Steelers Chris Hoke to Have Season Ending Neck Surgery
by John Stephens on Dec 6, 2011 12:48 PM EST
in Steelers Injury News
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Ed Bouchette of the Post Gazette is reporting that Chris Hoke will undergo neck surgery that will end his season with the Steelers. The injury is a hit to the Steelers depth on the defensive line, but it is not devastating. Over the last few games Steve McLendon had earned a hat over Hoke on game days because of his solid play. McLendon had become the first string back up to Casey Hampton with Hoke acting as the 3rd string.
From everything I have read about Hoke over the years is that he is a great guy. All of his teammates love him and he was a guy the coaches could lean on for veteran support. That is why the Steelers resigned Hoke to a 1 year deal when they felt McLendon was still too inexperienced to be the clear cut back up at NT. Unfortunately for Hoke, this injury may be similar to Aaron Smith's, in that it could mark an unfortunate end to a solid Steelers career.
The interesting question now becomes who will the Steelers add to the 53 man roster? My guess is that it will most likely be DE Corbin Bryant from the practice squad.
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Another case of injury being covered up?
Chris Hoke had been out since he had a stinger. Now he’s going on IR.
One has to wonder if this isn’t indeed another case of a player being injured and the Steelers being coy about it.
As for Woods, I believe he is already on the active roster.
by Hombre de Acero on Dec 6, 2011 12:57 PM EST reply actions
Yeah, my bad on Woods
fixing
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
by John Stephens on Dec 6, 2011 1:12 PM EST up reply actions
Hard to say that it is a cover-up, but...
I agree that it is likely that it was a situation where he could have played…probably would have in the old days…but where the Steelers really don’t take chances. They are just not about to be candid about that kind of information publicly…to us or other teams. Let ‘em wonder! Also makes me think that McClendon moving up the depth chart was not ability, but availability. Nevertheless, he has done well and if this is the passing of the torch, I’m OK with that. Will miss Hokie as I’ve admired his play and determination, but there always comes a time to move on to “your life’s work” as The Emperor used to say.
"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)
That makes sense...
…keep a guy on the roster that you know is going on IR so the roster spot can be wasted.
I've always liked Hoke
But now McClendon needs to take over primary backup full time, and I hope we draft a true NT in 2012.
Thanks for the memories Chris, you will be missed.
Thank you, Mr. Hoke
As you move on to your life’s work, I want to thank you for all you have meant to this organization for the past decade. You are truly a class act, part of the “standard” and will be missed.
Not a bad career for a career starter in waiting: 3 Super Bowl appearances and 2 Super Bowl wins playing for arguably the classiest organization in all of sports our Pittsburgh Steelers!
"In football, there are football players and there are footballs. A lot of times in football, a football player will be running with a football, and a lot of times, he carries the football into the end zone. Now, when a football player running with a football takes that football into the end zone, boom! It's a touchdown." - Anthony DeFeo
+1
Sums it up for me.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Dec 6, 2011 9:20 PM EST up reply actions
Get well soon Hokey
If this is the end of his career, what a sucky way to go out
Things can always be worse....
Great guy, great career
The man was respected and liked by his peers and fans alike and was a very solid player when called upon. He backed up Big Snack most of his career, but I’ll bet he could have started for quite a few teams across the league. Thanks for the memories Hokie, you’ll be missed!
Dick, what would Woody (Hayes) say to you now: "He'd say, 'LeBeau, get your hair cut.'"
Well said
The fact that over the years the defense has had no drop off when Hampton was out, who has been an all pro nose tackle his whole career, speaks volumes about Hoke. Like many on this site have said Hoke could have easily been a starter on other teams. But he is a true man of steel ad sacrificed a bigger paycheck/more playing time to be part of the best defense of the past decade. Really good backups/team players like Hoke are a big reason the steelers D is consistently excellent every year. My hats off to that man and I wish him the best going forward with whatever he decides to do
by blitzzburgh on Dec 6, 2011 3:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
+76
Proud fan of Pittsburgh's professional sports teams and the Pirates too.
by Black&GoldTrain on Dec 6, 2011 5:28 PM EST up reply actions
this
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Dec 6, 2011 5:11 PM EST up reply actions
Positive Individual.
Hokey seems like the caliber of guy you’ll see on the guest speaking circuit one day. Loquacious guy who, by all accounts, has had a great attitude. You’ll take your kids and grandkids to see him and, while they may not recognize his name, you’ll be able to tell them about what he meant to the teams he played on.
And, hey, he leaves the game with an undefeated record as a starter. :)
Those who can...do.
Those who can't... post on message boards using a screen name boasting the name of those who can.
by Craig Sager's Wardrobe on Dec 6, 2011 2:03 PM EST reply actions
Sorry to see Hoke go
We have been giving McClendon more playing time and I think he will be VERY good. Wish he could develop into a bonafide NT. Corbin Bryant showed me a lot in preseason – hope we can give him a helmet soon. We are very solid with Interior Lineman. I don’t know if anyone else agrees with me, but in my opinion Brett Keisel should get a lot of attention for the Pro Bowl. He has had a very solid season and gives 100% effort every play. He was very close to having 2 sacks in Sundays game.
keisel
was at the game and 99 had a monster game!
Keisel and his magnificent beard has been playing outstanding football for years now
Totally agree he deserves a pro bowl this year, glad he got one last year. He has been our best Dlineman since last year IMO. He is a perfect 3-4 DE. Much like A smith was for the steelers the past decade. They don’t put up big numbers but are so disruptive in the trenches that it allows the LBs to excel. Solid 3-4 linemen are probably the most essential piece in making a 3-4 defense like pittsburghs so effective year in and year out
by blitzzburgh on Dec 6, 2011 3:35 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Prayers for a full, and speedy recovery!
Really hope he has no lingering effects from injury.
"They timed it perfectly, they just went too soon." - Darrell Waltrip commenting on an illegal restart.
looks like the D will be about 70yrs younger next year.
Smith & Hoke both likely gone, end of an era.
If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made product that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.
I always thought Hoke was a very under-rated player; when all-star Hampton was out, he always stepped in and you didn’t notice much of a difference. I like McClendon’s motor, but he really doesn’t have the size to be a true NT.
"Pitch me outside, I will hit .400. Pitch me inside, and you will not find the ball." - Roberto Clemente
I feel like the 3-4 is moving away from big, fat NTs to guys who are a bit smaller but faster. It should be interesting to see what the Steelers do to replace Hampton downthe line.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
by John Stephens on Dec 6, 2011 6:05 PM EST up reply actions
Hoke
An unsung player around the league but not to his teammates and Steeler fans. When called upon he always gave 100%. He knew his role on the team and contributed to the best of his ablities. Whether as a backup or to start for an injured Hampton, Hoke was always reliable. I know hope that his surgery is successful and he can have a great life after football.
Thanks Chris for everything and the best of luck to you!
Proud fan of Pittsburgh's professional sports teams and the Pirates too.
*I now hope...
Proud fan of Pittsburgh's professional sports teams and the Pirates too.
by Black&GoldTrain on Dec 6, 2011 5:34 PM EST up reply actions
Must be a pretty serious injury.
A guy I’ve always greatly admired. He spent most of his career sitting on the bench behind the All-Pro Casey Hampton. But every time he was needed, he played just as though he’d been in the starting lineup every week. Of all the positions in football to play as a part-timer, NT has to be one of the most difficult. But Hokie was always there to plug the dam. Best wishes big guy and we hope you’ll be back next season.
You are only as strong as your "weakest" link...
…and Hoke was anything but a liability (re: weak link) in the DL chain.
He practiced and played with professionalism and humility, embodying the Steeler standard and the Steeler way. While never a stellar player, nonetheless, his quiet competence was one of many such cogs in the Steeler machine, and he deserves as much credit for their success as any of the starters, for his contributions on the field and in the locker room.
We wish you well Chris, a speedy recovery, and a bright and successful future, whatever it may bring.
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
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