James Starks to visit on Monday

[SteelerOfDeVille]

[url]https://twitter.com/steelersdepot/status/444935859192619008[/url]


sorry can't cut and paste well on this dang phone

[SidSmythe]

Great Backup, but always health concerns with this guy. Nothing worse than having an injury prone RB with talent.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Great Backup, but always health concerns with this guy. Nothing worse than having an injury prone RB with talent.

as a backup, that's acceptable

[sick beats]

If he only has to go 10 snaps a game, he could do fine. And he will bring no funny biz mentality. Sign him. Why not? I can't imagine a better team for him at this point. It's a no brainer.

[Shoe]

He's decent, but I gotta think we can do a lot better (at the same price).

[hawaiiansteel]

James Starks to visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday

By Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel

The Green Bay Packers spent most of the first week of free agency re-signing their own players.

One they didn't lock up is running back James Starks.

A source told the Journal Sentinel that Starks, 28, will visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday. Last season, the 6-foot-2, 218-pounder rushed for 493 yards on 89 attempts (5.5 avg.) with three touchdowns in the same backfield as rookie of the year Eddie Lacy.

Battling injuries much of his career, Starks has been productive when healthy. In 35 total games, he has 1,427 yards on 322 carries with five touchdowns. And the Steelers are familiar with his work. Starks capped a 315-yard postseason his rookie season against Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl.

The demand for running backs this time of year isn't what it used to be, but the market may begin to thaw in Week 2 of free agency.

This weekend, Ben Tate reached a two-year deal with the Cleveland Browns worth about $7 million. Back-up Toby Gerhart also signed a three-year, $10.5 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

While another source indicated earlier this off-season that Green Bay would like to bring Starks back, the need isn't as pressing with Lacy, Johnathan Franklin and DuJuan Harris returning. The Packers also signed Michael Hill back this off-season.

It's a different situation in Pittsburgh's backfield. The fit makes sense.

Pittsburgh also boasted a second-round pick last season. After a rusty start, Le'Veon Bell grew into a multi-dimensional threat with 1,259 total yards, including one dominant performance at Lambeau Field. Beyond him, there isn't much. With Jonathan Dwyer inking a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, the only other running back on Pittsburgh's roster is Alvester Alexander, who spent the entire 2013 season on the practice squad.

[URL]http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/250472641.html#ixzz2w4SzxHeK[/URL]

[Discipline of Steel]

FO certainly is pressing to fill the roster voids. At least they are not sitting still. Indifferent about Starks though, I want to see a full season of BellCow!

[Captain Lemming]

FO certainly is pressing to fill the roster voids. At least they are not sitting still. Indifferent about Starks though, I want to see a full season of BellCow!

Or is it COW BELL?

[phillyesq]

I think Starks is more than adequate as a backup RB. The Steelers need another back to pair with Bell, and Starks is relatively young and shouldn't command a huge contract.

[Shawn]

James Starks is a very good back when healthy. I like the way the guy runs.

[SteelCrazy]

Starks reportedly agrees to re-sign with Packers

James Starks has cancelled his Tuesday meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers and agreed to a new contract with the Green Bay Packers, according to CBSSports.com’s Jason La Confora.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the deal between the Packers and the fourth-year running back is expected to be for two years.

Starks, 28, was a reliable counterpart to NFL offensive rookie of the year Eddie Lacy this past season in rushing for 493 yards and three touchdowns on 89 carries. His 5.5-yard per carry average was the best in his four NFL seasons.

Starks was responsible for 22 missed tackles on 99 touches, according to Pro Football Focus. He missed three games with a partially torn MCL, but looked as healthy last season as he has during his time in Green Bay.

His re-signing with the Packers clutters the team’s backfield situation, but he’s the most proven option to complement Lacy with DuJuan Harris (knee) and Johnathan Franklin (neck) both coming off season-ending injuries.

[url]http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20140317/PKR0101/140317055/[/url]