Max Starks

Mike Florio has written his 10 worst offseason moves , and the Steelers have made the list with what he writes is the 7th worst move. Florio writes that the Steelers placing the franchise tag on Max Starks was a bad move, and here’s his take on it: 7. Pittsburgh Steelers using franchise tag on Max Starks Last year, the Steelers inexplicably opted to apply the transition tag to tackle Max Starks. Given that there was no significant market for his services, he promptly signed the tender offer—and received a base salary of $6.985 million last season. In the end, the Steelers needed him, ... Read Full Story

March 11, 2009 By Donald Starver Note: This is the sixth installment in a series. If you haven’t already read the earlier installments, please click the links below Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 In the last two installments in this series, I suggested that the Steelers’ first priority in the upcoming draft should be defensive line, and their second priority should be defensive backs. Now I plan to discuss what I believe should be the Steelers’ third priority. I don’t think it’s going to be a surprise to many of you when I say that the Steelers’ ... Read Full Story

Before reading this week’s key match-ups, please read my Steelers-Cowboys Preview . Also, you may want to read our reports on the Steelers and Cowboys historical rivalry by clicking here . Each week I look at the key match-ups that will most likely impact the outcome of the game. Here are this week’s key match-ups. Steelers’ linebackers James Harrison vs. Cowboys LT Flozell Adams Last week, James Harrison faced off against the Patriots’ Pro Bowl left tackle Matt Light. After 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and more hurries than Matt Cassel cares to remember, Harrison proved that he can more than hold his own ... Read Full Story

So far, the Steelers have gone according to their usual script during the free agency period. The Steelers typically seek first to re-sign their own players. Then, once the big spenders have left the pool, the Steelers will usually make a free agent signing or two that cause little splash. The Steelers never sign big name free agents, but the ones that they sign often make a big contribution. Recent Steelers free agent signings include Justin Hartwig, Keyaron Fox, and Ryan Clark. James Farrior may be the best free agent acquisition currently on the Steelers’ roster. He was signed for next to nothing when ... Read Full Story

February 19, 2009 By Donald Starver Steelers’ offensive tackle Max Starks must have been born in a field of four leaf clovers. And he must carry a rabbit’s foot in his pocket. And he probably throws about 10 pounds of salt over his shoulder each morning. If you can think of anything else that brings good luck, Starks probably does that too. Last year, the Steelers placed the transition tag on Starks, and ended up paying him $6.9 million, even though he wasn’t able to win a starting position in training camp. Most fans thought that Steelers’ Director of Football Operation, Kevin Colbert, had ... Read Full Story