Good Article on Shamarko Thomas

[Slapstick]

I seriously don't get you guys. If he had bought himself an expensive Cruise while his mother was struggling, you'd call him an idiot. If he bought a fancy house, you'd call him a fool. But he's been popping kids left right and center. Not only are kids more expensive than houses and cruises, now you have also introduced 3 new people into the world with a very very very high probability (who knew for certain he'd be drafted) of spending the next several decades in poverty and misery, without being given a real chance to a decent life, and somehow this is "doing the right thing"??

All that went right for him is that he managed to get drafted into the NFL. I don't think there is a single one of us here who, having to deal with five younger siblings and no parents, wouldn't have given it our all to take care of them.

Doing that is or should be the norm. Nothing particularly extra-special-role-modelly in that. On the other hand, irresponsibly *adding* to the general level of poverty and misery in your home is distinctly *un* rolemodelly.

If his mother handn't died, and he hadn't landed the NFL, the poor lady would now have been burdened with three grandkids in addition to five young kids of her own, while her silly son went about trying to find a meaningful job on his "child care" degree, possibly popping more kids out on an annual basis along the way.

But, as it turned out, none of that happened...

He is in the NFL because HE made it happen...despite not having a Dad, despite his Mom dying, despite having all those siblings and making questionable choices of his own, he made it happen...

There are lots of people who would have bailed on five younger siblings and two kids...he didn't...

Nobody is lauding him for the questionable choices...he is being lauded because none of the difficulties imposed upon him by circumstances (either beyond his control or within his control) deterred him from his goal...

[flippy]

Shark's story is inspiring. I'm always glad to have more of this type of character on the team. Makes me proud to be a fan.

[flippy]

I honestly don't think its any better. I think its worse. Racism isn't in your face as much for obvious reasons but the closeted racism IMO is worse.

After reading this article and seeing people discuss racism makes me think racism isn't so closeted.

Luckily, one day all the old people will die and racism will go to the grave with them. And then we can just enjoy a story about Shark for being Shark.

[flippy]

True. I should be a role model for my kids, not some football player. But for kids without a consistent male presence in their lives for whatever reason, those kids have to look for guidance somewhere. For some, it's a teacher or a coach. For others, unfortunately, it's a gang leader or drug dealer. If Shamarko's story could possibly point some fatherless kid in the direction of the direction of the former as opposed to the latter, then great.

Just as Shark's mother was his role model and is the primary reason he was able to overcome what he did while so many others don't/can't.

Moral of the story, always be positive, nice, kind, and generous. And don't forget to smile. Make a positive wave in the world around you. We can all strive to be better.

I don't think it was a coincidence that Shark's momma was a burger flipper and always happy.

[feltdizz]

But, as it turned out, none of that happened...

He is in the NFL because HE made it happen...despite not having a Dad, despite his Mom dying, despite having all those siblings and making questionable choices of his own, he made it happen...

There are lots of people who would have bailed on five younger siblings and two kids...he didn't...

Nobody is lauding him for the questionable choices...he is being lauded because none of the difficulties imposed upon him by circumstances (either beyond his control or within his control) deterred him from his goal...

what does a guy have to do to get a little credit around here?

Black players have to be like Heath or they aren't worth a damn.

[flippy]

what does a guy have to do to get a little credit around here?

Black players have to be like Heath or they aren't worth a damn.

What is Heath's story anyway?

Seriously, all I know is he's from Virginia, played QB in high school, was an All American TE in college, and he's very quiet and seems humble. And people like to chant his name when he touches the ball.

Oh yeah, and I remember his real name is Earl.

But that's about it. He's been a good player and all, but I know little about him and couldn't even begin to compare Shark's story to Heath in any way.

I know more about Shark in this one article than I'll probably ever know about Heath.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

why we ALL want more ghetto kid gets out stories instead of middle class stories (and we'll end the discussion here):

As a black dude, I can say this where some may feel uncomfortable (but, are thinking it). It's because statistically speaking, that's one more guy who had a high probability of growing up in crime that likely won't. He's a role model because, dare I say *those people* need people to look up to. People that prove it CAN be done. Otherwise, they'll look at the other success stories in their neighborhood (the gangsters and drug dealers).

As a kid who grew up in the projects, but, was fortunate enough to have a mom with bigger plans (she now lives in the snooty suburbs), I realize I was lucky. I was held to a ridiculous standard, compared to my peers in my neighborhood. But, that's the thing - those other moms didn't have the same standards. And frankly, I was too young to understand why - not that I was gonna question someone's mom... LOL

In any event, isn't that what we ALL want? Less crime. World peace.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Luckily, one day all the old people will die

Flippy writing a sentence that started out like this made me laugh for some reason.

[hawaiiansteel]

Injury history for Steelers' Thomas casts safety's future in doubt

By Mark Kaboly

The Steelers have a lot of questions with the back end of their defense heading into next season, and not many answers.

Will Mike Mitchell return to the form that enticed the organization to hand him $25 million during free agency last year?

Does Troy Polamalu want to return? Do the Steelers want him to return? Will free agent Will Allen come back? Is Robert Golden an option?

And, maybe the biggest question of all, can Shamarko Thomas stay healthy?

The answer through two years has been a resounding no.

The Steelers figured the post-Polamalu era would have been an easy transition by now, two years after they gave up a third-round pick in the 2014 draft to get back into the fourth round in 2013 to take Thomas.

Instead, the Steelers don't know much more now about Thomas than they did then, and that could complicate things in the secondary, especially if Polamalu doesn't return.

“I am definitely ready,” Thomas said. “I work hard and prepare hard.”

But that hard work hasn't paid off.

Even though Thomas likely would be the Steelers' first choice to replace Polamalu at strong safety — if he doesn't come back — he doesn't have much of a resume.

After playing 189 snaps the first half of his rookie year mostly as a slot cornerback, Thomas hasn't been on the field since injuring his ankle in a Week 10 game against Buffalo in 2013.

Thomas has not played a defensive snap in 23 consecutive games, seven of which he was inactive because of ankle or hamstring injuries.

His rookie year, Thomas never supplanted Allen after missing two games with an ankle sprain. This year, Thomas missed five of six games with, first, a left hamstring pull followed by a right hamstring pull.

Again, Thomas couldn't beat out Allen for playing time. Thomas has 22 career tackles in 25 games.

“(The injuries) definitely set me back,” Thomas said. “It was definitely a learning process. It taught me to take care of my body better. It set me back but gave me motivation to get better. It's definitely a big offseason for me.”

Thomas continued to thrive on special teams despite not getting on the field defensively. He forced a fumble on a punt in a Week 3 win in Carolina that resulted in a touchdown, and he blocked a punt in the wild-card game against the Ravens.

“He's a hard worker and that's one of the things I like about him,” Mitchell said. “He's a guy you want to teach him what you know because you know he's going to use it to the best of his ability.”

From the day he was drafted, Thomas has sought out veterans for help.

Last year it was Polamalu and Ryan Clark, and this year it was Polamalu and Mitchell.

Polamalu embraced mentoring Thomas and invited him to train with him in California. Thomas took Polamalu up on the offer and the two trained together for a week between the end of offseason practices and the start of training camp.

“You hear a lot about vets are around the league with rookies who might take their job,” Thomas said. “Troy is a humble man. A great man. I am just happy and blessed to be in this situation where he can help me out. I prepare like a pro. Troy taught me that way and to be ready when my time is called.”

That time could be now.

Polamalu has two years left on his contract, but the Steelers could add $6 million in cap space with a post-June 1 release. Polamalu could retire as well.

Whatever happens, Thomas doesn't want to think about what it would mean to be the guy who replaces Polamalu.

“No comment,” Thomas said. “I can't talk about that. That's my mentor.”

Note: The Steelers continued to fill out their offseason roster Thursday when they signed tackle Mitchell Van Dyk to a futures/reserve deal. Van Dyk (6-7, 299) was a seventh-round pick of St. Louis in 2014 out of Portland State. He was released by the Rams on Aug. 30. The Steelers have signed 16 players to futures/reserve contracts since the end of the season.

[URL]http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/...#axzz3Oye0DqQg[/URL]
__________________

[Oviedo]

Injury history for Steelers' Thomas casts safety's future in doubt

By Mark Kaboly

The Steelers have a lot of questions with the back end of their defense heading into next season, and not many answers.

Will Mike Mitchell return to the form that enticed the organization to hand him $25 million during free agency last year?

Does Troy Polamalu want to return? Do the Steelers want him to return? Will free agent Will Allen come back? Is Robert Golden an option?

And, maybe the biggest question of all, can Shamarko Thomas stay healthy?

The answer through two years has been a resounding no.

The Steelers figured the post-Polamalu era would have been an easy transition by now, two years after they gave up a third-round pick in the 2014 draft to get back into the fourth round in 2013 to take Thomas.

Instead, the Steelers don't know much more now about Thomas than they did then, and that could complicate things in the secondary, especially if Polamalu doesn't return.

“I am definitely ready,” Thomas said. “I work hard and prepare hard.”

But that hard work hasn't paid off.

Even though Thomas likely would be the Steelers' first choice to replace Polamalu at strong safety — if he doesn't come back — he doesn't have much of a resume.

After playing 189 snaps the first half of his rookie year mostly as a slot cornerback, Thomas hasn't been on the field since injuring his ankle in a Week 10 game against Buffalo in 2013.

Thomas has not played a defensive snap in 23 consecutive games, seven of which he was inactive because of ankle or hamstring injuries.

His rookie year, Thomas never supplanted Allen after missing two games with an ankle sprain. This year, Thomas missed five of six games with, first, a left hamstring pull followed by a right hamstring pull.

Again, Thomas couldn't beat out Allen for playing time. Thomas has 22 career tackles in 25 games.

“(The injuries) definitely set me back,” Thomas said. “It was definitely a learning process. It taught me to take care of my body better. It set me back but gave me motivation to get better. It's definitely a big offseason for me.”

Thomas continued to thrive on special teams despite not getting on the field defensively. He forced a fumble on a punt in a Week 3 win in Carolina that resulted in a touchdown, and he blocked a punt in the wild-card game against the Ravens.

“He's a hard worker and that's one of the things I like about him,” Mitchell said. “He's a guy you want to teach him what you know because you know he's going to use it to the best of his ability.”

From the day he was drafted, Thomas has sought out veterans for help.

Last year it was Polamalu and Ryan Clark, and this year it was Polamalu and Mitchell.

Polamalu embraced mentoring Thomas and invited him to train with him in California. Thomas took Polamalu up on the offer and the two trained together for a week between the end of offseason practices and the start of training camp.

“You hear a lot about vets are around the league with rookies who might take their job,” Thomas said. “Troy is a humble man. A great man. I am just happy and blessed to be in this situation where he can help me out. I prepare like a pro. Troy taught me that way and to be ready when my time is called.”

That time could be now.

Polamalu has two years left on his contract, but the Steelers could add $6 million in cap space with a post-June 1 release. Polamalu could retire as well.

Whatever happens, Thomas doesn't want to think about what it would mean to be the guy who replaces Polamalu.

“No comment,” Thomas said. “I can't talk about that. That's my mentor.”

Note: The Steelers continued to fill out their offseason roster Thursday when they signed tackle Mitchell Van Dyk to a futures/reserve deal. Van Dyk (6-7, 299) was a seventh-round pick of St. Louis in 2014 out of Portland State. He was released by the Rams on Aug. 30. The Steelers have signed 16 players to futures/reserve contracts since the end of the season.

[URL]http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/...#axzz3Oye0DqQg[/URL]
__________________

Sounds like a young OLB we have. Just switch the names

[SS Laser]

Sounds like a young OLB we have. Just switch the names

There all all gamble I think. The drafting of young talent is. The team may think they know the ceiling for a player and hope they know the floor. But there are so many veriables. Steelers are not sold on any safeties they have it seems to me. Just signed a few more young guys. It could be that is the type of player they like on special teams I guess. But is interesting there are so many ILB and safeties?

[BradshawsHairdresser]

I'm hoping Jones, Shazier, and Shamarko all come into next season healthy (and stay that way) and all get a good opportunity to show what they can do.

[NorthCoast]

Just as Shark's mother was his role model and is the primary reason he was able to overcome what he did while so many others don't/can't.

Moral of the story, always be positive, nice, kind, and generous. And don't forget to smile. Make a positive wave in the world around you. We can all strive to be better.

I don't think it was a coincidence that Shark's momma was a burger flipper and always happy.

Right from the moment of our birth, we are under the care and kindness of our parents, and then later on in our life when we are oppressed by sickness and become old, we are again dependent on the kindness of others. Since at the beginning and end of our lives we are so dependent on other's kindness, how can it be in the middle that we would neglect kindness towards others?
Dalai Lama

[Slapstick]

Right from the moment of our birth, we are under the care and kindness of our parents, and then later on in our life when we are oppressed by sickness and become old, we are again dependent on the kindness of others. Since at the beginning and end of our lives we are so dependent on other's kindness, how can it be in the middle that we would neglect kindness towards others?
Dalai Lama

Fantastic.

[Shawn]

Right from the moment of our birth, we are under the care and kindness of our parents, and then later on in our life when we are oppressed by sickness and become old, we are again dependent on the kindness of others. Since at the beginning and end of our lives we are so dependent on other's kindness, how can it be in the middle that we would neglect kindness towards others?
Dalai Lama

Amazing quote.