Polamalu vs. Woodson

[dalboy]

I have to admit I wasn't able to watch Woodson in his prime. I really started watching and understanding the game his last few years. I've always thought Polamalu was overrated and just playing during a time where there just aren't any great safetys . Everyone says he's first ballot and I'm wondering is he that much better than Woodson?

 

[Vanilla2]

If I remember correctly Polamalu made a lot more wow type plays.

 

[Vanilla2]

Also Can't forget about him being a Stooler.

That always scores points for those guys

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Polamalu won a defensive player of the year award, so that would weigh quite a bit

 

[AbeBeta]

Troy is a hall of fame caliber player. Woodson was one of the better defensive players on his team and a great leader.

Guys are on totally different levels

 

[Tabascocat]

Troy was better, quite a bit actually. Woodson was great but Troy was elite.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Ive never seen a safety like polamalu. Woodson was good but I dont remember anything crazy about him.

 

[casmith07]

Woodson was a lot better. There aren't very many defensive backs in history that could hit like a linebacker, run like a cornerback, and man cover slot WRs with ease.

If covering nobody your entire career and being a freelancer earns you hall of fame consideration, then where's the talk about Ed Reed? He was head and shoulders better than Polamalu.

 

[erod]

Woodson was a great player, but he wasn't close to being in Polamalu's league.

That guy was transcendent.

 

[visionary]

Woodson was a lot better. There aren't very many defensive backs in history that could hit like a linebacker, run like a cornerback, and man cover slot WRs with ease.

If covering nobody your entire career and being a freelancer earns you hall of fame consideration, then where's the talk about Ed Reed? He was head and shoulders better than Polamalu.

Agreed
If Woodson had played for Dick Lebeau he would be in the HOF too

 

[Tawney88]

Woodson was a lot better. There aren't very many defensive backs in history that could hit like a linebacker, run like a cornerback, and man cover slot WRs with ease.

If covering nobody your entire career and being a freelancer earns you hall of fame consideration, then where's the talk about Ed Reed? He was head and shoulders better than Polamalu.

I agree Reed was better. Not even a question

 

[StarBoyz83]

Polamalu Jump:

 

[perrykemp]

Polamalu will be in the HOF.

I think Woodson is HOF worthy, however, I've seen the theory put forth that Woodson and Leroy Butler tend to cancel each other's HOF votes for later 1990s safeties.

Woodson went to 5 Probowls and was named 1st team All-Pro 3 times.

Butler was named to 4 Pro-Bowls and 4 1st team All-Pros.

Both won Superbowls, etc.

Their careers overlapped, etc

Heck, and then you have Steve Atwater was named to 8 Probowls (but only 2 1st team All-Pro teams) who also played all through the 90s and isn't in the HOF.

 

[Tenkamenin]

If i had a choice to take either Woodson or Polamalu in their prime I would take Woodson all day. IMO Woodson was the better cover safety.

 

[tico]

Woodson had a lot more fines in a time when nobody really got fined.. In the game Emmitt broke the record against the Cawks..I remember Woody putting a hit from hell.. He was vicious..

 

[Little Jr]

Anyone who thinks woodson was better than polamalu, needs to take their fanboy blinders off

 

[Chuck 54]

You also have to look at who played the same position during their careers. Most analysts believe Polamalu was the best SS type in the NFL during his career. Woodson had some pretty stiff competition at his spot.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Polamalu will be in the HOF.

I think Woodson is HOF worthy, however, I've seen the theory put forth that Woodson and Leroy Butler tend to cancel each other's HOF votes for later 1990s safeties.

Woodson went to 5 Probowls and was named 1st team All-Pro 3 times.

Butler was named to 4 Pro-Bowls and 4 1st team All-Pros.

Both won Superbowls, etc.

Their careers overlapped, etc

Heck, and then you have Steve Atwater was named to 8 Probowls (but only 2 1st team All-Pro teams) who also played all through the 90s and isn't in the HOF.

90's Safeties are a very underrated group IMO. Some great players like the 3 you mentioned as well as Carnell Lake and Eugene Robinson. These guys were the bridge between the classic thumper Safeties and todays modern coverage Safties when the NFL was still a run league but the pass offense was evolving. That generation of Safeties was the evolution of the position where a player had to be able to do it all.

I think Reed, Dawkins and Polomolu will all get in, and hopefully it opens the door for the previous generation. IMO Atwater, Butler and Woodson are all HOFers

 

[darthseinfeld]

Woodson had a lot more fines in a time when nobody really got fined.. In the game Emmitt broke the record against the Cawks..I remember Woody putting a hit from hell.. He was vicious..

I used to get flamed on message boards before fans decided they hated Roy Williams by saying Woodson was a much harder hitter.

I still remember a hit he put on Peete during playoff game against the Eagles where Peete was scrambling for a first and and Woodson hit him just shy of the marker and as Woodson hit him, it looked like Peete was medically dead until he hit the ground and came back to life

 

[AmericasTeam81]

Polamalu had longer hair and that is what puts him over the top for most people