mesaSteeler
01-31-2009, 12:40 AM
Left out at left tackle?
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_609645.html#
By Kevin Gorman
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, January 31, 2009
TAMPA, Fla. - After Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers will have to decide whether to bring back the left tackle with a bad back or make a long-term commitment to the one tagged as a transition player.
Where Marvel Smith said this week that he would "love to finish up playing in Pittsburgh," his health is an issue after he was placed on injured reserve in late December when his back acted up for the second consecutive season.
Max Starks, meantime, signed a transition tender only to be a backup to right tackle Willie Colon until Smith was sidelined. Now, Starks says, his preference is "to go where I'm wanted and needed."
With both Smith and Starks unrestricted free agents, the Steelers have yet to determine if they are going to sign one or the other or go in a different direction. There's no question, however, that the team needs someone to protect Ben Roethlisberger's blind side.
"Obviously, this is a pretty good team, and we're going to want to keep it together," Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said. "What combination of that I can't say at this point because we haven't sat down as a staff. You're not going to be able to keep everybody. We'd love to but, realistically, we probably won't be able to keep everybody.
"The losses will be minimal, and the replacements will be capable."
The 38th pick of the 2000 draft and a '05 Pro Bowl pick, Smith's marketability took a hit by his bothersome back. Not to mention that Smith turns 31 in August, and the Steelers elected not to sign five-time All-Pro guard Alan Faneca to a long-term contract at the same age last year.
"I feel wherever I go, I'll have the opportunity to play," Smith said. "I started my career here in Pittsburgh. I'm not real big on change, really. I'd love to finish what I started. The whole time I've been here, we've had a good team. It's a strong foundation, and I believe I'm a big part of it, too.
"I'm looking forward to finding out."
Smith said his recovery is ahead of schedule and believes his return, coupled with right guard Kendall Simmons (Achilles), could solidify a shaky offensive line that features four new starters.
"Next year, we both come back," Smith said, "and it'll be like we've got two first-round picks back on the offensive line."
Then again, there's no guarantee either one will make a full recovery or return to their previous form. Starks was stunned when the Steelers offered a one-year, $6.9 million tender to avoid losing him, only to serve as a backup.
"It's hard to say, because anything can happen. It's just a matter of what the plans are, and the Rooneys never give you a read," Starks said of the team's owners. "I didn't know I was transitioned until the day it happened. I had no indication. The Rooneys are very private individuals. They won't tell you anything until the time is right."
One factor favoring Starks is that he just turned 27 on Jan. 10 and has shown he can play left tackle for a Super Bowl team.
"I guess we'll see what happens in the upcoming month about free agency," Starks said. "That is a big deal with this new market. I'm kind of looking forward to seeing what happens, but I want to hold a sticky Lombardi Trophy first."
Kevin Gorman can be reached at kgorman@tribweb.com or 412-320-7812.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_609645.html#
By Kevin Gorman
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, January 31, 2009
TAMPA, Fla. - After Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers will have to decide whether to bring back the left tackle with a bad back or make a long-term commitment to the one tagged as a transition player.
Where Marvel Smith said this week that he would "love to finish up playing in Pittsburgh," his health is an issue after he was placed on injured reserve in late December when his back acted up for the second consecutive season.
Max Starks, meantime, signed a transition tender only to be a backup to right tackle Willie Colon until Smith was sidelined. Now, Starks says, his preference is "to go where I'm wanted and needed."
With both Smith and Starks unrestricted free agents, the Steelers have yet to determine if they are going to sign one or the other or go in a different direction. There's no question, however, that the team needs someone to protect Ben Roethlisberger's blind side.
"Obviously, this is a pretty good team, and we're going to want to keep it together," Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said. "What combination of that I can't say at this point because we haven't sat down as a staff. You're not going to be able to keep everybody. We'd love to but, realistically, we probably won't be able to keep everybody.
"The losses will be minimal, and the replacements will be capable."
The 38th pick of the 2000 draft and a '05 Pro Bowl pick, Smith's marketability took a hit by his bothersome back. Not to mention that Smith turns 31 in August, and the Steelers elected not to sign five-time All-Pro guard Alan Faneca to a long-term contract at the same age last year.
"I feel wherever I go, I'll have the opportunity to play," Smith said. "I started my career here in Pittsburgh. I'm not real big on change, really. I'd love to finish what I started. The whole time I've been here, we've had a good team. It's a strong foundation, and I believe I'm a big part of it, too.
"I'm looking forward to finding out."
Smith said his recovery is ahead of schedule and believes his return, coupled with right guard Kendall Simmons (Achilles), could solidify a shaky offensive line that features four new starters.
"Next year, we both come back," Smith said, "and it'll be like we've got two first-round picks back on the offensive line."
Then again, there's no guarantee either one will make a full recovery or return to their previous form. Starks was stunned when the Steelers offered a one-year, $6.9 million tender to avoid losing him, only to serve as a backup.
"It's hard to say, because anything can happen. It's just a matter of what the plans are, and the Rooneys never give you a read," Starks said of the team's owners. "I didn't know I was transitioned until the day it happened. I had no indication. The Rooneys are very private individuals. They won't tell you anything until the time is right."
One factor favoring Starks is that he just turned 27 on Jan. 10 and has shown he can play left tackle for a Super Bowl team.
"I guess we'll see what happens in the upcoming month about free agency," Starks said. "That is a big deal with this new market. I'm kind of looking forward to seeing what happens, but I want to hold a sticky Lombardi Trophy first."
Kevin Gorman can be reached at kgorman@tribweb.com or 412-320-7812.