Chris Hoke will likely retire

[BlitzburghRockCity]

Pittsburgh Tribune Steelers writer Mark Kaboly tweeted tonight Chris Hoke will retire. No formal announcement has been made, nor is there a timetable for such.


(http://twitter.com/MarkKaboly_Trib)@MarkKaboly_Trib (http://twitter.com/MarkKaboly_Trib) Chris Hoke has no intentions of playing anymore. Retirement is just a formality now. Not a bad career at all for Hokie. Nice guy as well.

Hokie has had a good career playing behind long time friend and pro bowl Nose Tackle, Casey "Big Snack" Hampton. After the stinger that he suffered earlier in the year against Jacksonville, Hoke was unable to return for the remainder of the season. He underwent surgery in December with no timetable placed on a possible return at the time for next season.

The Steelers went 19-1 in the regular season whenever Hoke was forced to start, a record he took great pride in. He played with the Steelers from 2004-2011, on the active roster for 114 games. His presence was missed this year especially amidst all the injuries the Steelers defensive line suffered. Hokie was just a great, down home, bring your lunch pale to work kind of player. Just what you look for in a Steeler.

[steelchamp204]

Pittsburgh Tribune Steelers writer tweeted tonight Chris Hoke will retire. It's just a Formality at this point until he announces it.

Solid backup, thats a shame. When he had to step up he did.

[steelersbabex25]

That's sad. Hoke did pretty well for himself this year.

Damn...this offseason is going to be crazy. Well, as crazy as an offseason can really be.

[UKSTEELER]

damn, getting crazy thin at Nose, McClendon hasn't really got the body for nose, and Snack's wearing down fast, . . . . that's all we've got, thought Casey was done, but looks like we'll have have him back?

Props To Hokey Cokey a fine servant and much under-ratted.

[HUNT4SEVEN]

With us being so thin at NT with Hamps injury, you all think they will draft http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1015893-2012-nfl-mock-draft-two-round-projections-with-updated-order/page/25 ? or look in FA?

[LatrobePA]

Tons of changes coming. Hoke is a good dude I wish him nothing but the best!

[BlitzburghRockCity]

The defense could have really used Hokie in that Denver game. I like McLendon, I think he's proven he can be a solid backup in this league, perhaps grow into a starter.

Having Chris Hoke though might have made some difference in the pass rush in the 2nd half. Not saying they would have won had he been in the lineup but at the very least it would have been an extra body to rotate in and out, and one that was experienced.