Max Starks Speculation - Per PFT

[phillyesq]

Per PFT:


STARKS BIDING HIS TIME FOR FREE AGENCY?
Posted by Mike Florio on August 15, 2008, 3:34 p.m.
With a guaranteed one-year contract worth nearly $7 million and a shot at hitting in March 2009 a market that pays long-term contracts worth $7 million per year to so-so players, the buzz coming out of Steelers camp is that tackle Max Starks is merely going through the motions.

As one source put it, Starks’ training-camp performance has been among the worst on the entire team. Indeed, he’s still stuck behind Willie Colon at right tackle.

But it doesn’t matter for Starks; he’ll still get his money.

The reason he’s getting the money is because the Steelers opted to retain an opportunity to match any offers he might have gotten on the open market earlier this year via the transition tag, which provided a right of first refusal but no compensation if he had left. Use of the tag required tender of a one-year, $6.895 million salary.

And once Starks signed the tender after realizing that no other team was interested in taking the time to negotiate a deal that the Steelers could then bogart, the salary became fully guaranteed.

For roughly $500,000 more, the Steelers could have used the franchise tag on Faneca, and at a minimum could have gotten a draft pick or two by thereafter trading him.

In hindsight, that would have been the better move. And if anyone is looking for tangible evidence of how the unsettled ownership situation could be affecting the football operation, the decision to keep Starks for $6.895 million instead of Faneca for $7.45 million could be it.

I really hope this isn't true, but given the criticism of Starks' work ethic/conditioning in the past, I fear that it could be. You would think that he would be smarter about it; try to work hard, get a starting job, and then get an even bigger payday. Starks is certainly among my least favorite players, and this really isn't moving him any higher on my list.

[Ozey74]

Shame on Starks if this is true! If nothing else, I would feel guilty about letting my teammates down.

[SteelHoss]

Per PFT:


STARKS BIDING HIS TIME FOR FREE AGENCY?
Posted by Mike Florio on August 15, 2008, 3:34 p.m.
With a guaranteed one-year contract worth nearly $7 million and a shot at hitting in March 2009 a market that pays long-term contracts worth $7 million per year to so-so players, the buzz coming out of Steelers camp is that tackle Max Starks is merely going through the motions.

As one source put it, Starks’ training-camp performance has been among the worst on the entire team. Indeed, he’s still stuck behind Willie Colon at right tackle.

But it doesn’t matter for Starks; he’ll still get his money.

The reason he’s getting the money is because the Steelers opted to retain an opportunity to match any offers he might have gotten on the open market earlier this year via the transition tag, which provided a right of first refusal but no compensation if he had left. Use of the tag required tender of a one-year, $6.895 million salary.

And once Starks signed the tender after realizing that no other team was interested in taking the time to negotiate a deal that the Steelers could then bogart, the salary became fully guaranteed.

For roughly $500,000 more, the Steelers could have used the franchise tag on Faneca, and at a minimum could have gotten a draft pick or two by thereafter trading him.

In hindsight, that would have been the better move. And if anyone is looking for tangible evidence of how the unsettled ownership situation could be affecting the football operation, the decision to keep Starks for $6.895 million instead of Faneca for $7.45 million could be it.

I really hope this isn't true, but given the criticism of Starks' work ethic/conditioning in the past, I fear that it could be. You would think that he would be smarter about it; try to work hard, get a starting job, and then get an even bigger payday. Starks is certainly among my least favorite players, and this really isn't moving him any higher on my list.


Consider the source. Florio has to be one of the biggest Steeler detracters in the media.
He consistently attacks the team and individual players. I don't put much stock in anything he writes concerning the Steelers.

[BIG FAN]

Per PFT:


STARKS BIDING HIS TIME FOR FREE AGENCY?
Posted by Mike Florio on August 15, 2008, 3:34 p.m.
With a guaranteed one-year contract worth nearly $7 million and a shot at hitting in March 2009 a market that pays long-term contracts worth $7 million per year to so-so players, the buzz coming out of Steelers camp is that tackle Max Starks is merely going through the motions.

As one source put it, Starks’ training-camp performance has been among the worst on the entire team. Indeed, he’s still stuck behind Willie Colon at right tackle.

But it doesn’t matter for Starks; he’ll still get his money.

The reason he’s getting the money is because the Steelers opted to retain an opportunity to match any offers he might have gotten on the open market earlier this year via the transition tag, which provided a right of first refusal but no compensation if he had left. Use of the tag required tender of a one-year, $6.895 million salary.

And once Starks signed the tender after realizing that no other team was interested in taking the time to negotiate a deal that the Steelers could then bogart, the salary became fully guaranteed.

For roughly $500,000 more, the Steelers could have used the franchise tag on Faneca, and at a minimum could have gotten a draft pick or two by thereafter trading him.

In hindsight, that would have been the better move. And if anyone is looking for tangible evidence of how the unsettled ownership situation could be affecting the football operation, the decision to keep Starks for $6.895 million instead of Faneca for $7.45 million could be it.

I really hope this isn't true, but given the criticism of Starks' work ethic/conditioning in the past, I fear that it could be. You would think that he would be smarter about it; try to work hard, get a starting job, and then get an even bigger payday. Starks is certainly among my least favorite players, and this really isn't moving him any higher on my list.


Consider the source. Florio has to be one of the biggest Steeler detracters in the media.
He consistently attacks the team and individual players. I don't put much stock in anything he writes concerning the Steelers.

Exactly. Another "pundit", (aka) self professed knowledgeable A-HOLE.

[Jom112]

Consider the source. Florio has to be one of the biggest Steeler detracters in the media.
He consistently attacks the team and individual players. I don't put much stock in anything he writes concerning the Steelers.

I don't really see any biased that Florio has against the Steelers. He pretty much writes whatever gossip he can get his hands on.

I actually think I read last offseason an item he wrote where he mentioned that people think he shows favoritism towards the Steelers (The organization not individuals). I could be wrong though...

[BIG FAN]

Consider the source. Florio has to be one of the biggest Steeler detracters in the media.
He consistently attacks the team and individual players. I don't put much stock in anything he writes concerning the Steelers.

I don't really see any biased that Florio has against the Steelers. He pretty much writes whatever gossip he can get his hands on.

I actually think I read last offseason an item he wrote where he mentioned that people think he shows favoritism towards the Steelers (The organization not individuals). I could be wrong though...

You may just be wrong here Jom.
I have never noticed anything he writes as being good to our guys, or yours for that matter.(These days anyway) Do agree with that excellent statement of he writes whatever gossip there is.
Good perception there for a "lowly" bungle fan. :)

[buckeyehoppy]

Florio is just a Rona Barrett who covers pro football instead of Hollywood celebrities.

But, consider the locus of his criticism...Starks. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to know that Starks has pretty much been a waste of space in Pittsburgh and this season could be the cherry on top of his meager accomplishment for the Steelers.

It would be a tough pill to swallow for the Steelers, but biting the bullet and launching the player while eating his bloated contract might be the best thing they could do under the circumstances. If this guy can't be in game shape and win a starting spot on this OL, then he doesn't deserve to be around.

The FO really screwed the pooch on this one. It could be a very expensive lesson for a team in organizational transition.

[AkronSteel]

I'm not buying this story from PFT.

Is Max an overpaid, overweight tackle? Yes.....but I don't buy that he is tanking it on purpose b/c he knows that he can. I just think that he stinks. The guy just is not capable of playing at the high level that he is being paid. I didn't understand the contract then, and I definately don't like it now but what are we going to do? All that we as fans can do is hope that Marvel and Willie stay healthy and we don't have to watch this fat piece of crap play!

[kennyes]

PFT is the National Enquirer of the football world. It is and as always has been a source with questionable credibility.

[Flasteel]

I've been reading Florio's stuff since he was with NFLtalk.com and despite the fact that I don't always agree with everything he regurgitates, I have always enjoyed his writing. He makes no bones about the fact that most of what he writes is rumor and speculation (thus the name rumor mill), but every now and then he breaks stories and has information no one else has published. You just have to wade through the wash and see what has credibility before you take it at face value (like Terry Bradshaw's death :lol: )

I've seen the guy on both sides of the Steeler fence. As a matter of fact I used to think he was one of us; then he started getting called out for it and often times would print very negative things about the team...maybe trying to make a point that he's not biased (I dunno know).

Anyway, as far as Starks, I've been a big supporter since we drafted him out of Gainesville and he has been nothing short of a disappointment this training camp. By all accounts he busted his ass in the offseason and reported in tremendous shape, but he has sucked some major schlong in his attempt to regain the starting RT job. In all fairness, I don't think Zierlein ever intended for there to be a competition at the spot and Max has received almost no playing time there. But if he went out and gave his best effort in camp, I don't see anyway that Colon could hold him off based on the shape he's in. That tells me that Starks simply isn't giving it his best effort. That's not the same as tanking it on purpose, which is some pretty inflammtory **** for Florio to state, but I definitely agree that Starks is not sufficiently motivated.

If he wants to go out there and half-step it when his tenure with the team and a potentially huge pay-day is on the line, then I have little use for the guy and am very disappointed. That said, I don't know what's going on with him or in practice and it is a long season, so I'm willing to reserve judgment. Hopefully whatever five we field this season is an improvement over last year and that's all I really care about.

[buckeyehoppy]

Anyway, as far as Starks, I've been a big supporter since we drafted him out of Gainesville and he has been nothing short of a disappointment this training camp. By all accounts he busted his ass in the offseason and reported in tremendous shape, but he has sucked some major schlong in his attempt to regain the starting RT job. In all fairness, I don't think Zierlein ever intended for there to be a competition at the spot and Max has received almost no playing time there. But if he went out and gave his best effort in camp, I don't see anyway that Colon could hold him off based on the shape he's in. That tells me that Starks simply isn't giving it his best effort. That's not the same as tanking it on purpose, which is some pretty inflammtory **** for Florio to state, but I definitely agree that Starks is not sufficiently motivated.

If he wants to go out there and half-step it when his tenure with the team and a potentially huge pay-day is on the line, then I have little use for the guy and am very disappointed. That said, I don't know what's going on with him or in practice and it is a long season, so I'm willing to reserve judgment. Hopefully whatever five we field this season is an improvement over last year and that's all I really care about.

Some good stuff, Flas!

I don't know if it is the coaching or the fact that Max Sucks just doesn't get it. But, saying that Max Sucks is "not sufficiently motivated" may be the understatement of the year.

And that's why I feel that if this worthless twerp can't get it together and win a starting job, then he needs to get launched. If he is making $6.9M and sitting on the bench and someone like Stapleton ends up getting launched to justify having Sucks around, I will be irate. That should also go for the rest of the Steeler Universe. Why should he be kept just to placate a lousy business decision by the FO if he won't start? I'd rather have someone around who tries hard and has more pride than talent than someone who is just collecting pay and wasting a roster spot.

When I think that the Steelers could have kept Faneca for a little more than Max Sucks under the same terms, that just makes me ill. At least Faneca can play and he would have been a pro about it if he knew the Steelers were just going to let him walk in the end. Max Sucks doesn't even have enough pride to be a quality NFL player and he knows the Steelers will let him walk at the end of the season at the latest. The Steelers should just swallow their pride and their contract and do this pile of scrap a favor and dump him now.

[Flasteel]

Anyway, as far as Starks, I've been a big supporter since we drafted him out of Gainesville and he has been nothing short of a disappointment this training camp. By all accounts he busted his ass in the offseason and reported in tremendous shape, but he has sucked some major schlong in his attempt to regain the starting RT job. In all fairness, I don't think Zierlein ever intended for there to be a competition at the spot and Max has received almost no playing time there. But if he went out and gave his best effort in camp, I don't see anyway that Colon could hold him off based on the shape he's in. That tells me that Starks simply isn't giving it his best effort. That's not the same as tanking it on purpose, which is some pretty inflammtory **** for Florio to state, but I definitely agree that Starks is not sufficiently motivated.

If he wants to go out there and half-step it when his tenure with the team and a potentially huge pay-day is on the line, then I have little use for the guy and am very disappointed. That said, I don't know what's going on with him or in practice and it is a long season, so I'm willing to reserve judgment. Hopefully whatever five we field this season is an improvement over last year and that's all I really care about.

Some good stuff, Flas!

I don't know if it is the coaching or the fact that Max Sucks just doesn't get it. But, saying that Max Sucks is "not sufficiently motivated" may be the understatement of the year.

And that's why I feel that if this worthless twerp can't get it together and win a starting job, then he needs to get launched. If he is making $6.9M and sitting on the bench and someone like Stapleton ends up getting launched to justify having Sucks around, I will be irate. That should also go for the rest of the Steeler Universe. Why should he be kept just to placate a lousy business decision by the FO if he won't start? I'd rather have someone around who tries hard and has more pride than talent than someone who is just collecting pay and wasting a roster spot.

When I think that the Steelers could have kept Faneca for a little more than Max Sucks under the same terms, that just makes me ill. At least Faneca can play and he would have been a pro about it if he knew the Steelers were just going to let him walk in the end. Max Sucks doesn't even have enough pride to be a quality NFL player and he knows the Steelers will let him walk at the end of the season at the latest. The Steelers should just swallow their pride and their contract and do this pile of scrap a favor and dump him now.

Thanks Hop!

Despite the fact that I was dumbfounded by the inability to strike a long-term deal, I still maintained that the tag on Starks was a great business move. He was either going to be a future starter for this team or at the very least was a good insurance policy if Marvel went down again. When you have a team that is championship-ready, $6.9M is a small price to pay to make sure you don't get derailed by an injury to one of your tackles.

My reasoning for all of that was because of the shape Starks was getting himself in (on top of doing a really good job of that following his Twinkie and Ho-Ho conditioning program of the 2006 off-season) and I thought he'd show his mettle. The more this camp goes on, the more it seems I was wrong, but like I said it is a long season, so ultimate judgment has to be reserved.

As far as Faneca...screw that guy. His incessant complaining was a divisive force in our locker room in my opinion and the statements he made about the team made it real easy for me to forget all of the All-Pro play he has provided to us. The Jets overpaid for him big-time and I'm glad we stuck to our guns. Franchising him would have probably sent the guy into a tizzy, knowing that it would be one more year before he got a "fair market" offer in free agency. I don't worry about the money from a cap stand point because aside from a one-year franchise offer to Faneca, there is nowhere I can see it cost us in terms of another free agent acquisition or in future cap relief on Ben's contract.

Starks needs to pick it up or he's going to not only get a lot of splinters in his ass this year, but he's going to play himself out of the market as well.

[Steel Life]

Adding to what Akron said...I don't buy Max tanking it either. I just don't see the leaders of the team accepting it or letting it continue. For example, look at situations where guys have failed at the conditioning runs...Stephens & Hampton. In both cases a veteran leader ran with them & egged them on - with Stephens I think it was Lloyd & with Casey it was Ben. Regardless - you just don't do it to guys you know & have battled with.

Besides...what good does this do Max? Word would get out about if he was tanking & he would find the market very lukewarm. Doubt it?...Just look at the lineman Olivea's situation. He was dumped unceremoniously by the Chargers, lots people expected him to be hot commodity (including some Steeler fans), but he just languished waiting for someone to pick him up. When he finally does, then you find out that he had issues that weren't know by the public at large...including most of the media.

And as far as Alan was concerned - I'm not sure he would've been too pleased if the team slapped him with the franchise tag. He was already upset about the contract & the perceived slights from management, plus it's been made clear that he wasn't keen on listening to Zierline. So in the end I'm not sure that situation would've been any better really.

[calmkiller]

I love PFT. I think its funny how everyone here allows the Steelers' bias to show hate for PFT. Hes right more often then not and he just writes what he hears. Someone says something bad about the Steelers true or not everyone here automatically hates it.