It's Official: Steelers Re-Sign OT Max Starks
by Neal Coolong on Oct 5, 2011 7:36 AM EDT
in Steelers Roster
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PrintVeteran OT Max Starks announced via Twitter Wednesday morning he has re-signed with the Steelers, the team that drafted him in the third round in 2004.
Steelers Digest reported the Steelers waived OT Chris Scott to make room for Starks.
Starks was released prior to the start of the 2011 season when he reportedly arrived at camp in less-than-peak physical condition after a neck injury kept him out of activity for several months.
He was said to have lost nearly 60 pounds, and is back to his playing weight of 340 pounds.
Starks' arrival is the Steelers response to an offensive line that has struggled through the first four games this season. Marred by injuries, it has had different starters in each of the last three games.
Scott, a second-year player, is still practice-squad eligible, and it's a good bet the Steelers will re-sign him there if he clears waivers.
Starks isn't likely to start, at least not right away. The return of Jonathan Scott to the left tackle position and Doug Legursky to the right guard spot brings the Steelers closer to where they were at the beginning of the year.
A key trait to Starks is his versatility. He's the only player in NFL history to start at both right and left tackle on two different Super Bowl championship teams. He was the Steelers' starting right tackle on the Super Bowl XL champions and the starting left tackle on the Super Bowl XLIII champions.
His versatility may be called upon this year as well. Neither Scott nor rookie Marcus Gilbert, the starting right tackle, have been outstanding this season. It seems more likely the Steelers would view Starks as a back-up to both positions in the early going, but it wouldn't be surprising to see them insert Starks to either spot in the future.
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Welcome back, Max
Glad to see you, now about this little issue on the line……
HERE WE GO STEELERS!
"Our Father, who art in Pittsburgh, Football be thy game. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, at Heinz Field as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, a stellar D and forgive us our bogus fines, as we (sorta) forgive Goodell who trespasses against us. And lead us not into defeat, but deliver us a Victory. For thine is The Steelers, the power and glory of climbing the STAIRWAY TO 7."
I imagine
He wins the starting job in a week or two. Welcome back. J Scott to the bench plz
"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 Oct 5, 2011 7:53 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
How disappointing.
I had such hopes for Scott. He is second only to Sweed in falling short of expectations for me.
HERE WE GO STEELERS!
"Our Father, who art in Pittsburgh, Football be thy game. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, at Heinz Field as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, a stellar D and forgive us our bogus fines, as we (sorta) forgive Goodell who trespasses against us. And lead us not into defeat, but deliver us a Victory. For thine is The Steelers, the power and glory of climbing the STAIRWAY TO 7."
That definitely has the sweet smell of sarcasm
"Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity." Jack Layton (R.I.P.)
"My city's still breathing (but barely it's true) through buildings gone missing like teeth. The sidewalks are watching me think about you, all sparkled with broken glass. I'm back with scars to show. Back with the streets I know. They never take me anywhere but here. " John K Samson (Left and Leaving)
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Oct 5, 2011 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah she
dropped that one in there just right
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
ba da dum
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 5, 2011 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Busted. Damn you’re good.
HERE WE GO STEELERS!
"Our Father, who art in Pittsburgh, Football be thy game. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, at Heinz Field as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, a stellar D and forgive us our bogus fines, as we (sorta) forgive Goodell who trespasses against us. And lead us not into defeat, but deliver us a Victory. For thine is The Steelers, the power and glory of climbing the STAIRWAY TO 7."
After the bye week is my estimate
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
--Aristotle
I think Scott is cut.
Bungles Tank Stupidly like Clockwork
----------
Had we won I probably would have started working out some time in March. I started yesterday.
-Ryan Clark
Chris Scott is cut
Jonathan Scott needs to be back on the bench assuming Starks is in shape. By the way both Limas and J Scott are former texas classmates…and suck. Hope the new DB from Texas ain’t like them
by TrueSteelerForLife on Oct 6, 2011 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Hampton is a Texas alum. They don’t all suck.
"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 Oct 6, 2011 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Much needed help
Max is still young enough to be a big contributor if he gets back into playing shape and can avoid the physical issues he had the past. Besides, MS really should be a Steeler after all.
What's up with Mendenhall?
Is it the OL troubles that have slowed him? Or is it something else? I thought Mend was one of the best RBs in the game last year, but now this year his numbers look pedestrian.
I’m obviously not a Steelers fan, but I like to follow them because the majority of my family are huge Steelers fans.
Lack of line = no holes
"The standard is the standard" - Mike Tomlin
by MDSTEELERSFAN on Oct 5, 2011 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Not true there are plenty of holes in the line
LT LG RG
):
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.
by SNW on Oct 5, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
touche!
"The standard is the standard" - Mike Tomlin
by MDSTEELERSFAN on Oct 5, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I am glad the team was finally able to recognize we have a problem
I do have to wonder why he wasn’t signed by the Vikings though…
"The standard is the standard" - Mike Tomlin
this
"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 Oct 6, 2011 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Starks also
had a tryout with the Lions scheduled, and then got the call from his agent that the Steelers wanted him. So a 4-0 team was interested in looking at him, at any rate.
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 5, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions
It's probably just for this week -
Tomlin said they were going to bring in an RB for the PS to be Chris Johnson at practice. It sounded temporary.
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 5, 2011 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I think you could get pretty much anyone to dance in the backfield
and fall down as soon as someone breathes on him for a 3yd loss.
Interweb DVOA: +100%
Epistemological Police
#1 receiver = the open receiver
lol - sounds a bit
like some of the descriptions people have been giving of our feature back.
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 5, 2011 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Redman doesn't!
Seriously though, Redman needs the ball more.
Bungles Tank Stupidly like Clockwork
----------
Had we won I probably would have started working out some time in March. I started yesterday.
-Ryan Clark
I’m sure Antonio Brown would make a good CJ in practice. Wasn’t Polamlau or Wallace or something “Chris Johnson” in practice last year?
James Harrison~ "We are not trying to hit nobody hard. We don't want to get fined" *blank stare* /end sarcasm.
by H-burgSTEELfanatic on Oct 5, 2011 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Id rather none of our starters were tackling pratice.
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
--Aristotle
That was what I thought, too...
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 5, 2011 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions
not to sure they will actually be tackling.
James Harrison~ "We are not trying to hit nobody hard. We don't want to get fined" *blank stare* /end sarcasm.
by H-burgSTEELfanatic on Oct 6, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't let Josh or Steel Spike know
and what Mrs. Rollett said
"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 Oct 5, 2011 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm surprised by this
I thought DCS had a good preseason and could have been a player later on. I trust the coaches with the defense though.
by Michael Uhlhorn on Oct 5, 2011 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions
The secondary is looking better atm
is what I am guessing so they can afford to take the chance on DCS. Is suspect they wouldn’t mind keeping him near though.
"Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity." Jack Layton (R.I.P.)
"My city's still breathing (but barely it's true) through buildings gone missing like teeth. The sidewalks are watching me think about you, all sparkled with broken glass. I'm back with scars to show. Back with the streets I know. They never take me anywhere but here. " John K Samson (Left and Leaving)
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Oct 5, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
BTW
Anyone surprised we didn’t waive Meredith instead of Scott?
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
What, you think that any other team
is interested in any of our back-up O line?
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 5, 2011 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Good Point But....
Denver picked up Tony Hills. Not that we want to emulate Denver….
by Hombre de Acero on Oct 5, 2011 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Touche
"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 Oct 5, 2011 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions
My thoughts exactly.
I don’t think anyone would even want 60% of our STARTERS at OL.
Craig Urbik...
…is playing pretty well at RG for the Bills.
by HardPunkKore on Oct 5, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, he was cut long before
things looked so dire – like a year before…
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 5, 2011 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Funny
I’ll bet Bills fans aren’t having this exact conversation about Jonathan Scott right now…(sigh)
by Neal Coolong on Oct 5, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Keith Williams
Is on the BUF PS at the moment. Funny if in a couple of years their starting Guards are both guys we drafted and failed to develop.
by Steely McSmash on Oct 5, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm surprised we waived any offensive lineman.
At the rate we’re losing them, we can’t afford to lose any of them. That said, Jamon Meredith probably will be an upgrade over Scott – at some point.
I would guess...
…it’s cuz Scott doesn’t have a guaranteed contract, and Meredith probably does. Instead of creating a bunch of dead money by cutting Meredith, you can release and resign Scott to the PS.
by Neal Coolong on Oct 5, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Why Scott and Not Meredith?
I agree with John. On the face of it, I don’t know why they cut Scott rather than Mededith. Since Scott was on their opening day roster they have to pay him for the full year. They added Medredith after week one, which means they’re not on the hook for his salary for the entire year.
Now maybe Meredith has shown himself to be better than Scott in practice, but you’d think (or at least hope) the Steelers would see more long term potential in Scott.
Scott is not a vested vet - salary is not guaranteed
by Steeler Nation VA on Oct 5, 2011 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Points have been made
Another is that Chris Scott sucks. Did you see him in the preseason against the scrubs? Yuk! Meredith may have more potential, is only a year older, and frankly, who cares about the backups of an talent-challenged group!
Dick, what would Woody (Hayes) say to you now: "He'd say, 'LeBeau, get your hair cut.'"
weres flozell
welcome back Max , i can believe they are not going to start him
You can't beleive they wont start him?
He has been on his couch on Sundays. What kind of game day shape is he in. We all know he knows the blocking scheme and the playbook. He just needs to get in football shape. He will probobly be inserted into the starting lineup a few weeks down the road, but for know he’ll be the swing tackle backung up Scott and Gilbert.
by HardPunkKore on Oct 5, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
You're right. . .
but even in his shape, I think it would be difficult for him to perform worse than Scott!
The lockout
I know the lockout messed up the player’s workout regimens; but it surprises me that so many linemen around the league had major weight problems.
You figure: this is their livelihood.
They are that large more often than not because of dietary and/or hereditary issues.
A leopard doesn’t change its spots, but if they are smart enough and dedicated enough they can learn to survive in spite of them. Many stayed in great shape. Many simply weren’t dedicated enough.
Max was, however, unable to work out.
Glad Max is back
But it is sad that Max is a HUGE upgrade. Max is good, not great. He is now the 2nd best OL on the Steelers.
by Steeler Nation VA on Oct 5, 2011 9:39 AM EDT reply actions
Give Gilbert a season...
…and Maxie will be a distant 3rd. Mark my words.
I agree and hope you are correct
OL 2012
Gilbert Kemo Pouncey Colon Starks
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.
by SNW on Oct 5, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
that right side would be nasty for run blocking
James Harrison~ "We are not trying to hit nobody hard. We don't want to get fined" *blank stare* /end sarcasm.
by H-burgSTEELfanatic on Oct 5, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
even so. . .
it would just be good know that we don’t have the worst starting left tackle in the league starting for the Steelers, right?
No doubt
Lets hope they clone him and start him left and right.
by steelerwheeler on Oct 5, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Mr. October
I have a 2011 Steelers calander in my office at work, and when I changed it over to October, who was staring me in the face? You guessed it, Max Starks. I immediately wished that we still had him on this team………….you’re welcome
"If we weren't all crazy we'd all go insane" - Jimmy Buffett
Nice
and Thanks.
"The standard is the standard" - Mike Tomlin
by MDSTEELERSFAN on Oct 5, 2011 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions
So who's in store for November?
Bill Beeelichick proved that in America it’s okay to cheat, as long as you cheat your way to the top. – Eric Cartman
And please tell us your calendar extends to February...
Bill Beeelichick proved that in America it’s okay to cheat, as long as you cheat your way to the top. – Eric Cartman
And that the picture on the February page
is Mike Tomlin holding the lombardi…
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 5, 2011 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Mr. November is Troy, should be a great month
Mr. December is Mendy………not sure what this means yet.
"If we weren't all crazy we'd all go insane" - Jimmy Buffett
No pics for Jan or Feb
But that just means we can picture whatever we want for those months!
"If we weren't all crazy we'd all go insane" - Jimmy Buffett
My whole superstitious self LOVES this!!
HERE WE GO STEELERS!
"Our Father, who art in Pittsburgh, Football be thy game. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, at Heinz Field as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, a stellar D and forgive us our bogus fines, as we (sorta) forgive Goodell who trespasses against us. And lead us not into defeat, but deliver us a Victory. For thine is The Steelers, the power and glory of climbing the STAIRWAY TO 7."
He definitely needs to play LT, not RT
Two reasons here:
1) Gilbert has “struggled” at times, I admit, but more often than anyone else to play on the line this year except Pouncey, he has finished his blocks, and has made it to the second level consistently and correctly in run blocking. I would say Gilbert’s play has been the silver lining so far.
2) Max is a decent, NFL-quality LT — not spectacular, but more often than not he doesn’t make you want to yak when watching him. But sweet Mary does he ever suck hard at RT. It just seems that his footwork is simply better when protecting the left side than the right. I can’t explain why, but he put the “uck” in suck on the right side. Heck, when playing RT, he but the “holy crap, man, do you ever suck!” in suck.
Gilbert is playing next to a RG – whichever one you wanna put in – who’s not playing well. Ditto for Pouncey, so he may look worse than he’s actually playing because he has to pick up mistakes made by Fos-Gursky.
He hasn’t been the greatest, but he’s been ok. I don’t think you move him anyway, if/when Starks is ready to start, he’ll be at LT.
It’s just good to have him back, he’s a well-liked guy in the locker room. They can use something positive right about now.
by Neal Coolong on Oct 5, 2011 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions
And...
Gilbert has just a few games under his belt….some improvement is expected.
J. Scott has some time with the Bills, year #2 with Pittsburgh and has almost 1 year of starts. He’s been about the worst player on the field in almost every game. He is not getting any better.
by steelerwheeler on Oct 5, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Starks says it because he's left handed
Aaron Smith also said he can’t play “well” on the right side.
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.
by SNW on Oct 5, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
A song for Max
Welcome back,
Your weight was your ticket out.
Welcome back,
To that same old place that you laughed about.
Well some names may have changed since you hung around,
But those dreams have remained and they’re turned around.
Who’d have thought they’d lead ya (Who’d have thought they’d lead ya)
Here where Ben needs ya’ ( Big Ben really needs ya!!)
Yeah we tease him a lot cause we’ve got him on the spot, welcome back,
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.
(repeat until sober)
Use your powers for good.
by Sparky63 on Oct 5, 2011 9:51 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Play it again, Sam.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
Max Starks is filmed
before a live football audience
Bill Beeelichick proved that in America it’s okay to cheat, as long as you cheat your way to the top. – Eric Cartman
Well Played Sir!
Very funny, and I used to love that show when I was a kid.
"I've been trying to justify you, in the end i will just defy you" Dream Theater
by OhioYinzer on Oct 5, 2011 1:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
i like this move..
i was afraid the FO wasnt going to do anything to address the o line. I like Max, and think he should be able to start real soon.
cap space
I just don’t understand where the Steelersfound the cap space to afford him. PFT reported just today that they have $750,000 – I know, it’s probably a guess, but earlier we discussed that signing Starks could be in a several million range. So… how?
don't know the answer to your ???
but I do know that 80% of what’s posted on that PFT site is not true so….
by the duchess of steel on Oct 5, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm wondering
if it isn’t a combination of things. Surely some of Starks’ contract was counting against the cap even after they cut him – guaranteed money, whatever – I’m sure that kk99 could give us a better idea. I also think that you can mortgage the future a bit this year by going over cap, which you then have to pay back later. I suspect that is why they didn’t want to pull the trigger.
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 5, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Starks’s dead money from before is already on the cap. This is a separate signing now.
Considering he was unemployed four weeks into the season, it’s highly unlikely he would have been signed elsewhere, so he probably just signed a 1-year vet minimum deal. He’s already getting paid millions for this year, so he’s flexible financially.
I’ll trust Omar Kahn’s interpretation of their cap position much more often than I’ll trust Mike Florio’s. Pretty sure they wouldn’t have signed him if they didn’t have the ability to do so.
by Neal Coolong on Oct 5, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
The math of Khan
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
CM PUNK IS MY HERO
Canal Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on Oct 5, 2011 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
i will answer all these questions in a cap story
but it is very likely that we only have $750k cap space and that is inclusive of the of the $3mm transition credit we took against vet salaries ($1mm for 3 vets could be borrowed from future years) that we took to get under the cap. these credits did not increase the cap, they were an offset to lower the cap hit of those players contract values. SO for 2011 you cannot go over the $120.375mm cap number, that is sacrosanct.
sacrosanct?
That sounds like a metal band
by Neal Coolong on Oct 5, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
if it's not a metal band name yet
It is now….thanks to both kk99 for using the word, and Neal Coolong for pointing out the possibilities..
this is great news
we can win with a mediocre line!!! I’m getting re-charged:) Now we got to get the hotel back and the universe may be right again!!!
by the duchess of steel on Oct 5, 2011 10:13 AM EDT reply actions
Thanks God, but...
Instead of cutting an OT, why didnt we cut one WR?
"Everytime NE Patriots lose, Football wins", myself
What?!
"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 Oct 5, 2011 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree, but which one? Cutting Hines would cost too much and take away leadership. To save money you could only really cut either Brown, Sanders or Cotchery. We need to save Wallace for trade bait.
Trevis Turner well be release soon.
Once Chris Scott Clears wavers, the sign him top the practice squad and release Turner
by HardPunkKore on Oct 5, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
I would trade Brown before Wallace
if we are looking long term.
I like Brown but I don’t know if he will every get to that next level.
"Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity." Jack Layton (R.I.P.)
"My city's still breathing (but barely it's true) through buildings gone missing like teeth. The sidewalks are watching me think about you, all sparkled with broken glass. I'm back with scars to show. Back with the streets I know. They never take me anywhere but here. " John K Samson (Left and Leaving)
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Oct 5, 2011 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Brown will get there though he may never reach Wallace’s level. It’s just that Wallace could be traded for a quality O or D Lineman. Plus….Wallace will be looking for a big payday soon….and probably deserves one.
I am hoping we can afford Wallace
Though I must admit he may be out of our snack bracket. Brown may well draw enough interest to warrant a good draft choice or lineman.
I wouldn’t trade anyone till the end of the season and I might only trade Brown if I could get Wallace on a long term deal that the team could afford.
"Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity." Jack Layton (R.I.P.)
"My city's still breathing (but barely it's true) through buildings gone missing like teeth. The sidewalks are watching me think about you, all sparkled with broken glass. I'm back with scars to show. Back with the streets I know. They never take me anywhere but here. " John K Samson (Left and Leaving)
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Oct 5, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Totally depends on what he’s asking. If he wants top five WR money, then no extension, tag him year after next. Not in a position to pay a deep threat Santonio money until he establishes more of an all-around game. Certainly not when you have Sanders and Brown developing nicely.
by Neal Coolong on Oct 5, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
yes, average of top 5 highest salaries for that position
and that will be north of $11 or $12mm b/c fitzgerald is in for like $15mm a year.
Yes...
We should definitely cut a WR.
Ummm…why do we want to do that again?
by Neal Coolong on Oct 5, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Of course the obvious answer is Hines Ward
CUT him as a wr and move him to the OL After all he cant be any worse than what we got now.
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
--Aristotle
Other than the fact
that’s he’s about 120 lbs too light…
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 6, 2011 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
cannot cut any veteran with four plus accrued seasons
as the full cap hit would remain
Who would have thunk it?
I am actually glad to have Starks back. That is how bad our offensive line has gotten. I am actually glad to have someone back who was no better than mediocre when playing at his best. Right now, I will take mediocre. They need to plug Starks in at LT now. He can’t do worse than Scott has done. Hopefully, he will do at least a little better. The Scott experiment should be over. He sucks and does not have what it takes to play LT in this league.
Oh sorry
Thought you were talking about Starks.
by Neal Coolong on Oct 5, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I was just on a radio show in New England talking about BTSC’s commentor reaction to Starks. The host joked that we just brought back a superstar.
I told him it’s two things really. 1. Yeah, it’s sort of sad that our line is in such disarray, we’re ecstatic to see the return of a guy who was cut two months ago, but, 2. Starks is a fan favorite and always has been. The team loves him, the city loves him so you gotta weigh that in as well.
by Neal Coolong on Oct 5, 2011 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
He played RT
in his first Super Bowl. But the general feeling here seems to be that he is a better LT than RT.
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 5, 2011 10:47 AM EDT reply actions
He was a young player...
…who was inserted to a starting lineup. And he struggled like a young player who was tagerted by opposing defenses on a pretty good O line.
by HardPunkKore on Oct 5, 2011 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Ye of little faith
Had ye only believedith in the good name of the Clan O’Rooney.
There can only be one.
Everybody’s in full panic and now here’s a smart move that we somehow found a way to do and now our O line will have a good LT again and Ben can maybe not die.
I heard that Art Rooney went to the mall yesterday
Congratulations to the Rooneys on an amazingly wise shopping decision. You guys can so no wrong!
If this is such a good idea now (signing Max)
Why was it not a good idea three weeks ago or even in camp? I know Willie got hurt, but we get a major injury on the O line every year.
Welcome back, Max!
"Chew on it. Chew on it and swallow it whole. Chew on it men, we’ll be fine" -Mike Tomlin
"If I could start my life all over again, I would be a professional football player, and you damn well better believe I would be a Pittsburgh Steeler." -Jack Lambert, 1990 HoF Introduction
by madanthonywayne on Oct 5, 2011 10:55 AM EDT reply actions
Word was his weight was pushing four bills. Steelers didn’t want to risk guaranteeing his full contract when he needed to lose 60 pounds.
by Neal Coolong on Oct 5, 2011 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Steelers thought
J Scott could do the job. They realized how incredibly wrong that was, admitted their mistake, put their tail between their legs and called Starks….Who, thought he was worth more, got no offers from anyone else, realized he was out of football if he didn’t get a job soon, decided he owed the Steelers for overpaying him for years, put his tail between his legs and ba da boom, BB gets to live!
by steelerwheeler on Oct 5, 2011 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Bryant McKinnie had weight problems
But the Ravens still took him.
Honestly, the Steelers shouldn’t have cut Max in the first place. Maybe we could have avoided some of the damage to Ben over the past 4 weeks.
Maybe we could have even won that game against Houston. What if the foot injury to Ben had turned out to be serious?
By week 7,
Starks, Kemo, Pouncey, Foster, Gilbert.
At least for a quarter, the way this season is going…
I have an affection for undersize guards
but only at a high school level atm.
"Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity." Jack Layton (R.I.P.)
"My city's still breathing (but barely it's true) through buildings gone missing like teeth. The sidewalks are watching me think about you, all sparkled with broken glass. I'm back with scars to show. Back with the streets I know. They never take me anywhere but here. " John K Samson (Left and Leaving)
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Oct 5, 2011 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Woo Hoo
Starks is not a top tier player, and maybe with rust and some weight and stamina issues he might even be a poor player much of this season…but he will be so much better than Scott/Essex it isn’t even measurable.
Count me hopeful
To lose 60 pounds, he probably did a ton of cardio, so the stamina should be there. I think he will be inserted at LT this week, maybe not starting.
good point about cardio
How can he not start. Scott/Essex will make several huge errors a quarter…Starks has to be an improvement.
by steelerwheeler on Oct 5, 2011 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
WHen you weigh
Four. Hundred. Pounds. the first 60 is the easiest. He probably lost 20 just on cutting down on snacks. What happened to his neck that he couldn’t work out?
400 lbs
Four hundred pounds. That’s beyond “out of playing shape”, it’s a sign the guy just didn’t give a damn about playing pro ball.
Four. Hundred. Pounds.
He was recovering from neck surgery
He’s down to 340 now, so clearly he’s worked himself into shape.
by Neal Coolong on Oct 5, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I wish I could lose 60 pounds that quick!
by steelerintexas on Oct 5, 2011 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Welcome back Max!
Glad to see you old friend. While Maxie is not on the level of a Joe Thomas, I would put him in the middle of the pack, say around 18th in the league. He is certainly miles better than Scott. I would contend that in the Ravens game Scott got beat by Suggs between 1.2 and 1.3 times per play. It was ridiculous watching Suggs go untouched all game long while beating him, them to see Ben dodge Suggs and then Suggs would beat Scott again before the play was over! It looked like the video clip on here back during Tomlin’s first draft of Timmons beating the Duke left tackle with this sick duck under move and going untouched, except it was on loop.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Essex kicked in to RG and starting Max right away. Even if he is out of “game shape” his presence for at least half of the snaps would be huge. It would also achieve the obvious and get Scott off the field at least half of the time.
GO STEELERS!
Starks says he signed for Vet minimum
Tomlin wanted to bring him in for “vet leadership” and Ben R has been pushing for his return for weeks. He says he is not offended by the business decision Steelers made to cut him originally.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Oct 5, 2011 1:27 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Oh
And “Neck feels great”
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Oct 5, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Apparently he's been strengthening his neck
With bags and bags of Taco Bell reinforcements.
Well, whatever! We need him! Pass him some chalupas!!!
Nope
They say he looks like he is in great shape
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Oct 5, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Great Day For Steeler Nation
We have just taken our weakest position of all 33 positions on the field(offense, defense and special teams) and erased it, once he is able to be reinserted at the left tackle position. The 3 bad hombres from Gainsville are going to lead the way. . .stay tuned!
NO MORE J. SCOTT!!
Can’t he just start in place of j. scott now, I can’t take watching another game where he gets blown up every play or tries his new move of trying to “box” out the other player. I think GIlbert looks promising and if pouncey can get on track. I am starting to feel better about the offense. Coach Dad shore up that D!
by ChitownSteelerfan on Oct 5, 2011 1:58 PM EDT reply actions
agreed
I couldn’t agree more with you. . .no matter how bad he could play, he still wouldn’t play worse than Scott. Scott’s injury was a direct result from getting beat so bad that he twisted his ankle on his own teammate. Nothing would excite me more than seeing big old 78 line up with the starting OL this Sunday!
Man you guys are desperate…
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
You hadn't noticed?
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 5, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Watch out for the Titans’ D-Line, they are a very, very good group.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
Dont make us wake up from our dream
that the OL is now serviceable
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
--Aristotle
Didn’t we say the same about you guys getting Mckinnie?
James Harrison~ "We are not trying to hit nobody hard. We don't want to get fined" *blank stare* /end sarcasm.
by H-burgSTEELfanatic on Oct 5, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
in hindsight we probably should have looked at McKinnie. Have no idea what type of money he signed for.
he didn’t sign for the vet min…
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Oct 5, 2011 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
we're desperate????
At least we are on our own blog. . .don’t u have anything better to do???
No, I have nothing better to do than sit on a Steelers blog as a Ravens fan. I literally cannot think of anything better to do right now.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
Allow me to suggest
Doritos and daytime TV.
: )
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 5, 2011 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Malor is a regular
(he is secretly a Steelers fan who is afraid to come out of the closet).
"Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity." Jack Layton (R.I.P.)
"My city's still breathing (but barely it's true) through buildings gone missing like teeth. The sidewalks are watching me think about you, all sparkled with broken glass. I'm back with scars to show. Back with the streets I know. They never take me anywhere but here. " John K Samson (Left and Leaving)
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Oct 5, 2011 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions
YESS!
Can’t wait to see Starks and Gilbert at either tackle positions! As soon as Scott proves he isn’t starter worthy.
James Harrison~ "We are not trying to hit nobody hard. We don't want to get fined" *blank stare* /end sarcasm.
by H-burgSTEELfanatic on Oct 5, 2011 3:43 PM EDT reply actions
Question......
How long of a wait is it to see if Scott clears waivers?
I won't even gripe about why we didn't
Re sign Starks before Essex. Or gripe about another offensive lineman being cut (hills/urbik/Scott/. For now, I’m going to wallow in relief that Starks is better than Scott or Essex off of his couch. Welcome back Max, I always liked you and your seemingly strong character and locker room presence.
You'll be happy to hear
that his time away wasn’t spent in vain. He told reporters after practice today that he whittled. Petrified wood, that is…
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 5, 2011 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't want to know if that was a euphumism or not
"Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity." Jack Layton (R.I.P.)
"My city's still breathing (but barely it's true) through buildings gone missing like teeth. The sidewalks are watching me think about you, all sparkled with broken glass. I'm back with scars to show. Back with the streets I know. They never take me anywhere but here. " John K Samson (Left and Leaving)
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Oct 5, 2011 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions
It didn't sound like it -
I think he was just trying to be funny. The reporters liked it, anyhow…
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 5, 2011 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions
What I want is Starks at LT
Gilbert at RG and Scott at RT. That along with Kemo and Pouncey is the best possible OL we can field. Hopefully we can have that OL by Week 6
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As my coach, Coach Toal says, "if your tougher than them and you play harder than them and you whoop their ass but only win by six, I don’t give a shit. You still won the game. The media might not like it but we don’t give a fuck about the media, all we care about is winning."
by seton hall and steelers on Oct 5, 2011 8:21 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
He has the flexibility to play G.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Oct 6, 2011 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Finally
Should have been done 6 weeks ago. Maybe too late, but at least it’s a familiar lt and hopefully he can help protect Ben
Six weeks ago
He presumably was still substantially overweight and out of shape. You can’t lose 60 pounds in 4 weeks, and six weeks ago was four weeks after he came to training camp at over 400 pounds.
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 5, 2011 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Very good point
But I guess that management figured that he couldn’t be any worse than the ones that we are playing. Hope at least he has the desire to play hard after that long layoff.
And his money isn’t guaranteed now, right? If his neck is an issue we could just cut him. I heard someone say yesterday the Steelers were more concerned about the neck than the weight.
"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 Oct 6, 2011 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Good question.
I’m sure that kk99 could tell us that.
The neck is a little scary, though. Speaking of which, didn’t somebody get a stinger in the Texans game? The injury reports are starting to get me down…
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 6, 2011 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
I didn't hear
But stingers happen a lot. Just a result of not stretching properly.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Oct 6, 2011 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions
actually this post helped me catch a mistake
starks is getting $810k but i am pretty sure he only gets 13/17ths of that pay b/c 4 weeks are already gone so his cap hit is really only $619,412, not $810k.
and to answer the question above, if you cut Starks during this season then you owe only "Termination Pay" for veterans signed after the first week is the greater of 25% of the proportional yearly salary (13/17ths * $810k * 25% = $154,853) or one week of the 10+ year veteran minimum base salary ($910k * 1/17 = $53, 529). This means that Starks will cost us $155k if we cut him and his cap hit for the year is really $619.4k not $810k.
Two things I REALLY liked in an article on Steelers.com
Redman: "You can’t do too much dancing in the backfield," said Redman. "That is how we lose yards. I would rather have a zero yard run than a loss. Our line is beat up, there is some inexperience. We have to establish the run. We need it. We need to shut people up. We have Max Starks back. Hopefully he can add some spark to the offensive line and we can get some movement."
Timmons: "I played the past two or three years outside a couple of times," said Timmons. "In the nickel packages I am rushing outside so I am going against tackles too, so it’s not like I am out of my realm outside.
"You get an opportunity to rush the passer more outside so that’s a good thing. Inside you get more tackles; outside you get an opportunity to get more sacks. I like sacks. I will take this as a great opportunity for me."
"The standard is the standard" - Mike Tomlin
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