Steelers select Mike Adams in 2nd round
The Pittsburgh Steelers continued to improve their offensive line by selecting Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams in the 2nd round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
From a need standpoint, the pick made sense. However, I was still surprised to here Adams’ name announced by the Steelers.
From a talent standpoint, most experts viewed Mike Adams as a 1st round pick. But from a character standpoint, it was an entirely different picture. That’s why this pick surprised me.
The Steelers typically give character more weight than other teams do when they evaluate players. And Mike Adams brings serious character questions to the team.
Adams was one of the five Ohio State players who were suspended for the first 5 games of the 2011 season for selling his Big Ten championship ring. He also tested positive for marijuana several times while at Ohio State. To make matters even worse, he tested positive for marijuana at the NFL Scouting Combine. How stupid was that??!!!
After dealing with Santonio Holmes, I assumed that the Steelers would shy away from a player with a reputation for being a marijuana smoker. But apparently Adams’ talent was too good to pass over.
Mike Adams
Adams is a huge kid. He stands 6’7″, and weighs 323 lbs. Moreover, he played against very respectable talent in the Big 10.
Adams was generally considered to be one of the top 5 offensive tackles in this years draft. He’s a solid blocker who was well-coached at Ohio State. He excels at pulling and trapping. He’s athletic enough to stay with speed rushers, and big enough to handle bull rushers. In every way, he looks the part of an NFL offensive tackle.
But despite his physical characteristics, Adams sometimes plays soft. He lacks the nasty temperament that you’d like to see out of your offensive linemen. His motivation and work ethic have been questioned in the past. So the Steelers will have to make sure that they surround him with veteran players who will motivate and guide him, and ultimately turn him into a Steelers-type player.
Other Steelers selections
To read about the Steelers’ 1st round pick, click here.
Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!
I just don’t get this one. Big marks against Adams is questionable heart and gross stupidity (testing positive at the combine). Either should have precluding picking him in the second. Both should have kept them from picking him at all. I mean seriously…what were they thinking!
If they wanted to go OT, why not Massie??? Does he have cooties or something?
If not locked in at OT and they didn’t see value at another position, trade down.
Is Kolbert smoking something Admas gave him during his visit?
1I agree. Taking a risk is one thing, but a guy who tested positive at the Combine after testing positive in college is not a risk, it’s a known problem. Obviously they must view his skills much more highly than Massie to accept a serious problem that could render this pick useless. Also, it sounds like Adams interviewed very well but that doesn’t explain his persistently stupid behavior.
2I’m not thrilled with this one. If he’s gonna succeed anywhere it’s Pittsburgh, but I just don’t like him as a prospect for the work ethic issues and the pot smoking before the biggest interview of his life.
3I’m gonna give the big fella a chance. He obviously made the Steelers feel comfortable about his pot smoking. And there’s no doubt that he’s a good player. He’s probably better than Massie.
I’ll be keeping a close eye on him during training camp. He needs to show that he’s a professional with a good work ethic. If he’s not working hard, I’ll definitely say so.
4If anyone can straighten Mike Adams out it’s his life long heroes, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Obviously Pitt believed his hat in hand story backed up by his jumping through their initial hoops.
The locker room is going to figure big also. Ben, Pouncey, Gilbert, Colon, DeCastro, Miller and all the rest will definitely be there for him to lean on and learn from.
When Adams hears the fans cheering and feels his heroes patting him on the back he’ll step up. He’s a monster and will be all pro real quick.
The combo of DeCastro and Adams is potentially one of the best duo of OL I’ve ever seen on draft day.
5Adams did have some injuries in his first two years in college, and it’s possible he’ll have some as he begins his pro career if DeCastro catches him with the loco-weed. That influence will hopefully help keep him on the straight and narrow, and it sounds like he made a good start with the FO, although he could just have the gift of blarney. It’s easy to be contrite when you first realize you cost yourself millions of dollars’ it’s less easy to maintain focus when you’ve never been focused and disciplined in your whole life, which his track record of suspensions seems to indicate.
I personally think Adams will be a bust, but I’m still not overly critical of the pick. When is the next time the Steelers will get a chance to draft a potential franchise LT? It’s either take a chance on a redemption story or settle for 10 years of subpar LT play. I think the potential upside here is worth the chance of a wasted pick.
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