Rams, Starks agree to deal
Veteran offensive tackle Max Starks agreed to a contract with the St. Louis Rams.
Starks, 31, was released by the San Diego Chargers in August. He spent the previous nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, playing 123 games, mostly at right tackle.
With Rodger Saffold expected to miss two or three games with a knee injury, Joe Barksdale will replace him at right tackle. Barksdale was acquired on waivers from the Raiders during the 2012 season and started two games at left tackle.
"This is what you practice for," he said. "Practice to be able to play."
Barksdale will be assigned to 2012 Pro Bowl pass rusher Anthony Spencer and George Selvie, who has played well in a rotation at left defensive end.
"Joe's done fine. He's gone out there and done fine. He had a very, very productive day last year against the Packers, mainly Clay (Matthews)," coach Jeff Fisher said. "When he's gone in he's done a good job. It's just a matter of getting the practice reps. You get the practice reps during the week and you prepare and you end up playing better."
Added quarterback Sam Bradford, "Joe's been in that situation before. It's not the first that time he's had to come into a game off the bench. He was thrown into a similar situation last year. He prepares every week like he's going to step on the field, so I thought he did a really good job coming in. It's not easy to step into a game cold like that."
