Mike Adams Vs. Marcus Gilbert: The Battle for Left and Right Tackle
By Nick Kelly
2. Pass Protection
Mike Adams
If there’s one word that I could use to describe Mike Adams rookie season as far as his pass protection goes, it would be inconsistency. At times you saw the player that was seen at one time as a mid-first round talent, and then there were times you saw a player who looked like a rookie. Most of Mike Adams mistakes were due to just being a rookie. Against the Giants, he was in perfect position against the veteran Justin Tuck, but was unprepared for him to cut inside. Almost all of his mistakes in the passing game weren’t due to lack of talent, just lack of experience. If there was one thing that he needs to work on the most for next season is his footwork. At times he tended to stop his feet and thats what got him in trouble. I believe most of his problems came from lack of footwork. If he can fix his footwork, he has many things going for him. His hand placement is decent, he had his chest up, as well as his head up at all times. When he would get caught off guard, Adams would do a good job of fixing his mistake and bracing himself. Most defenders had trouble going through him when he got squared up. Like Marcus Gilbert, he needs to “sit down” more and needs to come off lower. Being 6’7, he goes against a lot of people shorter , so getting lower becomes more difficult. Adams does need to improve his overall leverage though. Below, I show you a play against Baltimore, when Mike Adams commits a big rookie mistake.
Coaches Film from NFL Game Rewind
Mike Adams is in his two-point as he prepares for pass rusher Paul Kruger to come around the edge.
Coaches Film from NFL Game Rewind
Adams comes off really well when it comes to his pad level. He is in a position to have great leverage. He has a good, wide base, as well as his hands up ready to punch. Adams made one huge mistake; He turned too WAY to early. Now Kruger had a clear lane to the quarterback. Now Adams is at a disadvantage as he will have to run with Kruger.
Coaches Film from NFL Game Rewind
Adams is already at a huge disadvantage, but now he stops his feet. Heath Miller would have been there to help but he is looking up the middle. This ended with Paul Kruger getting around and sacking quarterback Byron Leftwich.
Advantage: Marcus Gilbert