OT Mike Adams (Official Thread)

[TheStoicPaisano]

while finishing their studies.

"I kind of checked out of school awhile ago"

Once a Buckeye always a Buckeye, but...

 

[Buckskin86]

Adams playing catchup with Steelers
Zac Jackson
July 3, 2012

Mike Adams feels like he has spent enough time over the last year or so away from football.

That didn't make his latest delay any easier, but the former Ohio State tackle says he's "up to speed" with the Pittsburgh Steelers offense and ready to report for his first NFL training camp in three weeks.

Adams, the Steelers' second-round pick in April, was still at Ohio State for most of the Steelers' organized team activity (OTA) practice sessions in May and June due to an NFL rule that keeps rookies away until their schools have completed classes. With Ohio State on the quarter system, Adams was in Columbus and trying to keep up with what was happening in Pittsburgh.

"I went to rookie minicamp and the last minicamp, so I have a good feel for things," Adams said last week while in Cleveland for the NFL rookie symposium. "My coaches did a great job keeping us up with everything. I had playbook the whole time, I had the film. I feel like I stayed up with things as best I could.

"As a rookie you're always learning, so I definitely have work to do."

cont...

http://www.foxsportsohio.com/07/03/...elers/landing.html?blockID=755676&feedID=8889

 

[Buckskin86]

Steelers second round pick offensive tackle Mike Adams faces stiff competition from veteran Max Starks for the starting left tackle spot. Chaz Palla | Tribune Review

LT Max Starks or Mike Adams: The Steelers want Adams, their second-round pick, to seize the job and become a starting lineup fixture for a decade. Starks is back in case it doesn?t happen. Adams has the size and credentials, but there?s a reason why only three rookie offensive linemen have started a Steelers opener.

http://triblive.com/sports/2242851-...ams-mike-position-decastro-alan-brown-college

 

[Buckskin86]

3 key Steelers position battles to watch
By Chris Adamski | CBSSports.com
July 27, 2012

LT - Max Starks vs. Mike Adams vs. Trai Essex. Neither of the two top candidates competing for this spot is running with the first team at the start of training camp. Starks -- re-signed last week after the team was satisfied with his recovery from a torn ACL sustained during the playoff loss in Denver -- began camp on the PUP list. Adams, a second-round pick from Ohio State, might have the most talent of the group. It is generally not the Steelers' policy to start a rookie, but just two seasons ago, Maurkice Pouncey so wowed at camp that he was inserted at center for Week 1 and became a Pro Bowler. In the meantime, Essex is running with the first team at left tackle.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/19670769/key-steelers-position-battles-to-watch

 

[Buckskin86]

8/5/2012
Rookie offensive tackle Adams earning Steelers snaps, trust
By F. Dale Lolley
Staff writer
[email protected]

LATROBE ? At 6-7, 323 pounds, offensive tackle Mike Adams cuts an imposing figure.

That hasn?t stopped some teammates from taking a run at the Steelers? rookie during training camp here at Saint Vincent College.

Adams? tenacity on the football field has already gotten him into a brief skirmish or two, most often with former Ohio State teammate Cameron Heyward.

The two went at it again Friday night during the Steelers? practice at Latrobe Stadium, with Heyward taking offense after Adams knocked him to the ground during a team drill.

While they don?t necessarily like teammates fighting, the coaching staff seems to have taken notice of the second-round draft pick?s tenacity. Adams was moved up to the first-team offensive line Saturday, sliding ahead of veteran Trai Essex.

?Mike?s been doing a nice job. He?s earning those snaps,? said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. ?But again, he?s far from ready.?

Adams, however, is certainly moving in the right direction, something many wondered would ever happen after his final season at Ohio State.

Adams missed the first five games of the 2011 season for his part in receiving illegal benefits at Ohio State. Then, he tested positive for marijuana at the NFL draft combine.

The Steelers initially took him off of their draft board following his positive drug test. But Adams, a native of Farrell, set an appointment with Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert and Tomlin and begged for a second chance.

Considered by most to have first-round talent, Adams slipped to the second round, where he was selected by the Steelers.

Thus far, he?s been making the most of his second chance.

But lurking in the background is Max Starks, the team?s starter at left tackle for most of 2011.

Starks suffered a torn ACL at the end of last season, but the Steelers re-signed him just prior to the start of training camp. Starks is currently on the physically unable to perform list but has been working out with trainer Marcel Pastoor during Steelers practices. He?s also been helping Adams with the transition to the NFL.

?Having a guy like Max is priceless to my development,? Adams said. ?Max is a guy who?s been doing it for a long time at a high level, so just to have him here to help me is something I?m really grateful for.?

http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/sports11/Adams--DeCastro-Steelers-1s

 

[Buckskin86]

Steelers' Adams making a push
Posted: Sunday, August 5, 2012
By Mike Bires [email protected]

Photo by Kevin Lorenzi
Steelers rookie mini-camp

First-round draft pick David DeCastro, left, goes through a drill with second-round draft pick Mike Adams during the Steelers rookie mini-camp at the Steelers South Side training facility on Friday, May 4, 2012.

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.

cont...

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/l...cle_d463b47e-d874-51e4-b8e8-072f9c67b296.html

 

[Buckskin86]

Pittsburgh Steelers now, Cameron Heyward and Mike Adams say they will be Ohio State Buckeyes forever
Published: Tuesday, August 07, 2012
By Branson Wright, The Plain Dealer

Cameron Heyward and Mike Adams Cameron Heyward and Mike Adams Former Buckeyes are now members of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watch video

LATROBE, Pa. --- The Ohio State T-shirt worn by second-year player Cameron Heyward and rookie Mike Adams during their break in training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers is an example of their devotion.

Despite a change in location to continue their careers in professional football, Heyward's and Adams' hearts remain in Ohio with their beloved Buckeyes.

But for many Cleveland Browns fans, that doesn't count anymore.

"I know it doesn't," said a smiling Heyward, a former OSU defensive end now with the Steelers. "But I hope many of those fans remain my fan although I play for the Steelers. Probably not, but I'm still a Buckeye."

Adams, selected in the second round by the Steelers, is probably double trouble for Browns fans because he also grew up a Steelers fan. But it was the Steelers, not the Browns, who took a chance on Adams after he had off-field issues before the draft, including a report that he tested positive for marijuana at the Scouting Combine.

Adams will start for the Steelers at left tackle in their preseason opener on Thursday against Philadelphia.

"I'm grateful that the Steelers gave me a chance," Adams said. "I'm very fortunate."

http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2012/08/steelers_now_but_cameron_heywa.html

 

[woofermazing]

The eagles tied for most sacks last year at 50. Hope he can handle his business.

 

[HilmerJ]

i turned the channel to the steelers game...first play i saw, adams got beat for a sack, roethlisberger fumbled but adams recovered it

 

[AirForceBuck15]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=320809021

Steelers fullback David Johnson and tackle Mike Adams left with right knee injuries.

 

[Buckskin86]

Mike Adams didn?t have a good night in the preseason opener in Philadelphia. But at least it wasn?t a total disaster. The knee injury he suffered isn?t serious.

?I am feeling good,? the rookie left tackle said Saturday. ?(I?ll be) in the training room rehabbing and trying to get back as soon as I can.?

In Thursday?s 24-23 loss to the Eagles, the former Ohio State star played the entire first quarter. He left after he suffered an undisclosed injury during the Steelers? second possession. Neither Adams nor coach Mike Tomlin would not specifically address the nature of the injury but Adams said he expects to be back within two weeks.

As far as Adams? performance, he allowed his man (defensive end Phillip Hunt) to record two sacks, one of Ben Roethlisberger and one of Byron Leftwich.

?I definitely made some mistakes, nothing that can?t be fixed,? Adams said. ?It was a good learning experience.?

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/s...cle_98edc108-5d50-57b0-9b96-90be7f7892b4.html

 

[Buckskin86]

Steelers: Left tackle battle between Max Starks and Mike Adams close to beginning
By Dan Scifo | CBSSports.com
August 16, 2012

Let the Pittsburgh Steelers battle at left tackle begin.

Max Starks practiced for the first time since suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament seven months ago, while rookie Mike Adams returned to to practice after missing a week with a knee injury.

?They're valuable guys, and there's no question they need to be on the grass,? Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said. ?Mike got back out there (Thursday) and we're looking forward to Max getting his hat in the ring.?

Both players are still working their way into game shape. Starks, who started training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, admitted Thursday he won't play in the Steelers' second pre-season game Sunday against Indianapolis at Heinz Field.

?Not even close,? he said. ?This is a gradual immersion back into the offense.?

Starks had a light practice Thursday, just working out in individual drills. He is expected to practice in pads for the first time Friday. He said he is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation, but won't know how well until he experiences some contact.

?It's a different intensity level once you put pads on,? said Starks. ?Once you get that contact for real, and actually go through it, and see how your knee reacts the next day ... if there's swelling, if it's stiff, those are the biggest questions I'm looking forward to getting answered.?

Adams, the Steelers' second-round pick, endured a full padded practice and worked with the second-team at left tackle. He originally injured his knee in the Steelers' preseason game last Thursday againstPhiladelphia.

Adams said he and Starks worked out together while healing their injuries. The time together led to their agreement that the battle for the starting tackle spot can not be settled until they both participate in contact drills.

Coaches were impressed with Adams in the early stages of training camp. He earned the start in the preseason opener. But the second-round product from Ohio State struggled, allowing 2.5 sacks on 18 snaps.

His performance is one reason coaches are eager to see Starks in action.

?I'm still a long way away in my mind," Starks said. "There's a lot of things that obviously have to be put in order. I have to show enough progress before we get to that point.?

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/n...max-starks-back-at-practice-not-ready-to-play

 

[Buckskin86]

played in first game....

The Steelers lost Marcus Gilbert in the second quarter, forcing rookie Mike Adams into an unfamiliar role at right tackle -- often facing Von Miller on passing downs. Adams got help on most of these instances

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/tag/_/name/2012-week-1-wrap-ups

 

[Buckskin86]

Injuries mount on offensive line: The Steelers lost Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey (right leg) in the first quarter and right tackle Marcus Gilbert (right ankle) in the second quarter. Doug Legursky replaced Pouncey and rookie Mike Adams took over for Gilbert as the Steelers had no other healthy backups left. That meant that three projected starters on the offensive line (right guard David DeCastro was hurt in the preseason) were sidelined.

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/56584/rapid-reaction-steelers-titans

 

[Buckskin86]

O-LINE CHANGES

For the first five games, there was stability on the offensive line. In each of those games, the starting lineup remained the same: Max Starks at left tackle, Willie Colon at left guard, Maurkice Pouncey at center, Ramon Foster at right guard and Marcus Gilbert at right tackle.

But that?s about to change. With Pouncey doubtful at best with a sprained knee, Doug Legursky will start at center. With Gilbert doubtful at best, rookie Mike Adams will start at right tackle.

?Yep, that?s the plan,? said Adams, the Steelers? second-round draft pick.

Gilbert was seen at team headquarters Monday hobbling with his foot in a protective boot.

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/s...cle_c062fd02-a3c4-5338-aa6a-495c1c4ce58b.html