Now that the voters have chosen Troy Polamalu over Clay Matthews for The Associated Press’ 2010 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, the two stars can prove their worth against each other on the field.
In the Super Bowl.
As first announced on NFL Network’s “NFL Total Access,” Pittsburgh safety Polamalu received 17 votes Monday from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who cover the league, edging Green Bay linebacker Matthews by a hair — two votes.
Despite missing two games, in which Pittsburgh went 1-1, Polamalu became the sixth Steeler to win the award. He had seven interceptions this season along with 63 tackles, but made his mark with big plays. In a late-season victory at Baltimore, his leaping tackle forced a fumble that set up the winning touchdown.
That victory catapulted the Steelers to the AFC North title. Now, they are in the Super Bowl for the third time in six seasons, where they face Matthews and the Packers.
“I don’t imagine their game plan changing over one player,” Polamalu said. “We don’t single out anybody. Anything we achieve here is done as a team, as a whole.”
Added Steelers linebacker James Harrison, who finished third in the balloting with eight votes and won the award two years ago: “Troy brings this defense from a ‘C’ defense to an ‘A’ defense. He’s someone that you have to account for in the secondary.”
So much so that one opponent called the eighth-year pro the NFL’s top player, regardless of position.
“With all due respect, I honestly think Troy Polamalu is probably the greatest player I’ve ever played with or even seen play in person,” gushed Jets receiver Santonio Holmes, who was the MVP of Pittsburgh’s 2009 Super Bowl win over Arizona. “Everybody has their one person they think is the greatest player. In my eyes, I think he’s the greatest player I’ve ever played with.”
Polamalu has had better statistical years than 2010, including the 2008 championship season and in 2005, when he had a career-high 91 tackles and three sacks as the Steelers won the title. He hasn’t had any season where he made more big plays than in 2010.
That fit perfectly with defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau’s claim that Polamalu is the most versatile defensive back he’s ever worked with. And LeBeau has been involved with the NFL for about a half-century and is in the Hall of Fame.
“I know Troy is going to do the right things,” LeBeau said.
Matthews did plenty of things correctly in only his second pro season, enough to make the All-Pro team thanks to 60 tackles, 13 1/2 sacks (fourth in league), an interception return for a touchdown and, like Polamalu, a penchant for delivering game-turning plays.
Matthews said it would have been a “unique honor” to win in his second year. His goal, he said, is to become “world champions.”
Added Matthews: “Despite defensive player of the year, I get the chance to play Sunday for the world championship.”
Considered the lesser of three linebackers drafted in the first round in 2009 from Southern California, Matthews has had the biggest impact of that trio. Yes, Brian Cushing was the league’s top defensive rookie in ’09, but he tailed off in 2010 while Matthews was surging.
Matthews’ sensational season came while facing consistent double-teaming.
“You really just attack it,” said Matthews, whose father and grandfather played in the league and whose uncle, Bruce, is a Hall of Fame offensive lineman. “I think last year, obviously, was about winning the one-on-one battles. Towards the playoffs, that’s when I saw the increase and it’s kind of continued. … So you deal with it, you try and beat one, then another, and get to the quarterback.”
Polamalu and Matthews take their competition to Cowboys Stadium on Sunday. They already are considered marketing adversaries, with Polamalu’s jersey the top seller in the league, and both vying for hirsute superiority.
“Well, I can guarantee you my hair’s more expensive,” Polamalu said.
Also receiving votes for AP Defensive Player of the Year were Chicago end Julius Peppers with six and linebacker Brian Urlacher with two; and Baltimore safety Ed Reed and nose tackle Haloti Ngata, one each.
To watch the interview click here: Troy Polamalu
AJ Fano
Malo lava Troy, Manuia lau ta’aloga i le Super Bowl.
Paula Shapiro
CONGRATULATIONS TROY and the rest of the team for making that happen! NO ONE deserves that title more than you do. What does Rocky say, “…if you think you can, you CAN.” God Bless you and yours, play your game on Sunday and we’ll be toasting you as MVP come Sunday night – my glass is always 3/4 full! You’re the best SS out there Troy, rock it!
Jim Ball
Congrats, Troy! Well deserved.
Darlene Martch
Good luck and many blessings to you and your family! Congrats on your well deserverd award….Roseburg, Winston, TenMile and even China are cheering….Here we go Steelers, here we go….Troy.
sabina trujillo
MAY GOD BLESS YOU, AND ALL THE WORK YOU DO FOR YOUR TEAM, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR FANS, TRULY AN AWESOME GUY.
Ben Kendrew
Congratulations Troy on the Defensive Player of the Year! You are truly a humble man. I appreciate your faith and character that flows into the way you carry yourself on and off the field. The world needs better men like you. God bless you this Sunday. “We are more than conquerers.”
Dave from Indiana
Troy Congratulations on being named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2010!!!!
That is awesome and they defineately choose the right guy. We enjoy watching you play with your intensity that can’t be matched by anyone else in the NFL. You hit guys like a mack truck!!!
The most impressive part of Troy though still lies in his humble actions and his articulate soft spoken nature.
It is crazy that someone can have both of these qualities and in our opinion that is what makes TROY43 so special!!!!
May God bless you and your family and lets bring another Lombardi Trophy home for the Steel Curtain!!!!!
Jennifer
Well Deserved!!! We love you Troy!!!
sabina trujillo
WISHING YOU THE BEST, GOOD LUCK THIS SUNDAY, LETS EAT SOME CHEESE. LOL, HOPING ONE DAY TO GET TO MEET OR TALK TO YOU, YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION, AND I HAVE A 16 YEAR OLD BOYS WHO WOULD REALLY LIKE THE OPPURTUNITY TO MEET YOU. HE LOVES FOOTBALL AND IS WORKING SO HARD TO GET A SCHOALRSHIP TO COLLEGE IN FOOTBALL.
Cara
I love Troy for how he plays on the field. But also for how he carries himself off the field.
Mary Ellen Dowe
I have been a die hard STEELER fan for over 30 years, but I have never been so excited to see a SuperBowl as I am this Sunday. Troy has truely been an amazing player for our team. God has truely smiled down on this man. His spirituality and morality shines in his personality along with his skills. His love for his family comes second to the love of his God. He is truely an inspiration to our younger generation who have been so disappointed in many of our atheletes today. Keep your goals in sight Troy, and you will succeed. I pray for the safety of all our players this Sunday. Good luck and God Bless.
Taten Thorley
Hi, iam your biggest fan you are so awesome good luck in the SUPERBOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
shontay
I would to get to know him i just love his hair
Kris Raj
Greatest Strong Safety to ever play this game!! Love you Troy you the best.
God Bless Troy
God Bless, i am sorry that the Steelers did not prevail this past Sunday, however, growing up in Hawaii the Steelers were my favorite team and the fact that you belong to this team means the world to me. Its like i win twice. You are a complementto the sport of football and an inspiration to those thattry and walk a spiritual life – one day at a time. I hope this offseason finds you and your family in good health and you will also be in my prayers always. I have gotten my wife into football this season and because she knows that i follow your career withgreat interest she has become a die hard steeler fan – i guess the positive power of influence can move mountains within us – anyway…….Malama Pono and Aloha
Jonathan Ramos
Michelle Brower
God bless you richly Troy. I pray that God will encamp His angels around you and your family and give you peace. Even though you didn’t win it all this year, your are still a champion in my book. I wish you the very, very best. You’ll always be one of my favorite Steelers.