mike adams

[steelax04]

Originally Posted by El-Gonzo Jackson

I will respectfully disagree with this statement.

Adams actually does a good job in the run game getting movement on defenders. He also does a decent job in pass blocking if you watch line play for the entire game and not just the 3- 5 times a game he gives up a QB pressure or sack.

NFL D linemen are better than who he saw at Purdue, Northwestern, Indiana, etc last year. Every snap is a learning experience for him.

We should start an "Offensive Line Review" sticky for you El-Gonzo... After every game review the play of the O-line. You always have great insights on the O-line play.

[Edman]

Mike Adams reminds me of Young Max Starks.

Road-Grader, but mediocre pass blocker. Adams will struggle as a rookie, but he's done a decent job.

[GoFor7]

I'll give my non knee-jerkish reaction to Mike Adams:

As a run blocker, he's pretty good - perhaps even a little better than Gilbert. But as a pass blocker, he's got a lot of room for improvement. Now this begs the question: Can the Steelers afford to keep him in there if/when Gilbert is healthy? Some would say "you have to keep him in so he gets better!" While there's some truth to that, keep two things in mind: First, Ben will eventually be back. Do you want someone who's suspect in pass blocking protecting a QB coming off an injury? Second, if a TE helps him with pass protection that takes away a receiving option.

Given all that, I personally would lean towards starting Gilbert if he can get cleared to play.

[TheVet]

Originally Posted by GoFor7

Do you want someone who's suspect in pass blocking protecting a QB coming off an injury?

...

Given all that, I personally would lean towards starting Gilbert if he can get cleared to play.

The problem is that Gilbert is equally suspect in pass blocking. This year has really been a big regression for him.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by TheVet

The problem is that Gilbert is equally suspect in pass blocking. This year has really been a big regression for him.

I'll agree with this year not being great for Gilbert, but I think a lot of it has to do with the injuries and the Steelers planning in preseason to anoint Adams as the opening day LT.

All the fanboys that got on the Adams bandwagon in the preseason are now hating on the guy. I thought that all along it would be better for him to learn at RT instead of Ben's blind side. I think that if Gilbert is given the chance to be the LT of the future, that he can.

I've been disgruntled about the lack of O line talent for around 7 years now and am really excited at the prospects of Decastro, Pouncey, Colon, Gilbert, Adams, Foster and Beechum. Although I think Foster goes in free agency next season.

[ricardisimo]

I was certain that Foster was going to be relegated to backup from this season forward, but how impressive has it been that his name has barely been mentioned at all here, in the press, or on the field? Kudos to him, and many thanks.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by ricardisimo

I was certain that Foster was going to be relegated to backup from this season forward, but how impressive has it been that his name has barely been mentioned at all here, in the press, or on the field? Kudos to him, and many thanks.

I remember Wolfley saying inthe preseason to not count out "The Big Ragu". He's always been a mauler and may likely go the Keydrick Vincent route and get paid by somebody else in the offseason.

I still think if Urbik and Foster were on the roster that we may have been just fine at guard and likely could have drafted Hightower in the 1st round this year instead of needing a guard.

[austinfrench76]

I agree that if Urbik and Foster were on the roster we would have been better off at guard but I don't believe they would have passed on a guy like Decastro regardless. We got very lucky with him falling to us. I also agree that it is nice to see some oline talent! One problem is that Gilbert keeps wiping out his fellow olineman! I think you play the beat guy. No matter what. The coaching staff is gonna have to make some tough decisions! Let's just get the W tomorrow and see where that puts us! Go Steelers...

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by steelax04

We should start an "Offensive Line Review" sticky for you El-Gonzo... After every game review the play of the O-line. You always have great insights on the O-line play.

Thanks, but the problem is ........that nobody would really care about such a review column. I love O line play and know what it means to an offense, if the majority dont care....its OK.

Bob Wylie (Hipcheese knows of him) is an O line coach and guru that runs an O line group called The Mushroom Society. http://www.thecoolclinic.com/ The name comes because O line coaches are kept in the dark and fed manure and still thrive. Very few care about O line play, we get the plays the O Coordinator wants to run and get told to "block it up".

I wasnt a fan of Adams in the 1st, but happy we got him in the 2nd. He's got worldbeater talent, but eggbeater technique and consistency. If Kugler can put it together, the kid will be a pro bowler.

[tanda10506]

Any update on Adams' injury? Beachum will get ate up in Baltimore, we need either Gilbert or Adams to play and play well this weekend.

Seems like they are rushing DD back, if he could just begin running two weeks ago then I doubt he's ready to hit 320lbs men.

Another huge question is how soon will Colon be back and will his injury linger? He has been a huge improvement at LG.