NEW ORLEANS — They say it isn't easy following a legend.
For Steelers safety Shamarko Thomas, he didn't give much thought to the ramifications of being the one who would follow Troy Polamalu until it was too late.
Thomas struggled so much early on the preseason last year trying to live up to the Polamalu legacy he was benched less than a week before the start of the season.
Thomas logged 20 snaps with the defense last season. Even when starter Will Allen was injured, the Steelers went with Robert Golden over Thomas.
Thomas said the scope of replacing Polamalu proved to be his undoing.
“I was not trying to be like Troy. But coming into that role mentally, with a big name like that, and when you try to make plays so hard that you get yourself out of your own game,” Thomas said. “I realized I have to be like myself and let it play out. That's what I am doing this year.”
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