Shamarko Thomas is first Steelers draft pick to sign

[Vader]

He might be Clark from a big hitter menality but he's not Clark for the simple fact that he's not a FS. He's Polamalu's eventual replacement, not Clarks. There is a very good chance that Robert Golden will be our FS next year and Thomas could be our starting SS next year or the year after.

I never said he was a FS. I said he was a faster version of Clark. He is a hitter that can miss tackles because of his aggressiveness. He also isn't a ball hawk which is something most Steelers fans wanted since the defense is horrible in creating TOs. He does nothing to help that.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I never said he was a FS. I said he was a faster version of Clark. He is a hitter that can miss tackles because of his aggressiveness. He also isn't a ball hawk which is something most Steelers fans wanted since the defense is horrible in creating TOs. He does nothing to help that.

Fresno State FS Philip Thomas was also available in round 4...he had 8 interceptions last year (13 picks in 3 college seasons). He had 84 tackles last year, which happens to be the exact same amount that Shamarko had. Plus he has more prototypical size as well (he's a half inch over 6 feet rather than being an eighth of an inch under 5'9"). The main difference was the 40 time (which didn't prevent us from drafting Jarvis Jones), but maybe the 40 is given more weight for DB's than OLB's.

[Vader]

Fresno State FS Philip Thomas was also available in round 4...he had 8 interceptions last year (13 picks in 3 college seasons). He had 84 tackles last year, which happens to be the exact same amount that Shamarko had. Plus he has more prototypical size as well (he's a half inch over 6 feet rather than being an eighth of an inch under 5'9"). The main difference was the 40 time (which didn't prevent us from drafting Jarvis Jones), but maybe the 40 is given more weight for DB's than OLB's.

I haven't understood the draft's the past few years. I'm assuming they like S. Thomas's speed more than P. Thomas's production. Still they have no one in the secondary outside of Troy who can catch an int.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I haven't understood the draft's the past few years. I'm assuming they like S. Thomas's speed more than P. Thomas's production. Still they have no one in the secondary outside of Troy who can catch an int.

Cortez can, but other than that, yeah.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

i still say, the kid is bob sanders all over again...i think any of us would match that with Troy and be happy...

[steelz09]

i still say, the kid is bob sanders all over again...i think any of us would match that with Troy and be happy...

Bob Sanders played SS and close to the line of scrimmage as does Troy. You wouldn't be matching Bob Sanders with Troy because they played the same position. Like I said, Thomas is Polamalu's eventual replacement.

[steelz09]

Fresno State FS Philip Thomas was also available in round 4...he had 8 interceptions last year (13 picks in 3 college seasons). He had 84 tackles last year, which happens to be the exact same amount that Shamarko had. Plus he has more prototypical size as well (he's a half inch over 6 feet rather than being an eighth of an inch under 5'9"). The main difference was the 40 time (which didn't prevent us from drafting Jarvis Jones), but maybe the 40 is given more weight for DB's than OLB's.

I was shocked we didn't draft Philip Thomas in the 4th as Clark's eventual replacement. When we passed on Philip Thomas, it was writing on the wall that the Steelers are happy with Robert Golden as our future FS.

Our future starting safeties: Robert Golden - FS, Shamarko Thomas - SS

[Oviedo]

I was shocked we didn't draft Philip Thomas in the 4th as Clark's eventual replacement. When we passed on Philip Thomas, it was writing on the wall that the Steelers are happy with Robert Golden as our future FS.

Our future starting safeties: Robert Golden - FS, Shamarko Thomas - SS

Forgive me if I don't become complacent and happy with that combination. Still don't see a game changing ballhawk in any of our safety options.

[steelz09]

Forgive me if I don't become complacent and happy with that combination. Still don't see a game changing ballhawk in any of our safety options.

It's just reality at this point. We won't know how good that combination is until it happens.

Clark will obviously be the easier of the two to replace. I remember when they let Chris Hope go and people were upset (even Troy) and Clark was signed. That worked out ok. We'll have to see about Robert Golden.

Troy won't be replaced. You can't replace someone like that and Thomas shouldn't try.

[Slapstick]

Bob Sanders played SS and close to the line of scrimmage as does Troy. You wouldn't be matching Bob Sanders with Troy because they played the same position. Like I said, Thomas is Polamalu's eventual replacement.

In 2007, when he won the DPOY, Bob Sanders was the starting Free Safety of the Colts' D...

Mike Doss was the starting Strong Safety...

[SteelerOfDeVille]

In 2007, when he won the DPOY, Bob Sanders was the starting Free Safety of the Colts' D...

Mike Doss was the starting Strong Safety...

Was gonna say the same thing... Bob Sanders played BOTH during his hay day because he had the talent to do so.

[steelz09]

He's NOT going to be a FS..... it doesn't get more obvious than that. He's going to be a solid SS. Thomas has as much chance as being a FS as Eifert did as being the Steelers 1st round pick. Absolutely zero.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

He's NOT going to be a FS..... it doesn't get more obvious than that. He's going to be a solid SS. Thomas has as much chance as being a FS as Eifert did as being the Steelers 1st round pick. Absolutely zero.

pretty sure if you agree he's a bob sanders clone, you just agreed he COULD play FS... Not that I expect him to.... HOWEVER, if Clark went down and Shark was ready, I could see him on the field with Troy... just sayin...

[Captain Lemming]

Position rankings [URL="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1682114/shamarko-thomas"]Shamarko Thomas[/URL]:

-40 time Number one
-Bench Press Number one
-High Jump Number one
-Long jump Number two

Is he just a workout warrior?
Answer
-Team tackles First
-Team forced fumbles First
-All Conference team selected to: !st

Round selected FOURTH

Safeties taken already TEN

We got without question the best athlete at the safety position, a player who was a productive beast in college IN THE FOURTH?

How in the HECK can ANYONE not LOVE this pick!!!!

Are you people kidding me?

[Captain Lemming]

I haven't understood the draft's the past few years. I'm assuming they like S. Thomas's speed more than P. Thomas's production. Still they have no one in the secondary outside of Troy who can catch an int.

Troy had all of ONE int as a senior.

3 as a junior and 2 as a sophmore.

Mike doss in the same class had more picks.

Glad we went "talent" over college ints