Hard Hat Award (Game #13, vs. Cowpokes)

Hard Hat Award (Game #13, vs. Cowpokes)

Stillers SS Troy Polamalu and OLB Jamie Harrison are the co-winners of the weekly Hard Hat Award, given to the Stiller player who best embodies the iron-tough, hard-as-steel attitude of the steel workers inside the blast furnace of a still mill.

Pola had an enormously strong game versus the �Pokes on Sunday.  He continually bedeviled the Crackboys with fearless slashes into the backfield to thwart ground plays.  This was the Troy Pola we all know and love -- the unbelievable package of speed, quickness, athleticism, alacrity, and tenacity, all rolled into one.  Troy led all defenders with 7 solos, while also corralling an INT in the process.  He also chipped in on the 4th & inches stop in the 1st half.

Harrison had yet another hard-nosed effort.  He totally blew up the 4th & inches plunge, and then nailed the RB well short of the sticks.  He made a remarkably brutal play after a reception by Choice, belting the WR, Williams, directly into Choice, who then toppled over.  If you can�t reach the guy carrying the ball, do the next best thing -- belt the nearest opponent into that ballcarrier.  Harrison had his weekly sack n� strip for a big turnover in the 2Q.  He also put a big lick on Witten late in the 2Q, which jarred the ball loose, but Witten was ruled down.  Still, a hard, punishing lick, which is what Hard Hat football is all about.     

Other player receiving consideration from The Committee were spec teamer Keyaron Fox, who had 2 good stops in coverage; and WR Nate Washington, who had 3 clutch grabs to key the game-tying TD drive.  It bears repeating that there is almost always -- if not always -- a strong correlation between the number of players in consideration for the Hard Hat, and if the team won or lost.  Simply put, Hard Hat kind of football leads to victory; pansy football (a term used here long before Troy Pola popularized it) leads to defeat. 

Kudos to Pola and Harrison for winning the Hard Hat Award.  Wear the Hard Hat proudly, fellas! 

Previous 2008 Hard Hat Winners:

Week 1, vs. Houston: Willie Parker and LeMarr Woodley                                   

Week 2, @ Clev: Keyaron Fox and Jamie Harrison

Week 3, @ Phil: Troy Polamalu

Week 4, vs. Balt: Jamie Harrison and LeMarr Woodley

Week 5, @ Jax:  Ben Roethlisberger

Week 6, @ Cinci:  Mewelde Moore

Week 7, vs. NY Giants: Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel

Week 8, @ Skins: Byron Leftwich and Jared Retkofsky

Week 9, vs. Colts: Jamie Harrison

Week 10, vs. Chargers:  Jamie Harrison and Gary Russell

Week 11, vs. Bengals:  Aaron Smith

Week 12, @ NE Pats:  Jamie Harrison