KOVACEVIC Stirring the pot on Troy

[Legacy User]

BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC


• Within the context of his immense stature, Troy Polamalu retired as quietly as possible. There was no press conference at the Steelers’ headquarters. There were no teary hugs or handshakes. He simply placed two phone calls, one to Dan Rooney and another to veteran reporter Jim Wexell, who landed the exclusive for his site Steel City Insider.

That was it. He called no one else.

One of the greatest athletes of his generation shut it down as quickly and effortlessly as if he vaulted over the Tennessee line, wrapped up the tackle and walked away.


The in-depth interview by Wexell answered most every question about why Polamalu retired when he did, but one that’s remained unanswered is why he retired the way he did.


The simple answer, based on numerous conversations I’ve had on this topic, is this: He was — and remains — very much disenchanted with the Steelers’ current front office, and that includes pretty much everyone under Rooney, and I emphasize under. He loves Dan in every way, speaks of him as a son would of a father. But the same most definitely cannot be said of Art Rooney II, Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin, with whom his falling out is described by sources close to Polamalu as being pretty much beyond repair.

In fact, those sources say, the only higher-ups in the Steelers’ organization for whom Polamalu retained a strong respect all through the 2014 season were the elder Rooney and, of course, Dick LeBeau.

You’re going to ask why, and I’m going to answer that I don’t know and don’t care to speculate. If anyone will or should ever speak to that, it’s Polamalu himself, and the Wexell interview remains the only one he’s granted.

On the surface, this doesn’t matter much. Polamalu isn’t in the fold anymore, so it won’t affect the 2015 Steelers in any way. It’s not as if it could be some distraction.

But when it comes to the Steelers and iconic players, it’s always family business, for better or worse. When Jack Lambert broke from the fold long ago, most folks dismissed it as Jack being Jack. But it still stings every time he doesn’t show for an event. When Terry Bradshaw invariably makes a spectacle of himself, as he did again most unfortunately last summer by failing to pay respects at Chuck Noll’s funeral even though he was in town to perform at a local casino, it still stings. It stings in the way any family fight does.

From what I’ve heard, it will take some major mending of fences to bring Polamalu back into the fold. And man, here’s hoping that happens. It’s one thing for Polamalu to retire a Steeler. It’s quite another to make sure that matters.

[Kodiak]

Well, this thread is sure to blow-up into 50 pages in no time flat.

Maybe Troy just wasn't ready to retire and wasn't happy being forced out. Maybe that's all there is - the two people he's still tight with are the only 2 mentioned that probably had no say in his status.

I'm a little surprised that Troy wouldn't be ready to retire with his decline in play, and happy to retire with his health. If he was unhappy with management/direction of the team, as some will suggest, then I think he would have just said "fuck it" and happily retired.

[Orangesteel]

I believe this. I think the lack of success can put everyone in a sour mood, though.

Troy hadn't been to a Super Bowl since 2010. They had lost to Tim Tebow, then missed the playoffs two straight years before getting embarrassed by the Ravens at Heinz Field.

The front office botched what could have been a glorious farewell season for Troy had they actually shown up in the playoffs this year. We had enough talent to get at least to the AFCCG, maybe wouldn't have beaten the Cheatriots, but we had enough talent to get there.

What could have been a send off comparable to the one we gave Bettis, Troy watch the defense fold like a lawn chair and we were ill prepared when Troy got slow. The Ravens beat our asses at home and poof, that was it for one of the greatest steelers of all time.

It's sad and it pisses me off at the same time. Our offense was bad ass last season, but we never focused on getting the defense into playoff caliber form and it fucked us. Besides all the damn money he was paid, if I were Troy, I'd be angry the way it played out too.

[Legacy User]

Dejan must have been low on column ideas or else he's desperately trying to drum up page views and subscriptions so he can afford to pay Josh Yohe.

I don't doubt Troy was bothered by the way the Steelers handled "hinting" that they were hoping he would retire, but I think Dejan's probably overselling the whole "Troy absolutely hated everyone but Dan and Dick" angle.

The strangest part of Troy's retirement was that he gave Jim Wexell the exclusive on it. Wexell comes in barely ahead of Mark Madden on the list of the last guys I expected to break the "Polamalu officially retires" story.

[jeemie]

Am I the only one who doesn't give a shit what retired Steelers do or do not do?

It certainly does not "sting" for me that Jack Lambert never shows up for any Steeler functions, or that Terry Bradshaw didn't pay respects to Chuck Noll.

If Troy Polamalu doesn't like current Steelers' management, and won't show up for Steeler functions in the future, I won't care in the least.

That's all his business.

[jeemie]

I believe this. I think the lack of success can put everyone in a sour mood, though.

Troy hadn't been to a Super Bowl since 2010. They had lost to Tim Tebow, then missed the playoffs two straight years before getting embarrassed by the Ravens at Heinz Field.

The front office botched what could have been a glorious farewell season for Troy had they actually shown up in the playoffs this year. We had enough talent to get at least to the AFCCG, maybe wouldn't have beaten the Cheatriots, but we had enough talent to get there.

What could have been a send off comparable to the one we gave Bettis, Troy watch the defense fold like a lawn chair and we were ill prepared when Troy got slow. The Ravens beat our asses at home and poof, that was it for one of the greatest steelers of all time.

It's sad and it pisses me off at the same time. Our offense was bad ass last season, but we never focused on getting the defense into playoff caliber form and it fucked us. Besides all the damn money he was paid, if I were Troy, I'd be angry the way it played out too.

Poor Troy...he didn't get a glorious sendoff the way Bettis and Ray Lewis did.

Seriously...if that is rankling him, he can piss off.

But I tend to go with Pierogi...if Troy didn't like the direction the team was taking, he could have just retired.

Unless, of course, he waited to fuck over the Steelers during the FA period...in which case, he can also piss off.

My guess is, though, he probably was not pleased with how they handled his situation, and probably felt like LeBeau was forced out.

[swissvale72]

I believe this. I think the lack of success can put everyone in a sour mood, though.

Troy hadn't been to a Super Bowl since 2010. They had lost to Tim Tebow, then missed the playoffs two straight years before getting embarrassed by the Ravens at Heinz Field.

The front office botched what could have been a glorious farewell season for Troy had they actually shown up in the playoffs this year. We had enough talent to get at least to the AFCCG, maybe wouldn't have beaten the Cheatriots, but we had enough talent to get there.

What could have been a send off comparable to the one we gave Bettis, Troy watch the defense fold like a lawn chair and we were ill prepared when Troy got slow. The Ravens beat our asses at home and poof, that was it for one of the greatest steelers of all time.

It's sad and it pisses me off at the same time. Our offense was bad ass last season, but we never focused on getting the defense into playoff caliber form and it fucked us. Besides all the damn money he was paid, if I were Troy, I'd be angry the way it played out too.

Poor Troy...he didn't get a glorious sendoff the way Bettis and Ray Lewis did.

Seriously...if that is rankling him, he can piss off.

But I tend to go with Pierogi...if Troy didn't like the direction the team was taking, he could have just retired.

Unless, of course, he waited to fuck over the Steelers during the FA period...in which case, he can also piss off.

My guess is, though, he probably was not pleased with how they handled his situation, and probably felt like LeBeau was forced out.

I know you didn't necessary say that Troy is rankled by not having a glorious sendoff, Jeems, but just to be certain....neither did the article.

[jeemie]

I was responding to Orange's post with that one, not the article.

My response to the article, such as it was, was my first post and the last sentence of my response to Orange.

I don't want to speculate too much on the accuracy of Dejan's article, because I don't know how connected he is.

[Legacy User]

I don't see Troy as the kind of guy that would be upset about not having a sendoff.

I think his lack of communication about retiring speaks to who he is, that he actually doesn't want his retirement being this big occasion.

When did Troy ever have a "it's about me" personality? Why would he start now.

And for writers...they can speculate all they want and they can do so for a long time, because even if he was disgruntled, I dont ever expect Troy to start whining or bad-mouthing anyone publicly.

[JackLambert58]

Am I the only one who doesn't give a shit what retired Steelers do or do not do?

It certainly does not "sting" for me that Jack Lambert never shows up for any Steeler functions, or that Terry Bradshaw didn't pay respects to Chuck Noll.

If Troy Polamalu doesn't like current Steelers' management, and won't show up for Steeler functions in the future, I won't care in the least.

That's all his business.

No you aren't the only one.

[Jobu]

Am I the only one who doesn't give a shit what retired Steelers do or do not do?

It certainly does not "sting" for me that Jack Lambert never shows up for any Steeler functions, or that Terry Bradshaw didn't pay respects to Chuck Noll.

If Troy Polamalu doesn't like current Steelers' management, and won't show up for Steeler functions in the future, I won't care in the least.

That's all his business.

No you aren't the only one.

Ditto.

[Legacy User]

Am I the only one who doesn't give a shit what retired Steelers do or do not do?

It certainly does not "sting" for me that Jack Lambert never shows up for any Steeler functions, or that Terry Bradshaw didn't pay respects to Chuck Noll.

If Troy Polamalu doesn't like current Steelers' management, and won't show up for Steeler functions in the future, I won't care in the least.

That's all his business.

No you aren't the only one.

Ditto.

Ditto x2. Who gives a fuck?

[V DUB]

Ok. So Troy called 2 people since retiring. Where did the rift angle come from then? Friend of a friend? This is such bullshit. Trying to put a black cloud over the current ownership/FO/staff.

[jeemie]

Ok. So Troy called 2 people since retiring. Where did the rift angle come from then? Friend of a friend? This is such bullshit. Trying to put a black cloud over the current ownership/FO/staff.

And if Troy doesn't like the direction the FO and coaching staff are headed, well, that's his prerogative.

Dejan thinks they should change direction because Troy disagrees with them, and we should do what we can to avoid having the "sting" of Troy not coming to future events?

How about doing what it takes to make the current edition of the Steelers successful, and judge the current leaderships' direction on that alone?

[Steelperch]

As a poster and moderator on these sites for over a decade, I know a good troll post when I see one. Sports talk is slow right now and the Hunky is trolling for clicks and subscriptions. We all know Troy is a low key guy and this was exactly how his retirement was going to play out. Unnamed sources with suspicions as to how Troy feels are garbage. Can somebody imagine Troy bad-mouthing his superiors to a media clown?

[Legacy User]

[bradshaw2ben]

Furthermore, this kind of incendiary rumors bullshit REEKS of Wexell. Wexell's interpretation of what Troy told him "behind the scenes" is likely the source of this.

It could be as simple as: they forced LeBeau out and phased Troy out and Troy didn't agree with that.

[R_S]

As a poster and moderator on these sites for over a decade, I know a good troll post when I see one. Sports talk is slow right now and the Hunky is trolling for clicks and subscriptions. We all know Troy is a low key guy and this was exactly how his retirement was going to play out. Unnamed sources with suspicions as to how Troy feels are garbage. Can somebody imagine Troy bad-mouthing his superiors to a media clown?

Bingo. As humble and softspoken a guy that Troy has been his whole career, I'd be much more surprised had he turned his retirement into a season long spectacle like Mariano Rivera or Derek Jeter.

[USS Steelerworks]

Such bullshit. This is nothing more than rumor mongering and spreading gossip.

No named sources. Not even speculation as to why Polamalu would be upset.

This is just shitty journalism.

I would have hoped a respected sportswriter had been above this.

[Legacy User]

As a poster and moderator on these sites for over a decade, I know a good troll post when I see one. Sports talk is slow right now and the Hunky is trolling for clicks and subscriptions. We all know Troy is a low key guy and this was exactly how his retirement was going to play out. Unnamed sources with suspicions as to how Troy feels are garbage. Can somebody imagine Troy bad-mouthing his superiors to a media clown?

This. Troy has never been a sound bite guy or given anyone any quotable that was outside of a humble,measured, thoughtful response. If it was that bad he would have unretired in Tennessee.

[Obviously]

I normally enjoy the Hunky's work. He's out of his fuckin' tree on this one.

[Legacy User]

I normally enjoy the Hunky's work. He's out of his fuckin' tree on this one.

He's getting defensive about it on Reddit.

[jeemie]

I normally enjoy the Hunky's work. He's out of his fuckin' tree on this one.

He's getting defensive about it on Reddit.

You have a link. I searched and am not seeing it.

[Legacy User]

I normally enjoy the Hunky's work. He's out of his fuckin' tree on this one.

He's getting defensive about it on Reddit.

You have a link. I searched and am not seeing it.

http://www.reddit.com/r/steelers/comments/361key/polamalu_unhappy_with_steelers_brass/

I'm assuming he's Dejangl. Nothing overboard, just stuff like:

Dejangl 2 points an hour ago

I never described the motivation for Troy's disappointment. I have some ideas, but I chose not to speculate.

Dejangl 2 points an hour ago

It's fact. There's actually much more than what I put there. I went only with what could be fully confirmed.

[–]Dejangl 3 points an hour ago

It's not a positive piece of news. I didn't enjoy hearing about it, didn't enjoy writing it. Stands to reason people wouldn't enjoy reading it. Some will react, predictably, by hoping it isn't true and trying to downplay its veracity.

[–]Dejangl 1 point an hour ago

The hits on Friday Insider don't vary much week to week. Besides, it's a subscription site. Clicks are confined to subscribers, for the most part. The motivation for clickbait is minimal at best.

[Legacy User]

Google: Steelers Troy reserve/retired list

EMR and Tombert hate Troy so much that they have first dibs if he decides to unretire.

[jeemie]

I'm new to Reddit- didn't know what his handle was there.

And what's with their limitations?

I replied to one post in the thread, and then a couple of minutes tried to reply to another one and got a warning "You are doing that too much. try again in 7 minutes".

WTF? They only want you to post every 10 minutes?

Or is that something they only do for new users?

[K_C_]

I'm shocked, I say.

Shocked.

[BethlehemSteel]

This does sound like hack troll for clicks .. Subscriptions must be way down on both entertainers.

You shouldnt try to compete with pft and the goldmine of ad dollars it's getting right now.

Troy has a right to feel any way he does p, no matter that may be true or not. He was the best and a future HOF.

[Gonzo]

It am with troy - i also dislike Rooney jr and Tomlin

[Legacy User]

Don't know how it fits his story but tomlin was definitely Dan's guy. No question. As I remember it, Colbert was also a huge advocate. Art deuce was lukewarm.

So I kinda doubt his cadre of deuce, Colbert, tomlin. I do however think art deuce and tomlin got LeBeau dislodged.

Anyway, LeBeau is gone as are most vets, art 2 is the undisputed special leader, Colbert is hanging on, my guess is challenging art2 on some things, and tomlin is on the power ascension within the org.