UPDATE: Starks Signs His Deal...

[Steel Life]

T Starks signs Steelers' franchise deal - Updated: February 21, 2009, 4:25 PM ET

Though he was surprised to be tagged as the Pittsburgh Steelers' franchise player, tackle Max Starks wasted little time accepting his fate.

Starks signed a one-year, $8.45 million deal Saturday, locking him in for another season with the team. As a franchise player, Starks could have explored other opportunities. Any interested team would have had to offer two first-round picks or work out a trade with the Steelers.

By signing the franchise tender, Starks' entire salary is guaranteed for 2009.

Starks was transitioned by the Steelers from a reserve role last year but didn't open the season as a starter.

Back problems limited the playing time of starting left tackle Marvel Smith, which opened the door for Starks to start and eventually be the starting left tackle through the Super Bowl.
[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3924220"]http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3924220[/url]

Here's my question...by signing the one year deal, how does this affect the draft/fa plans?

[RuthlessBurgher]

Since no one was going to give up two first round picks for Max Starks, there was no point in him waiting to sign it, since no offers were going to be rolling in.

It affects free agency plans, because the franchise number takes the $19 million we had in cap space and reduces it to about $10.5 million. They likely won't be signing anyone from another team unless it is a minor deal. The focus will be on retaining as many of their own UFA's as possible and extending the contracts of guys like Harrison and Miller.

I don't think it affects draft plans. If a LT prospect becomes available to us, we will take him (although it is nice that we don't have to reach for one if the top guys are all off the board). Remember, Max hasn't signed a long term deal yet...so far it is just next season. If the two sides aren't able to work out an extension beyond this year, it would be good to have some young blood that could potentially step in in the future.

[ramblinjim]

Now if we are able to re-up Max, say after the draft to a long term deal, could we still save significant cap room this year?

[RuthlessBurgher]

Now if we are able to re-up Max, say after the draft to a long term deal, could we still save significant cap room this year?

They could structure the deal so the cap hit in year one is less than the $8.45 million franchise tag value.

[ramblinjim]

Now if we are able to re-up Max, say after the draft to a long term deal, could we still save significant cap room this year?

They could structure the deal so the cap hit in year one is less than the $8.45 million franchise tag value.

gotcha, thanks sir!

[Bandito]

[url="http://news.steelers.com/article/103670/"]http://news.steelers.com/article/103670/[/url]

Starks wants to stay put
Friday, February 20, 2009
By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

The Steelers did not want to enter free agency with both of their left tackles unrestricted, so on Thursday they placed the franchise tag on Max Starks.

Starks started the last 14 games this season, including the post-season, after Marvel Smith was sidelined with a back injury.

Putting the tag on Starks was the first step to keep him in the black and gold, something both sides want.

"He was a big part of our success last year and looking at the free-agent class, we felt this was one player we needed to keep," said director of football operations Kevin Colbert. "We thought it was the right thing to do at the time in free agency to make sure we secured an important player.

"We want to try and do something that is in the long-term interest of him and the team. That's everybody's intention. That's our intention."

Starks, a third round draft pick in 2004, has started 45 games in his first five seasons with the team.

Smith, who was eventually placed on injured reserve, will be an unrestricted free agent but the tag on Starks doesn’t rule out bringing Smith back.

"Will one signing affect the other? Yes," said Smith. "Does it mean he will be out? No. I hate to say securing one player should mean the end of another player, only because we don't know what will happen over the next three weeks of free agency."

With the franchise tag Starks would receive the average salary of the top five at his position. If he signs with another team, the Steelers would receive two number one draft picks in return.
Starks, though, wants to be back.

“That is what we are working on now, trying to work on something along those lines,” said Starks. “We are trying to work something out. We agreed on the franchise tag and are hoping to agree on something long term.”

Last year the Steelers placed the transition tag on Starks, even though he entered the season as a back-up. It paid dividends after he was moved into the starting lineup.

“With the injury to Marvel and Max stepping up and becoming the starting left tackle, we think he proved he can do that job,” said Colbert. “I think there is a difference between last year and this year."

Starks, who only started in four games in 2007 when Smith was injured, is hoping that he has proven himself with the role he played this season en route to the team winning Super Bowl XLIII.

“I thought I had a lot to offer this team,” said Starks. “I am glad I had an opportunity to help us get the sixth one. It meant a lot to me personally. You always wonder about yourself and how people think about you. To be able to go out there and help the Steelers organization, Mr. Rooney and the city of Pittsburgh get the sixth Lombardi was very important.”

[Iron Shiek]

http://news.steelers.com/article/103670/

Starks wants to stay put
Friday, February 20, 2009
By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

The Steelers did not want to enter free agency with both of their left tackles unrestricted, so on Thursday they placed the franchise tag on Max Starks.

Starks started the last 14 games this season, including the post-season, after Marvel Smith was sidelined with a back injury.

Putting the tag on Starks was the first step to keep him in the black and gold, something both sides want.

"He was a big part of our success last year and looking at the free-agent class, we felt this was one player we needed to keep," said director of football operations Kevin Colbert. "We thought it was the right thing to do at the time in free agency to make sure we secured an important player.

"We want to try and do something that is in the long-term interest of him and the team. That's everybody's intention. That's our intention."

Starks, a third round draft pick in 2004, has started 45 games in his first five seasons with the team.

Smith, who was eventually placed on injured reserve, will be an unrestricted free agent but the tag on Starks doesn’t rule out bringing Smith back.

"Will one signing affect the other? Yes," said Smith. "Does it mean he will be out? No. I hate to say securing one player should mean the end of another player, only because we don't know what will happen over the next three weeks of free agency."

With the franchise tag Starks would receive the average salary of the top five at his position. If he signs with another team, the Steelers would receive two number one draft picks in return.
Starks, though, wants to be back.

“That is what we are working on now, trying to work on something along those lines,” said Starks. “We are trying to work something out. We agreed on the franchise tag and are hoping to agree on something long term.”

Last year the Steelers placed the transition tag on Starks, even though he entered the season as a back-up. It paid dividends after he was moved into the starting lineup.

“With the injury to Marvel and Max stepping up and becoming the starting left tackle, we think he proved he can do that job,” said Colbert. “I think there is a difference between last year and this year."

Starks, who only started in four games in 2007 when Smith was injured, is hoping that he has proven himself with the role he played this season en route to the team winning Super Bowl XLIII.

“I thought I had a lot to offer this team,” said Starks. “I am glad I had an opportunity to help us get the sixth one. It meant a lot to me personally. You always wonder about yourself and how people think about you. To be able to go out there and help the Steelers organization, Mr. Rooney and the city of Pittsburgh get the sixth Lombardi was very important.”

We are backed into a corner in finding a stud LT prospect to develop in this draft if he doesn't sign long term. You know dude will get paid next year and will walk leaving a gaping hole at LT for us. Any LT Free Agents next year will not be in our budget (especially if the CBA isn't renewed and there is an uncapped year). We have got major dilemma brewing...too many other big names to sign...where would we find money for Starks next year when we have to pay Harrison, Heath, Woodley, etc...

[Bandito]

I'm afraid of that too which makes me think we may get Britton or Beatty in the 1st and a Center like Woods or Caldwell in the 2nd. 3rd will hopefully be a CB and WR.

Possibly get a sleeper tackle like Lydon Murtha or Andrew Gardner later in the draft.

[Lebsteel]

I'm afraid of that too which makes me think we may get Britton or Beatty in the 1st and a Center like Woods or Caldwell in the 2nd. 3rd will hopefully be a CB and WR.

Possibly get a sleeper tackle like Lydon Murtha or Andrew Gardner later in the draft.

Those guys would be OK, but, IMO we absolutely need to pick up a DL with one of our top four picks. I think we can get a good WR in Rd. 4 or 5.

[AngryAsian]

We are backed into a corner in finding a stud LT prospect to develop in this draft if he doesn't sign long term. You know dude will get paid next year and will walk leaving a gaping hole at LT for us. Any LT Free Agents next year will not be in our budget (especially if the CBA isn't renewed and there is an uncapped year). We have got major dilemma brewing...too many other big names to sign...where would we find money for Starks next year when we have to pay Harrison, Heath, Woodley, etc...

I'm not all that worried. I think a stud LT will be ours on day 1. Up until he filled in, and stayed as the starter, Max was all but written off by most. "A waste of the transition tag" from what I remember. The Max dealings over the last two seasons gives credibility in my eyes that Colbert and the FO knows what they're doing and have a plan. This team will be a strong contender once more in 2009. I personally want a Steeler/Cheats* AFCCG and want to exorcise our demons by retiring Brady permanently enroute to our 7th World Championship.