You Have To Feel Bad For Willie Colon
by Michael Bean on Jul 1, 2010 4:42 AM EDT
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Poor Willie
Forget for a moment thinking about Willie Colon's injury in terms of how it will effect the Steelers' chances in 2010. Quite frankly, it may actually not matter all that much. Yes, Colon is a vastly improved player who promised to have his best year as a professional in '10 - what would have been his fourth full year as a starter. But being that it's just now July 1st, I think there's more than enough time for new offensive line coach Sean Kugler to get to work with his deep, but inexperienced crop of potential replacements for Colon.
But like I said, forget that for a second. Let's consider just how unfortunate this was for Mr. Colon - a proud man, mind you, that scrapped and clawed his way out of the doghouse of Steeler Nation to become one of the offensive line's more reliable players last season. Colon, for all the abuse he took from us fans during his growing pains in 2007 and 2008, did nothing but show up and fight to get better each and every day. He made mistakes...plenty in fact...but he also had his moments during the team's Super Bowl run two seasons ago and looked like he had turned the corner with his play last season.
Considering where he played college ball - at Hofstra - it really shouldn't be all that surprising that it took Colon some time to adjust to how insanely fast the NFL game is. Seriously...think about it: Hofstra? Football? Another feather in the cap of the Steelers' scouting department. Who looks for kids from the Bronx who went to college in Long Island for offensive line talent?
If the Collective Bargaining Agreement hadn't expired, Colon would have been an unrestricted free agent at the end of this past season. Instead, he became a restricted free agent once again and was scheduled to play this coming season under a nice, but relatively modest pay scale.
Colon and his agent had to be thinking 'okay, Willie, one more year of hard work and you'll get what's yours in 2011 and beyond once this labor situation sorts itself out.' Not an unreasonable line of thinking considering Colon had started the previous 50 games for the Steelers. He's been remarkably durable.
Sadly, Colon may never see that big pay day again in the National Football League. He won't get it next year, as the Steelers or other teams now have legitimate reason to be wary. He's still young enough to play himself into a contract that will set him and his family up for life, but it's going to be an uphill battle from here. And to think, he was right there, so close to locking down his security through 2015.
Bottom line is this - Colon unfortunately missed out on his one huge shot at signing a lucrative unrestricted free agent contract in the prime physical years of his career. He already got setback by the expiration of the CBA; now this. Hopefully the guy can recover in time to play productive football in 2011 and help the Steelers accomplish their team goals while also getting his own personal career trajectory back on track. Who knows though? His replacement might just steal the show this year and force the Steelers hand next offseason. It's all up in the air, but I just feel bad for a guy that showed up and worked hard enough off to get to a place where he was ready to do some of the ass whooping after several years of paying his dues and learning on the job.
Brutal.
Best of luck in your recovery Willie Colon! Keep your head up..,
(Next up from me: My take on the situation along the OL after the unfortunate injury to Colon)
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Wondering if he'll be able to come back from this...
Achilles are nasty things to snap, and with the movement you need at his position, it would be tough.
I have a feeling we may have seen the last of Willie in Black and Gold, with the hopeful pay raise he was looking for and I can imagine he’ll still seek… :(
"Troy just made that guy look like a ham sandwich!" - Myron
Man
I hated Colon with a passion, But in all honesty, he did improve and now I hate him a little less. Just thought I’d let that out. Nice write-up Blitz, got me sad for the poor guy.
This is Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu getting knocked around by the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii yesterday...
Minutes later, Troy caught the ocean going over the middle and smacked it right in the mouth. The ocean fumbled, Troy recovered and ran it into the endzone. The ocean never messed with Troy again.
made me feel bad
for all the times I screamed at Willie for his penalties, and other screw-ups. But you are right, he had gotten much better (or perhaps the rest of the line got much worse) and he was one of our more reliable.
Despite his prior performance, I never want to see someone hurt. And it is sad that he will prob miss out on his big payday…this is a tough business and the football gods can be cruel.
"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play." Jack Lambert.
ehhhhhhh I'm on the fence leaning towards "I dont feel too bad"
Yeah, I guess he did rise up the ranks in a respectable fashion, but that dude had mexican jumping beans in his shoes or something. Every off-sides, my dad and I immediately say “COLON!!” and it was almost always him. Cost us a lot of yards versus how many we gained. He’ll be back. Anyone with that determination will return. Just cool your jets Willie…. the ball will eventually get snapped….
He only had 9 penalties, in 16 games, called on him last year (two being declined/offset). That’s not that much.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Jul 1, 2010 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Pro Football Focus
has him listed as the #3 Tackle in the NFL right behind Jake Long (#2 MIA) and Joe Thomas (#1CLV)
To do a dull thing with style-now that's what I call art.
-Charles Bukowski
Quite frankly, it may actually not matter all that much…I think there’s more than enough time for new offensive line coach Sean Kugler to get to work with his deep, but inexperienced crop of potential replacements for Colon.
I hope you’re right. He was definitely improving by the year. I think it would have especially been evident this year with the added focus on the run (that they advertise). Certainly another sub-plot to follow. Kugler may have plenty of time to prepare a replacement, but I’m a little skeptical that it will prove to soften (or even erase) the blow of losing Willie. Learn and practice all you want, but the proof is in the game-time pudding. Call it cautious pessimism.
"Who is Joe Namath? This is a guy who, if he played in the league today, I'd probably just go hit him late and see what he did, just for the hell of it. Joe Namath can go to hell; he can kiss my ass." - Greg Lloyd, after NBC commentator Joe Namath accused Lloyd of playing dirty.
I hope that we really don't get that turd Flozell Adams...
I think that he was 5th in penalty yards last year and seems like a real (dallas cryboy) on the field…..But that seems to be the standard for the steelers O-Line. Ohh well, Biggy Benny needs to get sacked a few more times this year! I’m thinking 35+, but we’re totally going to the damn superbowl!! WOOT! I’m going to miss Willie “the boston terrier” Colon
"Steelers Rule You!" - Me
Nice Write Up Blitz
But I can’t feel too bad for the guy. This is the profession he has chosen. It is a dangerous and short lived. He has had about 5 years under his belt. He has been paid handsomely and been rewarded with a Super Bowl ring and more money than most of us will ever think about earning over 5 years.
He also was given the opportunity to get an education at a world class university and earn a degree in the field of his choice. He can use this education (if he didn’t blow it) to “get on with his life’s work” as Chuck Noll would say if football is done for him.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
yeah he went to a top notch school. Hofstra doesn’t have a football program anymore.
Healing from my new tattoos
Franco made that play because he never quit on the play. He kept running, he kept hustling. Good things happen to people who hustle."
by PCISteeler on Jul 2, 2010 1:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Was not thinking of it like that...
But yeah, I do feel bad for the guy. Best of luck in his recovery, I think the grit and determination he has already shown is a good sign for his return.
"I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone."
-Kurt Vonnegut
aw jeez
dammit, i never think of these things…that just makes me feel awful for bitching about his penalties and crap
Don't fee bad.
Even though he has improved and has become the best lineman we have, he still pulled enough boneheaded things in the previous years to give me nightmares. The fact that the injury may/will have financial ramification for him isn’t that important to me as a fan. Since when did we need to feel bad for guys who fell like working in an industry for 5 to 10 years should entitle them to be set up for life. Look at what the players used to have to do just to be able to afford to live and play the game. The new era of players should shut up about money and play.
Tom
Vacaation Guy
Right..
But its funny how the owners do just as much whining as the players do but they get half the heat for it. Everyone in the NFL should shut up about money and do their part in the NFL, that includes owners, if you think salaries are too high, well stop offering crazy contracts. If you feel that keeps you from competing then tough, don’t get into a business you can’t afford.
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Jul 7, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Anyone else looking at the picture posted?
ya know the game where the Eagles Blitzed us to death and it looked like our line didn’t even suit up for the game? Ya I remember that day. Kugler, please build us a great line. We gave your Maurkice. Now handle the rest.
"'Shady I don't understand your flow,' understand my flow?
Bitch I flow like Troy Polamalu's hair boy
don't you dare try to follow or compare boy"
by SoCalSteelerFan on Jul 1, 2010 11:30 AM EDT reply actions
lol
was wondering if anyone was going to point that out about the picture.
Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)
by Michael Bean on Jul 1, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I thought about that when I saw it
only one game against the eagles so it had to be THAT game. I don’t remember his play specifically, but there really wasn’t an O-line for the Steelers that day.
Might have been Willie’s worst game as a Steeler. Thanks Blitz, the picture softened the blow a bit!
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
I'm afraid it's going to take a lot more than hard work for him to come back.
Some injuries you just can’t come back from. It’s something you really have to experience for yourself to fully understand. I didn’t get it either until I had my “career ender.”
I think this will end up being a big deal, at least for the first few games
Obviously, we needed to lean a lot more on the run to start the season. I don’t have the numbers in front of me, but the majority of our success last year came from runs that were to the right side, behind Colon. You can find the stats on NFL.com, under OL stats. Also, I think having an OL that is that durable is probably one of the most underrated things in the NFL. Generally, when a starter gets hurt, there is a big drop off, especially in cohesion between the unit.
Should be an interesting start to the year.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
as if it wasn't already...ugh
"Who is Joe Namath? This is a guy who, if he played in the league today, I'd probably just go hit him late and see what he did, just for the hell of it. Joe Namath can go to hell; he can kiss my ass." - Greg Lloyd, after NBC commentator Joe Namath accused Lloyd of playing dirty.
i agree this is gonna be a big deal
the only person who we could have lost on the offensive line that MAYBE would have hurt us this much is starks becuz we don’t have a good backup LT. essex was very subpar at RG and all of a sudden he’s going to be a good L/R tackle? (that wasn’t written above but i’ve heard other ppl speaking like that). i really hope J. scott turns out to be very good or Adams decides to get his head outta his butt and realize he’s not worth 4 mil. if he was, he woulda been signed months ago.
Hofstra a football factory
think about all the guys from Hofstra. Chrebet, Willie, Colston, one of the guards that plays for the saints and I’m sure their are others I can’t think of right now. Not bad for a small D-IAA school that stopped playing football after last season. But just when you thought Willie was putting it all together he goes down for the year but I feel confortable with our ability to find a replacement
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene and Jerry Kramer
"You Don't mess with the USA" Landon Donavan
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
that’s right.. only 4 players from hofstra are in the nfl and 3 of them have SB rings. pretty good marketing tool.
Healing from my new tattoos
Franco made that play because he never quit on the play. He kept running, he kept hustling. Good things happen to people who hustle."
by PCISteeler on Jul 2, 2010 1:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I would much rather have had Wayne Chrebet than Keyshawn
because wayne cought the damn ball and didn’t act like a premadonna
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene and Jerry Kramer
He'll save the children, But not the British Children, George Washington also was 6' 8" and weighed a fing ton
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on Jul 5, 2010 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Wait you mean these are people playing football?
I thought they were just machines put here for our enjoyment.
Nice write up Blitz, as always.
When I read that Willie was injured, my first thought was, “aww crap; more O-line problems.” However, my second thought was Colon was getting the shaft from the football gods. The guy was well on his way to atoning for earlier sins, then to have this happen…
The man deserves some love from the fans. Good write-up, Blitz.
The man deserves some love from the fans
Maybe just a teensy weensy bit, lol kidding of course.
This is Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu getting knocked around by the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii yesterday...
Minutes later, Troy caught the ocean going over the middle and smacked it right in the mouth. The ocean fumbled, Troy recovered and ran it into the endzone. The ocean never messed with Troy again.
I'm betting on Willie
Not just because he has had to travel the road less taken; The Bronx, to Hofstra, to the NFL, not just because of the abuse and general bad vibes he has had to endure from Steelers Nation, but also because he was right in the middle of the scandalous goings on surrounding Ben and there wasn’t so much as a peep that he conducted himself in any more than an upright manner.
I think he is a high character guy.
by Ivan Cole (RickVa) on Jul 1, 2010 1:34 PM EDT reply actions
T Ramon Foster's time to shine ...
I really believe this guy is going to be a good football player for the Steelers. I’d put he and Pouncey on the right side and see if they can hold it down. But really, let them compete and may the best men win. As much as I hate that Colon got hurt, let’s face it, it’s not like we lost the next Anthony Munoz. One man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity.
Hopefully,
Ramon Foster steps up, you’re usually spot-on with your predictions Truth. But there was word that Starks might move to LT and Essex to RT. What do you think about that? I personally don’t see it happening.
This is Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu getting knocked around by the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii yesterday...
Minutes later, Troy caught the ocean going over the middle and smacked it right in the mouth. The ocean fumbled, Troy recovered and ran it into the endzone. The ocean never messed with Troy again.
Thats silly
you don’t screw up two positions on the line to solve one.
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Jul 2, 2010 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
My point exactly.
Stupid NFL.com article.
This is Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu getting knocked around by the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii yesterday...
Minutes later, Troy caught the ocean going over the middle and smacked it right in the mouth. The ocean fumbled, Troy recovered and ran it into the endzone. The ocean never messed with Troy again.
You mean Starks would move to RT?
I think it’s a horrible idea.
Okay, we've lost the #1 QB, the #1 WR, and the #1 OL.....
Why am I thinking of the Kevin Bacon character in the movie Animal House, being crushed by the stampeding crowd, yet saying to himself, “all is well, all is well.”
If Tomlin can get this team into the playoffs with all the setbacks he’s had, he’ll deserve a lifetime contract.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
That just got me thinking...
"I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone."
-Kurt Vonnegut
by NYSteelersFan4 on Jul 1, 2010 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
they will be alright
As much as I hate the Steelers O line and Colon’s problems. The Steelers will be just fine. It may even give incentive to one or two of the new guys to step up. Now they have a better chance to make the roster and be a starter. Better these injuries happened now and not at the end of preseason. The Steelers will be just fine. the O line will be OK, no problem take a deep breath and call me after training camp. And please get the O line combat boots to practice in.
The more I learn -The less I think I know! Just enjoy reading and sharing.
Way to keep things in perspective.
Nice story. A good writer always takes an angle not everyone else is seeing.
I was listening to the local Pittsburgh sportstalk radio, 93.7 the Fan,
and they were interviewing Colon’s agent Joe Linta. He claimed that Colon was the best right tackle in the game. I about wrecked my car.I’m sorry, but I just don’t see it. He said media who claim that he is not that good are a bunch of morons. This guy is a liability in pass protection in my opinion.
agents
How do I break it to the cat that since he has been declawed, the rabbit he sees in our backyard would kick his sorry butt?
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jul 1, 2010 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions
doh
agents sometimes let their hyperbole get the best of them. Was Willie a good right tackle before the injury? Yes and he worked hard to get there but the best in the game? Not so much. Still I hope he heals well and makes his agent right though it may be 2012 before he gets to play again.
How do I break it to the cat that since he has been declawed, the rabbit he sees in our backyard would kick his sorry butt?
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jul 1, 2010 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Best wishes to Willie
I hope he heals quick and well.
Till this injury I thought we had the talent for a 12-4 season. Now I think it will be tough sledding to make the playoffs, especially in this division but I think we can still make it.
How do I break it to the cat that since he has been declawed, the rabbit he sees in our backyard would kick his sorry butt?
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jul 1, 2010 11:02 PM EDT reply actions
yes and no
it does suck for willie or any player who this might happen to….but i have a hard time feeling bad for someone who’ll have made $4.7 mil over last year and this year for playing a sport. even if this injury is career ending he’ll still have the rest of his life to continue earning money as an avg citizen…with over $6 mil earned in his 5 years of football.
i’m a die hard football fan, but that’s my take. nothing against colon. i hope he makes a full recovery and is able to his big contract someday.
I agree with most of you....
I have spent much of my time screaming at him, but I DID notice that last season he was much better. You just never know. God has a plan for all of us, and he also has a strange kind of sense of humor…..you ever notice that?? Anyway, hope Willie does recover from this. I would hate to see this end his career.
damn... that's depressing
and think of all those first round draft pick dreggs of society – Pacman Jones, Matt Jones, Marshawn Lynch – that get paid without having to play one snap of pro football.
I really hope willy ends up getting his due.
Tony - Stillers Fan in Raleigh
It's still the offseason, folks ...
There is a long time until the games count for real. They have the entire training camp to find a starter at RT & improve the running game. They don’t need anymore injuries at the tackle position, but almost every team can say the same thing. R. Foster, J. Scott, T. Essex, & T. Hills will compete for that RT spot and, hopefully, it’ll be decided between the white lines (my money’s on Foster).
I believe the Steelers will be fine. Someone with a helmet will take the field for those players we lost and try to help us win ballgames. It will be interesting to see if Ben’s suspension will make him a better QB when he comes back (meaning a QB who throws the ball away more often and stops taking so many drive and momentum killing sacks). If he does, then that suspension could translate to more rings in the near future.
+ one
Me too.! Foster may even be able to play Tackle. He did in college.That is why I had high hopes for 5th round pick G/T Chris Scott. Because Foster had recommended the Steelers check him out.
The more I learn -The less I think I know! Just enjoy reading and sharing.
by steeler junky on Jul 3, 2010 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Doom & Gloom because W. Colon is out for the season? C'mon folks ....
I read where Peter King of Sports Illustrated had Willie Colon rated as the 47th best player in the league according to his top 100. And to think, I had a lot of respect for King until he said that. Folks, Colon is a serviceable RT at best. He might still be better served at guard, but as a tackle, he was nothing special. If he was the best starting OL on the team, then that just shows you how poor a job this team has done in recent years as far as buidling its offensive line.
I’m not as worried about the RT spot as others on here are because the Steelers have a two months before the games count for real. Believe me, the Steelers will figure this out and they will have someone in that position opening day. It’s nice to be flying under the radar while everyone wants to crown the Ravens & the Bengals right now. And they rightly should coming off the way the Steelers performed this past year. Should be enough motiviation for the team to get their mind right and get back to playing Steelers football.
A good defense and good special teams can help a team go far in this league. I’m curious to see how serious Tomlin is about improving the special teams. If he cuts CB Anthony Madison this year, then that means he isn’t serious at all. Did anyone notice that the Steelers didn’t give up anymore touchdowns on punt or kickoff returns when they resigned him? There is a reason for that. I think he is someone that can help the Steelers win games this year and should have a roster spot.
Contradicting Logic
if Colon was that bad, then why hadn’t any of the backups replaced him? Essentially you are saying Colon is a serviceable RT at best so we’re going to replace him with a non-serviceable RT at best. So why wouldn’t that worry you? If you think the line is bad and gives up a lot of sacks, then it just got worse, why wouldn’t that worry you? A good defense and a good special teams does nothing to help open holes for the running game or protect the QB in the passing game. Convince me how you can say, well the line isn’t that good and colon isn’t that good, so we’ll plug in someone who couldn’t beat out colon and that is reason why you shouldn’t worry.
Now if you were saying that colon was decent and you feel as if the back ups can be a reasonable replacement this year, then that makes more sense in a case to not worry. I’m not worried because I think Foster can do a good job in replacement but everyone saw how much Colon improved and there was no telling to how good he would have been this year. But we’ll get a chance to see what we got in Foster, if he shows well we’ll be fine. Lets just hope this isn’t a repeat of Will Gay’s situation last year. If I felt that colon wasn’t that good, I’d be really worried because none of the back ups was coming close to challenging his job. That means they are really bad. So I take solace in the in thought that Colon was well on his way to being a top tackle in the lead now we have to replace him with a decent tackle. Does this make any sense or am I just crazy?
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Jul 7, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
is any1 else as scared as i am bout sean kugler?
when he was with the bills the o-line had all sorts of injuries…
now hes with us and 2 o-lineman have fallen under the injury curse brought by kugler already..and it could have been a 3rd if maurkice pouncey didnt survive being stepped on by the other lineman
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