Steelers History: Bengals Great Carson Palmer Tells The Story Of His First Encounter With Troy Polamalu In The NFL

Former Pittsburgh Steelers' safety, Troy Polamalu and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, Carson Palmer share a well-documented history together. The two were college roommates at the University of Southern California and were both drafted in the first-round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Interestingly enough, they were both drafted to AFC North teams, meaning that they would have the opportunity to face off against one another twice a season. While Polamalu and Palmer had some tremendous games over the course of their NFL careers, there is perhaps no game more memorable than the first-ever one played between the two during Week 4 of the 2004 season. 

During a recent interview on Barstool Sports' Podcast, Pardon My Take, Palmer described their first matchup in detail. More specifically, a play in the fourth quarter in which Polamalu intercepted his former college teammate and returned the pass for a touchdown. 

The Week 4 game in 2004 was the fourth career start of Palmer's NFL career, and it was one he likely wanted to forget, as the pick-six by Polamalu would prove to be the deciding play for the Steelers as they would go on to win the game, 28-17. Not only did the late-game interception result in Palmer losing, but it also resulted in him hurting his shoulder by way of Polamalu. 

"Here comes Troy, and he's coming right at me and lowers his head and puts it right on my AC joint on the goal-line and ran me over for a touchdown. My shoulder has never been the same and that was my first year playing in the National Football League," described Palmer on the fourth quarter play in which Polamalu returned the interception for a touchdown.  

This play was the first career touchdown of Polamalu's career, and it would not be the last as the Steelers' Hall of Famer would add four more over the course of his 12 seasons in Pittsburgh. He was one of the most feared defensive players in his era and garnished respect from those he played against, none more so than his former college roommate. 

One Of The Steelers Greatest Defensive Players In The History

During the interview, Palmer was asked who the best defensive player he ever had the opportunity to go against. Not surprisingly, Polamalu's name was brought up as the former Bengals' quarterback described how difficult it was to game plan against the Steelers' star. Palmer also discussed how Ed Reed, the Hall of Fame safety for the Baltimore Ravens was equally as hard to go against. 

"Troy was an in-box defender, meaning he was down by the line of scrimmage. He could blitz, he could cover a running back on one, he could cover a tight end one on one," said Palmer in regard to how difficult it was to play against Polamalu during his time in the NFL.

Needless to say, there has never been, and likely never will be a safety who plays the same type of way as Polamalu. Palmer, who went up against him twice a year during his seven seasons in Cincinnati, described how big of an impact Polamalu would have during the course of a game. 

"You didn't know if Troy was blitzing, you didn't know if he was going to cover, you didn't know if he was going to do that thing where he would take a couple steps back like he was dropping in to coverage. He could get to 4.2 speed in three steps, so he could be five yards away from the line of scrimmage and within two seconds he's in your lap," answered Palmer when describing Polamalu.