Steelers franchise Starks

[Ozey74]

Re: Steelers franchise Starks

Makes sense. The Steelers have several FA on the OL. Might as well franchise the best one. It's hard to doubt our FO, they know what they are doing 99% of the time.

[Lebsteel]

Re: Steelers franchise Starks

Makes sense. The Steelers have several FA on the OL. Might as well franchise the best one. It's hard to doubt our FO, they know what they are doing 99% of the time.

I just really wanted to see us get a top-level LT, we couldn't, so I guess this was the best way to go! MAYBE Starks will continue to develop, work hard on his conditioning and become one of the top-level guys. It will be interesting to see if he signs a long-term deal with the Steelers. If Gross is getting $10 mil/year, then maybe we can sign Starks for $6 to $7 mil for five years??? Is he worth more than that?

[SidSmythe]

Re: Steelers franchise Starks

How cool would it be if a team desperate for a LT signed him. Like the Detroit Lions!!

[decleater]

Re: Steelers franchise Starks

The tagline on ESPN.com reads "But will he start? Starks franchised by Steelers"

Steelers tag Starks for second time
By John Clayton
ESPN.com

For the second consecutive season, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Max Starks received the team's franchise tag -- even though he isn't guaranteed a job as a starter.

Starks became the 13th NFL player tagged before the 4 p.m. ET deadline for such designation. He received a one-year tender at $8.451 million. Last year, Starks had a $6.985 million franchise tender. The franchise number given to Starks this year was based on the average of the top-five cap numbers of offensive linemen around the league from last season.

Any team wishing to sign Starks would have to surrender two first-round draft picks, but the Steelers would have seven days to match any offer and, thus, keep him.

Despite being franchised last year, Starks started the regular season on the bench. Left tackle Marvel Smith had back problems during the season and Starks took over the position and helped the Steelers to their sixth Super Bowl title.

Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

Clayton's numbers are correct, but he incorrectly states that we used the franchise tag on him last year...it was the transition tag.

You are 100% correct!

[ikestops85]

Re: Steelers franchise Starks

Sorry but I'm not a fan of this move. We are paying Starks as roughly the 3rd best LT in the league. I think we could have signed someone like Barnes for far less per year and even if he isn't better than Max we still save on the cap. Of course there is a reason I'm posting on a message board instead of working for the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers Front Office.

[Discipline of Steel]

Re: Steelers franchise Starks

The Steelers did the best thing they could. They gave FattMaxx another one year contract to keep him hungry. hahaha

[Mick'sTeam]

Re: Steelers franchise Starks

/sigh

I would have rather signed Smith to a one year deal and drafted a Rookie as a replacement. Personally I think Max is a bum, but this is a smart move as it doesn't back us into a corner. We now have a LT under contract for next season, Hopefully we draft his replacement this year.

Only problem with signing Smith and drafting a rookie is that rookie would have to be ready to step in by week 3 when Smith gets placed on IR again with back injuries.

IMO, at this time, Starks is the better option between he and Smith.

[mshifko]

Re: Steelers franchise Starks

max shut down bertrand berry in the super bowl and he was phenomenal in the post season...he's a big body, natural lefty, and he's a decent left tackle...we don't need help on that spot of the oline...we need to work on our right tackle options and as well as the guard/center issue...keep in mind we have kendall simmons back, so darnell will have a whole year of experience under his belt...

[careydavis]

Re: Steelers franchise Starks

Makes sense. The Steelers have several FA on the OL. Might as well franchise the best one. It's hard to doubt our FO, they know what they are doing 99% of the time.

Yes, Especially when it comes to Offensive lines.

[careydavis]

Re: Steelers franchise Starks

max shut down bertrand berry in the super bowl and ...

Max Starks at 1:03

[url="http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e85a1f"]http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e85a1f[/url]

[Oviedo]

Re: Steelers franchise Starks

max shut down bertrand berry in the super bowl and he was phenomenal in the post season...he's a big body, natural lefty, and he's a decent left tackle...we don't need help on that spot of the oline...we need to work on our right tackle options and as well as the guard/center issue...keep in mind we have kendall simmons back, so darnell will have a whole year of experience under his belt...

You are thinking smart like a member of the front office. You are correct. This was a smart move because it means that there is no need to get into a bidding war for another LT or reach in the draft. We keep a known quantity and solid performer in the fold.

I'm not sure Simmons can ever come back to top form and I think that we need to focus in the draft on solidifying the interior of the OL which was our weakness last season.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Steelers franchise Starks

Starks was the safest and most likely cheapest solution to a major problem. After the Gross contract, Carey & Barnes priced out of the Steelers range. It would not surprise me if both get deals more than Starks Franchise tag. Gross's contract had a major impact on the market and the Steelers actually might have ended up taking the cheaper way out and getting an equal quality player. If I had 8.5 to choose any of the three I might have picked differently. I just think now Carey & Barnes have bargaining power because there is a drop off after them in talent, youth, and most importantly quantity of OT available!!! This move allows the FO to concentrate on the interior of the OL & DL. Get Washington under contract and no reason to overpay for Kemo or McFadden now. If they loose Kemo and McFadden they now could use one of their first 4 picks to replace them. You can get a starting G in the 1st three rounds. Gay or a FA gets pushed to #2 CB and you can get a #3/#4 CB in the first three rounds. When the tag hit Starks...The Nation should have let out a sigh!!!

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Steelers franchise Starks

...And now I just heard Carey is off the market so the Starks tag looks even smarter!!!

[Oviedo]

Re: Steelers franchise Starks

Sorry but I'm not a fan of this move. We are paying Starks as roughly the 3rd best LT in the league. I think we could have signed someone like Barnes for far less per year and even if he isn't better than Max we still save on the cap. Of course there is a reason I'm posting on a message board instead of working for the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers Front Office.

Why do you think Barnes is an improvement. He gave up more sacks last season than Max. His play has declined over the past couple of years and he is not a good character guy with some off field issues.

Max is a first rate character guy who shows the potential for being a leader on the OL.

Max is the better deal and everyone just has to realize that a 4-5 year veteran LT is going to get $7+ million after the recent Gross contract. Max has 2 Super Bowl rings. You don't pay guys like that $4M.

[feltdizz]

Re: Steelers franchise Starks

max shut down bertrand berry in the super bowl and he was phenomenal in the post season...he's a big body, natural lefty, and he's a decent left tackle...we don't need help on that spot of the oline...we need to work on our right tackle options and as well as the guard/center issue...keep in mind we have kendall simmons back, so darnell will have a whole year of experience under his belt...

You are thinking smart like a member of the front office. You are correct. This was a smart move because it means that there is no need to get into a bidding war for another LT or reach in the draft. We keep a known quantity and solid performer in the fold.

I'm not sure Simmons can ever come back to top form and I think that we need to focus in the draft on solidifying the interior of the OL which was our weakness last season.

we won the SB with this OL for goodness sakes.. they were hurt, young and inexperienced as a unit. If you were the GM would you go OL first round? I wouldn't. You work with what you have and get the BPA in the first round.

Bmac is gone so we will probably go CB in the first round.