Adams, Scott to rotate at tackle
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Ben Roethlisberger during drills.
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It was not surprising when Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed he would play quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in Saturday night's second preseason game against the New York Giants, even though he declined to divulge how long and when he would use his two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
After all, Roethlisberger acknowledged as much earlier in the week, and confirmed it again Thursday morning after the final official practice of training camp at Saint Vincent College.
Nor was it surprising when Tomlin said center Justin Hartwig would start against the Giants, but rookie No. 1 Maurkice Pouncey would rotate with him on the first-team offensive line. The Steelers did that last week against the Detroit Lions, and Pouncey was sensational.
- Game: Steelers at New York Giants, New Meadowlands Stadium.
- When: 7 p.m. Saturday.
- TV: KDKA.
But it was something of a surprise when Tomlin said Flozell Adams would start at right tackle, but that he planned to rotate him with Jonathan Scott with the first-team offense -- an indication the Steelers may not have settled on Adams as the replacement for injured Willie Colon.
"Everybody with a helmet on is in the mix," Tomlin said when asked if Scott, who started eight games last season for the Buffalo Bills, is battling Adams for that position. "We just want to see Jonathan Scott."
Perhaps, but they want to see him with the other starters on the offensive line, and that includes Pouncey, who is destined to be the starting center when the regular season begins Sept. 12 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Adams, 35, is trying to adjust to the right side after playing his entire career at left tackle with the Dallas Cowboys. But he might be struggling more than the Steelers are letting on.
He gave up a sack against the Detroit Lions when he was beaten on a speed rush by defensive end Cliff Avril. And, because he was signed right before training camp, he is still learning the playbook. Right guard Trai Essex is helping Adams with his assignments when they come to the line of scrimmage.
First Published August 20, 2010 12:00 am
