The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed the franchise tag on tackle Max Starks on Thursday, a move that will keep him from entering free agency and guarantee him $8.451 million in salary for the 2009 season. The Steelers will now attempt to work out a long-term deal with Starks, who started 11 games last season at the left tackle position. This is the second season in a row that the Steelers have used a tag to keep Starks from becoming an unrestricted free agent. He was given the transition tag last season and was paid $6.9 million.
