Troy Polamalu is NFL's best defender

Filed in archive NFL on June 6, 2007

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End Zone Buzz continues its NFL Best series with the best defensive player.

Most NFL onlookers prefer pass rushers and quaterback sackers as their choice for top defensive players. Some will pick cover corners.

We prefer the guy who will impact the game in more ways than one -- a do-it-all player, rather than a specialist. That guy is Pittsburgh strong safety Troy Polamalu, the best defensive player in the NFL.

Polamalu is a combination of size, speed and agility that the NFL hasn't seen in many years. A devastating hitter and sure-handed tackler, Polamalu has 301 tackles in just four seasons, and he had consecutive seasons with over 90 tackles -- a huge number for a safety.

What makes Polamalu so dangerous, though, is his intelligence, a quality that gives him the ability to play multiple positions. In Pittsburgh's complex, multiple defensive sets, Polamalu will move up to linebacker and will often blitz from the safety position. In Pittsburgh's Super Bowl season in 2005, he had three quarterback sacks.

Watch a Steelers game closely, and you'll see Troy Polamalu all over the field. He is one of the most versatile defenders to come along in many years, and he is our choice as the best defensive player in the NFL.

Other Players in this Series
Carson Palmer -- Best Quarterback
Larry Johnson -- Best Pure Runner
Anquan Boldin -- Best Wide Receiver
LaDainian Tomlinson -- Best All-Around Player