution, at least a new approach, which is simply the re-emphasis of an old approach. Pittsburgh must draft Steelers — players of high character and a strong work ethic who also display a love of hitting. I advocate drafting players whose idea of “going clubbing” is spending four hours in the free-weight section of Gold’s Gym.

Chuck Noll was of the opinion that his job was not to motivate players, but to teach motivated young men to be better players. I’m not saying the Steelers should ignore ‘triangle numbers’ (height, weight, 40-yard dash time) or the results of the various athletic tests of the Combine. I’m saying that football is a team game, and a united warrior attitude is the most important among many determinants of wins and championships. While so-called project players of great potential should not be eschewed, on-field production should be the defining characteristic of most of the players acquired in this (or any) Pittsburgh Steelers draft.

What will Pu do?

Remember the 2006 Kansas City game when the Steelers' favorite safety had his hair grabbed and was thrown to the ground (courtesy of Larry Johnson) after an interception against the Chiefs? Next Monday, NFL owners will consider a hair length proposal to ban players from having long hair that lands outside their helmets and below their names on the back of their jerseys.

Well, in a bit of ironic turn, the long hair ban is being proposed by Kansas City. Under the terms of the proposal, players would not have to cut their hair but simply tuck their hair inside their helmets.

No word from Pu or the Steelers' organization.

Steelers' Pro Bowl Update

Our favorite big boy, NT Casey Hampton, will make his fourth Pro Bowl (2003, 2005 and 2006) after being chosen as a replacement for the injured Jamal Williams (San Diego).

Hampton joins Ben Roethlisberger, Alan Faneca and James Harrison in Honolulu, Sun. 02/10.

Two Steelers players will miss the game with injuries, running back Willie Parker (broken leg) and safety Troy Polamalu (sprained knee). Aloha!

Player salaries

USA Today has a searchable database of player salaries for all 32 NFL teams. A direct link to the Steelers' page can be found by clicking here. This season, S Troy Polamalu is the highest paid player on Pittsburgh's roster ($11,576,920).

Pittsburgh 21, Seattle 0

The Steelers won in impressive fashion today, shutting out the Seahawks in spite of playing without the services of defenders Troy Polamalu (ribs), Casey Hampton (hamstring), and Bryant McFadden (ankle), not to mention starting wide receivers Hines Ward (knee) and Santonio Holmes (hamstring).

"What are the Chances ...?" is now 5-0 on the season and 18-3 all-time.

Polamalu's new contract v. LaRon Landry's rookie contract

NFL fans regard top 10 draft picks as potential saviors, the kind of players that can change the fortunes of a troubled franchise. Yet, early first round selections are becoming so expensive to sign that teams may increasingly look to trade out of the top 10 in future drafts. In fact, some 2007 first rounders are signing rookie contracts that surpass the value of those signed by established stars with Pro Bowl credentials and Super Bowl rings.

Case in point: Last week Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu signed a contract extension worth $33 million over five years, a deal that includes $15.375 million in guaranteed money. By way of comparison, rookie safety LaRon Landry (chosen sixth overall in the 2007 draft by the Washington Redskins) just received a five-year $41.5 million contract that includes $17.5 million in guaranteed money, making him the highest paid safety in the league.

With top 10 contracts reaching such exorbinant heights it's no wonder that three top picks remain unsigned, including #1 overall choice JaMarcus Russell (Oakland Raiders) and #2 overall selection Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions).

To find out the current status of all 32 first round picks click here.

Return to Pu Corner

Yesterday the Steelers signed safety Troy Polamalu to a four-year extension; the new five-year contract will pay him approximately $33 million, including $15.375 million in guaranteed money. The contract is comparable to that of Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed, who signed a six-year $40 million deal in 2006.