Franchising Starks may possibly be considered a sensible Move

The Steelers decision to operation Max Starks may possibly appear puzzling, but for just about any party that just won the awesome Bowl, it's a pretty logical move.

By tagging Starks, Pittsburgh guarantees that it doesn't mind into costless organization finding a gaping hole. With Starks locked up, Pittsburgh could start the time period with Starks, Kendall Simmons, Justin Hartwig, Darnell Stapleton and Willie Colon. It's not just a superior line; in fact, it's a pretty bad one, but it's not really any worse than the one that won the awesome Bowl.

But when the Steelers didn't operation Starks, they could have headed into costless organization without any technique B. If Starks do somehow choose to leave, Pittsburgh would come going to be left possibly to overpay among the a pretty mediocre crop of costless agent tackles, re-sign Marvel Smith in hopes that he can stay healthful for that very first time in 3 years or count over a draft choose to actions in and start. The Steelers would have potentially been stuck in an untenable situation without any dependable option to defend Ben Roethlisberger as they began their awesome Bowl defense.

But possibly the finest element about the operation tag is that it ties the Steelers to Starks for only one year. The Post-Gazette is reporting the fact that Steelers are seeking to hold out out a long-term cope with Starks, but does Pittsburgh really desire to hold out that? Starks may possibly be considered a participant you're continually attempting to replace -- some thing the Steelers keep proving by benching him in every belonging to the previous two years. when the Steelers can draft a long-term left tackle, the operation tag would allow them to proceed on to possibly a draft choose or Tony Hills in 2010, even though letting Starks fill the stopgap part in the meantime.

But Starks is arguably the 2nd finest lineman the Steelers have (and Hartwig isn't a good offer much better than Starks). So by franchising him, the Steelers are in a placement to slap a bandage about the cardstock cut at left tackle, even though working on repairing the gaping wounds at shield and proper tackle. Now the Steelers can make an effort to upgrade the rest belonging to the line with some draft picks. If they draft a tackle, they could see if he can beat out Colon, then slide Colon inside to compete for just about any shield spot. Or if they draft a shield or center, they could see when the draft choose could beat out Simmons or Stapleton. Or ideally, they are able to do both.