Making the Leap: Mike Adams Moves Into the Starting Lineup at Tackle

[bayz101]

The Steelers appear to be on the verge of a changing of the guard. Or in this case, a changing of the tackle.

Mike Adams, the Ohio State tackle the team took in the second round of this past April’s NFL Draft, is moving up the charts, and according to Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette, he’s lining up with the #1′s in camp.

Mike Adams moved up to the starting left tackle job in just one week of his rookie training camp. That’s quicker than even Maurkice Pouncey moved into the top spot at center his rookie season in 2010. There’s still one thing left for Adams to do, however. He must beat out last year’s starter, Max Starks, who is currently on the PUP list but should be ready to go before the season begins. Mike Tomlin said on Saturday that Adams is “far from ready,” yet it looks as though he will start the first preseason game on Ben Roethlisberger’s blind side Thursday night against the Eagles in Philadelphia.

There was some panic due to the fact that both Adams and David DeCastro were not starting right off the bat. All seems calm now, as Adams has moved into his number one role, and while DeCastro hasn’t, the move to having him start on the O-line will soon enough.

http://www.steelersgab.com/2012/08/0...eup-at-tackle/

[Psycho Ward 86]

how am i the only one to reply to this so far. awesome news, happy that he's coming along.

[Count Steeler]

It's still early. Let's see how they do against the Eagles on Thursday night.

[stillers4me]

It's still early. Let's see how they do against the Eagles on Thursday night.

I'm not expecting much

[Devilsdancefloor]

Im not holding my breath, but lets see how he competes against max. Im havent been this excited about our Oline in a LOOOOONNNNNNNGGGGG time

[tube517]

It's still early. Let's see how they do against the Eagles on Thursday night.

I'm not expecting much

Im not holding my breath, but lets see how he competes against max. Im havent been this excited about our Oline in a LOOOOONNNNNNNGGGGG time

Agreed. Starting a preseason game isn't time to have a halftime show with a bunch of 90 year old rockers, shoot off fireworks, and have the ESPYs nominate it for game of the year. Let's not forget Tony Hills started some preseason games in 2011.

There was some panic due to the fact that both Adams and David DeCastro were not starting right off the bat.

Who the hell panicked? Who wrote this piece, Florio? Ron Kook?

[steelerdude15]

I saw a video from the Steelers last week about practice and the hosts were commenting on how pleased they were with Adams and the progress he had already made. I'm kinda surprised we're not hearing this stuff of DeCastro yet, but it still very early and we have to give it time before these calls can be made.

[Count Steeler]

I saw a video from the Steelers last week about practice and the hosts were commenting on how pleased they were with Adams and the progress he had already made. I'm kinda surprised we're not hearing this stuff of DeCastro yet, but it still very early and we have to give it time before these calls can be made.

Let's not forget that Adams has that extra motivation because he has to prove himself and live up to his promise.

[polamalubeast]

The o-line will have many good challenge during the pre-season...The pass-rush of eagles is great(lead the nfl with 50 sacks in 2011), the Colts have Freeney and Mathis and the bills have Mario Williams

[steelerdude15]

Let's not forget that Adams has that extra motivation because he has to prove himself and live up to his promise.

That's very true. He does want to prove himself and so has stated.

[XxKnightxX]

The o-line will have many good challenge during the pre-season...The pass-rush of eagles is great(lead the nfl with 50 sacks in 2011), the Colts have Freeney and Mathis and the bills have Mario Williams

Thats a great pre season schedule to get a feel for the game.

[zulater]

Adams game is more suited to the Pro's than college. The extra coaching and practice will refine his natural skills and he'll be the Steelers starting left tackle for most if not all of the rest of this decade.

[zulater]

PITTSBURGH — Mike Adams is making his move.
Everyday, he gets better. Everyday, he takes advantage of the repetitions he gets at practice.
It may be a bit premature to say he’ll start at left tackle in the Steelers’ regular-season opener in Denver. But it surely looks like he’ll start the pre-season opener Thursday in Philadelphia.
At least for now, the rookie out of Ohio State has moved past veteran Trai Essex on the depth chart.
“Coach (Mike Tomlin) told me that I’d have my shot, and so far, that’s the way it’s been,” said Adams, a second-round pick. “It’s been that way for the past few days now.
“I don’t know what their plans are. But I’m going to take advantage of every opportunity I’m given.”
Just before camp started on July 25, there was speculation that Adams wouldn’t be ready to take on the enormous duties of left tackle as a rookie. That’s why the Steelers re-signed ninth-year pro Max Starks, even though he’s still rehabbing a surgically repaired knee on the physically unable to perform list.
For the first week of camp, it was Essex who got most reps with the first-team offense. But in the last few days, it’s been Adams, who’s 6-foot-7 and 323 pounds.
“He’s going to be a good one,” Essex said. “Mike’s a rookie, but he’s progressing. You can tell he has a lot of upside. He’s aggressive. He’s a big human being. I mean, you can’t teach size. The man is huge, and he has those big, long arms. He’s very smart, and he picks things up very quickly.”
“He’s earned those snaps (with the first-team offense),” Tomlin said.

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/lo...f9c67b296.html

[Galax Steeler]

This is good news not only for the Steelers but for the fans. Hopefully he will continue to get better and better. I would love to see a year when Ben is not playing on his ass every game.

[TheRuneMeister]

I think we tend to forget that Adams was basically a first round talent with of-the-field problems. I'm not saying he actually starts day one, but there is absolutely no reason that he shouldn't. I love having that speed an agility on the oline. I have never liked the static way our oline has played when in pass protection.