Pittsburgh Steelers Re-Sign Max Starks
By Matt Shetler
The Pittsburgh Steelers came to terms on Tuesday on a one-year deal with veteran offensive tackle Max Starks, a move that not only I like a lot, but one that franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger should also be happy with.
Maybe the Steelers learned their lesson from 2011 and signed the reliable Starks before training camp begins instead of a month into the season.
It's real and sealed! I'll be seeing you in Latrobe! http://t.co/FqqZ0xZV
— Max Starks IV (@maxstarks78) July 17, 2012
Starks was signed in Week 5 a season ago and started every game from that point on until he tore his ACL in the Steelers playoff loss to the Denver Broncos.
The former third-round pick out of Florida has been one of the Steelers most dependable linemen in recent years, but the knee injury and the subsequent drafting of guard David DeCastro and tackle Mike Adams, Starks’ situation appeared to be in doubt.
Second-year tackle Marcus Gilbert is set to remain on the right side and Starks will provide quality depth behind Adams, who will be given an opportunity to win the job in training camp. For the first time in a long while, the Steelers’ offensive line could become a strength.
According to Football Outsiders Almanac (via CBS Sports):
"The 2011 season “marked the fourth straight season in which Pittsburgh had an offensive line that ranked among the eight most injured in the NFL. During that time span, the unit has averaged 24.9 (adjusted games lost), which is the equivalent of 1.6 player seasons lost to injury."
In addition to Starks, the Steelers lost Willie Colon for the season after Week 1, and Maurkice Pouncey also missed time with a hamstring injury.
Starks and the two rookies should give the Steelers the best depth they’ve had up front in quite some time.
Last month, Roethlisberger wore a No. 78 jersey in honor of Starks and predicted the veteran offensive tackle could once again don a Steelers jersey in the near future.
A few months later and Starks is once again wearing the black-and-gold, a member of the only franchise he has ever known.