View topic - Steelers franchise Starks

[TheBoss71 Profile]

Steelers franchise Starks
Thursday, February 19, 2009
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Steelers have placed the franchise tag on offensive tackle Max Starks, a move that will keep him from entering free agency and guarantee him $8.451 million in salary -- the average of the NFL's top five offensive linemen -- in the 2009 season.

The Steelers will try to work out a long-term deal with Starks, a No. 3 draft choice in 2004 who started 11 games last season at left tackle.

It is the second year in a row the Steelers have used a tag to keep Starks from becoming an unrestricted free agent. He was named a transition player last season, even though he wasn't a starter, and was paid $6.9 million.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
First published on February 19, 2009 at 3:44 pm

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09050/950325-100.stm

[steelmoney Profile]

damn
hope this doesn't mean BMac is a goner

[fabber Profile]

Is this money guaranteed even if his ass gets cut? That's a lot of money for a guy who cant run block

[toomuchmerrilhoge Profile]

It's hard to tell if Colbert really wants to keep Starks or is hoping/praying at night that he can get 2 first round draft picks from a potential suitor. This is the second year in a row they've done this. Anyone else have any theories on this madness?

[No l Gravity l Profile]

Is someone upstairs retarded? We franchised a guy who started the season a backup to Willie Colon, one of the worst offensive linemen in Steeler history. This about as bad as the Bengals franchising their kicker. NOBODY wants Starks. He would've resigned back with us for much cheaper had he gone into FA.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Insurance. Damn it's expensive.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

I read the Steelers have placed their non-exclusive franchise tag on OT Max Starks.

[Steel Holiday Profile]

it makes sense. Starks has added value because he can play either tackle slot. No way Pgh could go forward as confidently without the services of Max. His signing would open up the potential for other players switch positions. If and when Starks signs, it increases the possibility on draft day to take the BPA around #32.

[toomuchmerrilhoge Profile]

Starks has added value because he can play either tackle slot.

...that's true. Starks does have experience at RT and LT. I guess one guy that can fill in at two positions on O-line is worth something.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Added value, yes
BUT
We are talking top 5 OT money here.

He isn't worth that.
We need to draft a replacement.

[Steel Holiday Profile]

No argument on the issue of talent for dollar ratio from me. I don't place Max Starks as a top 5 offensive tackle.

Starks is the only guy who has any blood in him. Milk that statement for all it is worth. Kendall Simmons is not a popular player. Kemo is more than likely going to sign elsewhere. Colon, who was a favorite son just one year ago, would have to go to another city to find employment if he was cut from the Steelers. Ok maybe that is an exaggeration. Hartwig is a fine player, but is a FA from last season. Some fans are ready to draft a replacement for Hartwig right now. Stapleton has started for half a season. Max Starks is the 2nd most tenured and capable of playing two positions. Max is going to fill in rather than starting Tony Hills. Pittsburgh will draft an offensive lineman, but there should be at least one competent locker room veteran. If for no other reason than to share the hatred of the division opponents.


Remember that without Starks Pgh might not have won The Bowl. There aren't price tags or specific contract labels for such guys. I have to think he was worth every penny of the last 1yr contract.

[Snockered Pedestrian Profile]

Ewwwwwwwww. The FO has just wasted a big chunk of the $19M that they'll need to extend
Silverback and Miller and re-sign BMac, not to mention signing this year's draft class. I'd rather have re-signed Essex on the cheap and thrown him into the deep end to see if he could swim.

[Hagerstown Steelman Profile]

Starks may be the luckiest guy in the NFL. Two years in the row with a franchise tag and a total of 14M in his pocket.

All that said. This may not be that bad of a move (if he stays healthy). Who else would you lock up? Kemo ==> no way. With starks locked up they could make a decent offer for Essex/Simmons. Let Kemo walk.

Then draft a lineman in the first round and hope either him or Hills can play some in 2009. If you get a find in the draft then Starks is expendable or you can try to sign him for less next year.

Too many ways this can play out. I have said since the SB that the o-line is where Colbert, Tomlin, Arians and the front office will earn their money in 2009. If it can be rebuilt without breaking the bank look out NFL.

[Nel Profile]

I'll tell you what. I am finished complaining about the OL on this site.

Rooney proved me wrong this past season.

But if Benji goes down, the line and Starks may be exposed.

[dracula in cleats Profile]

I'll tell you what. I am finished complaining about the OL on this site.

Rooney proved me wrong this past season.

But if Benji goes down, the line and Starks may be exposed.

yeah...hard to complain with what just worked for you the previous season...i think starks is more exposed with Ben...I love Ben and his style...but Leftwich (who i know we won't have) got rid of the ball so quick the line looked a little beter when he was in there...

oh well...i was really hoping they would work out something else beside the scenrio of overpaying Starks...but I don't like to handle big money anyway...so who am I to say...

[darthsteel Profile]

I'll tell you what. I am finished complaining about the OL on this site.

Rooney proved me wrong this past season.

But if Benji goes down, the line and Starks may be exposed.

yeah...hard to complain with what just worked for you the previous season...i think starks is more exposed with Ben...I love Ben and his style...but Leftwich (who i know we won't have) got rid of the ball so quick the line looked a little beter when he was in there...

oh well...i was really hoping they would work out something else beside the scenrio of overpaying Starks...but I don't like to handle big money anyway...so who am I to say...

I think its silly when you guys talk about qbs getting rid of the ball quickley and its bens fault the line looks a certain way . the days of that talk are over considering ben has 2 rings and there is no chance in hell he will ever be replaced over the next six seasons, so the line needs to be built for his style of play, case closed. if he makes these guys look like shit , that s to bad for them. If they would be all pros on a team with a qb that releases quick, good for them, move on! the fact is ben is the qb for the next 6 yrs at least and the line needs to get better around him or the stillers need to build a line that will protect ben better with his style of play.

NEWSFLASH: THE LINE CAN LOOK LIKE A HALL OF FAME LINE WITH LEFTWICH IN THERE OR ANYONE ELSE BESIDES BEN FOR THAT MATTER , BUT CONSIDERING THOSE OTHER QBS WONT BE BEHIND IT MORE THEN A FEW GAMES A SEASON, THE STILLERS NEED TO CATER TO BENS SLOW RELEASE! YOU DO NOT KEEP A LINEMEN BECASE HE PLAYS WELL WHEN YOUR BACKUP QB IS IN THE GAME, YOU GET A PLAYER WHO MITE SUCK ON ANOTHER TTEAM, THATS GREAT FOR YOUR QBS STYLE OF PLAY!