After the Pittsburgh Steelers traded up to draft safety Shamarko Thomas in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Syracuse product appeared to be destined to take over for veteran safety Troy Polamalu after his playing days came to an end. While he’s only managed to play 195 defensive snaps so far during his first two seasons in the league, Thomas is now finally poised to fill the big shoes that the recently retired Polamalu’s has vacated and he relishes the opportunity to do just that.
“I have been waiting three years for this opportunity,” Thomas told Teresa Varley of steelers.