Not sure if you guys and gals got a chance to view ESPN.com today, but AFC North blogger James Walker has the featured storytoday. The topic?? The Smartest and Best All Around Player in the division.

Voted by 32 players in the division under anonymity, the Ravens Ed Reed won the Best All Around Player, while Steelers Troy Polamalu won the Smartest Player Award. Now, while any player in the division could be included in this voting (James Harrison tied for 2nd with Polamalu for Best All Around Player), the spotlight was on 2 of the best safeties in the league.... again!

With the high regards, comes the resurface of the great debate. Who's the better safety in the NFL, Reed or Polamalu??

If any of you know me, you know that I DESPISE this debate. It's pointless, stupid and makes no sense to compare the two. If I haven't explained this a millions times, make this a million and one. Here are reasons why you shouldn't compare the two

1. Two different positions- Reed is a free safety, Polamalu is a strong safety... Now I'm sure folks already know this. But did you also know that they have different names because they do different things???

The free safety makes sure WRs like Larry Fitzgerald, T.O. and Steve Smith don't score. He's the guy that's suppose to make the play if the LBs and CBs blow it.

The strong safety is the one that has a little more responsibility. He usually stops the TE if he becomes a receiver and plays closer with the CBs on the stronger side of the field.

Now that we learned this lesson in class boys and girls, let's take a quiz. Does the strong safety and the free safety have the same responsibility??? If you said no, you're right!!! Gold star for you!!!


(yes this is sarcasm... you gotta love me lol)

2. Two different players- The Reed and Polamalu comparison makes absolutely no sense to me. They are two totally different players who contribute in different ways to their defense.

Reed is the top playmaker for the Ravens. He's known to get INTs and making points out of them. His strengths can be more mental than physical. Reed is every deep threat's nightmare.

QB's who play him knows what he's capable of. And even though they may still try and test him, often times they end up wishing they could take that pass back. Throw on his side, and you take the risk of giving him a Pick Six. Reed is 6th on the career INT yards list

Polamalu is a more physical player. He's good at getting INTs too, but his strengths are different.

He can play the line of scrimmage and play the role similar to a linebacker. On running plays, blockers have to account for him. The same for pass plays. He can stop a RB or blitz the QB. He's the guy who stays on your TE when he's in the middle of coverage. He's also the guy that will knock you on your a$$ and make you think again before going anywhere near his part of the field.



Of course, a lot of people love to compare the two for numerous reasons. First, they are division rivals. They play for 2 of the best defenses in the league. Second, they are both safeties and third, they are both dominant at their positions. But to me, this is not a competition. Both players are great in their own right. They both have different strengths and if they were ever on the same team they would be able to co exist.


The intent for Walker's article was not to compare the 2 at all. However, because both players were at the top of the respected category, it started the smack talk and e-thugging between Ravens and Steelers fans (see comments below article). Reed does not = Polamalu and vice versa. It's time fans start realizing this.

The good ol' Great Debate arises again... let's hope it dies soon, once and for all.