http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09041/948089-66.stm
The team thinks it was good to give Max Starks $7 million for the just-completed season. Amazing....
"They also will consider using the franchise or transition tags on a player to maintain their rights to one of their free agents. They did that last year with Max Starks and, while it cost them a $6.9 million salary, it paid off when he started 14 games at left tackle for the injured Marvel Smith, including all three in the postseason.
NFL teams have until Feb. 19 to tag one of their players.
"As it turned out we were very happy that we had Max available when he was needed," Colbert said. "We were fortunate that he was still here because it gave us an experienced guy who had played as a starter in the playoffs and in the Super Bowl."
The Steelers have four offensive linemen who can become unrestricted free agents Feb. 27 -- tackles Starks, Smith and Trai Essex and guard Chris Kemoeatu. Tackle Willie Colon can become restricted."
I wouldn't mind if the team got rid of all the above linemen.
The article also says the team wants to "get younger on the defensive line," which means they want to get rid of valuable back-up white players.
If they replace guys like Chris Hoke and Travis Kirschke before next season, I can easily see them disposing of Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel after another one.
It's conceivable the team could have only Big Ben, a couple TEs, a White Special Teams demon, and the PK/P/LS as white players from 2010.