BTSC Steelers Daily Six Pack- Rookie Wage Scale Edition
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 26, 2009 2:07 PM EDT
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IX- Max Starks and the Steelers front office seem to be far apart in contract negotiations and this article in the Tribune Review seems to indicate that Max Starks has a very unpleasant taste in his mouth with how the situation has unfolded so far. I somewhat befuddled by his reaction considering he will of made 15.3 million dollars over the last two seasons if no long term deal is worked out. Man, I wish my company would treat me so poorly.
X- Finally something from the national media the BTSC community can agree with; James Walker and a group of panelists from ESPN have the Steelers ranked as their consensus number one going into next season. There was only one writer, Len Pasquarelli, who didn't have the Steelers ranked as number 1, and Pasquarelli ranked the Steelers all way down at ninth. It all means absolutely nothing in May, but I am still curious to see what Len Pasquarelli's reasoning for the Steelers being ranked ninth is. Stay tuned to ESPN AFC North's blog as tomorrow they will be getting Pasquarrelli to defend his stance, I will make sure to follow up in the six-pack as well.
XIII- I have tried to stay away from posting articles from Profootballtalk since the majority of BTSC'ers seem to really dislike Mike Florio's writing and opinions. Today though I felt the need to post his arguments for the rookie wage scale, and against the rookie wage scale. I think a rookie wage scale will be one of the major bargaining points in the labor relations that need to be resolved prior to the start of the 2011 season. It's one area that most Steeler fans are probably rather ambivalent about due to the consistent success the Steelers have had over the past two decades. The major dysfunction with the rookie salary occurs in the top ten draft picks, and the Steelers have only had two picks in the top ten in the past twenty years (Plaxico Burress and Tim Worley).
XIV- Some guy puts together a Steelers' rubix cube via Pittsburgh Sports and Mini-Ponies, and then Tecmo starts telling it how it is during NHL Playoff time. If you're a Steelers fan, and you're not rooting for the Penguins right now, you better have a darn good excuse. Also, check out Penspurgh tonight for a live chat during what hopefully will be the Penguin's last game before the Stanley Cup.
XL- Mike Bires, beat writer for the Beaver County Times says the scuttle is that Steelers training camp will start around July 30th at Latrobe. He also has some good info on Dan Rooney's last two weeks being spent in the white house
XLIII- It's another chance to pick the brain of Dale Lolley, and it looks like plenty of BTSC regulars including Dathruth4life, Badmaffalla and acrollet have already been asking questions. One of the most interesting tid-bits from Lolley's answers so far was:
"I think this may be the year they shift Townsend to [safety]. He could play another two or three years as a backup [safety], fill-in nickel corner. That could leave Carter on the outside looking in."
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Steelers fan, but not rooting for the Pens
Because as I’ve stated before I am a Caps fan. And yes you beat us. And yes I’m bitter.
ya, that’s a quality excuse…everyone else that’s not rooting for the Pens better have one too!
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 26, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I wasn't even into hockey until this year....
and I would have said, and probably have said, that I am a Caps fan – but then they actually played the Pens…and as much as I like OvenChicken, I like the Kid and Malkin more…in fact, I think I have a hockey crush on Malkin….so, black and gold it is….
And I do like hockey…it better addresses my aggression issues since football season is over than that pansy ass NBA BS going on…
Though, if you saw the game last night, pretty physical play…made me happy :)
(My inner LB shows up…sigh)
Steelergurl
Probably one of the more physical NBA playoffs I've seen
The amount of techs and full body fouls this year has been absurd. Probably the best playoffs I’ve seen since back in the Jordan days. I’ve barely missed any games. Its awesome!
by John Stephens on May 26, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Leafs fan
But I’m still rooting for anything black and gold until september
Got a problem with Harrison, why not take it up with him? Oh you know why!
by SoCalSteelerFan on May 26, 2009 2:37 PM EDT reply actions
Nice six-pack today, Shake. Lots of good stuff to dive into...
I’ll go with the question Dale Lolley addressed about our zone blocking scheme. As BMF suggested, drafting Urbik and resigning Kemo could indicate a shift back to the man/power scheme. Unfortunately, that scheme also requires a traditional fullback to kick and lead with, and we don’t have one. I like McHugh but he’s more H-back than fullback, and Carey Davis isn’t experienced enough to do it. Some have suggested using Frank Summers in that role but he was drafted as a short yardage tailback, not as a fullback. So, despite the Urbik pick and the resigning of Kemo, it looks like we’re going to be a zone team again. In the zone timing is everything, and my suspicion is that Zierlein and Arians believe we’ll be better at it with the line in tact and a year under their belt. Let’s hope they’re right…
by cliff harris is still a punk! on May 26, 2009 2:38 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah, he pretty much gave a non-answer (not that my question was very good or specific), but if we’re using 2 TE sets with no fullback, there’s about a 98% chance that we’re still running the same scheme. I don’t know if he’s the guy to ask about it unless the staff was actually talking about it instead of just doing it. They ran it in camp and in the preseason all last year and I didn’t know anything about it until I actually saw Mendenhall running stretch plays in the preseason.
It’s possible that we’ll be better at it than last year, but you’d think by the time the Super Bowl came around we’d have figured it out. While they may be slowly getting a little better at it, the obvious answer is that we’re always going to struggle to run against undersized athletic defenses like Indy, Arizona, and Tenn (with Jason Jones) unless we get the athletic OL’s it takes to block them. On the other hand, if we ran it down their throats, there’s no reason to think we shouldn’t dominate them or at least hold our own.
I just don’t get what the short or long term plan is, and based on what I’ve seen from Arians, I’m inclined to think there isn’t one.
charity standing orders
P.S.
Quick follow-up thought: for further evidence that we’re sticking with the zone, consider this — to run the power scheme with a fullback on the field, you can only play with two WR’s. And we know how much BA loves WR’s and TE’s. Look for more of them on the field this year, not less of them. Which of course means less reps for the fullback…
by cliff harris is still a punk! on May 26, 2009 2:40 PM EDT reply actions
Let's Get Him Signed Already....
This guy is an All-Pro in any other city, and it sounds like he wants to stick around in Pittsburgh….fingers crossed on this one. Living outside Phila., I’m dreading the outside chance he leaves the Steelers for the Eagles.
Islanders Fan here...
And yes, they’re still in the league.
Maybe its not the best excuse, but I consider the Blackhawks my original six team, though I do not follow the team that closely. The reason for my Blackhawk fandom is simple. Stupid perhaps, but simple… Wayne’s World.
Stan Mikita’s Doughnuts= Bandwagon Blackhawks Fan.
Sorry Pens, I really like the Kid and all, just wish he was resurrecting hockey on the Island, not the ‘Burgh. But when the Blackhawks are beat by the Wings, I’ll hop onto the Pen’s bandwagon too, if there is room.
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/05/26/manning-annoyed-by-staff-changes/
Interesting stuff going on when Payton is bitching about Indy’s FO/Coaching staff.
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 26, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions
Your on the record for that forever and ever
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 26, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
$%$@
Actually, I met him (PM) in person about a year ago…my first impressions:
1. He’s much, much, much skinnier than I had expected – in fact, I could probably deebo crush him…and I might weigh more lmao (I am 6’ – give me an effing break boys!! I’m not a “big girl”)
2. He was a very, very nice guy – down to earth and funny.
I respect and like the dude.
Now back to regularly scheduled programming
Steelergurl
I was about to say
Out of all the players in the NFL to hate (people not on your team)…I’d have a hard time picking on Manning (Peyton that is, Eli is whiny). He is funny, a great player, doesn’t whine, doesn’t brag or gloat, and his commercials are gold. You could say I have a small man-crush on Peyton.
by John Stephens on May 26, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Please...
Watch your language, it’s one thing when its just us guys, but now that we have ladies viewing the site more and more, and I’d hate to get them mad at us. :)
by NYSteelersFan4 on May 26, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey NYSteelersFan4
First, wth is the 4 for?
Second, I say whatever the $%#* I want to…
Ok, back to DYMS questions of the day, please.
Kthxbai.
Steelergurl
First, that was a (very) lame attempt at a joke...
Second the 4 is for Lou Gehrig. I’m also a Yankees fan, who unfortunately had a very close friend, I considered him a second father, who was stricken with and later succumb to ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. I changed all my uniform numbers to 4 shortly after his diagnosis, and kep them ever since, just kind of stuck. Never been asked actually, but it is kind of a sad story so…yeah.
by NYSteelersFan4 on May 26, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Awwww
Look at that….that’s a very nice story “NYSteelersFan4” – very nice.
And I knew you were kidding…really, I did. I’m very sarcastic, so you will have to just deal with me…
:)
Steelergurl
Yeah...
Rereading it, it could of come out of the ’50’s (No offense 1950’s). Sarcastic comedy is never fit for a computer convo… too impersonal. But if you can deal with my brand of comedy I suppose I can get used to your’s… eventually.
by NYSteelersFan4 on May 26, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Probably in the minority here but.......
I don’t find Peyton funny at all. I’ll admit the SNL skit with the kids was pretty good, but for the number of commercials he’s done to only find one of them funny doesn’t say much to me.
Starks situation is interesting
After reading the article, it sounds like Starks isn’t happy and the negotiations are at a standstill. I’m not making Starks out to be the bad guy because he’ll never have more negotiating power than what he has now. But he should be careful about the words coming out of his mouth. The Steelers aren’t the type of franchise to play footsie with a player every year over his contract, nor do they keep players who don’t want to be here.
I don’t things have gotten that negative yet, but it will definitely bear watching. If they can’t sign him to a long-term deal before the season, then I think this year will be his last in Pittsburgh.
Starks
Since he didn’t begin last year as the starter, and the line isn’t exactly in the best shape anyway – just a thought here – what about removing the tag and let him get a better job elsewhere. It’s not like the money can’t be used for better purposes, and really, is Starks that much better that the other guys on the roster right now?
too late to remove tag…
1. he already signed the franchise tender (once they sign, it can’t be removed expect for a long term deal)
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 26, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Do you have a second point? Or do you just number single point lists. :)
by Chicago Steeler on May 26, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
HAHA
I had a couple points but then erased them, and only had one and forgot to change it..I’m a donkey
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 26, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
2. ???
Sure he can score goals, but can he cook?
by Phantaskippy on May 27, 2009 1:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Gotcha
Too many rules for my feeble mind to keep track of.
Too bad, I thought they were nuts last year when they did it, this year I thought was even nutier after the regular seaon results.
Although I will freely admit the line played much better in the play-offs than during the regular season.
Max
is better than all the other OL on the roster right now. He may not be worth the money they are paying him but he is their best lineman and best LT.
Max made 7 million last year and is making over 8 million this year. That is not Max’s fault. It is the Steelers fault for not drafting someone to play LT and then tagging him. I have no problem with him that he wants his money and is not willing to take less. He is being a smart business man and tough negotiator. Arians and Zeirlien haven’t been so fair with him the last few years so why should he give them a break? They need Max and he wants his cash. On the other side of the coin, if he gets hurt he has no security. (See Marvel Smith)
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
All Good Points, But....
He’s just not the guy I would feel comfortable tagging at that type of money. Let’s be honest, even with the extra mileage, Faneaca (spelling?) is ten times the player.
Could Faneca play the 2nd hardest position to fill in the NFL at a high level? (Left Tackle)
Nope, but Max Starks can.
Faneca is a guard and we had at least two ppl that we felt could step into a guard spot, but not enough at tackle….thats how it is.
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 26, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Expensive pickles
I agree 5020. The FO is in a pickle over this. Max is a middling LT getting top dollar. But without him our Oline goes from almost adequate to an anchor that drags our season to a stop before we grab #7.
by steelerstyle on May 26, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Steelergurl
You have got to be my favorite person on this site. I actually recently checked out your blog and gotta say it kicks some a$$. Not to mention your a DC area Steelers fan like myself.
I love being a Steelers fan, Its like a gift from the man upstairs
by LayinTheWoodley on May 26, 2009 4:42 PM EDT reply actions
Thank you!!!
But shhhhh!! I just joined the site and I don’t want the boys to get their panties all ruffled up over me.
You know, be nice to male egos day :)
But thanks for checking out my blog…I promise it will get better during the season, right now, i am struggling for stories…but no worries…there will be something to talk about, i am sure :)
Thank you!
Steelergurl
I don't know about y'all
but I am really excited to see Pasquerelli’s explanation for placing the Steelers at 9th. I think we all get caught too much up in each other fumbling over how great our franchise is (it really is, though, isn’t it?), but it’s always interesting to get an outside perspective on things, especially one that differs so much from my own.
And about Starks, I think he’s better than a middle-of-the-pack LT. He doesn’t have much of a mean streak and is a total team player (seemingly always thinking his teammates are amazing rather than trying to take their spot). I think those, along with other reasons, are why he never got a regular season shot at becoming our LT, and instead gets called up during emergency situations. All I’ve seen from him (in the playoffs too boot where the best teams are out to play) is good play after good play. I don’t think he’s elite quite yet, but I think he could get there. He’s definitely got all the physical tools, which certainly helps his cause.
Pasquarelli
Is from Pittsburgh. He’s one of my favorite writers from ESPN.com, and he always seems to rank the Steelers with low expectations. As we all know here, Steeler Nation is very superstitious, and I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if his constant undercutting of the Steelers is nothing but his way of not wanting to jinx his boys.
by Craig Sager's Wardrobe on May 26, 2009 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions
My Kingdom for an O-Line
If this group can improve this year, we are talking about a Top 6 offense with still the no. 1 D in the league.
I nominate Steelergurl for the line of the year thus far. THAT ISSSHHHTTT about Peyton was HILARIOUS!
Good News On Starks Negotiations
Guys, a top source with the Steelers told Jim Wexell that the Steelers have indeed offered Starks a long-term deal and that the team is confident that they can reach a long-term deal with Starks BEFORE training camp.
The source also said Starks is the only player that the team is in serious negotiations with at this time because the team needs to reduce that $8.4M cap hit to get some other veteran deals done. One reason why the source is so optimistic? Starks is getting married soon and wants long-term security that only a long-term deal with a big signing bonus can provide.
Thoughts?
$15 million over two years...
…is pretty secure to me. If you take away even 50% for taxes, you can still invest the $7.5 million balance in some tax-free governmental stuff (~3%) and pull down over $200K per year. But I guess when you’re used to making millions a year (and watching your boys driving a different car to work each day of the week), $200K/year is nothing.
Not picking on you…datruth. Wex is a great source, and if he’s reporting it I believe it.
i confess
I’m a canes fan but only because I live in Raleigh, NC. I will be pullin for the pens in the stanley cup. And don’t get me started on all the pansy technical fouls being called in the NBA, D. Howard shouldn’t have 6. I mean when kobe and D.Howard are having technical fouls like Rasheed Wallace used to get in the playoffs something is wrong.
Alejandro Quintaplous Shipley
The myth.
The man.
The legend.
Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.
"Max Starks has a very unpleasant taste in his mouth with how the situation has unfolded so far"
maybe he’s expecting franchise tag size money every year?
i have a pretty good feeling if we think we have a shot of having anyone close to his playing level next year he won’t be on the team.
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