Starks & ARE released

[I-Want-Troy's-Hair]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Pittsburgh-Steelers-Max-Starks-NFL-offseason-072711

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to release left tackle Max Starks on Thursday, a source told FOXSports.com.

[Craic]

Wow. I didn't see that one coming. I guess they have someone in mind, it does make you wonder about releasing him in his 3rd year of a 4 year contract. Gotta wonder if he wasn't willing to renegotiate.

[oneforthetoe]

Wow ..... that would be a shocker. Please don't tell me they think Scott can hold down that spot again?

[steelreserve]

Wow. I didn't see that one coming. I guess they have someone in mind, it does make you wonder about releasing him in his 3rd year of a 4 year contract. Gotta wonder if he wasn't willing to renegotiate.

That, or he was injured worse than they were letting on. I do seem to remember it was something serious like a neck injury, and he said, "Oh, it's no problem, I'll be back just fine in no time" ... and I was thinking, "really? Sounds more like the kind of thing that can fuck up your career." We don't want another Marvel Smith situation, I guess.

edit: or, he could be a pure cap casualty. $7M or whatever he was making is a pretty big chunk of what we were over, and since we made the Super Bowl without him, maybe he was just viewed as the most expendable for that reason. Even more so than Colon, given the bloated salary.

Sure makes me wonder what in the hell we do have in mind, though. I don't trust anyone named Scott, if that was it.

[kmsteelerwr15]

I was surprised until I saw his weight problem. Hopefully we can re-sign Colon now.

[steelerfan]

There has to be more to this. Maybe his injury is a chronic one. Or maybe they want to try and re-sign him after they release him and save all that money on the cap. But I know our new Tackle from Florida can't play LT. And as stated, Scott basically sucks. Maybe Hills is finally ready to play. Or maybe we have hopes on signing another recently released Vet OL.

[Chidi29]

Tomlin has said in the past that as long as you're under 370, you're good. Obviously, Starks was well over that.

[steelerfan]

Hampton is fatter then Max is, and in worse condition too. Casey may be 30 Lbs lighter. But he is 7 inches shorter as well. If Tomlin doesn't have a weight issue with Hampton, I don't see why he would with Starks.

[Chidi29]

Hampton is fatter then Max is, and in worse condition too. Casey may be 30 Lbs lighter. But he is 7 inches shorter as well. If Tomlin doesn't have a weight issue with Hampton, I don't see why he would with Starks.

Of course, the last time you saw Starks was in playing shape. Reports are that his weight skyrocketed after his surgery and getting out of shape.

And any time you see someone at or near 400, there's cause for concern.

Besides, we've seen Tomlin take issue to Hampton's weight in the past. Being put on the PUP list.

[zulater]

Not a shock, he wasn't worth his salary and the Steelers are too tight with the cap to keep him.

[steelerfan]

Of course, the last time you saw Starks was in playing shape. Reports are that his weight skyrocketed after his surgery and getting out of shape.

And any time you see someone at or near 400, there's cause for concern.

Besides, we've seen Tomlin take issue to Hampton's weight in the past. Being put on the PUP list.





400 Lbs ??? Wow! Define " IRONY " After years of letting D-Linemen EAT up Roethlisberger....Starks get cut for EATING too many " ROETHLIS-BURGERS " :-)

[oneforthetoe]

Hampton is fatter then Max is, and in worse condition too. Casey may be 30 Lbs lighter. But he is 7 inches shorter as well. If Tomlin doesn't have a weight issue with Hampton, I don't see why he would with Starks.

Difference?

One is a pro bowl caliber player who has remained in the top five or six players in the league at his position. And who is coming off a good season.

The other one is a pretty average player who has mostly got the job done, but was injured last year.

And not to ignore the fact that big snack plays in a phone booth, while Max has to be able to step out and pick up a speedy linebacker. Something he wasn't always able to do before.

[Steeltreal]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/1691/max-starks

"The move saves $5.14 million in salary. The Steelers are picking up their pursuit of free agent RT Willie Colon,......... Ed Bouchette recently suggested Colon might be pushing 400 pounds after an apparent offseason on the couch "

[steelerfan]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/1691/max-starks

"The move saves $5.14 million in salary. The Steelers are picking up their pursuit of free agent RT Willie Colon,......... Ed Bouchette recently suggested Colon might be pushing 400 pounds after an apparent offseason on the couch "




You mean Starks, not Willie I assume.

[steeldevil]

They can't honestly plan for Scott to start at LT can they? Did Hills eat some magic beans during the lockout? Essex?

Will be interesting to see what their plans are.

[tube517]

My guess is they will get Colon to play LT and Flozell at RT for 2011. The rookie will sit and learn with the Scotts as backups.

[7willBheaven]

Oh the interesting/exciting times we are in the middle of right now...

[steeldevil]

So if Colon is not resigned we are screwed right? Yeah thought so...

In that case I would think they would have to bring somebody in.

And if Colon is resigned, but not as good as he used to be, that would sure suck too.

[katmandu]

My guess is they will get Colon to play LT and Flozell at RT for 2011. I say vice versa.

Here's the Free Agent market....

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/fa?positionId=46&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfl %2ffa%3fpositionId%3d46

[Chidi29]

I say vice versa.

Here's the Free Agent market....

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/fa?positionId=46&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfl %2ffa%3fpositionId%3d46

Flozell is way too slow for the blindside. He's much slower than Starks was and we saw how Max could get beat around the edge.

And I'm concerned about asking a guy to move laterally against top pass rushers coming off a Torn Achilles that will sap his lateral movement.

Hoping Gilbert will learn as quickly as Pouncey did and will be able to step in.

[steeldevil]

I say vice versa.

Here's the Free Agent market....

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/fa?positionId=46&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfl %2ffa%3fpositionId%3d46

No way Flozel plays LT.

[Chidi29]

Anyone know what foot suffered the Torn Achilles?

[steeldevil]

Anyone know what foot suffered the Torn Achilles?

Good question, no idea.

[Chidi29]

Wow, this is really turning into a mess.

[7willBheaven]

I'm not going into "freak out/super worried" mode just yet...no releases/etc are confirmed yet...we dont know every detail yet/etc...as always the team will be fine and keep on chuggin like always.

[Chidi29]

I'm not going into "freak out/super worried" mode just yet...no releases/etc are confirmed yet...we dont know every detail yet/etc...as always the team will be fine and keep on chuggin like always.

Even if he isn't released, it sounds like he's got a lot of weight to lose.

[steeldevil]

Anyone know what foot suffered the Torn Achilles?

It was the right...

[Chidi29]

It was the right...

I believe you but do you have a link?

So if Colon moves to LT, he'd be pushing off with that right foot on his kickslide, right?

[oneforthetoe]

The more I think about it - the more I think it will be either Flo or Colon. Otherwise, there is not that much in cap savings. Whichever one signs gets one of the tackle positions (probably right). The other tackle position (left most likely) we let the vets we have, out draft pick, and maybe another low level FA fight it out.

The above scenario scares me, but given our need to free up cap space it makes sense.

[Chidi29]

Ok, first thing's first.

Let's see who gets signed first. We'll take it from there.

The only tackles on the 53 from last year currently under contract are Hills and Flozell, who needs to restructure his salary. Maybe slash his salary in half this year, and add another year at 2.5 million.

[oneforthetoe]

Ok, first thing's first.

Let's see who gets signed first. We'll take it from there.

The only tackles on the 53 from last year currently under contract are Hills and Flozell, who needs to restructure his salary. Maybe slash his salary in half this year, and add another year at 2.5 million.

What about the other Scott? The rookie from last year. Is he still around? Also, technically, Foster might be able to play RT. Still, I agree, we are thinner than i can remember at tackle.

[Chidi29]

Yeah, Chris slipped my mind. Though I think he's being looked at more as a guard than left tackle.

[oneforthetoe]

Oh wait ....we forgot about Kyle Jolly. Our worries are unfounded. ;)

[O'Malley]

I say vice versa.

Here's the Free Agent market....

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/fa?positionId=46&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfl %2ffa%3fpositionId%3d46
Isn't Flozell deaf in his right ear? Isn't that why he had so many false starts in Dallas?

[oneforthetoe]

Isn't Flozell deaf in his right ear? Isn't that why he had so many false starts in Dallas?

I'm thinking he had so many false starts in Dallas because he was so worried about Romo coming up behind him and playing grab-ass.

[O'Malley]

I'm thinking he had so many false starts in Dallas because he was so worried about Romo coming up behind him and playing grab-ass.
That's the funniest shit I've heard all say. Thanks for that !

[Devilsdancefloor]

http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Starks-Randle-El-released/7e2dc40c-8395-4558-8884-d10ae16008c5

[SteelerEmpire]

Here we go Steelers, here we go... makin room for Burress

[SteelerSal]

Here we go Steelers, here we go... makin room for Burress

Don't forget Tiki and Marion Barber!!!

Cutting Randle El don't bother me any....he was in the way of the young recievers and useless in the return game.

[steelerfan]

Here we go Steelers, here we go... makin room for Burress




Or more likely after the RIDICULOUS Charles Johnson contract in Carolina, these moves were made to re-sign Woodley :-)

[venom]

Don't forget Tiki and Marion Barber!!!

Cutting Randle El don't bother me any....he was in the way of the young recievers and useless in the return game.

......Making room for Brett Favre , yeaaaaahhhhhhhh Boy !!

[kmsteelerwr15]

......Making room for Brett Favre , yeaaaaahhhhhhhh Boy !!

No, it's for KUUUUUUUHHHHHHHNNNNNN!!!!!!!

[Butch]

Nah ya'll got it wrong this is to bring back our short punt specialist MITCH FREAKIN' BERGER!!!

[SteelerSal]

Nah ya'll got it wrong this is to bring back our short punt specialist MITCH FREAKIN' BERGER!!!

:lol:

[BigNastyDefense]

Nah ya'll got it wrong this is to bring back our short punt specialist MITCH FREAKIN' BERGER!!!

You mean he hasn't been snatched up by a team who's one punter away from winning the Super Bowl?

[86WARD]

Glad to see El go. It was past time. Will miss the fair catches.

Starks is a little surprising. Possibly signing him back at a lower rate? Colon or Adams at LT would not be good IMO.

[Iron Steeler]

Well Marcus gilbert get your big boy pants on. Because were gonna need you soon

[Iron Steeler]

Asmogha still a possibility?

[Psycho Ward 86]

Starks is a little surprising. He signed a fairly big deal last year for what, 4 years with us? I'm getting a little worried about our tackle situation, but i hope this means the Steelers are aggressively trying to hold onto Colon.

[Mach1]

Can't say I'm real sorry to see 'fair catch' El go.

[I-Want-Troy's-Hair]

Anyone know what foot suffered the Torn Achilles?

Right foot.

http://helmet2helmet.net/2010/06/28/willie-colon-injures-right-achilles-tendon-undergoes-mri/

According to Adam Caplan of Scout.com, Colon injured the Achilles tendon in his right foot during a workout and will have an MRI taken

[86WARD]

I'd love to see them bring Max back at a lower price...I don't think Colin can go on the left.

[Chidi29]

Whoever brought up Marvel Smith was dead on. We didn't want a repeat of that. Neck issues aren't anything to play around with and usually is a question of "when" and not "if" they'll pop back up. ss

[Edman]

Back and Neck Injuries spell doom for an NFL career. Once your back starts having problems, it only gets worse from here on out.

[JayC]

does Battle make like a million a year or soemthin? they should cut him right along with el

[Chidi29]

does Battle make like a million a year or soemthin? they should cut him right along with el

I'd keep Battle. Too valuable on special teams and he's not making that much more than vet min.

If we re-do Woodley's deal, it'll clear up a lot of space. But I don't want to give out 40 million guaranteed either so it's a lose-lose.

[steelerdude15]

Goodbye Max and ARE, thanks for everything you've done.

[86WARD]

Hearing that Starks is waaaay overweight...

[st33lersguy]

I hope they plan on re-signing Colon and signing another free-agent Tackle because Gilbert is unproven, Flozell is nearing retirement, and Jonathan Scott does not belong on an NFL roster

[HometownGal]

While I'm very sad to see Max go, I understand why the Steelers did it. Smart business move imho and it clearly shows that they want to do whatever is necessary to keep Colon (who I wouldn't have minded taking a hike - sorry).

I'm going to miss you Max and wish you only the best! :drink:

Most likely, Blubber puss Grimm has already been given his orders by Wiz to snare him.

[steelerfan]

[QUOTE=HometownGal;183602]While I'm very sad to see Max go, I understand why the Steelers did it. Smart business move imho and it clearly shows that they want to do whatever is necessary to keep Colon (who I wouldn't have minded taking a hike - sorry).

I'm going to miss you Max and wish you only the best! :drink:




" Gal " If it was a smart business move, then why is Aaron Smith still here ? He clearly is more washed up, and is not needed then Max was. Not to mention say Wil Allen, Larry Foote, ect. Why aren't all those smart business moves yet to be done ?

[Chidi29]

[QUOTE=HometownGal;183602]While I'm very sad to see Max go, I understand why the Steelers did it. Smart business move imho and it clearly shows that they want to do whatever is necessary to keep Colon (who I wouldn't have minded taking a hike - sorry).

I'm going to miss you Max and wish you only the best! :drink:




" Gal " If it was a smart business move, then why is Aaron Smith still here ? He clearly is more washed up, and is not needed then Max was. Not to mention say Wil Allen, Larry Foote, ect. Why aren't all those smart business moves yet to be done ?

"Clearly" washed up? I don't know were you're getting that from. I admit that I'm very concerned about his injuries and don't think he has much time left, but we haven't seen the guy yet. He recovered well last year and was playing at a high level. There's a chance he could do it again.

[SteelMember]

Source: Starks could re-sign with Steelers
Thursday, July 28, 2011
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Max Starks, released by the Steelers earlier today to help create salary cap room, could be re-signed by them before the end of training camp, sources told the Post-Gazette.

Starks, who has has been a starter at tackle since his second season in 2005, counted more than $7 million on their salary cap, which was estimated to be more than $10 million above the limit this year. He started the past three seasons at left tackle on offense following two years at right tackle.



Read more: http://postgazette.com/pg/11209/1163580-100.stm#ixzz1TR9kJhHp

[Craic]

When he was on, Starks was a madman. But when he wasn't, well. I STILL want to see Trai Essex given time at left tackle. I think Leg. showed us enough in the SB to earn a shot at starting RG, even to be the lead man going into camp at the position.

Something tells me that a OL of Esssex, Kemo, Pouncey, Legursky, Flozell. will be pretty dang good. But, Flozell, Kemo, Pouncey Legursky, and Colon would even be better.

One other thought here. Flozell IS listed as a guard as well. IF he is getting on in years and losing just a little bit of speed, why not move him inside, right next to Pouncey. He'll hear the calls, and anyone who ticks off those two together, ouch. It'd be like Watts on a Saturday evening with a lonely white robed Klucker walking though town.

[Chidi29]

My concern with Flozell to guard is how much you'd be moving him around. From left to right tackle and now to guard where there isn't a kickslide. He's probably just getting used to right tackle which was a big adjustment. And now you're asking him to move again.

[oneforthetoe]

When he was on, Starks was a madman. But when he wasn't, well. I STILL want to see Trai Essex given time at left tackle. I think Leg. showed us enough in the SB to earn a shot at starting RG, even to be the lead man going into camp at the position.

Something tells me that a OL of Esssex, Kemo, Pouncey, Legursky, Flozell. will be pretty dang good. But, Flozell, Kemo, Pouncey Legursky, and Colon would even be better.

One other thought here. Flozell IS listed as a guard as well. IF he is getting on in years and losing just a little bit of speed, why not move him inside, right next to Pouncey. He'll hear the calls, and anyone who ticks off those two together, ouch. It'd be like Watts on a Saturday evening with a lonely white robed Klucker walking though town.

I don't disagree with you Padre. Just don't forget Foster, who I thought played pretty well at RG. I am not sure about Flo at guard. I have never heard of a pulling House. ;)

[Craic]

I don't disagree with you Padre. Just don't forget Foster, who I thought played pretty well at RG. I am not sure about Flo at guard. I have never heard of a pulling House. ;)

You haven't??


http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSBvGGFAbAqyCCzkSMO9-M_vDlPMasHSs6i39zA1nsiEuBP7T4_5Q

:chuckle:

[86WARD]

I hope they plan on re-signing Colon and signing another free-agent Tackle because Gilbert is unproven, Flozell is nearing retirement, and Jonathan Scott does not belong on an NFL roster

Agree 100%

[oneforthetoe]

You haven't??


http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSBvGGFAbAqyCCzkSMO9-M_vDlPMasHSs6i39zA1nsiEuBP7T4_5Q

:chuckle:

I lobbed a softball at you on that one Padre.

Since we have signed Colon, I'd be Happier with Flo at RT and Colon at RG instead of Foster.

[steelerfan]

J-Scott has been re-signed as well.

[Chidi29]

J-Scott has been re-signed as well.

Yay!

:sarcasm2:

[tube517]

Nah ya'll got it wrong this is to bring back our short punt specialist MITCH FREAKIN' BERGER!!!


2 words to top that: PAUL ERNSTER!

[stillers4me]

http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/1130058275/38240_1398797295603_1402380338_31067871_3389421_n_ normal.jpgkmsteelerwr15 (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/#!/kmsteelerwr15)Kyle Mitchell@



What a shocker... RT @Steelersdepot (http://twitter.com/Steelersdepot) Max Starks has already talked to Cardinals OL coach Russ Grimm #steelers (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/#!/search?q=%23steelers)

[fansince'76]

2 words to top that: PAUL ERNSTER!

:horror: :puke:

[tube517]

http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/1130058275/38240_1398797295603_1402380338_31067871_3389421_n_ normal.jpgkmsteelerwr15 (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/#!/kmsteelerwr15)Kyle Mitchell@



What a shocker... RT @Steelersdepot (http://twitter.com/Steelersdepot) Max Starks has already talked to Cardinals OL coach Russ Grimm #steelers (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/#!/search?q=%23steelers)

I heard ARE is on the phone with Whiz now.

[Steeldude]

Hampton is fatter then Max is, and in worse condition too. Casey may be 30 Lbs lighter. But he is 7 inches shorter as well. If Tomlin doesn't have a weight issue with Hampton, I don't see why he would with Starks.

if i remember correctly, hampton was disciplined about his weight problem.