Max Starks signed a 4 year deal after being placed under the franchise tag by the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier in the off season. The move frees up money for the Steelers so they can probably give extensions to a few of their upcoming free agents. After being drafted in the third-round out of Florida in 2004 Starks made 30 straight starts from 2005-2006 including playing right tackle during Super Bowl 40.He will remain at the Left Tackle spot for the Steelers, where he started the last 11 games including Super Bowl 43, until at least the 2012 season. After Bill Cowher retired Starks feel out of favor with Mike Tomlin and his new regime but he persevered and stepped up when he was needed. Last year the Steelers placed the transition tag on Starks allowing him to make $6.9 million just for being the back up going into the season but Marvel Smith went on the IR mid way through the year and did not return. Smith left via free agency to join the San Francisco 49ers.
The move frees up money so the Steelers can offer extensions to one of their many free agents for the next off season which includes Casey Hampton, Heath Miller, Jeff Reed, Brett Kiesel, and Ryan Clark. I would love to see the Steelers get Miller taken care of and make him a Steeler for life. Then I think they should extend Hampton for a year or 2 while Ziggy Hood develops and then Ryan Clark should be next because he has been the perfect compliment to Troy Polamalu. Jeff Reed is the only kicker who can make a field goal in Heinz Field so it would be pretty hard to replace him but he is a notorious party boy in Pittsburgh which could work against him come negotiation time. Brett Kiesel has been rock solid for the Steeler defense but hes getting up there in age and they drafted a couple of guys who could soon replace him.
I have complete faith in the front office of the Pittsburgh Steelers, they have a proven track record and they have a method that has been successful for them for many years. Their front office has a knack for knowing when a player is past his prime and they usually have someone waiting right there to step up and fill the void. I can't wait for the upcoming season so I can watch my Steelers defend their Super Bowl crown!
GO STEELERS!
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