Right tackle Willie Colon missed all of last season’s run to Super Bowl XLV by the Steelers with a torn Achilles tendon. Now, it looks like the free agent might have played his last game for Pittsburgh. Colon’s agent, Joe Linta, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ed Bouchette that there’s little chance of his client returning to the Steelers, Bouchette is convinced that the Steelers are ready to move on.
On the Steelers attempting to sign Colon, Bouchette said, “I believe they will make a half-hearted attempt.” “I’m trusting what his agent is telling me. … I also think if the Steelers really valued him, they would have tried to sign him to a long-term deal last year,” said Bouchette. Colon turns 28 this offseason and has spent his entire five-year career with the Steelers since they drafted him in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft.
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jay
February 24, 2011 at 9:36 am
Wow, I mean, who am I to oppose or disagree with a franchise of this caliber…However, someone is going to give him big money, move him into guard and he is going to dominate the guard position for the next 5-6 years!
john
February 24, 2011 at 11:38 am
This is just all agent speak. He’ll be a Steeler in 2011. Who is going to overpay for a guy that is coming off a major injury in this market?
DrGeorge
February 24, 2011 at 3:32 pm
John, I agree with you. This is the sort of public comment agents make to move negotiations along. However, after a torn achilles tendon, what is Colon worth? So much depends on what he has left.
As Jay observes, the guy is a better guard than tackle, but if he comes back, he wouldn’t start at either RG or LG. Both Kemo and Foster are better than Colon at guard. At left tackle, Colon could beat out J. Scott, who is at best a backup to Starks. At right tackle, F. Adams will not likely return. C. Scott has yet to play. Therefore, Colon’s best (only?) shot is to return at RT.
However, the Steelers are not anxious to go forward with him as the starter at RT. He will be offered a low-ball contract as a backup. If he walks, so be it. The Steelers need to upgrade both tackle spots, and will try to find one or two via the draft or free agency. Ideally, they will find a dominant LT and switch Starks back to RT. So much depends on the talent available.
Colon’s bargaining position under the best of circumstances is not good. He wasn’t a Tier 1 offensive lineman before; after his injury, he isn’t likely to be improved.
Ben Dover
February 24, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Bye Willie, don’t let the door hit ya where the Good Lord split ya.
I didn’t miss his constant holding penalties, false starts, or illegal proceedures this season at all.
I’ve never understood why people were worried about losing him either last season, or this. He isn’t that good, he’s a bad Tackle in fact. I don’t get what Mike Tomlin ever saw in him in the first place.
I say good riddance Willie, best wishes in your location.
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