Mike Adams permanent starter at RT?

[toddjammin]

Besides the one fumble by Ben where Adams missed his guy, I thought Mike Adams played very well for his first start at RT. My question is if he continues to play that well, does he take the RT job away from Gilbert?

[papillon]

Besides the one fumble by Ben where Adams missed his guy, I thought Mike Adams played very well for his first start at RT. My question is if he continues to play that well, does he take the RT job away from Gilbert?

Ultimately, I have to believe the job will be his and Gilbert will be the left tackle or vice versa. He did get quite a bit of help from Heath in containing Atkins and even Collinsworth noticed that the first time the Steelers gave him a one-on-one assignment with Atkins that he got beat and Ben fumbled. Yes, it was a nice game by him, but at some point you begin to hamper the offense if he can't handle the job alone. Heath was huge again last night blocking and receiving; I'm glad he plays for the Steelers.

Pappy

[phillyesq]

I think the job will still be Gilbert's when he returns. Adams seemed to be mobile and active in run blocking and was ok in pass protection, but he still has work to do. I think a healthy Gilbert is probably the better option, right now.

[flippy]

I like Foster at RT better than either of those guys right now. I understand we have to play to get better in the future. But when DD comes back, I think our best OLine for the remainder of this season would be Max, Pouncey, Bronko, DD, Foster.

[steelz09]

Pap - Are you recommending that Gilbert be the LT so he can knock Colon out for the season? lol.

At least in that scenario, we'll have a healthy DeCastro. He won't have to worry about Gilbert to his right and the likely possibility that he'll fall on the back of his leg.

[Shawn]

While I was pleased with Adams performance overall, I know his history...all pro one game...revolving door the next. Before talking about a starter job, I want to see Adams fill in and play with consistency.

[BigRob]

Ultimately, I have to believe the job will be his and Gilbert will be the left tackle or vice versa. He did get quite a bit of help from Heath in containing Atkins and even Collinsworth noticed that the first time the Steelers gave him a one-on-one assignment with Atkins that he got beat and Ben fumbled. Yes, it was a nice game by him, but at some point you begin to hamper the offense if he can't handle the job alone. Heath was huge again last night blocking and receiving; I'm glad he plays for the Steelers.

Pappy

Collinworth's an ass. There were plenty of times Adams was left on his own to block last night after that fumble. Is there any coincidence that no o-lineman was lost last night after the one man wrecking crew was out? Our run blocking was surprisingly good too (This is where Adams excels).

[Shawn]

I would agree...Adams has never had a problem with run blocking...though he did miss an assignment early which resulted for a loss on Batch. Adams plays best when there is a fire under his feet. He hasn't been a guy who could self motivate in the past. Making him work for a starter position as long as you can works out in the teams and his best interest.

[BigRob]

I would agree...Adams has never had a problem with run blocking...though he did miss an assignment early which resulted for a loss on Batch. Adams plays best when there is a fire under his feet. He hasn't been a guy who could self motivate in the past. Making him work for a starter position as long as you can works out in the teams and his best interest.

You know him better than I do, but color me slightly impressed last night. Why do we insist on drafting Tackles that have motivation problems? (Gilbert and Adams).

[ikestops85]

I wouldn't say I was overly impressed with Adam's play last night but it wasn't the blood bath that I thought it might be. He still has a long ways to go in my book. I just hope he get there.

[Shawn]

You know him better than I do, but color me slightly impressed last night. Why do we insist on drafting Tackles that have motivation problems? (Gilbert and Adams).

I'm with Ike on this one. I wasn't impressed but I wasn't appauled. I think he held his own. Overall, I was pleased that he didn't get whipped. Not sure why we draft Tackles with amotivational syndrome but it seems we do like em that way.

[hawaiiansteel]

I wouldn't say I was overly impressed with Adam's play last night but it wasn't the blood bath that I thought it might be. He still has a long ways to go in my book. I just hope he get there.

of course he still has a long ways to go, he's only a rookie.

however, last night he looked really good.

[hawaiiansteel]

Long, solid line forms for Steelers at tackle

October 24, 2012
By Ed Bouchette / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers discovered something besides a road victory Sunday night in Cincinnati: An offensive line that looks as if it can shake off the shaky reputation of its past and perform at a level not seen from them in several years.

The line might have had its best game against a good Cincinnati front, and it did so with two of the five positions filled by backups. One of those second-teamers, though, might soon become a regular starter.

Rookie Mike Adams made his first NFL start because of an injury to right tackle Marcus Gilbert and did well enough to have Mike Tomlin singing his praises again Tuesday.

"We're optimistic about his talent level and what he's capable of being. He didn't do anything to hurt that assessment. I think he's continuing to be a guy on the rise. I think his performance was a solid one. I thought he was good in the run game. I thought he was good on the second level, some combination blocks, and I thought he represented himself well in pass pro[tection]. It's a nice next step for him."

This comes from a coach who through the years would hold back praise for rookies and point out that they were, well, rookies, especially after one like Adams has taken so few snaps.

Adams has done well in the past seven quarters playing for the injured Gilbert, and that sets up a possible long-term competition between their past two second-round draft choices. Or does it?

After the Steelers drafted guard David DeCastro, they said they were moving Gilbert, who started 14 games at right tackle as a rookie in 2011, to left tackle. Then, they drafted Adams, a left tackle from Ohio State, in the second round. Then, they re-signed left tackle Max Starks.

The plan shifted. Starks would play left tackle until Adams was ready to move in, and Gilbert would remain at right tackle. But their thinking could again change, especially if Adams continues to perform well at right tackle.

Adams did not do so well as a left tackle in the preseason. One source from another team cited him as too slow-footed for the position. Quick feet are not as necessary at right tackle, a more run-blocking position and one that often has a tight end to his right and does not protect the quarterback's blind side or usually go against the opponent's top pass rusher.

On the other hand, Tomlin has said left tackle is Gilbert's more natural position, and Gilbert said he'd prefer the left side if given a choice.

It sounds as if the Steelers young tackles could be in for a switch in sides. Neither is ready to move Starks out on the left. Adams, though, could stay at right tackle this season if he continues to play well there.

Sunday, Adams will face Washington Redskins outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, a first-round draft choice in 2011 with 3 1/2 sacks and an interception this season.
"I'm sure he is excited about having the next opportunity to prove his skills against a solid pass rusher like Kerrigan," Tomlin said.

Getting healthier

Tomlin said center Maurkice Pouncey should practice today and return to play Sunday. Pouncey missed the game in Cincinnati with a knee injury.

Gilbert and Troy Polamalu will miss their second consecutive game with injuries. Tomlin said halfbacks Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman have an "opportunity to participate" as well as backup linebacker Chris Carter.

If Mendenhall and Redman return, it will create an intriguing decision for the coach. Not only who will start among those two and Jonathan Dwyer, but also who might not dress for the game. When all were healthy, Dwyer was inactive for two games in a row.

Dwyer's 122 yards rushing in Cincinnati, however, were the most by a Steelers back in more than a year.

"I thought all the running backs did a nice job, highlighted by Jonathan Dwyer's efforts," Tomlin said.

"He's a guy in the group that's working. He's evolving and maturing as a player and as a person. It's good to see him take advantage of opportunities when presented. I think that helps his cause and ours. He's a guy in development. We like how it's going thus far as we sit here today."

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/long-solid-line-forms-for-steelers-at-tackle-658881/#ixzz2ABTYrzFB

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

and it did so with two of the five positions filled by backups.

Not to nit-pick but three of the players on the line are backups. Decastro had become the starter at RG prior to his injury.

[BigRob]

Adams made Profootball Focus's team of the week. He graded out very well in the run game.


Tackles: D’Brickashaw Ferguson, NYJ (+4.1) and Mike Adams, PIT (+3.9)
Ferguson edged out Trent Williams with a superb display against rookie sensation Chandler Jones, giving up just one hurry. Meanwhile for the Steelers, Mike Adams had his best game to date, doing some excellent work in the running game.



https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/10/23/team-of-the-week-week-7/

If Adams can develop some consistency, Gilbert may have become a backup Tackle when he returns.