If nothing else, former Steelers LT Max Starks is optimistic.

Odds were long against him, suffering a torn ACL in the team's final game last season, and to make it all the way back from that in time to participate in training camp would be special, indeed.

Starks doesn't just believe he'll be back, he's putting in the intense amount of work it takes to repair the ligament to the point he'd be able to play for the Steelers in 2012.

What that would mean to the roster is interesting in and of itself.

Starks responded to a tweet from Steelers Depot, asking if he'd be ready for training camp, which begins a little less than a month from now.

"@Steelersdepot: @maxstarks78 How about that knee, Max? Ready in a month?" I believe so, but it takes more than just me to believe it!

— Max Starks IV (@maxstarks78) June 28, 2012

He also pointed out he reached "peak force" in squats, and that it "feels good to almost be back to 100 percent."

Starks is a fan favorite. As the only player in NFL history to start at both tackle positions for a Super Bowl champion, and having essentially bailed the Steelers out last year, it's hard not to root for him.

If the Steelers deemed him worthy of a contract (he's currently an unrestricted free agent), it would give the Steelers a training camp depth chart at tackle consisting of Starks, Marcus Gilbert, Jonathan Scott, Mike Adams, Chris Scott and Kyle Jolly.

Or, it would essentially make Jonathan Scott and his contract look mighty expendable.

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