Steelers Morning Huddle 6/25/13

Nov 10, 2012; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) is knocked out of bounds by Syracuse Orange safety Shamarko Thomas (21) during the first half of a game at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Training camp is still a month away and there isn’t much to report on for the Steelers.  Even though the news continues to be slow, here are a few articles and tweets that might interests everyone who follows the Steelers:

Shamarko Thomas:  Fueled by a Mother’s Love 

Everett Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette posted an article about Sharmarko Thomas‘  background.  Thomas’ story of the poverty and violence that shaped his family’s life is all too familiar.  His mother died over two years ago and he stayed at Syracuse University while helping to care for his siblings with his grandmother.  The tragedy and sadness in his short life are fuel; fuel from the unwavering love from his mother and a desire to live up to her example.  Analysis of his potential capability aside, if he works as hard as this article says he does, then he is a welcome addition to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Cortez Allen, Confident but not cocky

Teresa Varley, of Steelers.com, posted an interview with Cortez Allen.  Allen is a favorite to step into the starting position vacated by Keenan Lewis’ departure.  Varley notes Cortez’ success last season:

"Allen started three of the last four games in 2012 when Ike Taylor was injured, and quickly put up some impressive numbers. In the final two games he caused five turnovers — two interceptions and three forced fumbles.”"

Allen seems to have the right mindset:  Have goals, be confident, and work hard because nothing is handed to you.  There are so many things to be settled during the camps and I am looking forward to watching that.  I hope Allen’s hard work pays off.

 Vegas favors the Steelers to win the division

Check out this blog from Neal Coolong at Behind the Steel Curtain and see if you agree.   He looks at what the oddsmakers in Las Vegas are saying about the AFC North.  If I were a betting women, I might be interested.  I really have never looked at how they do the odds and wonder how much is stats and how much is instinct.

Matt Spaeth’s Workout

We’ll finish with a tweet showing Matt Spaeth at his alma mater, the University of Minnesota, working out.

I normally like to see former Steelers return.  In particular, I was surprised to see Matt Spaeth go because I thought he fit in well with the offense.  However, I’m not sure why I thought that.  While it might be unfair to compare him to Heath Miller, his numbers are no where near Miller’s.   So, now I’m wondering why they resigned him.  It can’t be about familiarity with the system because there is a new offensive coordinator, right?  Did is have something to do with familiarity with Roethlisberger?

What did I miss, What did I get wrong?

That’s a wrap for today.  I’ll be on the look out for more Steelers news to put in tomorrow’s huddle.

You can contact me on Twitter at @hazel_44.

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