Tuesday of last week, Max Starks, unemployed and gritting it out, had a workout in Detroit. Later that day, the Lions personnel told Starks “maybe later this season.” That afternoon the Pittsburgh Steelers, having four of their five offensive lineman banged up, called Starks and offered him his old job back. Less than 12 hours after that, Starks was the starting left tackle filling in for the injured Jonathan Scott.
On Sunday, with the weather near 80 degrees, the Steelheads filled the stadium to witness the Titans number one ranked scoring defense get blasted for 38 points. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger proceeded to throw for 228 yards and 5 touchdowns. Second and third string running backs Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer combined for 156 yards on the ground. Yes, the Stillers (local Pittsburgh pronunciation and spelling) are back in action!
Mike Tomlin, challenged with the decision of whom to give the game ball to with such gaudy offensive production, proceeded to give it to Starks, the newly signed left tackle.
Eighty percent of the Steelers offensive line is different than one month ago. The new improved line consisting of Marcus Gilbert, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey, Doug Legursky, and Max Starks helped protect the also banged-up quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. He was sacked only one time, but his efforts with the O line and the backup running backs produced and looked vaguely familiar to past Pittsburgh Steelers offenses.
Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, along with the other Steelers coaches, constantly change and strive for better results to win ballgames. Just think for a minute – Starks was sitting on the couch last Sunday watching football like you and me. The Steelers took a huge risk and Starks stepped up and delivered!!
Max Weisner Starks IV weighs in at 345 pounds and stands 6-foot-8. He has been with the Steelers for seven seasons, wears two Super Bowl Rings and was originally drafted in the third round, 75th overall, in 2004.
He has a long list of accomplishments including two-time All American for the University of Florida, Super Prep ranked him among the state of Florida’s Top 20 players, and top three offensive linemen. He also used his 6-foot-8 frame to excel in basketball, where he twice received All-Conference honors.
Heavily involved in the community, he has tutored and worked with Kids Against Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco. Starks comes from a football family, where six of his relatives have played, including his father, Ross Browner, who was a first-round selection in the 1978 NFL Draft by the unthinkable rival Cincinnati Bengals.
Unlike his Bengal father, Max obviously has Steel running through his veins, and we all hope he continues what he started in Pittsburgh in 2011.
By Roger Zaccour
