Rays of Hope

[pittpete]

Possibly if Gilbert wasn't in his usual backpeddling on rollerskates™ technique he might have punched the crap out of Carrigan instead of letting him get his hands up

[feltdizz]

It can only work if the tackle can keep the rush end or OLB from getting his hands in the passing lane or Ben needs to adjust his footwork to give himself a passing lane. Personally, I've seen enough of that play in the past 2-3 years to say that it isn't a play that the Steelers should run. I'd scrap it and look for something else to replace it.

Pappy

didn't we try it last week with Dwyer and Ben had to side arm it? This side to side, short offense is too easy to defend IMO. They showed the D one time and they had 9 guys in the box... no respect or fear for a play down field.

[NW Steeler]

Thanks for talking me down Flippy. Last night was hard to watch, even though it is pre-season. Here is to hoping that Bell ihas had some bad luck and isnt injury prone.

[Ernie]

I'm very disappointed in Gilbert like most here. I'm also disappointed in the fact that Colbert and Tomlin initially thought Gilbert was our future LT. HOW?!?! What would lead them to believe that Gilbert could easily replace Starks. It's just flat out stupid.. Like I said the past 2 years in several of my posts, Starks saved Tomlin @$$. Now, Starks isn't around to do the same for a 3rd year in a row. Our o-line would be much better with Adams at RT and Starks at LT. Then, you'd have solid depth with Gilbert and Beachum.

As far a Beachum goes, you HAVE to think that he will be given the opportunity to get the starting role over Gilbert. I like how Gruden said that he'd sit Gilbert because he's "seen enough".

plus 1!!!!!

[hawaiiansteel]

Ben undaunted

The first-team offense has yet to account for a touchdown in two preseason games, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is not concerned about the lackluster performances.

"Our goal the first two games, no game plan, we said let's feature the back and establish an identity and run the ball," Roethlisberger said. "That's why I'm not putting too much stock into what's happening out there. There are a lot of plays in the passing game we're not taking advantage of because we're trying to run the ball."

[URL]http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/steelers-notebook-injuries-force-dwyer-to-work-overtime-700037/#ixzz2cXKtCT77[/URL]

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I'm in no mood for silver linings... and I'm the silver lining dude! Honestly, that team last night, would go 6-10 this year. The only... ONLY silver lining is that most of the o-line is young... we can hope they start 2-2 before getting a rhythm...

Landry did look better than homey #2... is Charlie still available?

[DBR96A]

watch the San Diego vs Chicago highlights to see how well Max is protecting Rivers. He damn near got him killed last game. Total whiff and the DE blindsided Rivers and caused a fumble. Word out there is Max will probably get replaced due to his play thus far.

Well look at the bright side: at least when San Diego decides that Max Starks isn't even good enough to play on their lousy offensive line, we can have him back. Then we can get back to pretending that he's better than he really is, or that he's somehow athletic enough to properly execute a zone blocking scheme on a consistent basis, for that matter.

Just because Jonathan Scott made Max Starks look good doesn't mean that Starks is actually good. Kordell Stewart made Tommy Maddox look good; did that mean Maddox was actually good?

[flippy]

Well look at the bright side: at least when San Diego decides that Max Starks isn't even good enough to play on their lousy offensive line, we can have him back. Then we can get back to pretending that he's better than he really is, or that he's somehow athletic enough to properly execute a zone blocking scheme on a consistent basis, for that matter.

Just because Jonathan Scott made Max Starks look good doesn't mean that Starks is actually good. Kordell Stewart made Tommy Maddox look good; did that mean Maddox was actually good?

Max gave up 3 sacks and had 3 penalties last year. That's pretty fantastic considering he was blocking the other team's best pass rusher for a QB that holds the ball seemingly forever and the linemen often don't even know where Ben's scrambled to avoid pressure. The thing I always liked about Max is he always kept going til he was sure the play was over. He wasn't the most athletic tackle, but he was always hustling to maintain a block or to try and go back and help Ben out when he was scrambling in the pocket.

Really over the last 3 years, I only remember Aldon Smith getting the better of Max. And at that point Aldon was a relative unknown who was only playing on 3rd downs so it was likely a combination of things including Aldon was always fresh, he's that good, and Max probably didn't prepare for him.

I think Max got crapped on by the fans/media unfairly because Tomlin had some personal issue with him that we will never know or understand. Looking back and thinking about how Colon beat him out at RT is almost comical now that we know how bad of a T Colon was. It's eerily similar how Gilby was handed Max's job without a competition when Max could have been had for a song.

[sedatedsteelerfan]

Max gave up 3 sacks and had 3 penalties last year. That's pretty fantastic considering he was blocking the other team's best pass rusher for a QB that holds the ball seemingly forever and the linemen often don't even know where Ben's scrambled to avoid pressure. The thing I always liked about Max is he always kept going til he was sure the play was over. He wasn't the most athletic tackle, but he was always hustling to maintain a block or to try and go back and help Ben out when he was scrambling in the pocket.

Really over the last 3 years, I only remember Aldon Smith getting the better of Max. And at that point Aldon was a relative unknown who was only playing on 3rd downs so it was likely a combination of things including Aldon was always fresh, he's that good, and Max probably didn't prepare for him.

I think Max got crapped on by the fans/media unfairly because Tomlin had some personal issue with him that we will never know or understand. Looking back and thinking about how Colon beat him out at RT is almost comical now that we know how bad of a T Colon was. It's eerily similar how Gilby was handed Max's job without a competition when Max could have been had for a song.

First off, you're just SPECULATING on any issues with Tomlin. Second, just because Max was gave up 3 sacks and 3 penalties doesn't mean he wasn't getting beat every other play. Remember, as bad as Starks was, Gilbert was worse, and his guy was probably getting to Ben before Max's guy. But that does NOT mean Starks was good. If he is so good, then why was he not persued by any teams in free agency early on ? Why did San Diego ONLY give him a 1 year deal ?....and why did Max and his agent take only a 1 year deal if they thought he was basically another "Jonathon Ogden " ?



And, if he is all that, why is the SAME absolute Cruudy LT, King Dunlap kicking the Crud out of Starks in the Chargers training camp ?



Huh ?.....I THOUGHT SO!!!

[Chadman]

If Gilbert continues to struggle, Chadman wonders if Jordan Black or Frank Omiyale might be contacted to compete for the RT position...

[hawaiiansteel]

And, if he is all that, why is the SAME absolute Cruudy LT, King Dunlap kicking the Crud out of Starks in the Chargers training camp ?

a good friend of mine is a devout Chargers fan and he told me yesterday that Max Starks has looked horrible so far for them...

[sedatedsteelerfan]

If Gilbert continues to struggle, Chadman wonders if Jordan Black or Frank Omiyale might be contacted to compete for the RT position...

At this point, I am at the point where I would welcome back Trai Essex and Chris Kemoeatu ( YIKES! )

[DBR96A]

At this point, I am at the point where I would welcome back Trai Essex and Chris Kemoeatu ( YIKES! )

That's why you're not employed by the NFL.

[DukieBoy]

First off, you're just SPECULATING on any issues with Tomlin. Second, just because Max was gave up 3 sacks and 3 penalties doesn't mean he wasn't getting beat every other play. Remember, as bad as Starks was, Gilbert was worse, and his guy was probably getting to Ben before Max's guy. But that does NOT mean Starks was good. If he is so good, then why was he not persued by any teams in free agency early on ? Why did San Diego ONLY give him a 1 year deal ?....and why did Max and his agent take only a 1 year deal if they thought he was basically another "Jonathon Ogden " ?



And, if he is all that, why is the SAME absolute Cruudy LT, King Dunlap kicking the Crud out of Starks in the Chargers training camp ?





Huh ?.....I THOUGHT SO!!!

Crying out for a med adjustment.

[steelz09]

Max gave up 3 sacks and had 3 penalties last year. That's pretty fantastic considering he was blocking the other team's best pass rusher for a QB that holds the ball seemingly forever and the linemen often don't even know where Ben's scrambled to avoid pressure. The thing I always liked about Max is he always kept going til he was sure the play was over. He wasn't the most athletic tackle, but he was always hustling to maintain a block or to try and go back and help Ben out when he was scrambling in the pocket.

Really over the last 3 years, I only remember Aldon Smith getting the better of Max. And at that point Aldon was a relative unknown who was only playing on 3rd downs so it was likely a combination of things including Aldon was always fresh, he's that good, and Max probably didn't prepare for him.

I think Max got crapped on by the fans/media unfairly because Tomlin had some personal issue with him that we will never know or understand. Looking back and thinking about how Colon beat him out at RT is almost comical now that we know how bad of a T Colon was. It's eerily similar how Gilby was handed Max's job without a competition when Max could have been had for a song.

Well said....