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2013 MNF Executive Champion! -
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The 2025 Pittsburgh Steeler draft
1.21 - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon - Nick Emmanwori, S, S. Carolina
3.83 - Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa - DJ Giddens, RB, Kans St
3.123 - Will Howard, QB, OSU
4.156 - JJ Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
5.185 - Clay Webb, OG, Jack St
7.229 - Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DT, Georgia
"Football is a physical game, well, it used to be anyways" - Mel BlountComment
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Max Starks visiting Chargers
Posted by Mike Wilkening on May 8, 2013, 7:32 PM EDT
The list of capable veteran tackles has gotten shorter in the days after the draft with Bryant McKinnie re-signing with Baltimore and Tyson Clabo joining Dallas.
Now, the Chargers are reportedly taking a look at one of the more dependable left tackles still on the market. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, San Diego hosted free-agent tackle Max Starks on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old Starks started all 16 games at left tackle for Pittsburgh in 2012. However, the Steelers could be going young at the position, with Mike Adams and Marcus Gilbert looking likely to be the starters if the club doesn’t add any other tackles. Also, the Steelers signed ex-Jaguars tackle Guy Whimper for depth earlier this week.
Whimper is a right tackle, the position Starks played when he entered the NFL. Over the years, though, Starks has become a serviceable left tackle, and he has helped Pittsburgh get through the last two seasons at the position.
Starks would not figure to be a long-term option for the Chargers, but he would give them a solid pro on the left side for 2013 and would add another experienced veteran to the line.
[URL="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/08/report-max-starks-visiting-chargers/"]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/08/report-max-starks-visiting-chargers/[/URL]Steeler Nation in SpainComment
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Steelers Talked to Max Starks About Returning; Starks Now Likely to Sign With the San Diego Chargers
By Kyle Curry on May 9, 2013
According to Ian Rapoport former-Steelers left tackle Max Starks is going to visit with the San Diego Chargers today. The Chargers are still looking for a left tackle to protect Phillip Rivers blind-side and Starks is looking for a starting job so that may just be the perfect marriage for the two sides.
Last year the Chargers had the most inconsistent offensive line in the NFL. Starks, a year ago, started all 16 games at left tackle for the Steelers so he would give them a consistent lineman, which is something they desperately need.
Many Steelers fans wondered why the team wasn’t looking to bring back Starks to compete with Mike Adams and Marcus Gilbert to be the team’s left tackle in 2013. However, according to multiple sources the Steelers did reach out to Starks, but he wants a starting job and with Adams and Gilbert ready to start the Steelers weren’t willing to offer him what he wanted.
The Steelers will have to hope that Gilbert and Adams can consistently man the left and right tackle positions in 2013, though, because if they don’t we will all be wishing for Starks.
Pittsburgh, to fill their need for depth at the tackle position, signed veteran offensive tackle Guy Whimper. Whimper was a fourth round pick of the New York Giants in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played for the Giants from 2006-2009 and then played for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2010-2012.
During the last two years he has player right tackle, left tackle and tight end for the Jaguars and has caught three passes including a touchdown reception last season. Over his six NFL seasons Whimper has played in 67 total games and started 22 games. However, 21 of those starts have come in the past two seasons and he started 15 games during the 2011 season.
Hopefully the injury bug won’t bite the Steelers offensive line again in 2013. If it does Whimper may see playing time and in 2012 he was rated as one of, if not the, worst offensive tackles in football. He also gave up 14 sacks during his 15 starts during the 2011 season.
[URL]http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/steelers_talked_to_max_starks_about_returning_star ks_now_likely_to_sign_with_the_san_diego_chargers/13582580[/URL]Comment
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Wonder if the Chargers will pay him as a starter?Comment
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James C Wexell @jimwexell:
Whimper's days of upside are over. They must like his veteranship at a key position. Like an old LHed pitcher in baseball.
my guess is the new OL coach recommended him from his days with the NYG. see: Kugler-JScott
[URL]https://twitter.com/jimwexell[/URL]Comment
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If that is the only reason for this signing, then that is pathetic. What about Max's veteranship? The guy has been the only OL that could be counted on all season long. The more you consider this situation the more you have to believe there is something else to this story. Pass pro has to be the No. 1 skill the LT has. If he can also run block, that's an added benefit but not necessarily required.
But then again, maybe the Steelers are on to something here?.... with all these teams loading up with pass rush specialists, maybe it is time for the sea-change to a power run game again? maybe it's time to bring in run blocking OL?.. .. hmmmm.... what did 'Bama do to neutralize Jones? they ran right at him with their behemoth blockers.....Comment
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Maybe Max isn't a leader...Actually, my post was NOT about you...but, if the shoe fits, feel free to lace that &!+€# up and wear it.Comment
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Max > Gilbert
If it's Gilbert at LT, based at least on his NFL performance to day, They ought not but "Look Out Ben" on the back of his jersey.
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Adams should play RT where is excelled in run blocking and alongside Decastro could be a force. And his pass-blocking was about one standard deviation above a pylon, so at least Ben has a chance to see one coming from his right side.
The LT scares me, too. Injury and turnovers waiting to happen off of Ben's blind side. The'll need the TE alongside Gilbert on the left side to help out, with the warning to not get fallen upon.
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Might as well give Foster a shot at LT while we're at it. He's played well everywhere we've thrown him. I think he's built to play RT, but then I thought Adams was an undeniable beast at RT. Foster has the size to play T. I'm sure in Haley's quick strike offense, Ben doesn't want to have to throw over top of a 6'7" G.
Foster doesn't have the feet to play LT, but I have a feeling out of all the option, he'd probably be the guy to be the most servicable post Max.sigpicComment
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I've said that too. Well, maybe not Foster, but if Pouncey is supposed to be as great an athlete as they say... he should be able to step in and be a serviceable alternative. (Recall Faneca a decade ago, doing the same thing. Heck, Bruce Matthews made the move long-term.)I wasn't hired for my disposition.Comment
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I'm a little scared with that vision. Adams does not provide much guarantee there either. I hope I'm wrong and at least one of the two prove to be a great LT.
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