Steelers Sign OT Guy Whimper, Max Starks Done?

Guy Whimper takes on the Texans Brooks Reed.

Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers on Monday added more depth to their offensive line by signing ex-Jag (the team not the personality) OT Guy Whimper to the roster.  Whimper will add veteran, but young, depth behind third year Marcus Gilbert and second year Mike Adams.  Whimper was drafted in the fourth round by the New York Giants back in 2006.  He played in 30 games (started zero) in three seasons with the Giants before signing with the Jaguars.  There, he played in 37 games and started 22 of them (15 of 15 in 2011) before dealing with some knee issues.

No question Whimper adds depth for the Steelers at the line.  At 6′-5″, 315lbs, and decent footwork, Whimper should have the size and ability to fill in for either the right or left side.  With the Jags drafting OT Luke Joeckel as their first round (2nd overall) pick, LJ will either start or be 2nd on the charts, thus kicking Whimper to the curb.  The question that comes to mine mind and probably many others in Steeler Nation is – What does this mean for Max Starks?

Starks is still an un-signed free agent.  Most assumed that the Steelers would play coy with Starks and sign him after June 1st.  That way he could fully participate in camp, unlike in seasons past where he was brought in as the regular season began.  But the Whimper signing could mean that Stark leaves the Steelers in much the same fashion as Guy’s name indicates – with a whimper.  By far the best lineman for the offense last season, and quite frankly playing some of the best football in his career, Starks may not even be a second thought in the minds of the Steelers brass.

There they go again, acting like they know how to run a football team.  Of course my sarcastic remark is my way dealing with the pain of never seeing that bug burly #78 on the field.  Oh, I’m sure we’ll see a #78 on the field come this summer – Big Ben will make sure of that.  But I fear we won’t see the real man in the jersey come the start of the 2013 season.  I wonder how Whimper will feel while Big Ben makes his annual appeal?