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Steelers' top picks join team at minicamp
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David DeCastro gets instruction from Steelers offensive line coach Sean Kugler. -
David DeCastro (right) blocks offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert during the first of three Steelers mini camp workouts on the South Side. -
Mike Adams.
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The Steelers began their three-day minicamp today with three of their top four draft choice finally joining them on the field.
But, unless someone thought the Steelers were just going to hand starting jobs to guard David DeCastro and tackle Michael Adams, the two rookies worked with the second-team offensive line during the morning session.
PG VIDEODeCastro, the No. 1 pick, lined at right guard -- the position where he will likely begin the season with the first team. Adams, the No. 2 pick, lined at left tackle, but it remains to be seen if he is ready to be a starter.
DeCastro and Adams could not participate in the voluntary OTAs because of NFL rules that prohibit players whose college classes haven't graduated from attending.
Marcus Gilbert was at left tackle and Willie Colon was at left guard with the first team. Veteran Trai Essex lined at right tackle with the first-team offensive line.
But DeCastro and Adams weren't the only highly regarded rookies to finally get on the field.
Nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu, their fourth-round pick from Washington, also made his first appearance with his new team. Ta'amu is a thick 350-pound nose tackle from Samoa who will likely be the long-term replacement for Pro Bowl NT Casey Hampton. Like DeCastro and Adams, he could not attend OTAs.
"I'm happy to be here," Ta'amu said with a smile. "I'm a Steeler, man."
First Published June 12, 2012 2:03 pm
