Adams sets his sights high

Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

For most rookies the first year in the NFL is filled with growing pains, brought on by the challenge of learning a new offensive scheme, adjusting to football now being a job, intense competition on a daily basis and a laundry list of other things.

Mike Adams was no different than any rookie last year, when the second-round draft pick from Ohio State had his bumps in the road to deal with. But he came through it all relatively unscathed.

Adams got off to a bit of a rocky start when he was thrown into the fire in the season opener against the Denver Broncos after right tackle Marcus Gilbert injured his knee. His performance wasn’t the stuff highlight films are made of, but it didn’t deter Adams. It just made him stronger.

Adams once again found himself in the spotlight when the Steelers played the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 21, making his first NFL start with Gilbert sidelined with a knee injury. This time the results were different as Adams was part of a line that helped the Steelers gain 167 yards on the ground en route to a 24-17 win.

“A lot of the adjustments last year had to do with the mental game and getting comfortable with that,” said Adams. “Plus it’s getting used to everybody being great players. In the NFL everyone is the best of the best. Overall those were the toughest things. But I thought it went all right.”

Just as his game was progressing Adams had a setback, suffering an ankle injury against Cleveland on Nov. 25 and wouldn’t play again the remainder of the season.

“It was pretty rough,” said Adams. “For me it was pretty devastating mentally. You watch your team practice every day and you want to be out there but you can’t. You kind of feel isolated, especially after a couple of weeks. You are just watching the days go by wondering when you are going to feel better.

“You just have to keep your mind right and keep pushing to get that thing right. There isn’t much you can do about it but try and get back. It makes you stronger.”

Heading in to year two Adams is feeling strong and is back on track. He continues to work on the mental aspect of the game, as well as keeping himself in the best shape possible.

“For me it’s about improving on everything, especially the little things,” said Adams. “I need to be on top of all of my assignments from day one and being physically ready. Now I have an idea of what is going on and what to expect and I am really looking forward to it.”

READ MORE: http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Adams-sets-his-sights-high/6339bc3b-ecc4-4e32-9e45-11b9434200bf

yep... imo big mike going be a very good RT

I hope he can stay healthy actually I hope the whole Oline can stay healthy

effyou515 wrote:

yep... imo big mike going be a very good RT

This.

fer69 wrote:

I hope he can stay healthy actually I hope the whole Oline can stay healthy

And this.

If Gilbert,Pouncey,Adams andDecastro can stay healthy along with one other lineman then we could have one of the best lines in the league which is unheard of for the Steelers. I would love to have chance warmack from Alabama but I think we need to address the defense side of the ball this year.

if Warmack was still on the board at 17 i'd take him.

effyou515 wrote:

if Warmack was still on the board at 17 i'd take him.

In a heart beat

I would love to see an offensive line that is once again dominant in the run as well as pass protection.