Making the Leap: Mike Adams Moves Into the Starting Lineup at Tackle

The Steelers appear to be on the verge of a changing of the guard. Or in this case, a changing of the tackle.

Mike Adams, the Ohio State tackle the team took in the second round of this past April’s NFL Draft, is moving up the charts, and according to Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette, he’s lining up with the #1’s in camp.

Mike Adams moved up to the starting left tackle job in just one week of his rookie training camp. That’s quicker than even Maurkice Pouncey moved into the top spot at center his rookie season in 2010. There’s still one thing left for Adams to do, however. He must beat out last year’s starter, Max Starks, who is currently on the PUP list but should be ready to go before the season begins. Mike Tomlin said on Saturday that Adams is “far from ready,” yet it looks as though he will start the first preseason game on Ben Roethlisberger’s blind side Thursday night against the Eagles in Philadelphia.

There was some panic due to the fact that both Adams and David DeCastro were not starting right off the bat. All seems calm now, as Adams has moved into his number one role, and while DeCastro hasn’t, the move to having him start on the O-line will soon enough.