Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports today that a source close to the situation told him that the initial plan is for second round draft pick Mike Adams to get the first crack at the left tackle spot as the Pittsburgh Steelers head towards training camp. This would mean that second year tackle Marcus Gilbert would stay put at right tackle, where he started 13 games last season as a rookie.
Gilbert was told heading into the offseason that he should prepare to play left tackle in 2012, but this was of course before Adams was drafted and the decision was made to move Willie Colon to left guard following the draft. This, as I pointed out on Wednesday, was one of the two likeliest scenarios moving forward after the position switch of Colon was officially announced.
The Steelers signed Kyle Jolly to the roster on Thursday, but there should not be too much read into that move as he will just be another training camp body like he was last year. The progression of Adams will likely be monitored closely through the OTA and mini-camp sessions that begin next week and the Steelers could have sights on bringing back unrestricted free agent tackle Max Starks as soon as he is recovered from his ACL surgery if Adams does not progress well. Other tackles currently on the roster are Jonathan Scott, Trevis Turner and Chris Scott along with the recently signed Jolly.
Although Chris Scott is listed as a tackle, he is better suited more as a guard. He was given the first crack at winning the right guard spot last year during the preseason, but failed at the opportunity, his play was also just as bad when tried at right tackle last preseason. The signing of Jolly gives the Steelers a little more training camp depth at the right tackle spot. Jolly played both tackle spots last year in the preseason.
