lol @ this cheating at madden shit. i wasn't aware i had a gameshark on when i played the game. you're so dumb when it comes to X's and O's though, i'm sure you feel that when I nano "aka double A gap pressure, or overloading the line" is cheating also, when it reality it's football concepts applied to madden.
4) mendenhall is a bruiser, and no he doesn't always try to cut it outside, you must be thinking of that willie parker guy. he's had a fumbiling issue but that doesn't change the fact that he's a tough runner who DOES have great field vision but if nothings there nothing's there. He had a bad game against the Browns D, but he hardly has any help or an opportunity to get any real rhythm with the horrific play-calling.
The players you mentioned aren't the key cog to their respected defenses or even remotely close to being utilized in the same fashion in which Troy is.
The Colts have a tremendous pass rush while just sending four, the Steelers bring a lot of pressure and heavily rely on Troy to lurk and cover the hole's in the secondary left vacant because of these blitzes. Darren Sharper is essentially the Saints center-fielder, he's great at what he does but isn't asked to do what Troy does.
This defense without Troy IS NOT a great or even really good defense without him in the lineup. I have no shame in at all in admitting that. So yes, I agree with your assessment, you have to question this defense's ability without Troy on the field.
No Troy = no turnovers, no dynamic playmaker, and a huge void in the secondary and most of all now our scheme without him.