Steelers Franchise Max Starks

Last offseason, the Steelers slapped Max Starks with the transition tag, and at the time, most people didn't know what to make of the move. Starks, the team's starting right tackle during the 2005 Super Bowl season, had lost his job to Willie Colon, and paying a backup more than $6 million to ride the pine didn't make much sense.

It turned out to be a great move, however, because left tackle Marvel Smith missed most of the season with a back injury, and Starks, who will never be mistaken for Jonathan Ogden, played well in his absence. So well, in fact, that Pittsburgh franchised him Thursday afternoon.

Starks, the team's third-round pick in 2004, will make $8.5 million next season unless the Steelers can sign him to a long-term deal. This move could also signal the end to Smith's Pittsburgh career, although the former starting left tackle might be willing to give the Steelers a hometown discount because he's been plagued with injuries the last two seasons.

While the decision to franchise Starks is unexpected, perhaps more surprising is that the club opted not to tag cornerback Bryant McFadden. He'll become a free agent next week and will probably be looking for Kelvin Hayden money on the open market. Pittsburgh may consider $43 million over five years ($22.5 million guaranteed) too expensive for its liking and McFadden could end up elsewhere in '09.

Also something to consider: the Steelers had three offensive linemen entering free agency (Starks, Smith and Chris Kemoeatu) while, in a relatively deep defensive backfield, only McFadden's contract had expired.

Tracking NFL Free Agents

Julius Peppers, Defensive end
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY PANTHERS
The Latest: Despite his expressed wishes, Peppers was tagged by Carolina. He'll make nearly $17 million next season, but the Panthers will have to work out a trade for him to leave.

Streeter Lecka, Getty Images

Antonio Bryant, Wide receiver
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY BUCS
The Latest: Bryant will stay in Tampa, and receive nearly $10 million next year, a huge jump from the $600K he earned in 2008.

Joe Robbins, Getty Images

Dunta Robinson, Cornerback
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY TEXANS
The Latest: Houston will keep Robinson for next season, and continue to work on a long-term extension.

Greg Trott, Getty Images

LeRoy Hill, Linebacker
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TAG USED BY SEAHAWKS
The Latest: Seattle franchised Hill and, though he's free to talk with other teams, it's unlikely anyone will cough up multiple first-day draft picks for a trade.

Ted S. Warren, AP

Terrell Suggs, Linebacker
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY RAVENS
The Latest: The Ravens opted to lock down Suggs for next season, at the risk of losing both Ray Lewis and Bart Scott. Suggs will earn $10.2 million in 2009.

Streeter Lecka, Getty Images

Darren Sproles, Running back
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY CHARGERS
The Latest: Sproles will earn $6.6 million next season after San Diego franchised him. Now the question is, will he be the starter or LdT's backup?

Donald Miralle, Getty Images

Bo Scaife, Tight end
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TAG USED BY TITANS
The Latest: Tennessee signed kicker Rob Bironas to a long-term deal, freeing up the franchise tag for Scaife, who will make nearly $4.5 million in 2009.

G. Newman Lowrance, Getty Images

Jordan Gross, Offensive tackle
RE-SIGNED WITH CAROLINA - Six years, terms not announced
The Latest: The Panthers locked up Gross to a long-term contract, and did so just in time to place the franchise tag on Julius Peppers.

Paul Jasienski, Getty Images

Brandon Jacobs, Running back
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TAG USED BY GIANTS
The Latest: The non-exclusive tag means that Jacobs is still able to sign elsewhere, but would cost two first-round picks as compensation. He'll spend at least one more season in New York because of that.

Bill Kostroun, AP

Max Starks, Offensive tackle
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY STEELERS
The Latest: In a surprise move, Pittsburgh decided to drop the franchise tag on Starks, guaranteeing him $8.5 million in 2009.

Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-19-2009 @ 4:35PM

waterlillies10 said...

no one cares what the stealers do, please stop the articles

2-19-2009 @ 5:15PM

Matt said...

Totally agree, waterlillies. The Steelers have basically no fans, and beyond that there is never any interest in what the current Super Bowl winners do.

2-20-2009 @ 10:09AM

Mary said...

Ok well considering the Steelers, Cowboys and Yankees have the largest fanbase in sports history, I do believe people DO WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT so keep the articles coming. Oh and by the way, spellcheck never hurt anyone...it's STEELERS not "Stealers"

2-19-2009 @ 6:06PM

slfpgh said...

You girls should stopfighting about your loser teams. cry babies ,new england cowgirls.

2-19-2009 @ 6:08PM

gcn said...

Waterlillies basically likes to smell his armpit. He takes a deep whiff, then cringes at the stink, then sniffs again, then cringes again, over and over.

I mean, he apparently hates (envies?) Pittsburgh so much that he wants all media outlets to stop putting out articles on the Steelers (good luck with that). Yet he continously reads the articles! Yeah, keep sniffing that armpit, loser.

2-19-2009 @ 6:30PM

Been wondering about whether Pittsburgh would use a tag. Starks is an interesting choice, but I think it works. The money doesn't seem crazy considering he'll probably continue on at LT (barring a good one coming through the draft). Hopefully they can work out a long term deal, he's pretty clearly their best player along the line.

2-20-2009 @ 6:57PM

no it will always be spelled stealers as far as iam concerned, you can't change perception, so there you go.

2-21-2009 @ 12:44AM

It will always be “Stealers” as far as waterlillies10 is concerned? Wow. That really hurts, an illiterate loser doesn’t like Pittsburgh. But he’s lucky his American friend knows the word “perception”--no way he knew that word himself.

2-21-2009 @ 12:48AM

Hey, guess what? Waterlillies is a Dallas fan! Ha ha. No wonder he's so jealous of the Steelers.

You know what else is funny? He didn’t want to admit he was a Cowboys fan when I asked, he tried to hide it! AHAHAHAHAHA! Pinche waterlillies10 is an even bigger loser than I thought he was, he’s just a fair weather Dallas fan, ashamed of his own team (of course, he should be, those losers). Waterlillies, you cowardly cowboy, go home to your brokeback ranch!