Steelers Roster Move, Different Look, Shamarko’s Chance
By Kim Myers
The Steelers offseason started with some surprises and certainly doesn’t look to be a boring one in the next few months. While the Steelers prepare for free agency and coaching moves, we’ll be busy looking around for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Tuesday, Jan. 13th.
More from Steelers News
- Steelers news: Rashard Mendenhall calls out Big Ben, Brian Flores interviews for HC job, and more
- Steelers play it safe in recent 2023 NFL mock draft
- Kenny Pickett gets his guy in latest Steelers mock draft with trades
- Steelers face potentially dark reality if Matt Canada doesn’t pan out
- Senior Bowl sleepers the Steelers must have on their radar
Steelers Re-Sign Chris Hubbard
The Steelers aren’t wasting any time this offseason to fortify one of their strongest units of the team, the offensive line. They announced on Monday afternoon that they’ve re-signed offensive lineman Chris Hubbard to a one-year contract. Hubbard only played in two games this past season and spent all of last season on the practice squad after being signed as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2013.
Different looking Steelers defense
With the departure of Dick LeBeau, and the assumption that the Steelers will be naming linebackers coach Keith Butler to replace him, the Steelers are still looking at a change on defense in 2015. Gerry Dulac of the PPG explains that the change could involve getting more input on defense from head coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin was a defensive coordinator at Minnesota before being hired as the Steelers head coach in 2007.
In spite of Butler being already part of the staff when Tomlin took over in 2007, the two have a history together. Both of them were part of the defensive coaching staff at Arkansas State in 1998 as well as the University of Memphis before that. The coaches are all off this week and not reporting back to work until the 19th to prepare for the Senior Bowl.
This could be Shamarko’s chance
With all of these defensive changes that are going to take place over the course of the next few months, one positive might be that safety Shamarko Thomas could be finally given more opportunities to contribute to the defense. ESPN’s Scott Brown says that Thomas hasn’t played significant snaps since sustaining a high-ankle sprain during his rookie season. He had some hamstring injuries this season which kept him out of games.
Will Allen played ahead of Thomas when Troy Polamalu was unavailable but Allen will be an unrestricted free agent and Polamalu’s future with the team is certainly in question. Thomas remains ready for when his number is called.
"“I’m looking for any opportunity I can seize. I know that I am capable. I work hard, I prepare like a professional. It’s just when they call my name I have to be ready.” – Shamarko Thomas"