Adams Still Playing Catch-Up After Missing OTA’s

Offensive tackle Mike Adams, the Steelers’ second-round pick in April, was still at Ohio State for most of the Steelers’ organized team activity (OTA) practice sessions in May and June due to an NFL rule that keeps rookies away until their schools have completed classes. With Ohio State on the quarter system, Adams was in Columbus and trying to keep up with what was happening in Pittsburgh, Zac Jackson of FOXSports Ohio reports.

“As a rookie you’re always learning, so I definitely have work to do.”

Adams was suspended for the first five games of his final college season for his role in the memorabilia scandal that led to the ouster of Jim Tressel at Ohio State. He returned and started at left tackle, then performed well at the Senior Bowl. Despite a positive marijuana test at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, the Steelers selected Adams in the second round. And despite missing all 10 OTA practices, he lined up with the first-team offense at the all-important left tackle position in the Steelers’ June full-squad minicamp.

“To start right away is definitely a goal, but I’m trying to just learn and be ready to contribute, help this team any way I can,” Adams said. “We have one goal in Pittsburgh and that’s to win a Super Bowl, so it’s my job to just do whatever I have to do to help that.”

“First and foremost, from what I’ve seen so far it’s an organization committed to excellence,” Adams said. “There are a lot of great people from the players in the locker room to the people upstairs. It’s a good fit for me.”