First Call: Troy Polamalu thanks Steelers franchise, Titans have covid-19 concern

Maybe Troy Polamalu is starting to get sentimental about his Steelers days. The Tennessee Titans have a covid-19 concern in advance of the Steelers visit to Nashville. And a WPIAL star had a premonition about his big play with the New England Patriots.

All that and more in Tuesday’s “First Call.”

Thanks for the memories

After his selection to the Steelers Ring of Honor, the reclusive Troy Polamalu reached out to the franchise with a note of thanks via his Facebook page.

Since his retirement, Polamalu has rarely associated himself with the organization — in person or otherwise.

But he penned a long note acknowledging everyone from Bill Cowher, Jerome Bettis, Mean Joe Greene, Dan Rooney, Mike Logan, to current Steelers such as T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward.

“What I truly appreciate about the Steeler way is that at its core, it’s the success of a family,” Polamalu wrote. “The core of our success is culture based on essential virtues any person respects and honors. Humility, Passion, Resilience and Legacy … Now, I’m blessed to be in the Hall of Honor, confirmation that enduring the struggles to emulate players before me is worthwhile. Thank yinz.”

Much has been made about Polamalu’s absence from team reunions and activities since his retirement. It has long been believed that he has harbored some grudge toward the coaching staff and the front office for how his Steelers career ended. Polamalu would’ve been released prior to the 2015 season if he didn’t retire. So that’s what he decided to do.

General manager Kevin Colbert and Art Rooney II weren’t mentioned in the note. But head coach Mike Tomlin was, so perhaps that was an olive branch.

“Times have changed, however, as coach Tomlin often says, the standard is the standard,” Polamalu said.

Recently, Polamalu spoke with The Athletic and tried to tamp down concerns about his relationship with Steelers brass.

Maybe this is another step in that direction.

Coronavirus caution

The Steelers’ next opponent is dealing with a coronavirus concern.

The Tennessee Titans played their most recent game without one of their coaches. Defensive signal caller Shane Bowen was not with the team as they beat the Minnesota Vikings Sunday to improve to 3-0.

Head coach Mike Vrabel announced Monday that Bowen was left behind because of covid-19 protocol after test results Saturday.

It’s not known if those tests were an actual positive, some sort of concern over a false positive, or an inconclusive result.

Bowen calls defensive plays during games. Vrabel said he helped out and special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman wore a headset while Vrabel spent more time with the defense.

It’s unclear if Bowen will be a part of the coaching staff on Sunday versus the Steelers. The Titans gave up 464 yards but still managed to outscore the Vikings 31-30.

Dream catcher

Thomas Jefferson High School product Chase Winovich recorded a strip sack of Derek Carr on Sunday as part of the New England Patriots’ defeat of the Las Vegas Raiders.

And Winovich insists he had a dream that play was coming.

The former Michigan Wolverine told NBC Boston, “Literally (Saturday night) I had a dream that I had a strip sack. So before I went out on the field for that series, I told one of the team doctors I had a vision. I had a dream that I was going to get a strip sack — and two plays in I did. So in terms of crazy things that happened, that was definitely one of them.”

Dream it, do it.@Wino | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/42t5ge5lwy

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 28, 2020

Hmm. It’s that easy, huh? Can anyone whisper some subliminal nocturnal messages into Bud Dupree’s or T.J. Watt’s ears about sacking Ryan Tannehill Sunday?

Hang in there, kid

Everyone knew life was going to be tough for Joe Burrow in Year 1 as a Cincinnati Bengal.

But the rookie first-round pick is going to be lucky to survive this year in one piece.

So far, the first-year quarterback has been sacked 14 times. That leads the NFL. He was taken down eight times on Sunday during a 23-23 tie with the Philadelphia Eagles. Plus, he absorbed 10 more quarterback hits along the way.

Keep in mind, Burrow still has to face the Steelers twice (15 sacks) and Washington (13 sacks).

Those defenses have the two highest sack totals in the league.

Not over yet

After losing to the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and the Steelers, it may feel like the Houston Texans are washed up at 0-3.

Maybe not quite yet.

The 2020 schedule still has a sick sense of humor remaining. Bill O’Brien’s group will visit Tennessee and host the Green Bay Packers before Halloween. Not to mention a game against the Patriots on Nov. 22.

But the Texans haven’t played a division game yet. And they still have winnable dates against Minnesota (this week), the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati and the Detroit Lions. Plus two AFC South games against the Jaguars. That’s potentially six victories on the table.

As is often the case, Houston’s fate will likely be sealed by how their division games go against the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee.

If they split those four, 8-8 isn’t out of the picture.

Remember, the Steelers started 0-3 (then 1-4) last year. They finished 8-8 and would’ve made the playoffs if there was a seventh slot.

And that was with Devlin “Duck” Hodges at QB, not Deshaun Watson.

There is a seventh slot for the Texans this season. So don’t give up hope in Houston just yet.