12/03/24
November 02, 2011
Did Troy Play Dirty?: As many of you know I am a Steelers fan. But I have always prided myself on being fair. In other words I never automatically absolve players from teams simply because they are my team.
A coworker of mine is a die-hard Patriots fan. This afternoon when I came into work the first words out of his mouth were that he no longer had an respect for Troy Polamalu. Not because of the (debatable) punched fumble... he said that didn't matter ... but because he said Troy kicked at Patriots players after "6 or so" plays were over. He says he saw it himself and that it was all anyone on Boston radio stations were talking about.
I watched every down, and watched NFL TV most of the day on Monday and saw no evidence and heard not a single talking head discussing it.
I assume if it is true he will be fined. But I was wondering if other Patriots fan truly saw evidence of Troy's "dirty play"?
Obviously these accusations are bothering me. But if there is evidence I will be the first to admit I disappointment in Troy.
I know there are a bunch of Patriots fans here. Can you point to specific plays if you agree?
posted by scully to navel gazing at 01:50 PM - 9 comments
I have been searching the web and news sites for Troy's name plus "dirty" "kicked" etc, etc, and all that is turning up is the punched ball at the end of the game.
Patriots' fans?
posted by scully at 03:36 PM on November 02, 2011
Steelers, not just Polahairdo, are well known for playing on the edge .. but they aren't the only team that does so.
Patriots fans - yes.
Lost the game, live with it and hopefully NE will get another chance this year.
posted by cixelsyd at 09:46 PM on November 02, 2011
I meant I am looking for Patriots' fans (or non-Steelers fans) to comment on the allegations. Did others see these alleged kickings?
posted by scully at 07:19 AM on November 03, 2011
I am a non-Steelers fan and non-Patriots fan, and I saw nothing at all like that. TV so quickly jumps to a replay after the end of a replay that you don't get to see much scrum stuff anyway. If it was very visible on tv, I'm surprised that the commentators wouldn't have mentioned it.
posted by bperk at 02:08 PM on November 03, 2011
Happily, this was the first Pats' game I missed some of this year (due to work commitments). I caught some of the 3rd and all of the 4th quarter. My only Polamalu complaint was more with the refs: they're able to call a horse collar anytime someone even touches the back of a jersey, but they missed an obvious facemask on Polamalu after a big play. I tend to think he's a little overrated, but he's a great player. Plus, all great safeties are dirty, aren't they?
And why be upset by your coworker's bleating? If they're complaining about dirty play (or the refs), you know they're just sore losers.
posted by yerfatma at 09:59 AM on November 04, 2011
I didn't notice any dirty play by Polamalu. That was a punch ball on the fumble though, without a doubt.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 01:35 PM on November 04, 2011
Well, he didn't blame these phantom Troy incidents on the loss. He did admit the Steelers deserved the win. But it bothers me that he is accusing a player I respect and stating these kicking incidents as fact when there doesn't seem to be any proof. No mention of the tackle on Welker, which as you say yerfatma, was a facemask, and no mention of the punched ball at the end, which is arguably illegal.
Thanks everyone. I already let it drop with him, and will simply wear my Steelers shirt at work as a silent reminder to him :)
posted by scully at 02:48 PM on November 04, 2011
Dan Patrick had Troy on his radio show a few weeks back and it's striking how gentle his voice is. I also get the sense that he isn't a fan of football. He let it drop that he never watches football on the TV.
posted by NoMich at 06:50 PM on November 04, 2011
A quick glance of newspapers articles and blog posts from the Boston area only talks about him slapping the ball into NE's end zone, nothing about him kicking anybody. I saw the game as well and I don't recall anything like that happening.