Slantedamus - Sacked!

I thought this was very telling. I was checking to see what Google searches lead people here this morning and someone recently read a post from August after the second preseason game. Here is what I said:

I was flabbergasted at the revolving door impersonations done by Marvel Smith and Max Starks. Don't think every team in our division didn't see that display. I'm not sure I fully understand why Max is being tried at the opposite position? Are we thinking this is Marvel's last year and we might move Max after the season is over? Does this year have to suffer because of it? My 7-year-old daughter and some of her friends could have sacked Roethlisberger Saturday night. Let's face it, we had some glaring weaknesses protecting the QB.

How telling is that? Something that was a glaring weakness in Week 2 of the preseason to everyone who watched the games was never corrected and bit us in the ass the rest of the season and in the playoffs. I think Still A Dog said it earlier this year - we may need to draft seven linemen this spring.

Battle @ Tackle?

I just read an interesting article that says new head coach Mike Tomlin saw a lot of tape last year and decided that Max Starks may not be as entrenched at Tackle as fans seem to think he says. Coach saw Ben go down one too many times from that side and mentioned that Willie Colon is looking good in mini-camps. What's that you say? How could a newer starter himself be pushed for a job? Well, this isn't your Cowher's Steelers. Remember, Cowher loved seasoned vets almost as much as Rosie O'Donnel likes seasoned sides of beef. Cowher seemed to prefer experience and continuity to raw talent sometimes. You can make a case that in most instances he made the right call - but there were times when everyone knew but Mr. C that it was time for a change....the biggest being the need to replace Jason Gildon. The onger he coached, the more examples there were....Chad Scott and Dewayne Washington come quickly (or should I say slowly) to mind. Maybe the younger guys didn't have any DOG in them during camp because they knew there was little chance to start if a guy was younger than 32 and already in their position. I know Colon and Kemoeatu are supposed to be about as mean as OL come. If we need to prepare for life without Wahnaca Faneca, maybe we need to start pulling him in blowouts and letting the young guys take over. Kendall Simmons could also be in for a battle as he gets a little older. Camp will be fun to follow this year.

Steelers Trading Up Again?

More than a few rumor websites have the Arizona Cardinals and former Steeler's coaches Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm trying to trade for Max Starks. The Steelers would send Starks and their 15th pick in the first round to the Cardinals for their 5th pick in the first round. Likely? I don't think so. Is Starks that coveted? Grimmy must think so. Now, is it worth it for us to move up 10 spots? Again, I don't think so. Unless our braintrust has their hearts set on somebody way up there, I don't see the team wanting to take on the extra salary and bonus of a top 5 pick. With Marvel Smith aging, can we afford to give up our other tackle? Stay tuned.