I'm a bit confused.
The man the Steelers seem to criticize for being lazy and unproductive just inked a four year deal to stay with the team. For the past two seasons, the Steelers have made efforts to retain Starks as part of the offensive line. Last season he was labeled the team's transition player at a ridiculous salary ($6.9 million) and sat on the bench the first half of the year. This offseason, the team placed the franchise tag on him and was set to earn $8.451 million until his contract was signed.
As an unrestricted free agent, the Steelers had a chance to look for someone better, but instead they just throw more money at him. Maybe it's not all that bad. Maybe.
Starks is a six year veteran offensive lineman. He was drafted by the Steelers in the third round out of Florida. The Steelers really need some experience on the offensive line now that Marvel Smith and Kendall Simmons are gone. Their departure makes Starks the longest tenured offensive lineman on the team and the Steelers plan to start him at left tackle this season. Starks started in place of the injured Marvel Smith at left tackle last season, including the Super Bowl. He was drafted as a right tackle, but was replaced in the 2007 season by up-and-comer Willie Colon.
Starks four year deal is worth $26.3 million and includes a $10 million signing bonus. The new contract actually saves the Steelers $2 million in salary cap, so maybe it was the right thing to do. We get a better than average veteran lineman AND save money. The only thing we can ask is that the behemoth (he's 6'8 337 pounds) earns his salary and doesn't end up a bench warmer as we've seen in the past when he's been handed big money.
Starks is bound to the team through the 2012 season, but we're looking for an immediate return on the investment. Time will tell...
Original Story:
http://myteamrivals.typepad.com/steel...
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June 28, 2009
