Steelers' Polamalu's unique style changes the game

	Troy Polamalu's dominant play has made him the highest profile defensive player in the Super Bowl. Simon Bruty/SI
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The hair.

The curly, black mane is so long it blocks out almost every letter on the back of his No. 43 jersey. But with his hairy, herky-jerky movements to disrupt offenses, Troy Polamalu has become a household name.

Other defensive backs are also familiar because of their hair, such as Green Bay's Al Harris -- dreadlocks dancing from his helmet while he shadows wideouts. And elite safeties like Baltimore's Ed Reed and Philadelphia's Brian Dawkins have made an impact as the last line of defense.

Nonetheless, Polamalu has reinvented the safety position to become the NFL's most dynamic -- and unique -- defender.

In Dick LeBeau's tricky 3-4 defense, its mane man not only lines up at strong safety -- his official position -- but also at free safety, cornerback, linebacker and defensive end.

In a game that legislates increased scoring to please fans, the 5-foot-10, 212-pounder is one of the most enjoyable players to watch. Constantly in motion, using his sublime ability to read and react, Polamalu seems ubiquitous.

You don't have to be an NFL fan to realize that there is something different about Polamalu. He looks as if he's moving in fast forward compared to everyone else. He has the speed of a sprinter -- he's run a 4.35 40 -- and the stamina of a marathoner.

Fellow safety Chris Hope dubbed Polamalu the Tasmanian Devil because of his frenzied motion, relentlessness -- and hair. I'm not sure if Hope realizes how fitting the nickname is beyond those reasons. Before I wrote a Polamalu profile in November for SI, I looked up the meaning of Tasmanian Devil. The Looney Tunes definition is a murderous beast who whirs like a tornado and uses its powerful jaws and ravenous appetite to devour animals. (In Polamalu's case, devouring ball carriers.)

The actual definition of a Tasmanian Devil is a powerful, heavily-built carnivorous terrestrial who resembles a small bear. The creature, which has long whiskers, is a rare breed. (Polamalu happens to be the strongest Steeler, pound for pound. He can squat about 600 pounds and bench press about 400.)

Polamalu plays near the line of scrimmage more consistently -- and effectively -- than perhaps any other safety. It's no accident -- as a USC freshman, he played a lot of linebacker. Remember Polamalu's scintillating tackle against Denver tailback Tatum Bell in the AFC Championship game, when the safety shed a straight-up block to halt Bell before the first down.