Everyone whining about Starks

[BigRob]

Why are we obsessed with a very mediocre Tackle? Lets just state it plainly. HE CAN'T MOVE IN SPACE.

The OC and the new OL coach must have athletic lineman that can move in space. Is it really a surprise then that Starks is not being re-signed?

The biggest weakness to his game is run blocking because it requires him to move in space. He literally can't do this.

http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12764447/20130110_mje_se2_1037.0_standard_709.0.jpg

He can pass protect in a decent manner because of the planet theory. The guy is freaking huge. He's got really long arms. Guys can't bull rush him and so they try to outrun him. It works sometimes.

I'm not saying Gilbert and Adams are great Tackles. But they fit the athletic mold the OC and OL coach like. Lets give em a chance.

But no one ever questions why he is unsigned although healthy and has a lot of starting experience. Other teams don't value him either.

[TD386Steel]

I've always thought that Max was a solid starter, not great but good enough. I think it's weird that teams haven't shown interest in him. He's definitely a good backup and insurance against any problems with Gilbert and Adams. I still think that the Steelers will sign him at a later date.

[Chucktownsteeler]

I think Max a solid starter as well. Plus, he's the only O-Lineman that can stay healthy. With the signing of Guy Whimper today, it appears maybe the brass isn't sold on Gilbert yet.

[ikestops85]

Why are we obsessed with a very mediocre Tackle? Lets just state it plainly. HE CAN'T MOVE IN SPACE.

The OC and the new OL coach must have athletic lineman that can move in space. Is it really a surprise then that Starks is not being re-signed?

The biggest weakness to his game is run blocking because it requires him to move in space. He literally can't do this.

http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12764447/20130110_mje_se2_1037.0_standard_709.0.jpg

He can pass protect in a decent manner because of the planet theory. The guy is freaking huge. He's got really long arms. Guys can't bull rush him and so they try to outrun him. It works sometimes.

I'm not saying Gilbert and Adams are great Tackles. But they fit the athletic mold the OC and OL coach like. Lets give em a chance.

But no one ever questions why he is unsigned although healthy and has a lot of starting experience. Other teams don't value him either.

Well I'm going to disagree with you. Starks would be a great depth signing. He has been a solid pass blocker and I think you undervalue his run blocking. The problem we have in the run game is poor blocking from the middle of the line ... not really at the tackle spot. I don't think anybody on here was saying sign Max and start him. I think they were like me and if Gilbert or Adams can't handle the LT spot you have someone decent to put in the lineup.

I don't know anything about this Whimper guy but since we signed him I hope he turns into the next Anthony Munoz.

[BigRob]

Well I'm going to disagree with you. Starks would be a great depth signing. He has been a solid pass blocker and I think you undervalue his run blocking. The problem we have in the run game is poor blocking from the middle of the line ... not really at the tackle spot. I don't think anybody on here was saying sign Max and start him. I think they were like me and if Gilbert or Adams can't handle the LT spot you have someone decent to put in the lineup.

I don't know anything about this Whimper guy but since we signed him I hope he turns into the next Anthony Munoz.

Everyone also assumes that Max will come back to be a back-up. Perhaps for him it is start somewhere or play nowhere.

Just tired of celebrated mediocrity on the line. This is probably once again the biggest failure of the FO this year.

[feltdizz]

Gilbert stanks...

[Eddie Spaghetti]

pretty telling that max can't even get a visit, that I'm aware of. Though I do believe he has been tremendously undervalued by the coaching staff. He saved their ass 2 years ago.

I have some hope for gilbert, but I think its a long shot for him to be even a serviceable LT. I believe adams has a better shot to step into that role.

[phillyesq]

BigRob, your description of Starks sounds very similar to Fluker, the 11th overall pick in the draft this year. Starks is far from an elite OT, but you can do a lot worse. And we're one vaginal bruise to Gilbert away from seeing what "worse" can look like. Hopefully Whimper is better than Scott at LT. If not, it could be a very long season for the Steelers and a very short season for Ben.

[BigRob]

BigRob, your description of Starks sounds very similar to Fluker, the 11th overall pick in the draft this year. Starks is far from an elite OT, but you can do a lot worse. And we're one vaginal bruise to Gilbert away from seeing what "worse" can look like. Hopefully Whimper is better than Scott at LT. If not, it could be a very long season for the Steelers and a very short season for Ben.

Starks ability to run block is nothing like Flukers'. That man could maul a bear.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

honestly, I'm not overly concerned about my LT run blocking.

that's not what he's paid for.

[Big Ern McCracken]

honestly, I'm not overly concerned about my LT run blocking.

that's not what he's paid for.

Exactly. Max did a solid job of keeping Ben upright...which is a hell of an accomplishment given Ben's tendency to hold on to the ball.

[BigRob]

honestly, I'm not overly concerned about my LT run blocking.

that's not what he's paid for.

Its hilarious how used crappy play we've become on this o-line, when Max Starks is getting so much praise. He ranks about 15th out of 32 starters in the league.

While your LT isn't going to be the best run blocker, he should at least be good at pass blocking. Max is slightly mediocre at best. Not losing sleep over his loss.

Especially when no one else wants him.

[Big Ern McCracken]

15 out of 32 puts him slightly above average. I can certainly handle that given what he has signed for the last two years. Lots of tackles rated below him that are getting alot bigger money than he was.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

where is he being overly praised? People are merely saying he has performed reasonably well, and for the last 2 years, well above the size checks he was cashing.

get off your soapbox.

[flippy]

This team needs character in the lockerroom and Max is one of the nicest guys on the team. Why not have him as a backup or starter if other guys arent ready?

[papillon]

This team needs character in the lockerroom and Max is one of the nicest guys on the team. Why not have him as a backup or starter if other guys arent ready?

Not to mention that Ben and him are good friends and Ben trusts him, that's big right there.

Pappy

[LordVile]

where is he being overly praised? People are merely saying he has performed reasonably well, and for the last 2 years, well above the size checks he was cashing.

get off your soapbox.


Agreed.. no one is saying max belongs in the PRO BOWL. merely, that he is serviceable in case Gilbert cannot get the job done and is inexpensive..

[Shoe]

where is he being overly praised? People are merely saying he has performed reasonably well, and for the last 2 years, well above the size checks he was cashing.

get off your soapbox.

I get the sense too, because you have to admit that people are making him out to be something of a priority.

He's not. Nobody is interested in the guy, which is why he's always available come training camp.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I simply don't understand why the team won't get Max signed to a 2-3 year deal and plan on keeping him as a backup.

Is he a great starter? NO
Is he a great plan B? Well, pretty sure he started all 3 super bowls this bunch has played in...

And he's certainly better than the scrub they just signed...

[phillyesq]

I simply don't understand why the team won't get Max signed to a 2-3 year deal and plan on keeping him as a backup.

Is he a great starter? NO
Is he a great plan B? Well, pretty sure he started all 3 super bowls this bunch has played in...

And he's certainly better than the scrub they just signed...

Starks probably has no interest in signing a deal as a backup.

He can probably see the writing on the wall, but the only way I could have seen interest from his side was if the Steelers declared it a competition at LT.

[BigRob]

where is he being overly praised? People are merely saying he has performed reasonably well, and for the last 2 years, well above the size checks he was cashing.

get off your soapbox.

Again, listen to what your saying. I don't believe he has performed reasonably well compared to the rest of the NFL. He has played reasonably well only in comparison to the crap thrown out there with him.

[BigRob]

This team needs character in the lockerroom and Max is one of the nicest guys on the team. Why not have him as a backup or starter if other guys arent ready?

Maybe the guy doesn't want to be a back-up. It takes two to tango.

[flippy]

Maybe the guy doesn't want to be a back-up. It takes two to tango.

I suspect that's the truth. The Steelers want to move on with Gilby at LT and they likely want Max as a backup and he's not interested. The thing is, he'd be the perfect backup to help the young guys a la Charlie Batch on the sideline.

I think we felt losing Hines and Potsy the past offseason. This year, we're gonna miss Max, Casey, and Charlie just as much and I'm not sure anyone realizes it yet.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Starks probably has no interest in signing a deal as a backup.

He can probably see the writing on the wall, but the only way I could have seen interest from his side was if the Steelers declared it a competition at LT.

you say "probably" as if you know...

I say starks PROBABLY would rather be employed than unemployed...

;-)

[flippy]

you say "probably" as if you know...

I say starks PROBABLY would rather be employed than unemployed...

;-)

maybe he just doesn't want to go through training camp. although i think he got in better shape working out on his own in AZ.

[steelblood]

Why are we obsessed with a very mediocre Tackle? Lets just state it plainly. HE CAN'T MOVE IN SPACE.

The OC and the new OL coach must have athletic lineman that can move in space. Is it really a surprise then that Starks is not being re-signed?

The biggest weakness to his game is run blocking because it requires him to move in space. He literally can't do this.

http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12764447/20130110_mje_se2_1037.0_standard_709.0.jpg

He can pass protect in a decent manner because of the planet theory. The guy is freaking huge. He's got really long arms. Guys can't bull rush him and so they try to outrun him. It works sometimes.

I'm not saying Gilbert and Adams are great Tackles. But they fit the athletic mold the OC and OL coach like. Lets give em a chance.

But no one ever questions why he is unsigned although healthy and has a lot of starting experience. Other teams don't value him either.

I don't care how he does it, I want my LT to protect my QB. I don't care if Adams or Gilbert beats him out, but I like having Starks on the roster because he can protect the QB. He'd be a valuable backup at worst. Guy Whimper is a terrible pickup. In the only season he started every game, he was a league leader in sacks given up. Starks is very smart and plays hard. He has only had a few poor games in the last few years. Signing Starks for about 1 to 1.5 million would be a very good investment. Whimper may pan out, but given his history, I doubt it.

[BigRob]

I don't care how he does it, I want my LT to protect my QB. I don't care if Adams or Gilbert beats him out, but I like having Starks on the roster because he can protect the QB. He'd be a valuable backup at worst. Guy Whimper is a terrible pickup. In the only season he started every game, he was a league leader in sacks given up. Starks is very smart and plays hard. He has only had a few poor games in the last few years. Signing Starks for about 1 to 1.5 million would be a very good investment. Whimper may pan out, but given his history, I doubt it.

Pretty sure Guy Whimper received no guaranteed money. I'm also pretty sure he's just a body to be used for OTAs and Training Camp. He will be cut before the season starts if someone else shows they are more capable.

This doesn't preclude another signing after June 1st. And no, I don't think its Max Starks.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I don't care how he does it, I want my LT to protect my QB. I don't care if Adams or Gilbert beats him out, but I like having Starks on the roster because he can protect the QB. He'd be a valuable backup at worst. Guy Whimper is a terrible pickup. In the only season he started every game, he was a league leader in sacks given up. Starks is very smart and plays hard. He has only had a few poor games in the last few years. Signing Starks for about 1 to 1.5 million would be a very good investment. Whimper may pan out, but given his history, I doubt it.


:tt2:tt2:tt2:tt2:tt2:tt2:tt2

(besides, I'm pretty sure Rob started this cuz he thought the "planet" line was cool - said it in back to back posts - lol)

Rob, just messing with ya bro!

[DukieBoy]

Max > Gilbert

Max$ < Gilbert$ ???