Max Starks according to Sirius today

[Shawn]

That's good news. Adams needs a couple seasons to develop. I anticipate a nightmare on the left side if Starks isn't healthy.

[Discipline of Steel]

It would be nice to know Adams Wunderlic score but alas, that is not to be the case.

[URL]http://www.footballnation.com/content/roger-goodell-leak-wonderlic-results-feel-my-wrath/14236/[/URL]

Roger Goodell: Leak Wonderlic Results; Feel my Wrath

Roger Goodell has warned all 32 teams around the league that if Wonderlic test results are leaked, they will face significant discipline.


The Wonderlic test, is a timed test that is used to determine the "IQ" of an indivdual player, or measure their overall cognitive ability. The individual taking the test has 12 minutes to answer 50 questions of various subjects. The Wonderlic test itself is generally associated with the NFL since the 1970s, but it is also a common test for employers around the country for screening job applicants during the pre-interview process.

Some argue that the Wonderlic test is an unnecessary and outdated test for college players who are entering the Draft or are invited to participate at the NFL Combine. Most players likely score low on their first attempt and usually take it a second time. There is no such thing as a pass or fail on a Wonderlic test, but the closest score to 50 means that particular person is theoretically smart. An average Wonderlic score usually measures around 22.

Interestingly enough, the highest Wonderlic scores are among players who are tied with mediocrity and have only had average NFL careers if not below average. Ryan Fitzpatrick scored a near perfect 48, while players such as Drew Brees and Peyton Manning both scored a 28. Even Dan Marino scored only a 16 on his first try, while still going on to be an NFL Hall of Famer.

Based on the Wonderlic, does that mean that Ryan Fitzpatrick is a better football mind than Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and even Dan Marino? Some teams and scouts value Wonderlic scores highly, but what if Peyton Manning would have scored a 10 or lower? Does that mean he should go in the 5th round of the NFL Draft?

If Roger Goodell wants to fine teams for leaking such information to the public, then fine. The public has the right to know Wonderlic scores associated with their favorite players just as they have the right to know how fast a certain player runs the 40-yard dash. This is just another wave of uneccesary threats that the commissoner uses to throw his weight and authority around the league.

[hawaiiansteel]

Former Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Tackle Max Starks is Healthly, Could Again Add Stability to Offensive Line

Submitted by Syndicated sources on July 4, 2012

For Pittsburgh Steelers fans, these past few weeks have been crawling along at a snail's pace as the team prepares for training camp. While there has been some tidbits dropped on the Mike Wallace situation and there have been a couple of small transactions, no sweeping news has truly become known. Although, if fans can read between some lines and look closely at social media outlets such as twitter, they may expect to see a roster move shortly. At the end of last week on twitter, veteran offensive tackle (and Ben Roethlisberger favorite) Max Starks announced he was working on pass protection and felt he was near 100 percent. Something that should ring as music to the ears of Steelers fans across Steeler Nation.

Last season, Starks was instrumental in stabilizing the offensive line once he returned to the team. In fact, one can argue that without him, the Steelers would not have made it to the playoffs in 2011. Unfortunately, his season (like the Steelers) came to a painful end in Denver during the playoffs when he tore his ACL. Yes, Starks is not the greatest offensive tackle, but honestly, he is potentially a better option than veteran Trai Essex or rookie Mike Adams in the starting line up, especially if he can transition back to right tackle where he started his career after being a third round selection from Florida.

For us at Steelers 101, we have been talking about the team signing Starks and releasing veteran Jonathan Scott since early May when we did our offensive line preview and with the news of Starks returning to the practice field, it seems like that is a possibility. In addition, according to our calculations, the Steelers currently have one open roster spot after releasing quarterback Troy Smith and linebacker Brandon Lindsey.

[URL]http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/former_pittsburgh_steelers_offensive_tackle_max_st arks_is_healthly_could_again_add_stability_to_offe nsive_line/11154146[/URL]

[Oviedo]

Former Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Tackle Max Starks is Healthly, Could Again Add Stability to Offensive Line

Submitted by Syndicated sources on July 4, 2012

For Pittsburgh Steelers fans, these past few weeks have been crawling along at a snail's pace as the team prepares for training camp. While there has been some tidbits dropped on the Mike Wallace situation and there have been a couple of small transactions, no sweeping news has truly become known. Although, if fans can read between some lines and look closely at social media outlets such as twitter, they may expect to see a roster move shortly. At the end of last week on twitter, veteran offensive tackle (and Ben Roethlisberger favorite) Max Starks announced he was working on pass protection and felt he was near 100 percent. Something that should ring as music to the ears of Steelers fans across Steeler Nation.

Last season, Starks was instrumental in stabilizing the offensive line once he returned to the team. In fact, one can argue that without him, the Steelers would not have made it to the playoffs in 2011. Unfortunately, his season (like the Steelers) came to a painful end in Denver during the playoffs when he tore his ACL. Yes, Starks is not the greatest offensive tackle, but honestly, he is potentially a better option than veteran Trai Essex or rookie Mike Adams in the starting line up, especially if he can transition back to right tackle where he started his career after being a third round selection from Florida.

For us at Steelers 101, we have been talking about the team signing Starks and releasing veteran Jonathan Scott since early May when we did our offensive line preview and with the news of Starks returning to the practice field, it seems like that is a possibility. In addition, according to our calculations, the Steelers currently have one open roster spot after releasing quarterback Troy Smith and linebacker Brandon Lindsey.

[URL]http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/former_pittsburgh_steelers_offensive_tackle_max_st arks_is_healthly_could_again_add_stability_to_offe nsive_line/11154146[/URL]

I hope that they do sign him. He would be a great mentor for Adams both on the field and how to be a class act as a member of the team.

[phillyesq]

I hope that they do sign him. He would be a great mentor for Adams both on the field and how to be a class act as a member of the team.

Completely agree. Starks would also do a lot more to push Adams than Scott/Essex, and I'd rather not have to reshuffle Colon and Gilbert and insert Foster if Adams isn't ready.

[ikestops85]

I hope that they do sign him. He would be a great mentor for Adams both on the field and how to be a class act as a member of the team.

I agree O. Up until the San Fran game I thought Max was the team MVP. He is a great asset and someone who could push Adams into becoming a player whose play matches his ability. If it takes awhile for Adams to 'get it' I'm very comfortable with Starks starting at LT.

[Oviedo]

I agree O. Up until the San Fran game I thought Max was the team MVP. He is a great asset and someone who could push Adams into becoming a player whose play matches his ability. If it takes awhile for Adams to 'get it' I'm very comfortable with Starks starting at LT.

I don't even hold the SF game against him. Everyone sucked against Aldon Smith last year and Ben couldn't help with his injury.

There is another Overrated and Underrated thread. If Starks was on the team he would have been my clear choice for underrated. Much better than he has ever been given credit for.

[hawaiiansteel]

Why the Steelers Should Bring Back Max Starks

Jul 4th, 2012 by DomSteelers



I was a bit taken aback when I read a post by Josh Alper last week on Pro Football Talk which read: “Max Starks nearing 100 percent, still no spot for him with Steelers.” In the post, Alper discussed how Starks’ rehab coming off of his torn ACL has gone quite well, and that Starks said he is nearing 100%. Unfortunately for Starks, the Steelers apparently are not very interested in bringing him back for his 9th season. According to a recent tweet from Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (linked by Alper), the Steelers “won’t consider Starks until/if Adams fails or an injury to Gilbert.”

I was a tad shocked when I read the aforementioned tweet, because I figured that the Steelers would at least consider giving Starks a tryout or at least a chance to prove to the organization that his knee was healthy coming off of his injury which he sustained in the Playoffs. In fact, I believe that if Starks’ health holds up, he would actually be a valuable signing for the Steelers, because he could bring three very important things to the 2012 team: depth, experience, and leadership.

Depth, Experience, and Leadership

Injuries have completely ravaged the Offensive Line over the last few seasons, but most notably at the Tackle position. Starks, as well as Willie Colon, and Jonathan Scott have gone down with injuries, and turned in some less than stellar performances. This has led to mass shuffling along the Offensive Line and guys like Flozell Adams and even Starks have been signed late in the offseason/during the regular season. To their credit, the Steelers have done their due diligence and acquired two fantastic young Tackles in the last two Drafts in the forms of Marcus Gilbert and Mike Adams, yet there is not a whole heck of a lot of experience behind both the Rookie Adams and Gilbert who is just starting his 2nd season.

Yet on a positional unit that is just beginning to get settled, disaster could strike in the form of injury or poor play and Rookie mistakes at any minute. With those things in mind, depth, especially experienced depth is a valuable asset to have, and Starks has plenty of experience. Plus, do you want to see Jonathan Scott or another backup with limited experience taking snaps and protecting Big Ben’s blind-side on a consistent basis again? Protecting #7 is the most important thing for this franchise to do, and the best way is making sure that he can stand upright, no matter what sorts of injuries happen at the Offensive Tackle position.

Furthermore, what better mentor to have for guys like Gilbert and Adams, along with the rest of the young Offensive Linemen than Starks? The guy has played 8 seasons in the League, started 79 games over 8 seasons, started at Right Tackle for one Super Bowl winning team, and at Left Tackle for another. He has experienced demotion (when he lost his Right Tackle job to Willie Colon), injuries (missed most of 2010 with neck injury), and all sorts of other ups and downs over his eight year career. Starks knows what it takes to be a professional, play well, and carve out a long career in the League. Because of this, he could be a solid influence for the Offensive Linemen as well as the younger players to look up to in the locker room.

Final Thoughts

Look, I am not on the “Starks Right Now!” bandwagon as of yet. He is still rehabbing the injury he sustained last offseason, and there is still time before Training Camp, the Preseason, and even the Regular Season all begin for this situation to be sorted out. Yet if the price is right for the somewhat cash-strapped Steelers to sign Starks (hopefully Wallace can be signed for at least this season), I say there is no harm in at least giving the guy a tryout. If Starks is signed and does not play a snap this season because Gilbert and Adams play well/stay healthy, then so be it. He was there for depth purposes, and I am sure that he was a valuable veteran Lineman to have at the team’s disposal. Yet if in the off-chance Starks is forced to play, the team can at least know that they have a legitimate and reliable option to go to if disaster strikes. Plus, Starks is a far better backup option at the Tackle position than Jonathan Scott has proved to be over the last two years as well.

Adams and Gilbert may be the future of this franchise at the Tackle position, and both could very well develop into the best set of bookends this franchise has had since probably before I was born. However, depth is key is the N.F.L., and teams’ without any, do not accomplish very much over the long haul of a season. Starks can provide depth, leadership, and experience to a young and emerging Offensive Line. Thus, I believe that the Steelers should not hesitate to bring Starks in this season if he is healthy and can be signed at a reasonable price.

[URL]http://nicepickcowher.com/2012/07/04/why-the-steelers-should-bring-back-max-starks/[/URL]

[steelz09]

Does anyone really think that Adams can outplay Starks right now?

[Slapstick]

Does anyone really think that Adams can outplay Starks right now?

If Max is limited by his ACL, then yes...

That's the big question....

[phillyesq]

Does anyone really think that Adams can outplay Starks right now?

A healthy Starks? Doubtful.

If the Steelers are committed to giving Adams a shot, the question then becomes, who do you want as a backup, Starks or Scott? As long as Starks doesn't have the leg amputated, he is likely the better option.

[Discipline of Steel]

A healthy Starks? Doubtful.

If the Steelers are committed to giving Adams a shot, the question then becomes, who do you want as a backup, Starks or Scott? As long as Starks doesn't have the leg amputated, he is likely the better option.

I think we all know the answer to that one...and the Steelers do too. Its about timing at this point. When will Maxx be healthy enough to occupy a roster spot? At that point, we will sign him.

[phillyesq]

Why the Steelers Should Bring Back Max Starks

I was a bit taken aback when I read a post by Josh Alper last week on Pro Football Talk which read: “Max Starks nearing 100 percent, still no spot for him with Steelers.” In the post, Alper discussed how Starks’ rehab coming off of his torn ACL has gone quite well, and that Starks said he is nearing 100%. Unfortunately for Starks, the Steelers apparently are not very interested in bringing him back for his 9th season. According to a recent tweet from Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (linked by Alper), the Steelers “won’t consider Starks until/if Adams fails or an injury to Gilbert.”

I was a tad shocked when I read the aforementioned tweet, because I figured that the Steelers would at least consider giving Starks a tryout or at least a chance to prove to the organization that his knee was healthy coming off of his injury which he sustained in the Playoffs. In fact, I believe that if Starks’ health holds up, he would actually be a valuable signing for the Steelers, because he could bring three very important things to the 2012 team: depth, experience, and leadership.

Looks like Kaboly is wrong again. He already deleted the tweet where he said that Starks wasn't coming back.

[Oviedo]

A healthy Starks? Doubtful.

If the Steelers are committed to giving Adams a shot, the question then becomes, who do you want as a backup, Starks or Scott? As long as Starks doesn't have the leg amputated, he is likely the better option.

Don't forget your also have Trai "I can play everywhere" Essex supposedly looking like he is in great shape. You could dump Jon Scott and have Essex back up Starks/Adams at LT and at LG and at C and at RG and at RT.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Looks like Kaboly is wrong again. He already deleted the tweet where he said that Starks wasn't coming back.

For every useful nugget that comes from Twitter, there are always ten turds that someone pulls out of thin air.