OT Mike Adams (Official Thread)

[NJ-Buckeye]

As LCB said... Can't think of a better locker room for Mike... Steelers will keep his head on

 

[Buckskin86]

NFL Draft: Steelers pick Adams, but conditions must be met
By Tim May
The Columbus Dispatch
Saturday April 28, 2012

After 24 hours to stew, Ohio State?s Mike Adams finally got the call he was waiting for last night, getting picked by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the latter half of the second round of the NFL draft.

?Coming back home to the steele(sic) city baby!? the offensive tackle tweeted, referring to the fact that he lived there before his family moved to Dublin. But the return came with stipulations, which helped explain why teams passed on him in the first round.

It?s the Steelers who have a plan for Adams. Even though he had to sit out the first five games of his senior season because of an NCAA suspension, he had been projected to go in the second half of the first round before it was learned he had tested positive for marijuana at the scouting combine in February.

He had told Pittsburgh officials during interviews at the combine that he hadn?t used marijuana since testing positive for it a couple of times early in his career at OSU. When he met with the Steelers? administrators later to explain himself, Pittsburgh general manager Kevin Colbert told the Associated Press last night that he had informed Adams he no longer was being considered by the team.

But after a second meeting, Colbert said the Steelers laid out a plan for Adams to prove himself, including a stipulation that he get counseling. Evidently convinced he had changed his ways, the Steelers took him with the 24th pick in the second round (56th overall).

?It?s more of a risk than we?re usually comfortable in taking, but again, because he was forthcoming, because he took matters and met our criteria, we?re comfortable in taking the risk,? Colbert said.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/sto...rs-pick-adams-but-conditions-must-be-met.html

Collier: Adams a risk Steelers were willing to take
Saturday, April 28, 2012
By Gene Collier, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Among the more enduring traditions of a Steelers franchise that embraces tradition like few others is this essential all-or-nothing nature of the second-round draft pick.

Kevin Colbert has made Pittsburgh's first-round success nearly metronomic, even if the pick after the pick has remained historically adventuresome.

Well, buckle up.

Into the Steelers tradition where for every Dermontti Dawson there's a Limas Sweed on your Round 2 Menu, where for every Chad Brown there's an Alonzo Jackson, where for every LaMarr Woodley there's a Ricardo Colclough, please welcome to the great and never-ending Steelers Scrutiny Festival Mr. Mike Adams, offensive tackle, Tattoo U.

Suspended for taking improper benefits in the scandal that felled coach Jim Tressel at Ohio State, Adams failed a drug test at the Indianapolis scouting combine after telling the Steelers he never smoked weed.

"We were point-blank with him," Colbert said, "We said, 'Mike, you've off our board.' "

cont...

Read more: http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/12119/1227887-150-0.stm#ixzz1tKjsuM4p

Round 2: Steelers buck trends, tradition, take Adams
Saturday, April 28, 2012
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers went out of their comfort zone in two very big ways, bucking their history and challenging their own sense of rejecting players of questionable character when they drafted Ohio State Mike Adams in the second round Friday night.

The Steelers concluded their second day of the NFL draft by choosing inside linebacker Sean Spence of Miami in the third round.

It's the first time since 1968 that they have drafted two offensive linemen in the first two rounds, taking Adams one day after they drafted Stanford guard David DeCastro with the first pick.

And they dug deep into their research to draft a player who tested positive for marijuana use at the Indianapolis combine, then lied to everyone about it.

Adams, who is 6 feet 7 1/4, 322 pounds, apparently was mortified when he learned he had tested positive. A native of Farrell, Pa., and a lifelong Steelers fan he said, according to his agent, Monroeville native Eric Metz, "I blew it. I blew my chance of being a Steeler."

Metz said he told him: "If you were my son, I'd tell you to get in the car, drive up there, see them face to face like a man and tell them you screwed up. He got in his car and drove over there. It was important to him, he wanted to be a Steeler."

When he arrived, he met with Colbert, coach Mike Tomlin and president Art Rooney.

"We told him he was off our draft board," Colbert said.

cont...

Read more: http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/12119/1227890-66.stm#ixzz1tKkBjiGH

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDkqKP8uleY"]Round 2 Pick 24 (56 Overall): Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Mike Adams From Ohio State (2012 NFL Draft) - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

Wake-up: Steelers' Adams may not start
May, 4, 2012
By Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com

Every morning, grab a cup of coffee and get your AFC North wake-up call here:

As the Pittsburgh Steelers begin their rookie minicamp today, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac predicts first-round pick David DeCastro will be a Pro Bowl guard by 2013 but has lower expectations for second-round pick Mike Adams, at least for this season anyway.

Some have speculated that Adams will start immediately at left tackle for the Steelers. Dulac is not among them.

"Adams is not ready to be a starter in the NFL because he needs to get stronger," Dulac wrote. "He did only 19 reps in the 225-pound bench press at the combine, a low and disappointing number for an offensive lineman. Adams should be a starting tackle for a long time and, with DeCastro, automatically elevates the talent on the line. But not right now."

Hensley's slant: How the Steelers' offensive line will look this season depends on whether Adams is ready to start or not. If Adams needs another year before starting, Marcus Gilbert is the left tackle and Willie Colon is the one on the right. If Adams can start immediately, Gilbert goes back to the right side and Colon likely pushes guard Ramon Foster out of the lineup.

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/47604/wake-up-steelers-adams-may-not-start

 

[Buckskin86]

Updated:Friday, May 4, 2012
Steelers second round pick looking forward to proving self to doubters

PITTSBURGH ?

Pittsburgh Steelers second round draft pick, Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams, thinks he has something to prove to his new team.

Adams was projected as a first round pick but fell in the draft because of a couple off the field issues. One of which is the fact that Adams tested positive for marijuana at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in February.

The Steelers are holding a mandatory rookie mini-camp this weekend and Adams addressed the issue after practice.

?Step one is to prove myself off the field,? Adams said.

Adams wants to put the off the field troubles behind him.

?I haven?t had issues on the field,? Adams told reporters after the morning workout.

Dropping to the second round cost the Steelers' new left tackle money but he couldn?t be happier right now.

?At the end of the day, I?m where I want to be,? Adams told Channel 11?s Rich Walsh. ?I?ve been a fan of this team and organization since I was a little kid.?

The Steelers wrap up rookie orientation weekend on Sunday. Adams will return to Ohio State to finish school and won?t return to the South Side until July.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/steelers-second-round-looking-forward-proving-self/nNWdj/

 

[Buckskin86]

Mike Adams - T - PIT - May. 6

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that second-round pick Mike Adams will practice exclusively at left tackle this offseason.
Some draftniks pegged Adams as a future right tackle, but he was strictly a left tackle at Ohio State and will begin his Pittsburgh career there. If Adams has a good spring and summer, he could open the season as Ben Roethlisberger's blind side protector with Marcus Gilbert staying at right tackle and Willie Colon kicking to left guard. First-rounder David DeCastro will be the right guard. May. 6

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/pl...news.asp?sport=NFL&id=7471&line=232886&spln=1

 

[Buckskin86]

Steelers sign 2nd-round pick Mike Adams
By staff report
Published: Tuesday, May 8, 2012

The Steelers and second-round pick Mike Adams of Ohio State agreed to a four-year contract Tuesday.

Adams, a 6-foot-7, 323-pound offensive lineman, is the fourth of nine picks the Steelers have come to terms with since the draft, joining receiver Toney Clemons, nose tackle Alameda Ta?amu and running back Chris Rainey.

Clemons also came to terms on a deal yesterday.

Adams had been graded as a first-round pick but dropped to the second round because of concerns over his character.

http://triblive.com/sports/steelers...teelers-clemons-mike-terms-323-agreed-alameda

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhW2TqOisZ0"]Tomlin on Mike Adams - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jOc5d3TxPk"]OSU OT Mike Adams goes from Steelers fan, to Steelers player. - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Brutus1]

I hate the Steelers but that was awesome.

 

[JohnnyCockfight]

I hate the Steelers but that was awesome.

Agreed on both points.

 

[Buckskin86]

Steelers' Adams didn't defer signing bonus
May, 11, 2012
By Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com

When Steelers offensive tackle Mike Adams signed his contract Wednesday, the second-round pick received a $1.01 million signing bonus.

There had been speculation that Adams would defer a signing bonus to show he could remain drug-free. Adams reportedly tested positive for marijuana at the NFL combine in February.

The reason why the Steelers put Adams back on their draft board wasn't an offer to defer a bonus. The team considered him again after he showed how much he wanted to wear the Black and Gold.

By now, everyone knows the story of how Adams requested a face-to-face, pre-draft meeting with general manager Kevin Colbert, Art Rooney II and coach Mike Tomlin to explain himself. He then had to meet certain stipulations which included counseling.

Adams grew up in Farrell, Pa., about 70 miles north of Heinz Field. How much of a Steelers fan was Adams growing up? According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, he had Steelers sheets on his bed and a Jerome Bettis clock on the wall of his bedroom.

It's now up to Adams to make sure there is a happy ending to his childhood dreams coming true. He has a chance to become the team's starting left tackle this season, but that's not his priority at this point.

?I think step one is proving myself off the field because that?s where my issues have been,? Adams told the Tribune-Review at rookie minicamp. ?I haven?t had any issues on the field. To prove myself to the people in this organization, the people in this city, that?s what I?m here for.?

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/58506/steelers-adams-didnt-defer-signing-bonus

 

[Jake]

The Pittsburgh Steelers?

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGdjqy_Y37o"]Now I gotta turn my back ... - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

Rookies to start on Steelers offensive line
May, 16, 2012
By Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com

Willie Colon confirmed what has been speculated since the NFL draft -- the Pittsburgh Steelers intend to have two rookies start on their offensive line this year.

Colon told WDVE in Pittsburgh that he is officially moving from right tackle to left guard. "I like it," Colon said. "It's just a matter of learning the verbiage."

This move allows first-round pick David DeCastro and second-rounder Mike Adams to start immediately. Based on what Colon said, the Steelers' offensive line likely will look like this: Adams at left tackle, Colon at left guard, Maurkice Pouncey at center, DeCastro at right guard and Marcus Gilbert at right tackle.

The end result is the Steelers are much stronger with this lineup as long as Adams shows he's strong enough to start right away. There's no doubt that DeCastro, the best guard in the draft, is ready to start from Week 1. The key to keeping this offensive line this way is the development of Adams. I'm in favor of not waiting to make the switch. The Steelers drafted these linemen to add stability and get away from what happened last season. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Steelers used a league-high 25 different offensive line combinations in 2011.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/58687/rookies-to-start-on-steelers-offensive-line

 

[Buckskin86]

Ed: Essex Believes Adams Can Step In
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Written by Ed Bouchette

Trai Essex is running No. 1 at left tackle in minicamp, but he expects rookie Mike Adams to make his contribution quickly when he finally gets to report sometime in June.
Adams, the second-round draft choice, is ticketed to play at left tackle and many expect him to start. Even Essex, who has been a good utility offensive lineman with the Steelers, expects it.
?We had a lockout last year, and we had three or four rookie quarterbacks come in and tear up the NFL,?? he told the PG?s Ray Fittipaldo Wednesday. ?There aren?t any rookies anymore. If you get drafted that high there are expectations. It?s a business. You have to be ready to go.
?He is a rookie, so he will get some slack, but not much because there are no redshirts in the NFL. Guys are expected to contribute right away.?
Left tackle Essex?s natural position but he has not played much of it with the Steelers. He opened last season as the starting right guard, where he became the starter during the 2010 season. He started 18 consecutive games at right guard until an ankle injury kept him out of four games last season. He returned to start two more but then lost his job to Ramon Foster.
Essex resigned as a free agent this year and will back up the entire length of the line, including center if need be.
But now, ?I was told my focus will be strictly on tackle, particularly left tackle. Because Ramon getting hurt, I?m getting some guard work.?
Essex is looking forward to seeing Adams in practice.
?They?ll give him an opportunity to come in and see what he has to do just because he hasn?t been here. They want to see what they invested a second round pick in. As a vet, I understand that. I won?t take it personal if he jumps the depth chart when he gets here. I understand how things work. I don?t catch feelings. The most I can do is give my hardest and show them I want to play, I want to start as well.?

http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/...rs/116482-ed-essex-believes-adams-can-step-in

 

[Buckskin86]

Defensive end Cameron Heyward went up against rookie left tackle Mike Adams numerous times while at Ohio State. But Adams has yet to be allowed to join the Steelers for offseason practices because of school commitments, putting a hold reliving some battles they had while with the Buckeyes. ?I am curious to see how he blocks,? Heyward said. ?I haven?t seen him in a year. It is going to be fun to go against him.?

http://triblive.com/sports/1899172-...ike-offseason-practices-scheduled-season-seen

 

[Buckskin86]

Steelers? new linemen will get chance to start
By Scott Brown
Tribune-Review
Published: Thursday, June 7, 2012

David DeCastro and Mike Adams will work extensively with the Steelers? first-team offense next week during minicamp. And they could well report to training camp in late July as the presumptive starters at right guard and left tackle, respectively.

?I don?t have a fear of starting rookies, as long as they?re ready,? Steelers offensive line coach Sean Kugler said Wednesday.

DeCastro and Adams have missed every offseason practice because of their schools? class schedules, making minicamp critical for the Steelers up front.

How much the two have picked up while staying in close contact with Kugler and studying practice video could go a long way toward shaping a revamped offensive line.

?Ideally, when we go to training camp, we want guys in set positions,? Kugler said, ?so they can focus on what they need to do.?

The line has had plenty of moving parts during offseason practices, which conclude today at Heinz Field, because of minor injuries and players missing the voluntary workouts for other reasons. The absence of DeCastro and Adams is the biggest reason the only set starters are Maurkice Pouncey at center and Willie Colon, a former tackle, at left guard.

cont...

http://triblive.com/sports/1919939-...elers-guys-offensive-guard-minicamp-offseason

 

[Buckskin86]

Mike Adams joins Pittsburgh Steelers at minicamp

Associated Press
Published: June 12, 2012

PITTSBURGH -- Willie Colon couldn't help himself. When rookies David DeCastro and Mike Adams walk into the offensive huddle during the opening practice of Steelers minicamp Tuesday, the veteran left guard decided to have a little fun at the expense of the new kids.
Instant Debate: Most improved team?
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"It smells like baby milk and pampers in here," Colon said just before quarterback Ben Roethlisberger called out a play.

Hopefully, not for long.

The Steelers wasted little time putting their top two draft picks to work during their first drills with the veterans. Both players split time with the first team in an effort to play catch-up after missing three weeks of organized team activities while finishing their studies.

Offensive line coach Sean Kugler did his best to keep his two new projects up to speed, calling them daily to go through reps and relay questions that came up during meetings.

Adams -- taken in the second round out of Ohio State -- often would bring his playbook and his iPad wherever he went during his final days on campus to help fight off boredom.

"To be honest, I'd be in class watching film and stuff like that," he said. "I kind of checked out of school awhile ago, just wanting to be here, getting back with my team."

The sooner, the better for a player who's eager to shed the reputation he received during his bumpy career with the Buckeyes. Adams was an All-Big Ten Conference selection in 2010 and made the second team last year despite being limited to eight games because of his role in the scandal that eventually led to coach Jim Tressel's dismissal.

Throw in his failed drug test just before the NFL Scouting Combine, and Adams arrives in Pittsburgh with plenty of baggage to go with his potential.

"I think some people question my ability (as a person) and as a football player," Adams said. "As long as I do what I'm told and do what I'm taught I'll be all right."

cont..

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000...e-adams-joins-pittsburgh-steelers-at-minicamp