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

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/2012/08/05/making-the-leap-mike-adams-moves-into-the-starting-lineup-at-tackle/

I know a lot of people were doubting Adams mainly because of his "character issue." Great to see him doing well.

I'm excited about our young lineman, and REALLY excited about Colon. Lets hope he stays healthy.

From Ed Bouchette:

Quote :

That didn’t take long. One week into practice with pads and rookie Mike Adams is the starting left tackle. There is still the Max factor to go, because Max Starks could come off PUP before the end of camp and we will see what happens then.
But Adams, who is 6-7 and listed at 323, right now is Ben Roethlisberger’s blindside tackle and should start against the Eagles in Philadelphia Thursday night.
David DeCastro also could start but that would be more by default because of an injury to Willie Colon, who missed Saturday’s practice after someone rolled on his ankle late Friday night. DeCastro is the one everyone thought would jump right in and claim a starting job, much the way Maurkice Pouncey did in 2010. He was running with the first team Saturday because Ramon Foster moved from right guard to left guard to replace DeCastro.
The rookie guard is having a tough time of it in the early going. He’s been what they term a little “stiff.’’ However, what they saw in college was not a mirage so eventually he’ll get it. He, like Adams, missed all of the spring workouts except for a rookie orientation right after the draft and the final week of OTAs.
Guard actually can be a more difficult position to learn, even thought left tackle is considered the more important. At left tackle, Adams basically has to block the pass-rusher. There is no playbook for that, it’s all technique and man-to-man. Naturally, he needs to know the run-blocking schemes but those too are simpler for a tackle. At guard, DeCastro must learn all the various blocking schemes against the various defenses and games that defenses play. He needs to know when to double-team the nose, when to go after the tackle or nose or linebacker or pull, etc.
The Steelers believe they have a good one in DeCastro. That Adams has developed so quickly to move up to No. 1 is the best news for them.

Dodens Grav wrote:

From Ed Bouchette:

Quote :

That didn’t take long. One week into practice with pads and rookie Mike Adams is the starting left tackle. There is still the Max factor to go, because Max Starks could come off PUP before the end of camp and we will see what happens then.
But Adams, who is 6-7 and listed at 323, right now is Ben Roethlisberger’s blindside tackle and should start against the Eagles in Philadelphia Thursday night.
David DeCastro also could start but that would be more by default because of an injury to Willie Colon, who missed Saturday’s practice after someone rolled on his ankle late Friday night. DeCastro is the one everyone thought would jump right in and claim a starting job, much the way Maurkice Pouncey did in 2010. He was running with the first team Saturday because Ramon Foster moved from right guard to left guard to replace DeCastro.
The rookie guard is having a tough time of it in the early going. He’s been what they term a little “stiff.’’ However, what they saw in college was not a mirage so eventually he’ll get it. He, like Adams, missed all of the spring workouts except for a rookie orientation right after the draft and the final week of OTAs.
Guard actually can be a more difficult position to learn, even thought left tackle is considered the more important. At left tackle, Adams basically has to block the pass-rusher. There is no playbook for that, it’s all technique and man-to-man. Naturally, he needs to know the run-blocking schemes but those too are simpler for a tackle. At guard, DeCastro must learn all the various blocking schemes against the various defenses and games that defenses play. He needs to know when to double-team the nose, when to go after the tackle or nose or linebacker or pull, etc.
The Steelers believe they have a good one in DeCastro. That Adams has developed so quickly to move up to No. 1 is the best news for them.

I'll take that from a Rookie.

I keep reading mixed reviews about DeCastro. I'm not sure what to think. But it's still way early either way.

Can't wait for Thursday!

Adams making a push

By Mike Bires

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.”

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/local_sports/steelers-adams-making-a-push/article_d463b47e-d874-51e4-b8e8-072f9c67b296.html

Quote :

I keep reading mixed reviews about DeCastro. I'm not sure what to think. But it's still way early either way

Curious, Wally. What are you reading? The only thing I've heard is that he is so intense he has been nicknamed "Mr. Personality".

Gingerchip wrote:

Curious, Wally. What are you reading? The only thing I've heard is that he is so intense he has been nicknamed "Mr. Personality".

Lots of reports of him getting pushed around and beaten quite a bit. Here's some samples ...

Quote :

Ken Laird ‏@Ken_Laird

Today's unknown DLman to beat Decastro soundly in 1 on 1: Mike Blanc

Quote :

by Ed Bouchette

The rookie guard is having a tough time of it in the early going. He’s been what they term a little “stiff.’’ However, what they saw in college was not a mirage so eventually he’ll get it.

http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/pro-sports/steelers/117499-ed-adams-advances-as-decastro-struggles

Quote :

By Mike Bires

DeCastro, however, hasn’t exactly been a camp sensation. It might be a reach to say he’s struggling. But considering all his hype, he certainly hasn’t dazzled.

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/local_sports/steelers-adams-making-a-push/article_d463b47e-d874-51e4-b8e8-072f9c67b296.html

To describe how I feel about our new and improved (and much younger) O-line:

GIDDY!

DeCastro apparently told Roethlisberger that it's the physical aspect, not the mental, that he's having a rough time adjusting to.

Dodens Grav wrote:

DeCastro apparently told Roethlisberger that it's the physical aspect, not the mental, that he's having a rough time adjusting to.

He's playing with the big boys now. He'll be fine, I have confidence. We're closing in on Thursday, and I for one am excited to see how he does against the Eagles defensive line.

Dodens, have you heard anything more on Adams?

Steelers' Adams making a push




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/local_sports/steelers-adams-making-a-push/article_d463b47e-d874-51e4-b8e8-072f9c67b296.html

bayz101 wrote:

Dodens, have you heard anything more on Adams?

Basically just that he's doing pretty well, probably a bit better than expected. He's listed behind Essex on the first official depth chart though, so who knows what that means. I would imagine both rookies will get lots of playing time Thursday.