Breaking News - Steelers Take First Step to Retaining OT Starks

by cgolden on Feb 20, 2008 7:47 PM EST in News

Hat tip to 5020 who first saw this story and reported in the 'Starks Dilemna' diary.

Details are very sketchy at this point, as no major media outlet and only one local paper are reporting, but at least one source is reporting that the Steelers have slapped the Transition Tag on OT Max Starks.

I'm still not 100% sure on this story because it's not being reported by NFL.com, Steelers.com, ESPN, or the Post Gazette but the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is reporting that right now. The transition tag ensures that the Steelers can match any offer made to Starks throughout the free agency period. If no offer is made Starks will earn an average of the top 10 offensive linemen salaries ($6.9 million). The Steelers will not get any compensation if they do not match but at least they have a chance now. The transistion tag is the one that has been defeated with 'poison pill' clauses in the past (see Steve Hutchison).

We will try and keep this story updated as more details/confirmations become available.

[Update]:It looks to be official now as the Post Gazette has picked up the story as well.

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Lemme get the poison pill straight...

Please give me a simple thing that would utilize the poison pill against the Steelers. Thanks.

by maryrose on Feb 20, 2008 7:57 PM EST reply actions

poison pill

Like if the any team came in and put an incentive in his deal that said "if he plays more than 3 games in the state of PA, he gets an extra 5 million." Obviously the Steelers wouldn't match that.

"You know who I want? William Wallace. That's who I'm looking for" - Bengals defensive line coach when asked who he was looking for in the draft

by cgolden on Feb 20, 2008 8:00 PM EST up reply actions

Hard to believe that's legal

But thanks Golden

by maryrose on Feb 20, 2008 8:06 PM EST up reply actions

The league doesn't like it

but I'm pretty sure it's still a 'legal' move right now. That is how Minnesota stole Hutchison from Seattle. Minnesota's wasn't as blatant as that, the clause they used was that Hutchison would get an extra 7 million if he wasn't the highest paid OL on his own team (which he wouldn't have been). Seattle turned around and signed Nate Burleson (then of the Vikings) and loaded it with 'poison pills' one of which was the entire contract would be guaranteed if he played more than 5 games in the state of Minnesota.

"You know who I want? William Wallace. That's who I'm looking for" - Bengals defensive line coach when asked who he was looking for in the draft

by cgolden on Feb 20, 2008 8:14 PM EST up reply actions

Post Gazette also reports

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08051/859113-66.stm

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Feb 20, 2008 7:57 PM EST reply actions

BTSC

Officially scooped the Post Gazette on this story! Way to go boys. That's team work!
I guess if the Steelers are going to pay Starks 6.9 he's going to start somewhere on the line next year?

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Feb 20, 2008 7:59 PM EST up reply actions

good job man -- team work is exactly right

I would have to think he'd be the starting RT if he's in the Burgh next year. It would also have to give more truth to the rumors that Colon is moving inside.

"You know who I want? William Wallace. That's who I'm looking for" - Bengals defensive line coach when asked who he was looking for in the draft

by cgolden on Feb 20, 2008 8:02 PM EST up reply actions

Outstanding 5020!

Right in the middle of an active "Starks Dilemma" thread we need to change the title to "Starks Reality"...Forgive the pun...we interrupt this discussion for some late breaking news...How timely.

by maryrose on Feb 20, 2008 8:04 PM EST reply actions

Nice

Congrats everyone! Very rewarding hanging out with you guys (and ladies).

by Ivan Cole (RickVa) on Feb 20, 2008 8:08 PM EST reply actions

Question

How long does another team have to make Starks an offer? At what point, if no offer, does the $6.9 lock in? Thanks. Sorry if that was noted somewhere in all this flying around.

by maryrose on Feb 20, 2008 8:49 PM EST reply actions

timeframe

I think it's until the end of free agency, when the final bell signs on the signing period. At that point, the league highest salaries will be set in stone, and the appropriate price tag can then be applied.

Not 100% sure on that though. I'll check it out. But that's what seems to make the most logical sense.

by Michael Bean on Feb 21, 2008 12:26 AM EST up reply actions

correction

I believe it's the average of the top 10 from the previous year, hence why the $6.895 million figure has already been determined.

by Michael Bean on Feb 21, 2008 1:05 AM EST up reply actions

another question

Are the Steelers allowed to sign him to their own long term offer even if no other team makes an offer? Or would they have to take him at one year for 6.9 million and then wait until next year if they want to sign him for the long term?

by nycsteeler on Feb 20, 2008 9:58 PM EST reply actions

Should be

At least lots of teams make deals with players that they franchise tag before the season starts. Dallas Clark just had that happen. He was tagged two days ago and today he's got a new contract.

by Chicago Steeler on Feb 21, 2008 10:27 AM EST up reply actions

that is very true

I read one article this morning that basically said the tag was just a sign that they do want Starks. Now they have to try hard to sign him to a long term deal b/c any team that really wants him will just drop a poison pill in there and steal him.

"You know who I want? William Wallace. That's who I'm looking for" - Bengals defensive line coach when asked who he was looking for in the draft

by cgolden on Feb 21, 2008 10:49 AM EST up reply actions

Poison Pill

Usually the poison pill is also used when a player wanted out of the city. I'd be surprised to Starks oking a poison pill. Short of his benching this year he's been well treated and as Blitz has pointed out this tag is a good payday for Starks.

At least I'm crossing my fingers he doesn't act the fool and try to screw his former employers.

by Chicago Steeler on Feb 21, 2008 12:00 PM EST up reply actions

this is good

less pressure to chase one of the big 5 ots in the first round, maybe now we could trade down and pick up another day 1 selection. I would like to see starks push smith for the lt spot.

by nerves of steel on Feb 20, 2008 10:12 PM EST reply actions

follow up

Starks and Smith battle at lt
Steelers take a 1st day ot and he battles Colon for RT
Simmons at RG
Mahan and Kemouatu compete for LG
Sign a free agent G who moves to C or day 1 pick for C who battles Stapleton for that spot

I like it--I think it gives us some flexibility with the draft as to moving down, but I still think the priority positions are T, DE, C, FS, RB

by nerves of steel on Feb 20, 2008 10:17 PM EST reply actions

nice

Good job 5020 and cgolden and maryrose. All on the ball! I hope Starks is ready to kick some ass this year and earn that hefty pay day. There's going to be lots of pressure on him to perform, not just at an acceptable level.

by Michael Bean on Feb 21, 2008 12:25 AM EST reply actions

Steelers Make Important Move

Guys, this transition tag on Starks was a big move for the Steelers going forward. This will allow the Steelers to continue to negotiate with Starks as well as letting him know that they seriously want him around.

This could give them the flexibility to move Colon inside and move Kendall Simmons to center. I think the Steelers no. 1 pick is going to be the guard from Virginia, Albert, who can also kick out to the tackle. By having Starks, M. Smith, Trai Essex, Jason Capizzi, and Albert, this OL could take a huge step forward.

I think the Steelers are going to work hard to wrap up Starks before free agency starts. This is a good move for the Steelers and their future going forward. Let's see what else they can do, like reupping Ben and signing B. McFadden to a modest extension.

by datruth4life on Feb 21, 2008 1:31 AM EST reply actions

yup

Agreed datruth. Great move. Very curious to see how the negotaionts play out. Man, if Capizzi can be the player you think he might be, we may just be in ok shape. Something that not many us were willing to say just a short while ago.

Good to see you back on the block.

by Michael Bean on Feb 21, 2008 1:40 AM EST up reply actions

Starks ain't any good.

Waste.

by wiggins @ Behind the Steel Curtain on Feb 21, 2008 1:37 AM EST reply actions

this isn't...

Paul Wiggins, is it? :-)

by nerves of steel on Feb 21, 2008 10:50 AM EST reply actions

Only in America

There were 160 starting offensive linemen in the NFL last season. Max Starks wasn't one of them. Going into this season he will be paid the average of the top 10 of those 160, after not even being among them.

$6.9 million. He better be a starter and he better be a good one. You don't spend $6.9 on an insurance policy.

by maryrose on Feb 21, 2008 2:15 PM EST reply actions

except

if we sign him to a deal we might not pay him $6.9 million. i think this was basically a ploy to give us more time to "set the market" for Starks and buy the Steelers time. With the caveat that they are confident they can sign him to a reasonable deal, and if not, they don't mind overpaying him for one year if they have to.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Feb 21, 2008 2:22 PM EST reply actions

reasonable?

What is a reasonable price for Starks?

I'm thinking something around 4 years for $20-$22 million with maybe 4 million guaranteed. Is that crazy?

"You know who I want? William Wallace. That's who I'm looking for" - Bengals defensive line coach when asked who he was looking for in the draft

by cgolden on Feb 21, 2008 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

guarantee

Would he take less than 6.9 million guaranteed though? I mean that's a step down in some ways. I'd think they'll have to put an offer that guarantees more than the tag does to get him. Otherwise if he gets hurt in pre-season and can't recover he ends up with less money.

by Chicago Steeler on Feb 21, 2008 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

true that -- good point

maybe they'd have to have him sign that as an extension of his 08 transition tag -- he'd probably love that -- it would end up being a 5 year $27-$31 million dollar deal with 10.9 guaranteed.

If he didn't jump at that he'd be crazy, right?

"You know who I want? William Wallace. That's who I'm looking for" - Bengals defensive line coach when asked who he was looking for in the draft

by cgolden on Feb 21, 2008 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

good question

The negotiations are going to be very interesting. I tried to say as much in my post but it was late and was rambling a bit. There's lots of different ways this can play out, and part of the outcome rests in how Starks and his agent approach this psychologically.

by Michael Bean on Feb 21, 2008 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

Has Starks turned the corner?

The big question in all of this is has Max Starks turned the corner to becoming a good OL? In evaluating his play this past year, I would say that he has. I don't think he necessarily got a fair chance to compete against Colon in training camp, but he played his best football during the season, starting games at the critical LT spot.

With your starting LT coming off of back surgery and in the last year of his contract, I think that you have to roll the dice on Starks if you think he is one of your five best OL. If he gets to the free agent market, you guys are going to be surprised to see the contract that he will get.

If middle of the road guards can land an $18M signing bonus, what do you think a young, OL that can play both tackle spots, has yet to enter his prime and has started on a Super Bowl winning team will receive?

Tomlin said he wanted young players on both of his line and he just already happens to have one that other teams want on his own team. A bird in the hand definitely beats two in the bush in this circumstance, particularly having a young franchise QB that you want to keep in one piece for the next 10 to 13 years.

I think K. Colbert and Tomlin gets it. Guys, this team is closer than you think to getting back to the show. They are miles ahead of where they were this time a year ago.

Your thoughts?

by datruth4life on Feb 21, 2008 5:22 PM EST reply actions

I personally agree 100%

I think that you have to roll the dice with Starks for exactly the reasons you mentioned. And, I for one, was never as down on him as some were this season. He's the kid of a former player, and for what it's worth, my take is that he perhaps didn't work as hard as he may have needed to when he was first in the league. I think this past year and now this recent development will be a nice wake-up call for him that he can be a very good player, and earn a boatload of money if he wants to put in the work. I think he will, and I think the Steelers think so as well. My two cents from afar.

Only way I couldnt see it happening is if they truly thought Capizzi would be ready to play some this year, and then start in '09. I havent seen enough or read enough of him to say either way, but I think the movement to Colon to guard will happen, meaning they seriously need to find a way to get Starks back for next year. It's either that or concede much success (and perhaps Ben's health) in '08.

by Michael Bean on Feb 21, 2008 5:30 PM EST up reply actions

agreed

we are very close. if we handle the OL situation correctly, we will be one of the teams to beat for sure.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Feb 21, 2008 5:54 PM EST reply actions

The key

I think to securing the OL is getting things settled at center. When you had nearly 35 years of uninterrupted play from Pro Bowl to Hall of Fame caliber players it's easy to take that position for granted. OL plays as a unit. One person not pulling his weight, particularly at such a pivotal position can make the whole group look like a bunch of bums. Example: Fanaca didn't look a hell of a lot better than his linemates at times last year. I agree with Blitz and Datruth, I see Starks as a pretty good player. If you have any doubts, check out the games he subbed for Marvel. No drop off, none.

by Ivan Cole (RickVa) on Feb 22, 2008 7:00 PM EST reply actions