Sports Radio Interviews

Max Starks On The Improved Steelers Offensive Line: “The difference a year makes, it comes full circle because we know each other and we think we’re an efficient group now.”

The offensive line of the Pittsburgh Steelers has gotten as much criticism as any unit coming off a Super Bowl victory. But considering how may times Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked the past two years (96) and how poor the Steelers were running the football last year, it’s only fair to say that some of the criticism was warranted. It’s important to note though that last year was the first that most of them had played together. With a year of experience under their belt, and four of five returning starters from a year ago, the line is now beginning to show signs of jelling. That could be a scary thing for the rest of the league. Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 165 tough yards in Sunday Night’ victory over the Chargers behind outstanding blocking from the Steelers line. One of the big uglies opening up holes was left tackle Max Starks, one of the more veteran players on the line. He started at right tackle in Pittsburgh’s 2005 Super Bowl win and at left tackle during last year’s title run. Starks joined XX Sports Radio in San Diego to talk about overcoming all the criticism they’ve faced collectively and the Steelers 2-2 start to the season.

On what meetings were like in Pittsburgh leading up to the game following two straight losses by Pittsburgh:

“It was actually very short and to the point. Coach Tomlin came in Wednesday morning and put up a flier that said San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers, 2-1 vs. 1-2, Heinz Field 8:20 p.m. Then put Sunday Night Football. He didn’t put any depth charts up there, we know these guys, we know what we’re going against, it was like this is the game, let’s get it done. That was it, it was very short and to the point. All week he said you guys know what you need to do, and I don’t need to sit here and tell you because you guys are consummate professionals. So it was like, let’s go out there and not having any mistakes in practice and just work hard all week and focus on the task at hand.  And he just kind of led us that way the entire time.”

On how the offensive line has been able to improve so much from a year ago:

“The difference is we’ve all had a year to play together. That’s the one x-factor being an offensive lineman. It’s not about how athletic and how fast you are or how strong you are. The offensive line position is unique because you have five guys who know each other and are in sync as one…I mean we were all pros, we’ve made it to this level, but we hadn’t spent any time together. And the difference a year makes, it comes full circle because we know each other and we think we’re an efficient group now. And you know, we had a lot of growing pains last season, a lot of growing pains.”

Listen here to Starks with Scott and BR on XX Sports Radio in San Diego

Tags: Max Starks, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line, Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers beat Chargers, Week 4 NFL scores, XX Sports Radio