Comments on: Steelers Tell Max, “Tag! You’re It!” http://nicepickcowher.com/2008/02/23/steelers-tell-max-tag-youre-it/ A Pittsburgh Steelers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more. Sun, 30 Dec 2012 06:16:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Chris http://nicepickcowher.com/2008/02/23/steelers-tell-max-tag-youre-it/comment-page-1/#comment-86 Chris Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:37:43 +0000 http://nicepickcowher.com/2008/02/23/steelers-tell-max-tag-youre-it/#comment-86 Adam--I didn't hate the ending to NCFOM, it just confused me.  Now Pearl Jam, they've sucked since they left the whole grunge/Seattle sound of their first 2 albums.  And if KC thinks Starks is worth $7.5mil/year, good luck to them.<br /><br />Raider Chris--Your argument makes sense and I can see Faneca going to Oakland as they do like those vets.  I'm sure Faneca will want the contract heavily front-loaded.   You guys need so many skill players pretty much everywhere that I'm not sure taking a big cap hit on the OL should be a #1 priority but I guess you gotta start somewhere.<br /><br />And, uh, to both you guys:  shouldn't you maybe worry about finding a quarterback before you worry about building up an o-line? Adam–I didn’t hate the ending to NCFOM, it just confused me.  Now Pearl Jam, they’ve sucked since they left the whole grunge/Seattle sound of their first 2 albums.  And if KC thinks Starks is worth $7.5mil/year, good luck to them.

Raider Chris–Your argument makes sense and I can see Faneca going to Oakland as they do like those vets.  I’m sure Faneca will want the contract heavily front-loaded.   You guys need so many skill players pretty much everywhere that I’m not sure taking a big cap hit on the OL should be a #1 priority but I guess you gotta start somewhere.

And, uh, to both you guys:  shouldn’t you maybe worry about finding a quarterback before you worry about building up an o-line?

]]> By: Chris (Raiders) http://nicepickcowher.com/2008/02/23/steelers-tell-max-tag-youre-it/comment-page-1/#comment-87 Chris (Raiders) Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:03:40 +0000 http://nicepickcowher.com/2008/02/23/steelers-tell-max-tag-youre-it/#comment-87 Can't help it, the Steelers have made some great picks dating all the way back to Dermontti Dawson.  It just feels like ages since former Raiders Steve Wisnewski and Lincoln Kennedy retired.  As much as I love the effectiveness of the Raiders new zone-blocking run scheme, it pales in comparison to the explosion of a traditional power man-to-man scheme that the Raiders and Steelers are most known for.I thought it was a tough situation for any fan to deal with when it looks like your team is willing to sign a lesser talented player (Starks) for around the same price as what it would cost them to franchise a far better athlete.But I think you're right on, the Steelers think he's got 1-2 years left, and he thinks 3-5.  Faneca knows he can get the contract he wants...maybe in Oakland.  He could lose 10 or 15 pounds, and possibly last 4-5 more seasons.  Look at all those damn Denver Broncos' O-linemen that last forever; shit Tom Nalen is just now falling apart, and he's 36.  I have no problem taking a salary cap hit for a season or two if the Raiders signed Faneca to a 4 or 5-year contract and he doesn't complete it.  He's worth the risk, but for the Raiders, not for your Steelers.The Raiders pride themselves in signing future Hall-of-Famers in the later years who can still play.  Ronnie Lott was the Defensive-Player of the year in his first season in Oakland.  Rod Woodson was pivotal to the Raiders last Super Bowl appearance.  Jerry Rice came over when the 49ers gave up on him only to go to 2 ProBowls and 1 Super Bowl.   Can’t help it, the Steelers have made some great picks dating all the way back to Dermontti Dawson.  It just feels like ages since former Raiders Steve Wisnewski and Lincoln Kennedy retired.  As much as I love the effectiveness of the Raiders new zone-blocking run scheme, it pales in comparison to the explosion of a traditional power man-to-man scheme that the Raiders and Steelers are most known for.I thought it was a tough situation for any fan to deal with when it looks like your team is willing to sign a lesser talented player (Starks) for around the same price as what it would cost them to franchise a far better athlete.But I think you’re right on, the Steelers think he’s got 1-2 years left, and he thinks 3-5.  Faneca knows he can get the contract he wants…maybe in Oakland.  He could lose 10 or 15 pounds, and possibly last 4-5 more seasons.  Look at all those damn Denver Broncos’ O-linemen that last forever; shit Tom Nalen is just now falling apart, and he’s 36.  I have no problem taking a salary cap hit for a season or two if the Raiders signed Faneca to a 4 or 5-year contract and he doesn’t complete it.  He’s worth the risk, but for the Raiders, not for your Steelers.The Raiders pride themselves in signing future Hall-of-Famers in the later years who can still play.  Ronnie Lott was the Defensive-Player of the year in his first season in Oakland.  Rod Woodson was pivotal to the Raiders last Super Bowl appearance.  Jerry Rice came over when the 49ers gave up on him only to go to 2 ProBowls and 1 Super Bowl.  

]]> By: Adam http://nicepickcowher.com/2008/02/23/steelers-tell-max-tag-youre-it/comment-page-1/#comment-88 Adam Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:54:20 +0000 http://nicepickcowher.com/2008/02/23/steelers-tell-max-tag-youre-it/#comment-88 Chris, damn, man. I love the ending of <em>No Country For Old Men</em> and basically every Pearl Jam album after <em>Vs. </em>Ouch.FYI, my Chiefs might be coming after Starks, too. We'll see come Friday, I suppose... Chris, damn, man. I love the ending of No Country For Old Men and basically every Pearl Jam album after Vs. Ouch.FYI, my Chiefs might be coming after Starks, too. We’ll see come Friday, I suppose…

]]> By: Dave http://nicepickcowher.com/2008/02/23/steelers-tell-max-tag-youre-it/comment-page-1/#comment-85 Dave Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:26:50 +0000 http://nicepickcowher.com/2008/02/23/steelers-tell-max-tag-youre-it/#comment-85 this was from steelers.com: Still, in accordance with the rules, the Steelers would have to pay Starks a salary of $6.895 million for the 2008 season in the event he does not present them with an offer sheet during a signing period that lasts almost five full months.I think I misinterpreted that to say that if an offer was made they could maybe offer less with more security. But at second look, I think for 2008 you're right. They pay at least 6.895 but no less. The change in amount can only go up. This year. And that hurts the cap this year. But they could get fancy and make his average contract (if they sign him longer) much less that 6.895. this was from steelers.com: Still, in accordance with the rules, the Steelers would have to pay Starks a salary of $6.895 million for the 2008 season in the event he does not present them with an offer sheet during a signing period that lasts almost five full months.I think I misinterpreted that to say that if an offer was made they could maybe offer less with more security. But at second look, I think for 2008 you’re right. They pay at least 6.895 but no less. The change in amount can only go up. This year. And that hurts the cap this year. But they could get fancy and make his average contract (if they sign him longer) much less that 6.895.

]]> By: Chris http://nicepickcowher.com/2008/02/23/steelers-tell-max-tag-youre-it/comment-page-1/#comment-84 Chris Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:00:49 +0000 http://nicepickcowher.com/2008/02/23/steelers-tell-max-tag-youre-it/#comment-84 Dave, I double checked the NFL.com definition of "transitional" tag and the Post-Gazette's article and they both said Starks "MUST be paid the average of the top 10 linemen..."   so I believe you're mistaken on that one.   Regardless of what others offer or if no offer is made at all, the Steelers must pay Starks $6.9 next year.  As you said, I'm sure Starks will be willing to negotiate signing bonuses and multiple years so it might balance out to less over the long run but I'm pretty sure that number is locked in next year.   I think the reason they didn't tag Faneca is he wants a 3-4 yr deal and the Steelers think he only has 1 or 2 top level years left so they figured why bother.  I just don't think Starks would've been a hotly pursued FA or had a bidding war over him so no matter how you look at it, the Steelers way overpaid and if you're overpaying, at least overpay for a guy who's been a 7 time All-Pro, not a guy who got beat out by Willie Colon. Dave, I double checked the NFL.com definition of "transitional" tag and the Post-Gazette’s article and they both said Starks "MUST be paid the average of the top 10 linemen…"   so I believe you’re mistaken on that one.   Regardless of what others offer or if no offer is made at all, the Steelers must pay Starks $6.9 next year.  As you said, I’m sure Starks will be willing to negotiate signing bonuses and multiple years so it might balance out to less over the long run but I’m pretty sure that number is locked in next year.   I think the reason they didn’t tag Faneca is he wants a 3-4 yr deal and the Steelers think he only has 1 or 2 top level years left so they figured why bother.  I just don’t think Starks would’ve been a hotly pursued FA or had a bidding war over him so no matter how you look at it, the Steelers way overpaid and if you’re overpaying, at least overpay for a guy who’s been a 7 time All-Pro, not a guy who got beat out by Willie Colon.

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