Max Starks prepared to part ways with Steelers

[B]Starks prepared to part ways with Steelers[/B]

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[B]Steelers offensive tackle Max Starks during practice on the South Side Sept. 5, 2012.[/B]

By Mark Kaboly
Published: Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Max Starks planned on spending a football-free weekend at Churchill Downs with his stylish tan fedora hat perched on top of his head and enjoying his first Kentucky Derby.

Well, the football-free part of the weekend didn't actually go as planned.

Starks had a “couple of conversations” over the weekend with a few NFL organizations, including a brief telephone conversation with the Steelers, and is anticipating getting a deal done with a team before organized team activities kick off around the league in two weeks.

One thing has become clear to Starks over the past couple days: He won't return for a 10th season with the Steelers.

When the Steelers added veteran tackle Guy Whimper on Monday, it signified the end of Starks' time with the Steelers, or that's how Starks viewed it.

“Let me say this, (Starks and the Steelers) had a conversation prior (to the Whimper signing), and that decision (to sign Whimper) was made after our conversation,” Starks said.

“Now it wasn't said directly to me, but you kind of take that as an indication of what they are thinking. It is not so much on my part as more of them wanting to move on.”

Unlike the two previous times the Steelers appeared to part ways with Starks — right before training camp in 2011 and again following the season that year — this one likely will stick for a couple of reasons.

• The Steelers are comfortable and feel the need to move forward with recent consecutive-year second-round picks Marcus Gilbert and Mike Adams at both tackle spots.

• Unlike years past, Starks isn't coming off an injury, making him a valuable commodity.

“(The Steelers) feel that age is the greatest indicator,” Starks said. “Of course, I don't believe that.”

The best-case scenario for the Steelers always was to sign Starks to provide depth and experience at a position where it is greatly needed.

After the starting five offensive linemen, the Steelers' 10 backups on the 90-man roster have 27 career starts with 22 of them coming from Whimper. Seven of the 10 backups are either rookies or first-year guys with all of them being undrafted.

At 31 and feeling “the best I've felt over the past five years,” Starks doesn't view himself as a backup.

“After playing 100 percent of the snaps the previous year, I don't think I am, at this point, ready to be a backup swing tackle guy just yet,” Starks said. “I have proven over the past couple years that I am still starter-capable.”

Starks started 96 games since being the third-round pick of the Steelers in 2004. Starks played all 1,086 offensive snaps last year —the only player on the team who did — despite coming off a torn ACL nine months prior.

“They want Marcus and Mike to start, and I understand that,” Starks said. “Anywhere I go, as long as I have the opportunity to compete for the starting job, I am happy. I don't want to come in and them say that I am just a backup for depth purposes. If you give me the opportunity to compete on an even basis, I am more than happy.”

Starks visited the Chargers on Wednesday, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Starks also didn't rule out coming back to the AFC North. With Cincinnati re-signing Andre Smith to go along with veteran Andrew Whitworth and Baltimore bringing back Bryant McKinnie to pair with Michael Oher, that leaves only Cleveland.

“There is a lot of interest out of there,” Starks said. “It is definitely heating up.”

[URL]http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/3972378-74/starks-steelers-team#ixzz2SoD8SrvU[/URL]

[QUOTE]Starks doesn't view himself as a backup.[/QUOTE]

That's it right there. The Steelers want to start their recent 2nd round tackles, so they were likely only offering Starks backup money as insurance in case Adams or Gilbert fail (or get hurt). Starks likely wanted to make starter money once again (after having to settle for minimum deals the last two season because he was coming off injury). I think Starks was more consistent than either Adams or Gilbert, but perhaps he doesn't fit our new zone blocking scheme as well as he fit in our former scheme (then again, I think the same applies to Gilbert). Whimper offers similar veteran experience, but he was willing to sign for backup money to be the gameday swing backup tackle, and his body type might be better suited to our new scheme anyway.

[QUOTE=RuthlessBurgher;563020]That's it right there. The Steelers want to start their recent 2nd round tackles, so they were likely only offering Starks backup money as insurance in case Adams or Gilbert fail (or get hurt). Starks likely wanted to make starter money once again (after having to settle for minimum deals the last two season because he was coming off injury). I think Starks was more consistent than either Adams or Gilbert, but perhaps he doesn't fit our new zone blocking scheme as well as he fit in our former scheme (then again, I think the same applies to Gilbert). Whimper offers similar veteran experience, but he was willing to sign for backup money to be the gameday swing backup tackle, and his body type might be better suited to our new scheme anyway.[/QUOTE]

The Steelers wanted Willie Colon to take over for Max a few years back and that didn't work out either. Something is totally lacking in our ability to evaluate/develop OLinemen for some reason. We've been a bit of a mess upfront ever since Wayne Gandy left. A good LT can really help solidify everything. And I just don't get the Steelers' position here. They talk openly about not handing players a job and saying they have to earn it.

I have not seen Gilby or Adams earn the LT spot. For some reason, I think Tomlin just flat out hates Max. There's more to this.

"but perhaps he doesn't fit our new zone blocking scheme as well as he fit in our former scheme (then again, I think the same applies to Gilbert). " You guys really need to forget about this 'new' scheme and all these big differences . It won't be all that much different than what they've been running in the past. Maybe some new terminology, but Haley's offense was put in last year. All teams run combos zone and man anyways. Always did, always will. You'll still see this team pull thier guards, etc. in certain formations, etc. I'd like to see Pouncey utilized in more center pulls, frankly. Not to mention utilization of a FB. Like I was saying in another thread, zone blocking is so easy a 'caveman can do it'. Starks, Gilbert, whomever, can play in whatever setting they are put in...no big deal.

I have no problems with Gilbert playing LT and Adams playing RT.... gotta move on and let the younger guys play...

Out with the old and it with the new...
Havn't we been frowning on the organization,holding on to older players too long?

[B]Max Starks visiting tackle-needy San Diego Chargers[/B]

By Chris Wesseling
Around the League Writer
Updated: May 9, 2013

The San Diego Chargers are getting desperate in their search for a veteran left tackle after their strong push for Bryant McKinnie came up short.

Free agent Max Starks is visiting the Chargers on Wednesday, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports.

Starks has started 51 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers over the past four seasons, but the Chargers showed no interest in bringing him back after he struggled both as a pass-blocker and run-blocker in 2012.

This is the first NFL team we've seen connected to Starks since the start of free agency, which suggests weight issues, injury concerns and a few lost steps have scared potential suitors off the 31-year-old's trail.

Should Starks land with the Chargers, he likely would battle King Dunlap for the starting left tackle job, with first-round rookie D.J. Fluker on the right side.

Although Starks clearly is on the downside of his career, the Bolts have the worst left-tackle situation in the NFL. Kudos to his agent for finding the right match.

[URL]http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000167994/article/max-starks-visiting-with-tackleneedy-san-diego-chargers[/URL]

[QUOTE=Chris Wesseling]but the [B]Chargers [/B]showed no interest in bringing him back after he struggled both as a pass-blocker and run-blocker in 2012.[/QUOTE]
sometimes i wonder who these editors are...

[QUOTE=RuthlessBurgher;563020]That's it right there. The Steelers want to start their recent 2nd round tackles, so they were likely only offering Starks backup money as insurance in case Adams or Gilbert fail (or get hurt). Starks likely wanted to make starter money once again (after having to settle for minimum deals the last two season because he was coming off injury). I think Starks was more consistent than either Adams or Gilbert, but perhaps he doesn't fit our new zone blocking scheme as well as he fit in our former scheme (then again, I think the same applies to Gilbert). Whimper offers similar veteran experience, but he was willing to sign for backup money to be the gameday swing backup tackle, and his body type might be better suited to our new scheme anyway.[/QUOTE]

All Starks wanted was a chance to compete. Even if you think his quote should be translated to mean that he wants starter money; all the Steelers would have to do is offer an incentive-laden deal (NLTBE)...and that chance to compete. It makes no sense do anything but that. Regardless of the blocking scheme or what they need to ask their tackles to do, Starks has proven to be a model teammate, dependable, resilient, and more than serviceable at the position.

How could you not want him competing with the guy you want to take over the LT?
How could they think that it's acceptable on any level to just hand Gilbert (or Adams) the job?

If Starks loses the starting job, then we have ourselves a quality, experienced backup. If he somehow holds-off Gilbert, then it tells us that Max is better than they gave him credit for or Gilbert ain't as ready to start at LT. Either way, the team wins.

As far as Starks vs. Whimper...I dare anyone to make the argument that the latter's tape is on any level better than the former's. Whimper was by all accounts a far worse tackle than Starks. Remind you that comparison is with Starks playing on the left, while Whimper has only played on the right. He is not a swing tackle and apparently has no body of evidence to suggest he can fill that role. Starks has started a Super Bowl on each side.

Then there's the name. How can we allow the name Whimper to be stitched on the back of a Steelers jersey. It just ain't right.

This just makes no sense on any level. I agree with Flip...there is more to this than meets the eye.

[QUOTE=Flasteel;563053]All Starks wanted was a chance to compete. Even if you think his quote should be translated to mean that he wants starter money; all the Steelers would have to do is offer an incentive-laden deal (NLTBE)...and that chance to compete. It makes no sense do anything but that. Regardless of the blocking scheme or what they need to ask their tackles to do, Starks has proven to be a model teammate, dependable, resilient, and more than serviceable at the position.

How could you not want him competing with the guy you want to take over the LT?
How could they think that it's acceptable on any level to just hand Gilbert (or Adams) the job?

If Starks loses the starting job, then we have ourselves a quality, experienced backup. If he somehow holds-off Gilbert, then it tells us that Max is better than they gave him credit for or Gilbert ain't as ready to start at LT. Either way, the team wins.

As far as Starks vs. Whimper...I dare anyone to make the argument that the latter's tape is on any level better than the former's. Whimper was by all accounts a far worse tackle than Starks. Remind you that comparison is with Starks playing on the left, while Whimper has only played on the right. He is not a swing tackle and apparently has no body of evidence to suggest he can fill that role. Starks has started a Super Bowl on each side.

Then there's the name. How can we allow the name Whimper to be stitched on the back of a Steelers jersey. It just ain't right.

This just makes no sense on any level. I agree with Flip...there is more to this than meets the eye.[/QUOTE]

I agree 100%, it's not like the Steelers are jettisoning veterans right and left, Harrison and now Starks and probably Hampton. The Steelers are still going to be old in general. If for no other reason you try and bring him back because Ben trusts him, well, now that I think about it, maybe that's why they aren't bringing him back.

Pappy

It's way more fun to speculate that there has to be some conspiracy instead of the simple solution: Max just doesn't fit what they want to do on offense this year...

I'm afraid that Max's pass blocking will be sorely missed...Since I expect that we'll be in a lot of third-down passing situations again, that could be huge.

I don't see the Steelers handing anyone a job and signing Starks would push Adams & Gilbert. It would be an open competition. Maybe I am looking at it the wrong way. Maybe Starks doesn't think he could hold them off and will serve as a back-up.

[QUOTE=JUST-PLAIN-NASTY;563085]I don't see the Steelers handing anyone a job and signing Starks would push Adams & Gilbert. It would be an open competition. Maybe I am looking at it the wrong way. Maybe Starks doesn't think he could hold them off and will serve as a back-up.[/QUOTE]

Perhaps Starks does not want an open competition and wants to be paid as a starter?

[QUOTE=Slapstick;563086]Perhaps Starks does not want an open competition and wants to be paid as a starter?[/QUOTE]

Well if he wants to be handed a starting job and handed starting money he could go elsewhere. Loyalty only goes so far. Starks has been pretty solid for the Steelers but when the guys hit the field the gap will not exist anymore. I would love to have him here but I personally feel Gilbert & Adams will pass him on the depth chart even if he is here. By saying "passing him" I mean by their play. If he is ok with that and willing to dress game days as the swing tackle....I will be the first to slide over and make room for him on this ride.

[B]Max Starks still in mix for Chargers[/B]

By Michael Gehlken MAY 10, 2013

[IMG]http://media.utsandiego.com/img/photos/2013/05/10/AP1007300514791_r620x349.jpg?75d51d0aea2efce5189afce216053cbc530c46a8[/IMG]

[B]Free agent Max Starks projects as the Chargers' starting left tackle if he is to join the team. — AP[/B]

Max Starks is out of town but not out of mind.

The free agent left tackle had what people familiar with the situation have described as a positive Wednesday visit with the Chargers. Although no deal had been reached as of Friday morning, Starks is still considered in the mix for San Diego.

In 2012, the 31-year-old started all 16 games at left tackle for the Steelers.

He projects as the Chargers' starting left tackle if he was to join the team.

King Dunlap, 27, is the top option on the current roster. Added competition would be nothing to irk Dunlap, a source close to the veteran said this week, as the former Eagle was not promised anything upon signing a two-year contract in March.

Regardless of what may occur with Starks, the Chargers figure to have more experience at left tackle this year than last. Michael Harris, as an undrafted rookie, and Kevin Haslam combined for 12 left-tackle starts in 2012. They previously had four offensive snaps of NFL regular-season experience between them.

Both remain on the roster after taking a combined 896 reps at left and right tackle in 2012.

Starks spent the first nine seasons of his career in Pittsburgh, starting 96 of the 123 games in which he was active.

[URL]http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/may/10/chargers-max-starks-left-tackle-steelers/[/URL]

why do the steelers hate max so bad. there's no durability on the line outside of max and foster and i think the later is playing out of position. at the end of the day, we still have a makeshift line with 4 RTs (Adams, Gilby, Foster, and Beachum), 1 G in DD, and 1 C/G in Pouncey. No matter what you do with the remaining pieces, it's gonna take time for this line because everything is in flux and most guys are gonna end up out of their natural positions.

[QUOTE=flippy;563155]why do the steelers hate max so bad. there's no durability on the line outside of max and foster and i think the later is playing out of position. at the end of the day, we still have a makeshift line with 4 RTs (Adams, Gilby, Foster, and Beachum), 1 G in DD, and 1 C/G in Pouncey. No matter what you do with the remaining pieces, it's gonna take time for this line because everything is in flux and most guys are gonna end up out of their natural positions.[/QUOTE]


+1...Currently we have unproven young players and a free agent that gave up the most sacks in the league last year. I dont want to hear that Starks cant move fast enough to run block in the new scheme. The Steelers will not be successful without Big Ben and right now I am not very confident that the OL can protect him enough to last the entire season...

We have huge question marks at the most important position on the OL....

I am hoping that Adams gets it together this year and fast. I dont even want to think about Gilbert playing the LT position....If he gets rag-dolled again this year and hurts another Steeler player he should be on the bench permanently.

If we resigned Starks, he would still be the best LT on the team....

Hopefully the young guys can get it done...if not, it will be another long and painful season.

Great posts flippy and steelfin.

I just hate the we let go a solid left tacle in Max... a guy who gave up something like 3 sacks last year... and signed a guy who gave up the most sacks in the league when he started in 2011.

This is yet another one of those FO moves that has makes no sense. I don't care if the Whimper is familiar with the steeler's blocking scheme. It's obvious the guy is terrible in pass protection...

if the injury situation plays out like it has the last few years... this dude is golng to be on the field early and often. Not a great way to protect our number 1 weapon (BB)

And if the injury situation doesn't play out, life will be good...

Max was able to stay healthy last year, but finished 2010 and 2011 on IR...hopefully, that good luck can be experienced by the guys now on the roster....

I find it funny that the complaints about Max are that he is not a good enough run blocker. That applies to most LTs because that is not their focus and not the reason that they are the highest paid players on the line. I am not willing to give up a little bit of pass blocking ability in order to get much more run blocking. LT generally plays across from the team's best pass rusher, not their best run stuffer. There is a reason for that.

The LT has one main focus, everything else is gravy.

[QUOTE=Big Ern McCracken;563162]Great posts flippy and steelfin.

I just hate the we let go a solid left tacle in Max... a guy who gave up something like 3 sacks last year... and signed a guy who gave up the most sacks in the league when he started in 2011.

This is yet another one of those FO moves that has makes no sense. I don't care if the Whimper is familiar with the steeler's blocking scheme. It's obvious the guy is terrible in pass protection...

if the injury situation plays out like it has the last few years... this dude is golng to be on the field early and often. Not a great way to protect our number 1 weapon (BB)[/QUOTE]



[COLOR=#00ff00]Great post on your part, too, Big Ern. Max is still a better option than what we have on the roster.

PS: Flippy don't do no bad posts, mostly.[/COLOR] ;)

Max Starks visiting Cardinals today

Posted by Darin Gantt on May 14, 2013, 11:07 AM EDT


As one of the few available offensive tackles who has the experience and ability to play on the left, Max Starks still has something of a market.

According to Josina Anderson of ESPN, the free agent tackle is visiting with the Cardinals today, and taking a physical.

He’s previously checked in with the tackle-needy Chargers, where he’d likely walk in the door as the starter, since no one seems to think King Dunlap’s capable of holding that job.

In Arizona, they’re hoping the return of left tackle Levi Brown stabilizes things, after they drafted guard Jonathan Cooper in the first round. But it’s not as if the Cardinals don’t need more help up front, even if Bobby Massie continues to progress at right tackle.



[URL="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/14/max-starks-visiting-cardinals-today/"]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/14/max-starks-visiting-cardinals-today/[/URL]

Everyone keeps talking about the changing scheme....

In 2014, I'm sure the steelers will want their Left Tackle to do what every other team wants their left tackles to do... and that is to protect the quarterback's blindside first and foremost. Max did a solid job with that last year, allowing only a few sacks all year. I'd be willing to bet the farm that the Steelers will not get that kind of production at the left tackle spot this year.

I'd be willing to bet ya. I have the faith that the young Tackles will be just fine.

It's a deal lol... if the young tackles give up 3 or less sacks this year... you win!

If Max is so great, then why is he still looking for a job?

Max wasn't the difference between going to the playoffs and staying home last year...nor was he the difference between Ben being injured and staying healthy....

[QUOTE=Slapstick;563344]If Max is so great, then why is he still looking for a job?

Max wasn't the difference between going to the playoffs and staying home last year...nor was he the difference between Ben being injured and staying healthy....[/QUOTE]


It's not that he's that great. It's that he's been better than the next man up on the Steelers roster. How many years did we keep bringing him back?

[QUOTE=Eich;563357]It's not that he's that great. It's that he's been better than the next man up on the Steelers roster. How many years did we keep bringing him back?[/QUOTE]

That may no longer be the case...

and it just might be the case that he is not on the market much longer. The fact that he remains unsigned doesn't say much... There are quite a few unsigned free agents on the market right now that would be definite upgrades on our roster...

and to add to what Ike said, it's not that he's a great player...but he has been the best tackle on the squad for the last two years... as well as the best lineman overall.

[QUOTE=Big Ern McCracken;563369] but he has been the best tackle on the squad for the last two years... as well as the best lineman overall.[/QUOTE]

Max has been fine, I agree with that, but Pouncey has been better than him overall.

Im afraid we are comparing apples to oranges here...

we don't have a 16 game season from Pouncey during the last two seasons to make that assessment.

[QUOTE=Big Ern McCracken;563379]Im afraid we are comparing apples to oranges here...

we don't have a 16 game season from Pouncey during the last two seasons to make that assessment.[/QUOTE]

Well, the comment was about the best offensive lineman on the team, not the healthiest. Pouncey is simply a better player than Max ever was.

Who's comment are we talking about? If we are talking about mine.. I said Max was the best OL the last two seasons. If we look at on the field production... it's hard to dispute that. Is Pouncey a better player "When healthy"? I would tend to agree.

[QUOTE=Big Ern McCracken;563390]Who's comment are we talking about? If we are talking about mine.. I said Max was the best OL the last two seasons. If we look at on the field production... it's hard to dispute that. Is Pouncey a better player "When healthy"? I would tend to agree.[/QUOTE]


I think Pouncey has regressed since his rookie season and Max was definately the best lineman on the team in 2011. I thought he should have been the team MVP that year picking up for the failed Jon Scott experiment.

[QUOTE=Big Ern McCracken;563379]Im afraid we are comparing apples to oranges here...

we don't have a 16 game season from Pouncey during the last two seasons to make that assessment.[/QUOTE]

If you can't make an assessment on how good Pouncey has been because he only has played a 16 game season once in his 3 year career, then we must have no idea whatsoever how good Ben is, since he has only played a 16 games season once in his 9 year career. ;)

[QUOTE=ikestops85;563411]I think Pouncey has regressed since his rookie season and Max was definately the best lineman on the team in 2011. I thought he should have been the team MVP that year picking up for the failed Jon Scott experiment.[/QUOTE]

I do remember Pouncey making the pro bowl the year the Steelers made the superbowl... yet missed half the year.. kinda like Troy has done in the past.

[QUOTE=RuthlessBurgher;563418]If you can't make an assessment on how good Pouncey has been because he only has played a 16 game season once in his 3 year career, then we must have no idea whatsoever how good Ben is, since he has only played a 16 games season once in his 9 year career. ;)[/QUOTE]

lol.... apples and oranges again Ruth.. who are we comparing ben to?

[QUOTE=Big Ern McCracken;563436]lol.... apples and oranges again Ruth.. who are we comparing ben to?[/QUOTE]

Other football players.

[QUOTE=Slapstick;563441]Other football players.[/QUOTE]

Where did you see that in Ruth's post? I didn't see a comparison between Ben and other QB's. Maybe I missed something.