Pouncey at 100%, Adams exclusively at left tackle

i know 58, but even last year he lost weight, played pretty well and then as always started putting weight back on which hurt his game. he was the starter then. i can't imagine him sitting on the bench and not getting the reps and not being 400lbs. if we would need him. i think it would be a waste of a spot and money. i really think beachum was a smart pickup late for us and his smarts and ability to play anywhere on the line. i know he won't be a full timer at LT but he could in a pinch and so could essex with him now in shape. our ace in the hole is gilbert though. let kuglar coach them and not another bad lineman from the past. forward :swordsman: .

 

Beachum, Essex or Turner can't hold Max Stark's jock when it comes to playing the LT position. Starks returning last season is the only thing that saved our o-line. I would have no problem having him return as the starting LT. His biggest problem is staying healthy over a full season. Maybe that's when Mike Adams could be inserted into the lineup. I just don't see Adams being ready by the start of the season and I think Gilbert is a true RT.[/quote:2194wnr6]

you must watch different games then i do steel. our line has stunk to high heaven and starks was part of the reason. yea they looked better then with scott but c'mon man. he had a couple of games too where he was made a fool of, but everyone just remembers scotts game. besides that, beachum,essex,turner would be the 3rd or 4th options at LT and they can also play different positions that max can't. why waste a roster spot on the kind of game max starks puts out there. we are trying to reduce the sack numbers and be able to run to the left side.

 

I agree about Adams and Starks.

Adams, if he is remotely ready at LT shoud start their and leave Gilbert at RT. Colon to G with DD and MP in the middle.

I like Starks as a swing takle if he is somewhat still in shape. He is better at both positions than Essex or anyone else. Scott is absolutely terrible at LT and he started there at time last season, sure Adams is better at LT even if not ready than Scott.

I would like to see Adams-Colon-Pouncey-DeCastro-Gilbert I like Foster and Starks in there and maybe Essex or Legs (someone has to be BU center).

 

Why would this suprise you, Competition is the name of the Game and you get what you fight for and win.?

The greatest STEEL is forged in the furnace and pounded into shape by the Blacksmith Tomlin @ the Latrobe Blastfurnace.

Cajun-

 

why even have starks? he would be the 3rd tackle. swing for what reason? if adams goes down then gilbert jumps to the left side. there is absolutely no need for max starks.

 

Hate on Starks all you want...but he would be the best LT on the team the day he signs.....hopefully Adams can over take him at some point


HACK

 

then why did we draft one hack? think the denver game. max was abused. no other team in the NFL wanted him either. how is he now the all-pro do it all can't be beat LT. that's one step forward and 3 steps back. coming off a knee surgery to boot. that's like saying mendy would be the best RB we have in camp day one. i'm not buying it. we drafted his replacement two years in a row for a reason.

 

Gilbert is not a LT....just because you shove him in at LT does not make him a LT.....and Adams will be the man eventually....but most likely not day 1.

Starks is a really good tackle...just because he is not Jake Long or Joe Thomas does not mean he is not a good player...the guy has started on 3 Super Bowl teams 2 times at LT 1 time at RT......and been solid. Every tackle gets beat....every corner gets beat...it happens...the key is winning more than you lose..and Starks has always been that guy......Heck even most people when asked "who does Mike Adams remind you of in the NFL"...they said Max Starks or Marvel Smith.....

as a Buckeye I can tell you Mike Adams is in that mold....fans were crazy over missed assignments and lazy attitude...but there he was...one of the top rated Tackles in the draft.....Most of my friends are Brown fans...and are laughing at the Steelers for taking "the lazy over rated pot head"

I would start with MAX at LT....and make the rookie take it from him.

HACK

 

i will try adams and gilbert at left tackle in camp if they have problems i will call starks or maybe another veteran cut just for a one year stop gap,then i will release scott

 

I think Adams wins theLT spot and he starts....I have been watching a lot of him since we drafted him,I have noticed a few things.....

One thing is he has great feet and balance and should have no problem with speed or edge rushers....He does lack some power ,but when he gives maximum effort he has the technique to over come that....

He is also 1 of the best down blockers I have seen in a long time....This leads me to believe that we will see a lot of 35 trap and 35 counter trey......The 2 things needed to run that and have a high rate of success are a good down block from the LT ,and a strong lead puller from the RG....

The bottom line to me is Adams was just a College kid who had great skills and never used them play in and play out....IMO he will now play at a very high level and dominate at the LT spot early in his career just like Pouncey has at the Center spot...

 

gilbert can play LT if needed. adams didn't come from a team that passes much so pass protection isn't his strong suite, but when asked to he wasen't bad. just the system he came from. yes he does need to work to get better, but this is the time to push him to get better. while he's got the mindset to work his tail off to prove a point. the kid has the tools.

max isn't even slated to run until july. we start in august. this isn't max starks having to lose a few lbs. to get in shape, this is max starks having to lose a few lbs. get in shape and recover from a knee injury and surgery. this isn't max starks from his SB days anymore. yes , they all get beat, but max does more then most and when he doesn't he still gets pushed back into the pocket like he's a weak TE blocking then a 6-8 monster that he is. max was never a good true LT. he's more a gilbert coming into this league and that's how he has played. we didn't get to the SB on the back of max starks. stapleton was a SB guard too, but we all know how that has turned out. i think your giving max way too much credit.

 

and I think you are not giving him enough. Ben passed the ball 513 times last year...and was sacked 40 times....even if Max was responsible for all 40 sacks thats less than 8%....when you figure in how Ben was pressured up the gut more often ...Starks was probably less than 1% of the entire sack problem......Thats winning more than you lose.

Starks is an established VET..and can mentor the young guys in the locker room and off the field as well as on it.

HACK

 

The numbers from my project support Starks' pass protection abilities (except for a few games, like Denver). He did better than I thought. He was also a useless blob in the running game all year long.

But... mentor? Is that really who we want Adams to be? Starks hasn't exactly been a workout machine, or the best player. He's been inconsistent on the field over the years and never better than average, sometimes worse. If Adams turns out to be Max Starks, then he is a disappointment in my book. He should be much better.

 

i think alot had to do with max looking decent early last year and him falling back into his get heavy mode. he has always done this. max is smart as a whip but lazy. his length keeps him in the ball game. i think he's more gilbert then adams, but i want kugler to have youth and talent to work with and build this line like he's finally able to. so, hack my friend ,i have to agree to disagree with you on this one. adams has a few issues to work on but he's pretty athletic and can play with the best when he's on his best. when he uses those arms alot to keep guys off balance and off of him, he can control them. when he gets lazy with those arms they can catch him overeaching and off balance. he seals well and can go downfield pretty well. the kid has the talent to start. the kids no dummy either. focus is what kugler will need to work on with him. max will be on speed dial, but we have other options here. they are all learning a new offense. can't wait to see your final version snack, but i agree with ya on max.

 

When you just get rid of Max...you get the Scott's of the world....

Max would be the best LT on the roster the moment he signs....Thats not saying he would be come week 4 or 6..but week one without a doubt.

I know all about Mike Adams...I have watched every college game he ever played..I know who he is..and who he can be.


HACK

 

I think that be smart kinda like the Big Snack approach groom your youngster for 1 final season and make some decent $ while doing it... easiest year of football in there life

 

Some people just have a problem with weight.... that is just how it goes, people call them lazy when they really are not. Bettis and Hampton were always listed one weight when we all knew they were 10 to 20 lb's heavier.

Looking past that, Starks is a good lockeroom guy and a leader, that is something you don't see on game tape. And would be a good addition to this young line. Starks is very serviceable, and is good enough until someone beats him out.

His injury worries me though. I just wonder if he can be ready early enough in the season to make a difference on the field.?