Max is back: Steelers call Starks

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Max Starks was getting ready to head to training camp in late July when the Pittsburgh Steelers called and told him not to bother.

The veteran offensive lineman didn’t take getting cut for salary cap purposes personally. He knew he was expensive. He knew he was coming off a neck injury that cut short his 2010 season and he knew the Steelers made it to the Super Bowl without him.

“It’s not a hard decision to make when you look at it from a professional standpoint,” Starks said.

Neither was Starks’ decision to come back.

The Steelers re-signed Starks to a one-year deal on Wednesday hoping the seven-year veteran can provide depth and leadership to an injury ravaged offensive line that has struggled protecting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Pittsburgh (2-2) has yet to start the same line combination in consecutive weeks heading into Sunday’s game against surprising Tennessee (3-1). Roethlisberger is limping around on a sprained left foot and the running game has been stuck in neutral.

The quarterback, who will wear a special shoe on Sunday to protect his plant foot, had been urging Pittsburgh brass to give his good friend a call. After watching Roethlisberger get pounded for a fourth straight week in a loss to Houston, they listened.

“It took a little while but we got him back and I’m happy about it,” Roethlisberger said.

So happy he welcomed Starks to his familiar spot in an adjoining locker. Roethlisberger will gladly trade a little personal space for more time in the pocket.

He could certainly use it after spending a month under siege. Even with his uncanny ability to move around in the pocket Roethlisberger has been sacked 14 times and harassed into five interceptions and four fumbles.

Starks’ presence can only help, even if he doesn’t make it onto the field for awhile.