Steelers Don’t Made the Grade, Shamarko’s Time in the Sun, Tuitt’s Time to Prove It

The Pittsburgh Steelers have broken for the weekend from their second week of OTAs and as they rest and recover from the latest drills and practices we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Sunday, June 7^th.

Steelers Not Making the Grade

Sports Illustrated’s Doug Farrar gave out grades evaluating NFL teams off season losses and acquisitions and he gave the Steelers a C. Seems like a hard grader. His main reasoning was for the lack of off season picks when stacked against their personnel losses and the “disaster” of a secondary. I think Steeler Nation is used to the Steelers not pulling in big talent from other teams. Even when they do it doesn’t work out, does it? The LeGarret Blount acquisition really didn’t go all that well, did it? Farrar wraps up with this:

"Basically, if the Steelers’ draft picks can’t boost their defense, they’re in a heap of trouble. And if Big Ben produces anything less than an encore of his amazing 2014 campaign, this team could be staring 8–8 in the face again.”"

Well, he makes some good points. Isn’t he a ray of sunshine?

Shamarko’s Time in the Sun

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There is a lot of uncertainty in the Steelers safety position with the departure of Troy Polamalu. According to Ralph Paulk at the Trib, Mike Mitchell and Shamarko Thomas split reps at the free safety position during this last set of OTAs. The Steelers need Thomas to step up on his tackling ability and he says he has been working on his angle of attack during the off season.

Somehow it came up to where Thomas said he didn’t know if he would get the same kind of freedom that Polamalu had on the field. Puh-Leaze! First, he’s not Troy. Second, he hasn’t even showed he’s that kind of talent. Anyway, lot of sound bites from Thomas and Mitchell about hard work and yada, yada, yada.

Tuitt’s Time to “Prove It”

Senior ESPN Writer Jeremy Fowler is predicting that this year Stephen Tuitt will “Prove It.” Fowler said that Tuitt has been growing into his role. His biggest strength is his unusual speed for a 300 lb blocker who can also shed tackles. His experience from last season should be a great stepping stone to understanding how to earn that starting role for the whole year.

Tuitt started four games last season and I think Steeler Nation would agree, his potential to be a full-time starter was obvious. There is a lot of upside to this young kid, but you have to earn the starting position and Fowler thinks he can do it this year.

Anyone ready for training camp yet?

Next: Steelers Ike Taylor Slowly Becoming Delusional In Retirement

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