The numbers game caught up with two veteran Steelers Thursday, as the black and gold released offensive tackle Max Starks and wide receiver Antwaan Randle El.
Some will right away think releasing Randle El means that the team does have interest in Plaxico Burress, but basically the writing was on the wall after how well both Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown played in their rookie seasons.
Randle El has started 23 games in two stints with the Steelers. After being drafted in the second round (62nd overall) by Pittsburgh in the 2002 NFL Draft, he spent four seasons with the Steelers (2002-05) before playing the next four in Washington (2006-09). The popular WR returned to the Steelers in 2010 and played in all 16 games, finishing with 22 catches for 253 yards (11.5 avg.). He also made a couple big plays in the Super Bowl, including a two-point conversion.
Starks was originally drafted by the Steelers in the third round (75th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft. He started 68 games in his seven seasons in Pittsburgh, including seven in 2010 before being placed on the Reserve/Injured List with a neck injury. Starks was a starter for the Steelers in Super Bowls XL and XLIII.
He was set to count more than $7 million on their salary cap, so releasing him doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Offensive tackles Willie Colon and Jonathan Scott, both free agents, are still in the teams plans. Colon finally received a multi-year contract offer from the team, which was negotiating with Scott as well.
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DrGeorge
July 28, 2011 at 2:26 pm
I’m sorry to see Randle El go, again. He had great hands, and he was exciting to watch when he was used properly. Maybe the SF 49ers will give Randle El a shot at QB. They’ve tried everyone else.
As for that thought about Burris, this move makes that speculation more credible. Why would they cut Randle El loose without a proven replacement? I personally thought they’d never consider Burris, given the cloud under which he left Pittsburgh. But Ben needs a tall, swift receiver, and Burriss fits the description. For the right money, someone in management might gulp hard, hold their nose, and take him back on a one-year contract for a shot at another Super Bowl. Stranger things have happened.
But I suspect there is something else afoot here. If not Burris, then another top receiver must be in the mix. There’s more to come on this story. Cutting Randle El simply because Brown and Sanders played well doesn’t make sense unless another WR has already been locked up.
As for Starks, he got caught in the numbers game. His salary simply exceeded his value to the team. I thought Colon would be the odd man out, if only because of the seriousness of his injury. Jonathan Scott is a slow-footed LT, Trai Essex is a perennial backup, and M. Gilbert just received a playbook. Cutting Starks suggests that one or more of the younger linemen — Foster, Chris Scott, Legursky — will be starting.
George H
July 28, 2011 at 3:56 pm
First my predictable move: Randle el signs to play qb in Seattle
Surprise move: Burress signs with Giants, Randy Moss signs with Steelers