Is Max Starks the answer?

[Oviedo]

Put aised the emotionalism and ask yourself if Starks performs at LT over the next several games is he someone we should resign. Resigning or tagging Marvel Smith would have been the right answer for LT, but the injury bug has bitten him gain and it is unlikely he is answer.

Many have said in the past that Max is a better LT than RT so now we get to see. If he performs, I say we resign him. We are solid and deep at the interior of the OL as we have seen with Stapleton stepping in and knowing that Colon could likely play either Guard position. Going into the draft we would be able to focus on a RT which would be available later.

Personally I'm pulling for Max to step up and wouldn't it be strange that if he did that the FO's decision on him would be vindicated.

[MeetJoeGreene]

Re: Is Max Starks the answer?

I am becoming increasingly skeptical that Marvel IS the answer.

IF Starks continues to perform, then I would not be opposed to signing him - if he is resignable. He may want/command too much.

[buckeyehoppy]

Re: Is Max Starks the answer?

If Max Sucks can ONLY play LT, that's like having a DH in baseball who can't play in the field.

Drawing that parallel, the DH better be a .300 hitter who can go long at will and Max Sucks better NEVER give up a sack to Big Ben's blind side.

The parallel only proves that Max Sucks is a one-dimensional clod who's going to want too much $$$ and will tie up too much of the salary cap. This will especially be true if he chunks out and the Steelers can't move him anywhere else.

I'd rather the team let him walk and someone else put up with the headache that he is/will be. At worst, the Steelers get a 3rd Round comp pick which is, come to think of it, right around the neighborhood he was selected in in the first place.

[Flasteel]

Re: Is Max Starks the answer?

I've been a big supporter of Max and was real disappointed that he couldn't take the RT job from Colon this year, but I'm not sure he was ever given the chance to. I have openly wondered if he's not a better LT and these next few games will go a long way in determining that. He's got five regular season games and counting where he's played that position at a high level, so let's see how it plays out. If he can continue to shine, then yes, I say we make him the future there. I just hope if that is the case that he wants to come back here.

[Oviedo]

Re: Is Max Starks the answer?

If Max Sucks can ONLY play LT, that's like having a DH in baseball who can't play in the field.

Drawing that parallel, the DH better be a .300 hitter who can go long at will and Max Sucks better NEVER give up a sack to Big Ben's blind side.

The parallel only proves that Max Sucks is a one-dimensional clod who's going to want too much $$$ and will tie up too much of the salary cap. This will especially be true if he chunks out and the Steelers can't move him anywhere else.

I'd rather the team let him walk and someone else put up with the headache that he is/will be. At worst, the Steelers get a 3rd Round comp pick which is, come to think of it, right around the neighborhood he was selected in in the first place.

If his "one dimension" is being a solid LT then why is that bad? I'd take that "one dimension" in a heatbeat. So would most of the teams in the NFL.

[Discipline of Steel]

Re: Is Max Starks the answer?

I am pulling for FattMaxx to continue to perform well. I heard some comments from him that indicated he was good with the salary but his pride had him itching for a chance to step in, perform, and earn his money. I think he is actually hungry! (no pun intended) I think he would be willing to resign next year, perhaps to a cap friendly deal since he got the sweetheart deal this year.

Doesnt it reflect well on Coach Tomlin that all of the backups are stepping in and performing like starters, no matter what the position? (OL, DL, RB, and BMac if you want to call him a backup)

[ANPSTEEL]

Re: Is Max Starks the answer?

I read that the team is expecting Marvel to play this week-

have any of you heard otherwise??

[buckeyehoppy]

Re: Is Max Starks the answer?

If Max Sucks can ONLY play LT, that's like having a DH in baseball who can't play in the field.

Drawing that parallel, the DH better be a .300 hitter who can go long at will and Max Sucks better NEVER give up a sack to Big Ben's blind side.

The parallel only proves that Max Sucks is a one-dimensional clod who's going to want too much $$$ and will tie up too much of the salary cap. This will especially be true if he chunks out and the Steelers can't move him anywhere else.

I'd rather the team let him walk and someone else put up with the headache that he is/will be. At worst, the Steelers get a 3rd Round comp pick which is, come to think of it, right around the neighborhood he was selected in in the first place.

If his "one dimension" is being a solid LT then why is that bad? I'd take that "one dimension" in a heatbeat. So would most of the teams in the NFL.

I am pulling for FattMaxx to continue to perform well. I heard some comments from him that indicated he was good with the salary but his pride had him itching for a chance to step in, perform, and earn his money. I think he is actually hungry! (no pun intended) I think he would be willing to resign next year, perhaps to a cap friendly deal since he got the sweetheart deal this year.

Doesnt it reflect well on Coach Tomlin that all of the backups are stepping in and performing like starters, no matter what the position? (OL, DL, RB, and BMac if you want to call him a backup)

I've said all along that Max Sucks is welcome to prove me wrong. And the more wrong, the better.

And if the Steelers do re-sign Max Sucks, it had better be club-friendly. To date, this guy has been more suspect than prospect. At $6.9M, the time to become a prospect is ASAP.

[steelz09]

Re: Is Max Starks the answer?

I honestly don't think Max or Marvel are the answer at Left or Right tackle.

I think that we will be drafting at least 1 tackle ... hopefully in the first round

I hope that Tony Hills and a rookie / Colon compete next year for all starting tackle positions. Granted, having 2 knew tackles may be scary but I think having Max Starks is scarier.

[buckeyehoppy]

Re: Is Max Starks the answer?

I honestly don't think Max or Marvel are the answer at Left or Right tackle.

I think that we will be drafting at least 1 tackle ... hopefully in the first round

I hope that Tony Hills and a rookie / Colon compete next year for all starting tackle positions. Granted, having 2 knew tackles may be scary but I think having Max Starks is scarier.

jhans:

Whatever happens this season, the only responsible first pick for the Steelers in the next draft will be an OT.

I could care less if the Steelers win SBXLIII, they need help and depth on the OL. Otherwise, that $100+M that the Steelers gave BB will be blood money...his blood.

[pittpete]

Re: Is Max Starks the answer?

Write it down, Tony Hills will never ever start for us.
It was a waste of a pick, and so was invisible Bruce Davis.

[Flasteel]

Re: Is Max Starks the answer?

I honestly don't think Max or Marvel are the answer at Left or Right tackle.

I think that we will be drafting at least 1 tackle ... hopefully in the first round

I hope that Tony Hills and a rookie / Colon compete next year for all starting tackle positions. Granted, having 2 knew tackles may be scary but I think having Max Starks is scarier.

How is having Starks scarier than Tony Hills and Rookie X battling it out for LT and keeping Colon at RT? Or Having Tony Hills at LT and Colon/ Rookie X at RT? Do you still feel that way if Starks gets multiple starts this year and performs the way he has?

Starks is getting a bad reputation based off of his poor showing at RT in 2006 and I think there is some resentment over the contract this year and his failure to really even compete at RT. I will maintain that there was never an open competition at RT (a least a fair one) AND Starks is better suited for the left side anyway.

Time will tell, but if he continues to get reps at LT and performs well, I think he is the long-tern answer. Then we would just have to work on replacing Colon next year.

[steelz09]

Re: Is Max Starks the answer?

Flasteel,

I hope Starks does well, i really do....

I think both tackle positions are not good, Smith/Starks and Colon. Every time Big Ben almost gets killed it seems like its one of these three fault.

Starks is decent against big DE/LB's. He's too fat and slow against the more athletic DE's. We'll probably see this against the NYG.

I don't think Hills is a finished product by any means, I'm simply stating my opinion that I think he may be starting next year. I think he's more of a "true" LT than anyone on our team. I know one thing, he seems more athletic than our other tackles on the roster. I saw him use some decent technique in preseason as well. I just think he needs to get rid of the baby fat and pack on some more muscle. I think he has the attributes to be a good player for us.

[pittpete]

Re: Is Max Starks the answer?

Time will tell, but if he continues to get reps at LT and performs well, I think he is the long-tern answer. Then we would just have to work on replacing Colon next year.

ding ding ding

IMO, Hills in preseason looked like he was playing in quick sand.
Starks has done well playing at LT last year and 1 game this year.
It wasnt his fault we put a transition tag on him and he signed it.
Hes no dumby, he knows this is his time for a big payoff, do you really think he's gonna slack off?
Marvel is damaged goods, and his prime days are over.
Simmons I hope the hell is gone next year.
Hartwig has been better than average,Stapleton solid and Kemo needs to be resigned.
Colon continues to struggle and what is wrong with Trai Essex starting at RT????????
Hopefully the 3 interior lineman continue to gel.

[papillon]

Re: Is Max Starks the answer?

Lets take a look at the bigger picture. Ben is in his prime and getting better; the Steelers need to strike while the iron is hot. Willie Parker, Mendenhall and Moore are an excellent corps of running backs and they are youthful like Ben. Ward is aging, but still performing, Holmes will be hell on wheels, Washington is shocking a lot of people (not me) and hopefully, Sweed will start to catch the ball.

The defense is awesome and is championship caliber.

Can the Steelers afford to let both Smith and Starks walk and expect to contend for a Superbowl in the next 2-3 years? I say no and the one of the priorities for the Steelers should be to sign either Smith or Starks and draft the replacement. I'd hate to see a rookie, Tony Hills or a free agent of lesser talent than Smith protecting Ben's blind side.

I think they have to sign one of them and pay them the money to keep the position warm while they groom the replacement.

Kemo is a UFA as well; the less they have to replace the better. The Steelers are winning football games right now with this group that are probably about average. I wouldn't blow it up just to blow it up, you may be limiting the opportunity to win Superbowls.

Pappy