PRE-CAMP ANALYSIS: Safeties

[hawaiiansteeler]

PRE-CAMP ANALYSIS: Safeties

Bob Labriola
Steelers.com



With Troy Polamalu retired, it is Shamarko Thomas' turn to step up at safety.

The job of replacing one of the most recognizable players in recent NFL history is going to fall to one of the most anonymous figures of this past Steelers offseason. And to be accurate, ‘replace’ isn’t a fair word, because replacing what Troy Polamalu did on a football field and what he brought to the Steelers during his 12 seasons with the franchise is impossible. But also being accurate, the Steelers’ hopes for the 2015 season are tied to how well Shamarko Thomas plays in place of the irreplaceable Polamalu.

“He was a father figure, a big brother and I even called him uncle,” said Thomas about Polamalu. “I learned a lot from him, how to be a Godly man, a family man, everything you want to be in life. He gave me some tips and stuff.”

One of the tips Polamalu could have provided Thomas was something he himself proved often during his playing career – that staying healthy, while of obvious importance, is a key to giving yourself the chance to develop into someone who can contribute, and then maybe have an impact. For Polamalu, injuries ruined two of his 12 NFL seasons – 2009 and 2012 – and an Achilles injury late in 2010 limited his effectiveness in a postseason run that ended for the Steelers with a loss in Super Bowl XLV.

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[polamalubeast]

Impossible to replace Polamalu in his prime but this is possible to be better than the Polamalu from last year!

[hawaiiansteeler]

James C Wexell retweeted
Aaron Wilson ‏@AaronWilson_NFL -

Steelers sign former Towson safety Jordan Dangerfield and waived-injured safety Isaiah Lewis

Yinz remember Dangerfield. He was with the #Steelers last camp and this past spring. He didn't get any respect, but that could change.

https://twitter.com/jimwexell