Steelers Trade Mahan to Tampa Bay

[Steelersrule]

Steelers Trade Mahan for 2009 Draft Pick


PITTSBURGH ― The Steelers traded veteran center Sean Mahan to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an undisclosed 2009 draft pick, the team announced today.

Mahan, a six-year veteran, signed with the Steelers prior to the 2007 season as an unrestricted free agent from the Buccaneers, who selected him in the fifth round (168th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft.

Mahan started all 16 games in the regular season and the Steelers’ only postseason game in 2007.

The Steelers presently have 52 players on their active roster and will be able to add one more player prior to Sunday’s (Sept. 7) season opener against the Houston Texans at Heinz Field.

[Kdiddy71]

great news

[t-bone]

better for all concerned.

[Vis Major]

They plan to try him at QB

[Smooth Criminal]

Wondeful news. We get a draft pick and get his cap off our books. Hopefully we can use the money to extend Kemo or McFadden.

As for the roster spot, I'm still pulling for Willie Anderson. Doubtful I know. But imagine if he started at RT and we moved Colon to RG permanently. Too bad everything doesn't work as smoothly as planned like in Madden.

[leftcoaststeelerfan]

Bout fucking time....

[BillvinCowbert]

Very nice, props to the FO for getting something... and maybe we can add a decent veteran to the mix.

[GoSteelers]

ah that's a shame. and we had such high hopes for the guy. until the first snap last year and he turned into a turnstile. seeeeeya sean! back to where you came from.

[Doc]

if its more than a 6th rounder...it's a steal.

[t-bone]

cue LeCharles Bentley thread in......3....2....

[Doc]

KDKA text says it's a 6th rounder...

[Supersteeler]

Good job of making the right move even if it means having to admit you made a mistake in getting him. Nice. I'd take a box of hammers for him.

[Supersteeler]

KDKA text says it's a 6th rounder...

I'll take it. Hartwig is out stop gap until we (hopefully) can find a young guy who can take over in a couple years.

[Steelersrule]

cue LeCharles Bentley thread in......3....2....

keep in mind the vets have a guarenteed salary if signed before the end of week one game. If we go after someone like LeCharles, it will be Sunday night after the Texans game

[Spike]

Scan the waiver wire......get us some beef!

[Smooth Criminal]

if its more than a 6th rounder...it's a steal.


Someone gave us something to take Mahan and his salary.

Anything they give us is a steal. Hopefully its a conditional pick though cause last time Mahan was in Tampa he started.

[Smooth Criminal]

I don't even want to look at the waiver wire. I'd rather see Roy Lewis kept on the team. we don't need another lineman. Stapleton, Essex, Starks, and Hills can handle the backup roles.

But it could be that we sign Lecharles, after week 1 so his salary isn't guarenteed.

[Spike]

Willie Anderson is still out there....but he must want $$$


Bears talk to free-agent tackle Anderson, but chances slim

The Bears have had contact with free-agent tackle Willie Anderson, but the chances of the veteran joining the Bears are slim to none, according to an NFL source.

Anderson, 33, was released by the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday. He became a backup to Stacy Andrews at right tackle and refused to take a pay cut. He had a streak of 116 consecutive games stopped last season due to chronic pain in his right foot and also battled knee problems.

Anderson signed a five-year contract extension in 2005 reportedly worth $32 million. Money is part of the reason he doesn't fit into the Bears' plans despite the team's need for help on the offensive line.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-080901-chicago-bears-willie-anderson-tackle,0,3918352.story

[Smooth Criminal]

Any FA that wants money and is over 30 isn't even on the Steelers radar. I'd be shocked if we signed him, unless we can find a suiter for Starks too.

[Marshall Karp]

Addition by subtraction

[STEELERDYNASTY]

Good Ridance!

[t-bone]

cue LeCharles Bentley thread in......3....2....
9 minutes.....

[Steelersrule]

Willie Anderson is still out there....but he must want $$$


Bears talk to free-agent tackle Anderson, but chances slim

The Bears have had contact with free-agent tackle Willie Anderson, but the chances of the veteran joining the Bears are slim to none, according to an NFL source.

Anderson, 33, was released by the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday. He became a backup to Stacy Andrews at right tackle and refused to take a pay cut. He had a streak of 116 consecutive games stopped last season due to chronic pain in his right foot and also battled knee problems.

Anderson signed a five-year contract extension in 2005 reportedly worth $32 million. Money is part of the reason he doesn't fit into the Bears' plans despite the team's need for help on the offensive line.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-080901-chicago-bears-willie-anderson-tackle,0,3918352.story

With Tampa Bay receiving Mahan, they traded Buenning to Chicago

[Ike Kelly]

Enter...OL Jeremy Parquet from the PS.

I belive Bouchette/Dulac was saying they liked him very much and he was caught up in the numbers game.

[Southern Steeler]

The Bucs took him back?!?!?

[Doc]

The Bucs took him back?!?!?


he was never used properly in Pittsburgh...

[Smooth Criminal]

Apparently not. Tampa was always said to like him at guard. Thats probably where they'll put him.

[Steelersrule]

The Bucs took him back?!?!?


sweet deal for the Bucs, they get him back at less than what he was asking for while he was there

[Smooth Criminal]

sweet deal for the Bucs, they get him back at less than what he was asking for while he was there

They have Mahan on their roster. I don't think its a good deal for them.

[Steelersrule]

They have Mahan on their roster. I don't think its a good deal for them.


So where is our cap expert with the after cutting down to 53, and then ttrading Mahan, this is how much cap space the Steelers have guy (TMC?).

[thesteelcity]

Sean Mahan would look good in Red and Pewter again. He was not given a proper chance to show his athletic, mauling and offensive line capabilities in Pittsburgh. Plus, he is a warm weather lineman. Glad to have him back in T.B.

/poor sap Buc fans

[Smooth Criminal]

So where is our cap expert with the after cutting down to 53, and then ttrading Mahan, this is how much cap space the Steelers have guy (TMC?).

PFT said that the Steelers get 2.175 from Mahan. I don't know where they were before this though.

TMC will know to the dime.

[domthebomb228]

I read somewhere that Sean was very unhappy with his demotion and secretly asked for a trade. It's like he never watched film of himself.

[Smooth Criminal]

Sean Mahan would look good in Red and Pewter again. He was not given a proper chance to show his athletic, mauling and offensive line capabilities in Pittsburgh. Plus, he is a warm weather lineman. Glad to have him back in T.B.

/poor sap Buc fans

Hes an NFC lineman. Not ready for the big league yet.

[Milkman Dan]

That just blows my mind. Tampa must really love that guy to bring him back. Wow. It's not like he never had a chance here. Now, if we can get either LeCharles or Willie A in here, we'll be ready to go.

[Steelersrule]

PFT said that the Steelers get 2.175 from Mahan. I don't know where they were before this though.

TMC will know to the dime.


This site shows cap hit for Mahan at 2.9 mil, but I do not know how much of that is signing bonus

http://www.steelersalarycap.com/

[SteelrzGirl]

Whoa! Wow! Yay!

[Hines57]

Good riddance......

[Smooth Criminal]

This site shows cap hit for Mahan at 2.9 mil, but I do not know how much of that is signing bonus

http://www.steelersalarycap.com/

I think were on the hook for some of his cap space this season. Getting 2.9 would be amazing.

[Steelerman]

I just fucking knew that I shouldn't of bought a Mahan jersey.
























Riiiiiiight.

[Ben#7]

What draft pick did we have to give up to get tampa to take him?:D

[Ben#7]

Apparently not. Tampa was always said to like him at guard. Thats probably where they'll put him.

I wouldn't trust him to guard a bike. Let alone our $102 million QB.

Glad he is gone.

How much cap space does that free up for us?

[TMC]

The 2.175M is his salary this year and that is what we freed up this season. We were listed at 1.7M before signing Roye and extending Farrior. Then, you have to count all the signing bonuses of released players against the cap, so some of that moves forward (like the 2-6th round picks). I think that puts us @1M....steelersalarycap has us at $822,000...and he is probably pretty damn dead on. With Mahan's 2.175M, that would give us $3M in space.

But, realize this, next season, we have to eat Mahan's 2.4M in bonus money as it will come to our cap. When add the 2.4M and then back out the salary we would have paid him, it is still a plus number.


NOW, since we have a spot, I claim Dre' Moore off Tampa Bay's practice squad.

I know, I am an asshole.

[BermudaSteel]

What draft pick did we have to give up to get tampa to take him?:D

ESPN ticker says we'll GET a 7th rounder for WoMahan...


There is a God!!!:D

[Philthy]

A year after signing Sean Mahan to help the interior of their offensive line, the Steelers decided to go a different direction by trading him back to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a seventh-round pick.


Mahan, 6-foot-3, 301 pounds, left the Bucs to sign a five-year, $17 million contract last season and started the season for Pittsburgh at center. Because the AFC North is loaded with big nose tackles in 3-4 schemes, Mahan struggled even though he started 16 games.

Mahan will help the Bucs at either guard or center. Guard Davin Joseph is out most of September because of a broken foot. Mahan will also return to a conference in which 13 of the teams play 4-3 schemes, which is much easier for a lighter interior offensive lineman.

The Bucs have not asked Mahan to re-adjust his salary. In Pittsburgh, Mahan lost his starting job to Justin Hartwig.

The Buccaneers then turned around and shipped guard Dan Buenning to the Bears for an undisclosed 2009 draft choice, believed to be a seventh.

A fourth-round pick in 2005, Buenning started 16 games as a rookie, but his playing time diminished over the next two seasons. He started seven games in 2006 and didn't start or play a game last season.

The 6-foot-3, 320-pound Buenning is expected to help the team's depth at guard. Starting left guard Terrence Metcalf missed most of the preseason because of knee surgery. Josh Beekman has been filling in at left guard.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3565737

The Steelers get a 7th round pick, and like a poster mentioned earlier the Buccaneers then traded guard Dan Buenning to the Bears.

[SteelerFan448]

Great move by the FO. I can't believe any team gave up anything for them. The AFC is for the big boys and Sean Mahan wasn't one of them.

[Irv24]

I hope the Tampa QBs enjoyed having their spleens.

[Steelerman]

A 7th round pick. In other words, nothing. How embarrassing to go from starter to being traded for a 7th rounder.

[TMC]

I keep reading that the pick is conditional. I bet it has a play-time clause....if he starts so many games, it is a 6th. If he does not start, it is a 7th. Either way........

[thesteelcity]

any chance of a team taking Starks for a 5th or 6th?

(sorry, nodding off for a sec there. . .)

[Toolsteel]

I will consume beer in celebration of this glorious event.

I don't care if the Steelers get a parking lot pass in Tampa for him it will be worth it.

[Spike]

So, has anyone asked?.....who is our back-up center?

[thesteelcity]

So, has anyone asked?.....who is our back-up center?

I'd put Dennis Dixon as the back-up knowing Mahan is gooooooonnnnnnnne!

[Supersteeler]

So, has anyone asked?.....who is our back-up center?

I would guess Mr. Stapleton, didn't he make the final 53 too?

[Andymisiu]

Well that is good news. I guess I was way off on who would win the job at center. Ohh well, can't get everything right. Good for us!

[Spike]

Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by Spike http://www.steelernation.com/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.steelernation.com/forums/showthread.php?p=242155#post242155)
So, has anyone asked?.....who is our back-up center?
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
I would guess Mr. Stapleton, didn't he make the final 53 too?

Yeah, he made it - that sounds OK.
<!-- / message -->

[steelberger1]

I would have traded him for a dollar and some envelopes. (obscure movie quote)

[Stlrs4Life]

Well good riddance, glad this is all behind us now.

[rossi]

That says a few things. First they made a good move getting Hartwig.Second, Stapleton can play and likely can play guard as well. Third someone was burning a little midnight oil working out a deal for what was now a back up player.
Hey for once "all is well that ends well",

[Steel Shinin]

Bucs trade for Pittsburgh OL Sean Mahan
Chris Harry | Sentinel Staff Writer
5:58 PM EDT, September 2, 2008
TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reached to their past to shore up the future on the offensive line Tuesday, acquiring Sean Mahan from Pittsburgh for an undisclosed 2009 draft pick.

Mahan, a combo center/guard, was a fifth-round pick by Tampa Bay in '03 out of Notre Dame and started 36 of 57 games the next four years before bolting for the Steelers via free agency.

To make room on for Mahan the 53-man roster, the Bucs traded OL Dan Buenning, also a combo center/guard to Chicago, recouping that undisclosed '09 draft pick. Buenning, the fourth-year pro from Wisconsin, was inactive for all 16 regular-season and the team's playoff game in '07 as he struggled to return to health from a knee injury the year before.

Buenning was a top backup for the Bucs at both center and guard, but was beaten out on both fronts by rookie third-round pick Jeremy Zuttah, out of Rutgers, who replaced injured Davin Joseph (knee) in the starting lineup two weeks ago.



Mahan will be listed as the backup to C Jeff Faine when Tampa Bay begins preparations for Sunday's regular-season opener at New Orleans.

Buenning was a fourth-round pick from Wisconsin in '05, when he started every game (plus a playoff) en route to being named to the NFL's All-Rookie team. He suffered a knee injury in the '06 preseason that he could reach his rookie form.

LMAO!

[Vis Major]

I think we knew:

http://www.steelernation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11581

[markymarc]

Very nice. I can't believe the Bucs took Mahan back. Looks like Stapleton will be active on game days now.

[Stlrs4Life]

Beat me to it Vis. Bad American. LOL.

[Vindrow]

Hoo-fucking-ra, we got rid of Mahan...this is almost as good as the Steelers winning SB XL.

[Jaiyeson]

Send his ass back to where he came from.

[Spike]

TB is going to pay a backup lineman a million more a year than their starting QB?
I'm sure Garcia will love that.

Ho Ho Ho Gruden

[Ski_Alta]

damn mendenhall looks HUGE in that t shirt

"after the season, i'll probably look to take some lessons"
after the season? if i picked up that saxaphone...glass would shatter within a half mile and dogs would cry

[Balls&YourWord]

Nice to see the FO be proactive for once, good move. No complaints here.

[Blind Official]

Nice to see the FO be proactive for once, good move. No complaints here.

How is it being "proactive" when you sign a bad player to a really expensive contract, give him a year, then demote him and trade him away after camp for a 7th rounder?

Maybe it's proactive when being compared to cutting him earlier in camp and getting nothing, but this is like being the smartest retarded kid.

They made this move to save face as much as they didn't want Starks to be a gameday inactive and make 7 million this season.

[BigSteelThrill]

FYI: Letting Mahan hold the top spot on the depth chart kept his value inflated.
While we in Steeler land "know better" about Sean, thats not always true elsewhere.
Which is how you get something from him (a low pick and someone else eats salary) when he held damn near no value to those "in the know".

[Supersteeler]

How is it being "proactive" when you sign a bad player to a really expensive contract, give him a year, then demote him and trade him away after camp for a 7th rounder?

Maybe it's proactive when being compared to cutting him earlier in camp and getting nothing, but this is like being the smartest retarded kid.

They made this move to save face as much as they didn't want Starks to be a gameday inactive and make 7 million this season.

Thank you for chiming in Mr. positive. You always lighten the mood.



"Hey the Steelers just won the Superbowl!"

Blind Official - " I hope they have to give the trophy back for paying Starks 7 million a season to be a backup."


As much as I was joking there, it wouldn't surprise me to actually hear that from you at this point.

[SteelerFan448]

TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reached to their past to shore up the future on the offensive line Tuesday, acquiring Sean Mahan from Pittsburgh for an undisclosed 2009 draft pick.

LMAO!

LMAO is right!

[Smooth Criminal]

How is it being "proactive" when you sign a bad player to a really expensive contract, give him a year, then demote him and trade him away after camp for a 7th rounder?

Maybe it's proactive when being compared to cutting him earlier in camp and getting nothing, but this is like being the smartest retarded kid.

They made this move to save face as much as they didn't want Starks to be a gameday inactive and make 7 million this season.

The front office is going to make mistakes. I like that they completely recognized this signing as a mistake and took care of the problem. They easily could have let him sit on our roster and get paid but they made the right move to find a trading partner.

This is why Mahan came to camp as the starter, so they could try to build trade value. If Mahan never plays as a starter i doubt the Steelers get anything for him and are forced to cut him and take a penalty or eat his salary.

And Starks would never be inactive on gameday. Hes the backup at both tackles and our 3rd TE in goalline.

[Blind Official]

Thank you for chiming in Mr. positive. You always lighten the mood.

there's nothing to be positive about. Am I still supposed to "give the move time" because Colbert made it and he knows what he's doing? Am I still supposed to think that Simmons is good because they resigned him?

Please. Don't crap in my hat and call it ice cream



"Hey the Steelers just won the Superbowl!"

Blind Official - " I hope they have to give the trophy back for paying Starks 7 million a season to be a backup."


As much as I was joking there, it wouldn't surprise me to actually hear that from you at this point.

Yep, because that's what I'm all about...not making sense at all.

[Blind Official]

The front office is going to make mistakes. I like that they completely recognized this signing as a mistake and took care of the problem. They easily could have let him sit on our roster and get paid but they made the right move to find a trading partner.

This is why Mahan came to camp as the starter, so they could try to build trade value.

You're exactly right. It's genius and was their plan all along!

Wait a minute, why didn't they do the same with Starks before trying to trade him? Is it because they just thought about it after the OL was set and didn't want to go into the season with what they had paid for sitting on the inactive list doing nothing?

And Starks would never be inactive on gameday. Hes the backup at both tackles and our 3rd TE in goalline.

It was a distinct possibility, and wouldn't have been that hard.

[Supersteeler]

there's nothing to be positive about. Am I still supposed to "give the move time" because Colbert made it and he knows what he's doing? Am I still supposed to think that Simmons is good because they resigned him?

Please. Don't crap in my hat and call it ice cream




I never said anything about giving Mahan more time and it being a good move because Colbert made it. As a matter of fact if you could scroll up a few posts and find mine I said I was happy that they "manned" up and admitted making a poor move by getting rid of him INSTEAD of acting like it was hunky-dory.

My joke comment after that was just in reference to your unfailing ability to spin any move under the sun the organization makes into a negative. You have quite a talent for it.

[BlkNGoldBlood10]

if its more than a 6th rounder...it's a steal.

TRUE! LOL That just made my night

[mightyguru]

This news takes the edge off a very trying day.

[Smooth Criminal]

You're exactly right. It's genius and was their plan all along!

Wait a minute, why didn't they do the same with Starks before trying to trade him? Is it because they just thought about it after the OL was set and didn't want to go into the season with what they had paid for sitting on the inactive list doing nothing?



It was a distinct possibility, and wouldn't have been that hard.

Yep. The Steelers would definately have made their backup tackle at both positions and 3rd TE on goaline situations inactive, so that they could have had 3 active centers on the roster.

That makes a ton of sense.

And no one said the Front Office was genious for signing Mahan and trading him. They made a huge mistake signing him. What people are giving them credit for is admitting their mistake and trading him. A couple of years ago, this front office might have just put him on the bench and eat his salary rather than admit a mistake.

You can't say trading Mahan wasn't a good move. Nothing to be negative about here.

[blitz]

[QUOTE=Steelerman;242074]I just fucking knew that I shouldn't of bought a Mahan jersey


a mahan jersey.now that is funny stuff!

[smithessmokin]

Holy shit. I cannot believe it. Thank God we got rid of that assclown. And for a draft pick!! I think I am going to go buy a lotto ticket.

[carbonsteel]

Say what you will about this move, but I'm very very happy to see politics being put aside in an effort to make this team better by parting ways with Mahan.

A coach COULD have made this a pride issue and refuse to give up on a guy that he may have been instrumental in bringing in.

Cut your losses and move on.

[papa lazarou]

On seeing the headline, at first I thought this was someone's idea of a lame joke. I'm happy it is not and that the Steelers got a draft pick as well. Kudos to Colbert.

[tjack]

Random thoughts....

1) First the Fat Boys break up and now this?

2) Here we go again...Coach Tomlin is getting rid of another one of Coach Cowher's O-Line players who didn't want to listen to his new O-line Coach....wait a minute Coach Tomlin brought Mahan in himself....nevermind.

3) I bet Chukky Okobi is probably laughing at this news somewhere at home.

[pete]

3) I bet Chukky Okobi is probably laughing at this news somewhere at home.

He shouldn't get too carried away, Mahan is still getting a NFL paycheck, Okobi isn't.

[Far51]

A mahan is 290

Thank u Colbert

I would love to add Willie anderson but that would mean Colon to OG and I dont see him to Rg cuz Simmons just makes to much.

Smith Kemo Hartwig Colon Anderson what a line that would be

[RevBillyC]

Adam Schefter (NFL network) reported this almost as it happened yesterday, I just happened to be near the TV - he also said that the Steelers continue to "shop" Max Starks.

I can't believe any team that isn't in the desperate situation the Rams were early last season (both starting OT's out) would take on Starks' salary. Unless something similarly bad happens somewhere this year, Starks stays put.

I honestly believe that the team is majorly pissed at big Max(i pad) - I have no concrete proof, but I think he/his agent verbally agreed to ink a long-term deal after signing the transition tag offer sheet, then realized what a windfall they could make by NOT doing the long-term deal & hitting the FA market after this year. The Steeler front office got bent over, but there's nothing they can really do about it. This could go a long way to explain why Starks really didn't get a shot to win the starting RT job away from Colon, who hasn't exactly excelled this pre-season.

The team trying to move Starks may be half wanting cap relief, and half wanting rid of his double-crossing XXXXL ass.

[deljzc]

Adam Schefter (NFL network) reported this almost as it happened yesterday, I just happened to be near the TV - he also said that the Steelers continue to "shop" Max Starks.

I can't believe any team that isn't in the desperate situation the Rams were early last season (both starting OT's out) would take on Starks' salary. Unless something similarly bad happens somewhere this year, Starks stays put.

I honestly believe that the team is majorly pissed at big Max(i pad) - I have no concrete proof, but I think he/his agent verbally agreed to ink a long-term deal after signing the transition tag offer sheet, then realized what a windfall they could make by NOT doing the long-term deal & hitting the FA market after this year. The Steeler front office got bent over, but there's nothing they can really do about it. This could go a long way to explain why Starks really didn't get a shot to win the starting RT job away from Colon, who hasn't exactly excelled this pre-season.

The team trying to move Starks may be half wanting cap relief, and half wanting rid of his double-crossing XXXXL ass.

An interesting theory, but I still think if the money was right from the Steelers in their offer to Starks, he's not stupid enough not to take it.

I think if Starks hoodwinked the Steelers into thinking they'd be negotiating with Starks after the transition tag on lesser money terms, they deserved it, but could explain why Starks appears in the doghouse.

This team desparately needs cap space. After Mahan, we are now at about $2.6 to $2.8 million in room I think. As much as Bouchette is out of the loop, I'm hoping we're not stupid and not even talking to McFadden, Kemoeatu, Essex, Washington or Smith. I'm not in favor of re-signing everyone, but we should be listening to their offers at the 11th hour before another full season of risk for both parties. There might be a deal or two in there for the organization if we play our cards right.

Re-signing Smith would actually save cap room too I think, unless he's really asking for a blockbuster deal. The others would all cost around $500k more a pop to get done depending on how the bonuses are set up.

This might be the busiest Colbert's been all summer.

[Steelers.exe]

They need to be shopping Simmons instead.

[TDX27]

Let Starks ride the pine then. Come next year, his stock will be very low and he won't get the lucrative deal he is looking for.

[BillvinCowbert]

I honestly believe that the team is majorly pissed at big Max(i pad) - I have no concrete proof, but I think he/his agent verbally agreed to ink a long-term deal after signing the transition tag offer sheet, then realized what a windfall they could make by NOT doing the long-term deal & hitting the FA market after this year. The Steeler front office got bent over, but there's nothing they can really do about it. This could go a long way to explain why Starks really didn't get a shot to win the starting RT job away from Colon, who hasn't exactly excelled this pre-season.

The team trying to move Starks may be half wanting cap relief, and half wanting rid of his double-crossing XXXXL ass.

It's a nice theory, but if you've followed this saga from the outset, there's NO WAY that Starks can take any blame here.

The Steelers had MONTHS to either (a) negotiate a long-term deal or (b) rescind the transition tag. They did neither. Starks all but waited until the 11th hour to sign the damn tender. If he really wanted to screw them over, he would have signed it hot of the press.

I think I even remember comments from the Starks camp that the Steelers weren't even talking about a long-term deal during that period.

And again, since the beginning, there has seemed to be a clear divide between the coaching staff and the front office as to how Starks is perceived. The FO thinks much more highly of him (remember, Starks didn't start last year, they do like Colon a lot). That's why he's riding the pine, not because he's "screwing them over" - in fact, he's not screwing them over at all; if anything they've screwed themselves over.

The guy would be an IDIOT to sign a long-term deal without at least $9-10MM in guaranteed money. He's already got $7MM and next year he's staring down free agency. In this bloated market, it's hard to imagine he won't get at least $3-$5MM more upfront.

It's funny how Starks is now being made out to be the bad guy in all of this....

[Milkman Dan]

I wonder if Okobi would be our starting center right now if they had never signed Mahan.

[STEELERDYNASTY]

I wonder if Okobi would be our starting center right now if they had never signed Mahan.

good point...I think so,but he seemed to always get knicked-up

[Booted]

PITTSBURGH ― The Steelers traded veteran center Sean Mahan to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a slightly used kicking tee....
Even this would have been acceptable.

[BermudaSteel]

They need to be shopping Simmons AS WELL.
Fixed it for ya!

[Coryea]

I honestly believe that the team is majorly pissed at big Max(i pad) - I have no concrete proof, but I think he/his agent verbally agreed to ink a long-term deal after signing the transition tag offer sheet, then realized what a windfall they could make by NOT doing the long-term deal & hitting the FA market after this year. The Steeler front office got bent over, but there's nothing they can really do about it. This could go a long way to explain why Starks really didn't get a shot to win the starting RT job away from Colon, who hasn't exactly excelled this pre-season.



I don't believe that, he waited and waited to sign that one year contract. Let's not forget that the FO also made the stupid moves of giving Mahan a decent contract and way overpaying for Simmons prior to last season, not sure what's in the water on the South Side.

[Steel Dino]

not sure what's in the water on the South Side.

Whatever it is.......I hope it gets flushed out......and quick. :p

[crimsonsteel]

What a great start to the day! Didn't get online last night but I did watch FSN live. I'm surprised they didn't report it.

[Max Power]

Who knows anything about Sean McHugh? I see that the Steelers signed him, a TE - Full Back but know little else about it.

[mightyguru]

Who knows anything about Sean McHugh? I see that the Steelers signed him, a TE - Full Back but know little else about it.


He's a Lion, lol.

http://www.nfl.com/players/seanmchugh/profile?id=MCH653214

[Avoid Lloyd1975]

This is the happiest day of my life, that is as of recent memory.

[Blind Official]

Yep. The Steelers would definately have made their backup tackle at both positions and 3rd TE on goaline situations inactive, so that they could have had 3 active centers on the roster.

That makes a ton of sense.


http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08247/908897-66.stm

Because the Steelers have only two tight ends on the roster, OT Max Starks might be used as the No. 3 tight end as a blocker, but they first must decide if he dresses as a backup lineman for the game

There's more...

[Super Dave]

I just had surgery and I'm on drugs....but we just traded away depth on the eve of the regular season.

The starter hasn't played in what 2 years?

[Superman]

I just had surgery and I'm on drugs....but we just traded away depth on the eve of the regular season.

The starter hasn't played in what 2 years?
no. we traded Mahan. big difference.

[JEFFRO]

Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!