Reed vs Polamalu

[ryanwade21]

Im a skins fan and my two friends are steelers and ravens fans. They have been arguing who is better Troy or Ed. I have always said Troy is better, and even after all the ESPN analysts unanimously said Troy is the best safety in the league the ravens fan refuses whole heartedly that there is anyway Troy is better. So I decided to leave it up to the smartest football fans I know. We dont know how to ask this, whether to say who is better or to say who would you rather have. Instead of saying they are the best at what they do or at their position, say you had to pick one and they were both rookies who would you want?

[acuratl1984]

They are both the best at THEIR position...

Ed Reed - Free Safety (Less Tackles, 2x INT)

Troy Polamalu - Strong Safety (More Tackles, Sacks)

If you ask me who i thought was the better IMPACT player? with 2x the INT i would have to say Reed is

[Beans]

Reed. It's not even close. Warren Sapp said before the Super Bowl that Troy was a fraud and couldn't cover for ****. He basically called him out...and Troy got his ass burned by Rodgers and Co. I was embarrassed for him.

---------- Post added May-5th-2011 at 09:59 PM ----------

INT >>> Sack

---------- Post added May-5th-2011 at 10:00 PM ----------

Troy is overrated because of his hair. People are stupid.

[mmzznnxx]

Polamalu was exposed in the Super Bowl this year while Reed led the league in interceptions despite missing around half the season with an injury. Polamalu's a great player, no doubt. But as to who I would rather have, and who I think has more impact on their team's success, it's definitely Ed Reed for me.

[terrifNick21]

Did he SERIOUSLY say Troy's overrated because of his hair?

How stupid could one be. :doh:

[Santana_Fan]

I'd rather have Ed Reed.

[terrifNick21]

Let's see:

Steelers without Troy most of the year two seasons ago: Missed playoffs.

Steelers WITH Troy this last season: Super Bowl appearance.

[DWinzit]

Two incredible players whose DC takes advantage of their athleticism and instinct by allowing them to freelance.

I chose the younger Troy, then reread catching the last part about if drafting...I'd probably take Reed by a hair.

[Sticksboi05]

Both in their prime I take Reed.

[DeMarco Murray 29]

Alan Ball.

No seriously, Give me Ed Reed.

[gatorskin77]

In there prime it's not even close Ed Reed was WAY better than Polomolmotmolu or what ever his name is.
Troy is probably a more exciting player to watch and thats why so many people over rate him.
Ed is one of the best ever in terms of creating turnovers and scoring.
A pick six is alot more important than diving over an offensive lineman's head to tackle a running back behind the line.

[Beans]

Let's see:

Steelers without Troy most of the year two seasons ago: Missed playoffs.

Steelers WITH Troy this last season: Super Bowl appearance.

Horrible. Very low quality.

---------- Post added May-5th-2011 at 11:44 PM ----------

I fart, therefore I am.

[Enter Apotheosis]

Both are great players but Ed Reed wins this by a mile.


Let's see:

Steelers without Troy most of the year two seasons ago: Missed playoffs.

Steelers WITH Troy this last season: Super Bowl appearance.

Polamalu has been a non-factor in the Steelers' Super Bowl appearances, owing at least partly to the fact that he tends to be somewhat ineffective against teams that can spread the field and air it out.

[ptr77]

Reed and its not even close. Whenever I watch Polamalu the last few years I see a guy that plays out of control and guesses quite a bit. He freelances more than Reed and is wrong more often than Reed. He also doesn't stand up too well in deep coverage or one on one with a WR or athletic tight end (watch the seahawks superbowl). Polamalu gets overrated because he is a force blitzing, against the run, and hits like a freight train.

Don't get me wrong, Polamalu is a top 10 probably top 5 safety, but he is just a more popular version of Adrian Wilson with better instincts when the ball is in the air.

[Warhead36]

People are underselling Polamalu quite a bit here. He is an absolute baller. I've seen him get quite a few terrific interceptions as well. I think he's a better all-around Safety than Reed although Reed is better in coverage. Overall they're both future first ballot HOF-ers and you ain't cryin with either one.


Sean Taylor would have surpassed both. :(

[Enter Apotheosis]

Sean Taylor would have surpassed both. :(

That could very well have been the case had Taylor kept up the focus he displayed in 2007. After all, Polamalu really doesn't do anything that ST wasn't capable of doing better and he had a better all-around game than Reed. I don't think he ever could have matched Reed's coverage instincts, though.

[kubstix]

Ed Reed no questions asked. Baller in coverage compared to an average Troy P. Both are good at run support with maybe an edge to Troy. Mark my words, Troy P will be the new upcoming Bob Sanders. The next few years he will play 6 games max and be out the remainder of the season.

[Hitman21ST]

That could very well have been the case had Taylor kept up the focus he displayed in 2007. After all, Polamalu really doesn't do anything that ST wasn't capable of doing better and he had a better all-around game than Reed. I don't think he ever could have matched Reed's coverage instincts, though.

He was leading the league in interceptions when he got injured...

[Mr. Sinister]

He was leading the league in interceptions when he got injured...

Are you using that stat to imply that he had better cover skills than Reed at the time, that he would have better cover Skills than Reed in the future, or are you just stating that as fact, throwing it out there?

If you chose option 3, then you'd be correct, but I don't think interceptions is in any form or fashion an indicator of how good of a cover man you are, because too many things factor into it, mainly ****ty QB play. I don't think he would've matched Reeds cover skills, but I definitely think that he would've come close, and would, as others have stated, been a far better all around player than Reed.

[Audible_Red40]

I am a big Alvin Walton supporter!

[Enter Apotheosis]

If you chose option 3, then you'd be correct, but I don't think interceptions is in any form or fashion an indicator of how good of a cover man you are, because too many things factor into it, mainly ****ty QB play. I don't think he would've matched Reeds cover skills, but I definitely think that he would've come close, and would, as others have stated, been a far better all around player than Reed.

Exactly. Taylor was very capable of putting up gaudy interception totals as well but that doesn't tell the whole story. He clearly wasn't as good as Reed when it came to reading a QB's eyes and seemingly moving to the spot of a throw before it even got out of the QB's hands. However, he could compensate for this to a large degree with sheer athleticism. No one could cover ground quite like ST and there was not a single player who could routinely best him in jump ball situations, not even the likes of Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, or Randy Moss (in his prime).

One other thing that hasn't be tossed out there yet, Reed is also probably the best defender in the league with the ball in his hands after a turnover.

[Bang]

My mouse literally floated over each name for a good while,, back and forth, back and forth.
I settled on Reed due to Polamalu's missing games to injuries.

Both are great players, hall of fame players. Both make huge plays in huge moments and swing the fortunes of their teams.
The only deciding factor for me was Polamalu's missed some time.

~Bang

[terrifNick21]

People are underselling Polamalu quite a bit here. He is an absolute baller. I've seen him get quite a few terrific interceptions as well. I think he's a better all-around Safety than Reed although Reed is better in coverage. Overall they're both future first ballot HOF-ers and you ain't cryin with either one.



100% agreed.

[bushwack]

One other thing that hasn't be tossed out there yet, Reed is also probably the best defender in the league with the ball in his hands after a turnover.

The sad thing is this was another aspect that Sean was closing in on to Reed. Taylor was great at locating a loose ball and turning something out of nothing, i.e. hand of god play, and the 2 fumble recovery TD run backs in '05 @ Philly & TB.

As for the poll Reed trumps Polamalu.

[Bang]

100% agreed.

Nick, I love your sig. I recommend you read that book. It's nothing like the movie at all. . drop dead funny, and that line resonates.

I have to pee, indeed.

~Bang

[jflow78]

Im a skins fan and my two friends are steelers and ravens fans. They have been arguing who is better Troy or Ed. I have always said Troy is better, and even after all the ESPN analysts unanimously said Troy is the best safety in the league the ravens fan refuses whole heartedly that there is anyway Troy is better. So I decided to leave it up to the smartest football fans I know. We dont know how to ask this, whether to say who is better or to say who would you rather have. Instead of saying they are the best at what they do or at their position, say you had to pick one and they were both rookies who would you want?

Sorry Ryan, if ESPN says something, you often want to say the exact opposite.

I'm with nearly everyone on here who's commented. Reed is the better safety. Just from a stats perspective if they'd played the same number of seasons, Polamalu (9 seasons) would have better tackling numbers but the only way he could match Reed's (10 seasons) INTs even if Reed quit today and Polamalu played another 9 seasons.

I'd take Reed over Polamalu any day. Not to say Polamalu isn't the 2nd best safety in the league, and probably would be the best if Reed weren't playing, but until he retires Reed is the king.

If Sean had been alive, he probably would have given Reed a good run for his money, and Polamalu would have taken a back seat to both of them, Sean was too good all around.

[DCSaints_fan]

After witnessing what Darren Sharper added to the Saints defense in '09, I a favor the ballhawking FS vs. the in-the-box SS, so Ed Reed.

[Hiro]

Both are insanely great players, and both of the defenses are improved when either of them are in the game.

Overall though, I think the bigger impact player is Polamalu. The Steelers defense is noticeably worse when Polamalu misses time, and becomes significantly more dangerous when he's in, the most recent Super Bowl not withstanding.

[Tweedr01]

Meh, a lot of people are high on reed, but the guy is constantly injured.

[Sticksboi05]

This is Reed vs. Polamalu, let's keep it about those two for God's sake.

[pjfootballer]

Meh, a lot of people are high on reed, but the guy is constantly injured.

And Troy isn't???

[Tweedr01]

And Troy isn't???
whoa whoa relax big guy, i don't keep up with either team all that much because they aren't in our division. it's just an outside opinion of what i see, and i only know of one season where polamalu had injury issues, doesn't reed have them consistenly every year?

[Enter Apotheosis]

whoa whoa relax big guy, i don't keep up with either team all that much because they aren't in our division. it's just an outside opinion of what i see, and i only know of one season where polamalu had injury issues, doesn't reed have them consistenly every year?

In seven seasons as a starter Polamalu has only made it through all 16 games three times. In Reed's first seven seasons he had six where he played in all 16 games. Over the last two seasons Reed has missed 10 games and Polamalu has missed 13.

Reed has been much more durable over the course of his career although both players may be quickly approaching the end of the line.

[Tweedr01]

In seven seasons as a starter Polamalu has only made it through all 16 games three times. In Reed's first seven seasons he had six where he played in all 16 games. Over the last two seasons Reed has missed 10 games and Polamalu has missed 13.

Reed has been much more durable over the course of his career although both players may be quickly approaching the end of the line.
and that's all i needed, i was just being honest and going off of my perception, no stats or anything, but thank you for providing. i actually thought polamalu was pretty durable, i had no idea that he wasn't.

[Hiro]

In seven seasons as a starter Polamalu has only made it through all 16 games three times. In Reed's first seven seasons he had six where he played in all 16 games. Over the last two seasons Reed has missed 10 games and Polamalu has missed 13.

Reed has been much more durable over the course of his career although both players may be quickly approaching the end of the line.
I wonder if that has anything to do with the playing style differences between the two. They're roughly around the same size (5-10, 200ish lbs), but Reed is a centerfield roaming FS, while Polamalu is a SS who has shown pretty good coverage abilities, but spends most of his time blitzing and tackling.

[Enter Apotheosis]

I wonder if that has anything to do with the playing style differences between the two. They're roughly around the same size (5-10, 200ish lbs), but Reed is a centerfield roaming FS, while Polamalu is a SS who has shown pretty good coverage abilities, but spends most of his time blitzing and tackling.

It probably is due at least in part to playing style differences but it has nothing to do with the volume of hitting being done. Over the entirety of both players' careers Polamalu has 20 more tackles, 20 less solo tackles, and only 3 more sacks than Reed. If there's a difference it's that Polamalu's hitting style is a little more indiscriminately violent. Reed has shown a propensity for occasionally laying guys out himself but I'd tend to think that he pick his targets and spots better.

[Hiro]

It probably is due at least in part to playing style differences but it has nothing to do with the volume of hitting being done. Over the entirety of both players' careers Polamalu has 20 more tackles, 20 less solo tackles, and only 3 more sacks than Reed. If there's a difference it's that Polamalu's hitting style is a little more indiscriminately violent. Reed has shown a propensity for occasionally laying guys out himself but I'd tend to think that he pick his targets and spots better.
I agree, I noticed when I checked the stats that the tackle difference was not nearly as great as I initially expected. Aside from the hitting style, it's likely that Polamalu playing more in the box puts him at greater risk of injury.

[Dr. Do Itch Big]

I would take Reed.

[pjfootballer]

whoa whoa relax big guy, i don't keep up with either team all that much because they aren't in our division. it's just an outside opinion of what i see, and i only know of one season where polamalu had injury issues, doesn't reed have them consistenly every year?

Sorry, I wasn't yelling at you or anything. I guess I should have put only one question mark in there. Didn't mean to snap at you, bud.

[PokerPacker]

Sorry, I wasn't yelling at you or anything. I guess I should have put only one question mark in there. Didn't mean to snap at you, bud.

daww... <3

[sjinhan]

Reed...

If I had to start a defense over from scratch.. and was given the choice to have either Reed or Plolamu... I think you HAVE to go with Reed.

[BigMike619]

People are underselling Polamalu quite a bit here. He is an absolute baller. I've seen him get quite a few terrific interceptions as well. I think he's a better all-around Safety than Reed although Reed is better in coverage. Overall they're both future first ballot HOF-ers and you ain't cryin with either one.


Sean Taylor would have surpassed both. :(

Troy had that pick off the Chargers where he basically picked the ball up inches from the turf. then we cant forget what he JUST did to Collins last year ala waterboy!

Reed is very injury proned but when he is on the field the guy is a game changer as well.

But for my money Id take Bob Sanders over both...and HH will take Doughty. ;)

[Nate4789]

I think they've both lost a step, but Polamalu has lost a bigger step

[pjfootballer]

Sanders is in San Diego this year.

[BigMike619]

oh, i was kidding. i HATE bob sanders

[TheREALJBird]

Ed Reed, absolute ball hawk and every time he touches the football he almost always takes it to the house, or something big happens. Would take him any day over Polamalu.

[Son of Gadsden]

LaRon Landry.

[Beans]

Well, looks like Reed took it in a landslide. Troy's career is overrated. Guy benefits from a monster pass rush, but is good for a highlight every now and then. Reed is in another stratosphere.

Warren Sapp told ya'll like it was before the last super bowl...troy can't cover. Then Troy got embarrassed.

[BigMike619]

he cant cover? he had 7INTs last year alone. and dont forget him diving over the pile against TN.

he may not be as good as Reed but Warren Sapp is full of ****..but thats to be expected.

[Enter Apotheosis]

LaRon Landry.

Don't be a homer. Landry still has a lot to prove to be in this discussion.

[Son of Gadsden]

Don't be a homer. Landry still has a lot to prove to be in this discussion.

Homer or not, i disagree. He would have been in the argument minus the injury last year.

[Enter Apotheosis]

Homer or not, i disagree. He would have been in the argument minus the injury last year.

Had he kept it up for a full 16 games then he absolutely would have been. However, as it is he only has that one 9 game stretch to be particularly proud of and he has to show the he can bounce back from the achilles injury.

[Son of Gadsden]

Had he kept it up for a full 16 games then he absolutely would have been. However, as it is he only has that one 9 game stretch to be particularly proud of and he has to show the he can bounce back from the achilles injury.

I can live with that.

[illone]

Sean Taylor >>>> both.