Deljcz

[/quote:l3yhawv8]

yea since max has played like a pro bowler too. SF game bring back any memories for ya? [/quote:l3yhawv8]
One bad game against one of the most beastly pass rushers in the NFL. Aldon Smith isn't even a starter and I think he racked up double digit sacks.

You're grasping at straws, mac! I'm no Starks fan and I never was, but to say he hasn't outperformed Scott by a mile or two is just silly.[/quote:l3yhawv8]

don't break your arm patting yourself on the back for max being the answer either, scott had a bad game or two and he has also had some very good ones. if max continues his ways of putting the weight back on the less effective he is. when max was 400 lbs. i still think scott was just as good. putting other guards next to max also helped him look much better. scott didn't have that chance. i really don't care for either at LT. scott has always played better on the right side. we could use a long term upgrade on the left side. i really wouldn't mind a nate potter or matt reynolds coming here in the draft. i think the top dogs are out of reach for us. i don't care for smith from OSU or either guy from fla.st.

 

Max Starks in shape is a top-15 left tackle.

Jon Scott is really nothing more than a swing tackle backup. When he's at left tackle as a starter, he's in the bottom third easy.

That said, I was/am very upset at Max Starks for being so out of shape the last couple of years and this past off-season (through the lockout). The guy got paid by this organization over $22 million the last 3 seasons. And he had the gall to show up at camp almost 400 lbs. That pissed the Steelers off (to the point they cut him) and pissed me off and should piss every other fan off.

So now Max has a second chance and he is being paid $810,000 because of it. Even after this year, I think he owes the team money.

I'm glad Max is back (he makes us a better team right now), but I'm not ready to forgive him yet either. Nor would I ever throw an absurd about of money at the guy again.

Wouldn't surprise me at all if Colbert and Co. franchise tag him again though....

 

wassup del? i agree with you and i also am seeing max put that weight right back on. he's gained alot since he came back. he falls right back to his old ways every time. this isn't just his 2nd chance either. we went through this when he lost his RT spot. as for scott, i have to give him props for the playoff run last year. he played above a bottom third level. we didn't throw top 15 money at him either, so i think we knew exactly what we had in him. he's still better at RT then LT.

 

I've missed that tag! Welcome back Del; hope to see more of your opinions around here.

 

To all - I had a chance to check out deljzc's blog. Very interesting. Especially the comments made after after we "beat" the colts and all the resulting negative energy from steeler nation that followed that game. Also insightful to read about Colbert's, Tomlin's and BA's background & biographies and how it's perhaps contributing to our very inconsistent offense, especially in the running game. To all of us who have used this smilie more often than we thought possible over the course of this season, it's an enlightening read.[/quote]
WOW, interesting to say the least. Highly recommended reading. Now I know that I am not crazy and my opinion on BAs incompetence is warranted.Some of you guys almost had me questioning what I was actually witnessing with my own eyes and the feelings I was having in the depths of my soul, when it comes to this offenses shortcomings. I feel alive again, no longer trapped in this BA bizzaro world.......the truth shall set you free.(I know a little melodramatic),but it is still a must read no matter what side of the fence you are on. Wonderful blog Deljcz,keep up the good work!

 

Del and TSS are the same person with dual personalities. Like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

 

Welcome back deljcz. The board definitely missed you and a few others. It will be good to get your very thoughtful opinions on some of this stuff. I am looking forward to your analysis on the salery cap situation and the draft. It has always been spot on. Question, have you seen KevDude and TSS anywhere? Those guys are also missed. They kept it very interesting like yourself. If you run into them, please invite them on over.

Again, welcome back and I will being looking forward to seeing you post.

 

I never said Max was "the answer" for the long term, ever. All I said was to lose him with Jonathan Scott as our go-to backup is just plain stupid. I think Del was being generous implying Scott could be as good as the 22nd best OT in the game. As a backup RT he is serviceable. As backup LT he is subpar. As a starting LT he is downright terrible. I don't think he was as good as you say last year, and he sure was awful this year.

I also have no idea what will happen with Starks next year. Colon will be the RT. If we keep Starks, do we put Gilbert at guard? Or do we stick Gilbert at LT and cut Starks loose? Will be settle for swing OT duties? So much depends on how Starks handles next offseason.

 

I would be completely shocked. I think the jury's still out if they even keep him. I'm sure they learned their lesson about this particular player. They paid him a million dollars per game a few years back and he incredibly unstable and can be unreliable on the field and in the offseason. Plus, we don't need him now like we did then. They'll stick Gilbert out there before paying Starks good money.

 

i don't like colon at rt , i will keep gilbert there and move colon at guard ,or i would trade him
i say try to sign starks at 3 milion a year

 

Lots of us feel that way, but I'm speculating on what the team will do. They have had a million chances to play him at guard, when it would have meant getting talent off the bench and crap off the field and onto the bench, and they refused. Colon/Starks > Stapleton/Colon, but that didn't stop them from benching Starks and starting Stapleton. That was a worse situation than this one, so I don't see it happening. Also, Gilbert says he can play both G spots as well as both T spots. But who knows, maybe they'll change their minds.

 

For bad or good, I think this team looks to sign Starks again after this season. Our cap situation might preclude using the franchise tag on him again (our 2012 & 2013 salary cap picture is not pretty), but a reasonable salary is acceptable to me.

I would be disappointed if they decide to move Gilbert to LT after one year as I think he has looked good at RT and needs another season there at least to continue his learning process. RT also appears to be him "natural position" and rocking the boat might not be good for his development. Although the way this team panders to everything Willie Colon, they might move Gilbert (LT or G) just to give Colon chance #3 there.

I also would be very disappointed if they go back to the idea Jon Scott is a LT, even though he is under contract next season. That's a recipe for disaster.

I also know Colbert and Co. will take care of a left tackle "plan" before the draft and not bank on any rookie to have to provide meaningful snaps. That's just the way they do things.

So based on these criteria it has to be a cheap option and it's either get Starks under contract cheap, use Scott coming off injury or move Gilbert to LT. To me, option A is the best choice.

 

this just makes for more of the same subpar play on the o-line if you ask me. i think we will draft one (LT) at some point and like you said del, on the cheap. that's part of the reason for the nate potter or matt reynolds looks. either could be a steal in round 3 or 4. they are good solid players. i don't think gilbert has the feet for a long term stint at LT. i like him at RT. i still think merideth may get a shot on the left side at either position. this guy was pretty good at SC at both spots. i'm not sure why he's not been tried with all the injuries.

 

i think it's more colon that has to change his mind. he has said before that he doesn't want to play guard, he's a tackle. part of the reason he took less money to stay here instead of chicago.

 

I don't doubt any of that. BUT, he will play where the coaches put him, and do his best. He's not going to go on a one man strike or quit.

 

jon scott you played a good game today. hmmmmm.

 

You're sounding a little desperate. I could have taken an identical shot at you 10 or 11 times this season about Starks, and didn't. But you're on record as making Scott your choice, both last year and this year, so I will just let that speak for itself.