Adams works back into Steelers lineup at tight end

Posted by Josh Alper

When the Steelers drafted Mike Adams in the second round of the 2012 draft, the idea was that he’d join with center Maurkice Pouncey and guard David DeCastro to give the the team a young foundation on their offensive line.

It hasn’t worked out that way as Adams struggled mightily as a pass blocker at left tackle, getting benched after being abused by Vikings defensive end Jared Allen this season and leading the Steelers to make a trade for Levi Brown. Brown never played for the team, but Kelvin Beachum has taken over as the starter. That’s left Adams to take on a different role.

The team has started inserting him into games as a tight end, causing him to report as eligible 26 times in last weekend’s victory over Buffalo. The Steelers ran the ball on 22 of those plays and Adams blocked well, earning him a compliment from coach Mike Tomlin even as Tomlin made it clear that Adams hasn’t solved the problems that forced him off of tackle in the first place.

“He’s doing a really nice job with what we’re asking him to do as a tight end, and it’s provided some good gas for us in that regard,” Tomlin said, via the Beaver County Times. “I don’t want to equate that to tackle play. Obviously, it’s a different set of issues.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/15/mike-adams-works-back-into-steelers-lineup-at-tight-end/

Here's the answer!!!


       

Drizztbob wrote:

Here's the answer!!!


       

Agreed.

Can he also punt?

He's being a team player, and that's all we can ask for at this point. His performance as a tackle has been dismal, but apparently there is some talent in there.

We can only hope that he gains more confidence as his role changes, that maybe he'll start to perform at a higher level in the role he was drafted to play.

I wouldn’t count Adams out. He has pretty good talent and held up o.k. at right tackle last year. And don’t forget, the guy did get knifed during the preseason … so not sure how that impacted his development at left tackle. He should take the blame for a bad performance against Jared Allen … however, there are several seasoned veterans at left tackle who share in that blame as well. It’s not like Allen isn’t a pro-bowler or anything. If the coaches lost faith in this guy, you most likely wouldn’t see him on the 53 man roster, let alone seeing decent playing time as an extra blocker (he is a very good run blocker). He got torched by one of the best pass rushers in the league and is now working on getting his confidence back and I’m sure on his technique so he’s a better tackle when they need him back in that spot.

I’ve mentioned this before: the Steelers problems are not a lack of talent and that includes the players on the offensive line. You just hope the team and this line begin to gel before time runs out. Hopefully, that’s what we’ve been seeing against the Bills and Lions.