By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

There was a bit of a shift on the offensive line against the Saints on Sunday night.

Max Starks started the game at right tackle, but after the first series was moved to left tackle for Marvel Smith and remained there the entire first half there.

"We got Max some snaps on the left side," said head coach Mike Tomlin. "At this point he is a swing tackle for us, a guy that's capable of playing both right and left. Thankfully we were able to get him a snap or two against a really good end, Will Smith, which was important.

"We are just continuing to work on our position flexibility, the more that we can do. We understand that things are going to happen. Guys need to be able to play multiple positions and handle multiple jobs and he is one of them. That's a big one of course - a guy who can slide over and play left tackle in a football game."

Starks has seen limited work only at left tackle in camp this year, so it took some adjustment for him when he went in to the game.

"It still takes some getting used to because I haven't taken that many snaps in training camp," said Starks. "It's just like riding a bicycle – once you get back on it takes a couple plays to get used to it and now I'm starting to feel more comfortable."

After his move to left tackle, Starks was replaced by Willie Colon at right tackle. Chukky Okobi played the entire half at center and Kendall Simmons the same at right guard. Smith and guard Alan Faneca played jut one series.

Despite the movement on the line on Sunday night, Starks thinks the unit is working well together.

"I definitely think we are coming together," said Starks. "It's always good having guys with experience playing together."

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Tomlin tried to take a business as usual approach on Sunday night, even though it was his first game as an NFL head coach.

"I took myself out of it," said Tomlin. "I was creating an environment where everybody, players and coaches, got what they needed to do what they needed to do. When you do that you get your job done in the process."

But there was a point when he realized being the head coach on game day does differ from what he was used to. 

"When I was talking to Deion right before the kickoff. That was unique," said Tomlin, of an interview he did with Deion Sanders for the NFL Network. "I had never given an interview right before kickoff. That was probably the only thing new and exciting for me today, an interview 30 seconds before kickoff.

"Maybe I will be more excited next month. I am sure I will when we open in Cleveland."