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Saturday, March 15, 2014

Steelers to host Starks

Needing a reliable backup to running back Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers will take a look at Green Bay free agent James Starks.

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal, Starks will meet with the Steelers on Monday.

The Steelers are quite familiar with Starks, who turned 28 last month. He started Super Bowl XLV for the Packers in a 31-25 victory over the Steelers, gaining 52 yards on 11 carries. He also gained 47 yards on 10 carries in a 38-31 Pittsburgh victory in Green Bay last December while serving as the backup to rookie Eddie Lacy.

Starks had 493 yards on 89 attempts in 2013 serving as the backup to Lacy, the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year.

The Steelers are looking for a capable backup to Bell, their rookie of the year in 2013 when he set a franchise record with 1,259 total yards.

Reserve running back Jonathan Dwyer signed with Arizona earlier this week, and fellow reserves Felix Jones and LaRod Stephens-Howling are also both unrestricted free agents.

Currently, the only other running back on Pittsburgh’s roster is Alvester Alexander, who spent the entire 2013 season on the practice squad.

After signing safety Mike Mitchell, defensive lineman Cam Thomas, safety Will Allen, long snapper Greg Warren and center Cody Wallace earlier this week, the Steelers have about $3.5 million in available salary cap space.

@ Looking for a good sign? Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery, a free agent, was on the Steelers-sponsored fan cruise the past few days.

The Steelers have been in negotiations with the agent for Cotchery about his return. It would seem he's still very much interested in returning.

Perhaps in the future, the Steelers should send all of their impending free agents on a cruise in the opening days of free agency. Tough to get a new contract offer on a boat.

@ After a whirlwind tour of the country, making trips to Jackonsville, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, San Francisco and, apparently, Denver, Emmanuel Sanders appears to be signing with Denver.

The Steelers had planned on losing Sanders all along. They weren't going to overpay for a No. 2 receiver who has a history of foot injuries.

Sanders didn't miss any time the past two seasons with the injuries - he has had problems in both feet - but he did sit out some practices because of soreness.

7 comments:

bruinmann77 said...

Starks would be a nice addition and then allow the steelers to draft a 3rd down back in the later rounds.
Dale any other positions that we might be expecting to see? I glad the steelers did not try to overpay for Sanders and yes i was one poster who felt we should have taken that 3rd rounder last season.

Dale Lolley said...

Positions in the draft or free agency?

They're still going to re-sign Cotchery. I would expect Guy Whimper as well.

Anonymous said...

Dale,

What happened with Carrington? Couldn't pass the physical? What have you heard?

Jim

Homegrown Misanthropist said...

Reports are saying Cotchrry will meet with Panthers

bruinmann77 said...

have to think panthers going to make him a nice offer and steelers will not be able to match

Dale Lolley said...

Carrington passed his physical. Just no signing at this point.

Dale Lolley said...
This comment has been removed by the author.