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Steelers notes: Starks in no hurry for new deal
Starks in no hurry for new deal
By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff
Published: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 12:06 AM EDT
The Steelers want Max Starks to sign a long-term deal. But the mammoth left tackle doesn’t appear to be in any hurry.
The Steelers can get much-needed room under a tight salary cap if Starks forgoes his “franchise” player contract and agrees to a long-term deal.
On one hand, Starks wouldn’t mind securing a multi-year deal. Then again, if the numbers aren’t right, he’s in no hurry to give up the $8.45 million he’ll make this year. “Franchise” players earn the average of the top five salaries at their position.
“I haven’t heard anything from my agent, so I don’t know what they’re doing,” Starks said when asked about the negotiations. “I’m sure they’ll let me know once something is happening.”
Starks is one of several starters in the last year of his existing contract. Traditionally, the Rooney family doesn’t engage in contract talks once a season starts, so if Starks is to get a new deal, it must happen between now and Sept. 10.
“It depends on the circumstances,” Starks said when asked if he prefers a new deal or his current one. “If it’s just a two year-extension, of course, I’d want something longer to kind of cement myself.”
Last year he earned $6.895 million when the Steelers tagged him as a “transition” player. “Transition” players are paid the average of the top 10 salaries at their position.
“I’m blessed to be in this position,” said the 27-year-old Starks.
HOW ABOUT HEATH?
If Starks is the Steelers’ No. 1 priority right now when it comes to contract extensions, then tight end Heath Miller is No. 2.
Miller is under contract to make $800,000 in base salary this year. Really, he’s underpaid for what he means to the team as a blocker and clutch pass catcher.
“I’m not really worried about something I have no control over,” Miller said. “That’s why I have an agent.
“The reason I’m here right now (at organized team activities) is to get better. That’s all I’m worried about right now.”
Miller was asked, “If you were a betting man, what are the odds you’ll have an extension before the start of the season?”
“I can’t answer that,” he said. “I’m not a betting man.”
X’s AND O’s
- For the sixth of 14 allowed OTAs, several players did not attend Tuesday’s workout. Among them were three starters: nose tackle Casey Hampton, defensive end Brett Keisel and wide receiver Santonio Holmes. Also missing were backup cornerback Deshea Townsend and backup safety Tyrone Carter.
- Because of rain, the Steelers practiced indoors.
- For no specific reason, the Steelers wore yellow-gold helmets instead of their customary black ones.
The yellow-gold helmets are worn when the Steelers wear their “throwback” uniforms.
“I don’t know why we wore the gold helmets today,” long snapper Greg Warren said. “All I know is that when I walked into the locker room today, our gold helmets were hanging on the hooks.”
- Linebacker James Harrison, whose 2-year-old son was bitten by his pit bull last week, didn’t speak to the media who attended Tuesday’s OTA.
Harrison’s son has been in UPMC Children’s Hospital recovering from a severe bite to the thigh. He’s expected to be released from the hospital any day now.
Starks in no hurry for new deal
By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff
Published: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 12:06 AM EDT
The Steelers want Max Starks to sign a long-term deal. But the mammoth left tackle doesn’t appear to be in any hurry.
The Steelers can get much-needed room under a tight salary cap if Starks forgoes his “franchise” player contract and agrees to a long-term deal.
On one hand, Starks wouldn’t mind securing a multi-year deal. Then again, if the numbers aren’t right, he’s in no hurry to give up the $8.45 million he’ll make this year. “Franchise” players earn the average of the top five salaries at their position.
“I haven’t heard anything from my agent, so I don’t know what they’re doing,” Starks said when asked about the negotiations. “I’m sure they’ll let me know once something is happening.”
Starks is one of several starters in the last year of his existing contract. Traditionally, the Rooney family doesn’t engage in contract talks once a season starts, so if Starks is to get a new deal, it must happen between now and Sept. 10.
“It depends on the circumstances,” Starks said when asked if he prefers a new deal or his current one. “If it’s just a two year-extension, of course, I’d want something longer to kind of cement myself.”
Last year he earned $6.895 million when the Steelers tagged him as a “transition” player. “Transition” players are paid the average of the top 10 salaries at their position.
“I’m blessed to be in this position,” said the 27-year-old Starks.
HOW ABOUT HEATH?
If Starks is the Steelers’ No. 1 priority right now when it comes to contract extensions, then tight end Heath Miller is No. 2.
Miller is under contract to make $800,000 in base salary this year. Really, he’s underpaid for what he means to the team as a blocker and clutch pass catcher.
“I’m not really worried about something I have no control over,” Miller said. “That’s why I have an agent.
“The reason I’m here right now (at organized team activities) is to get better. That’s all I’m worried about right now.”
Miller was asked, “If you were a betting man, what are the odds you’ll have an extension before the start of the season?”
“I can’t answer that,” he said. “I’m not a betting man.”
X’s AND O’s
- For the sixth of 14 allowed OTAs, several players did not attend Tuesday’s workout. Among them were three starters: nose tackle Casey Hampton, defensive end Brett Keisel and wide receiver Santonio Holmes. Also missing were backup cornerback Deshea Townsend and backup safety Tyrone Carter.
- Because of rain, the Steelers practiced indoors.
- For no specific reason, the Steelers wore yellow-gold helmets instead of their customary black ones.
The yellow-gold helmets are worn when the Steelers wear their “throwback” uniforms.
“I don’t know why we wore the gold helmets today,” long snapper Greg Warren said. “All I know is that when I walked into the locker room today, our gold helmets were hanging on the hooks.”
- Linebacker James Harrison, whose 2-year-old son was bitten by his pit bull last week, didn’t speak to the media who attended Tuesday’s OTA.
Harrison’s son has been in UPMC Children’s Hospital recovering from a severe bite to the thigh. He’s expected to be released from the hospital any day now.
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