Colon gets the start on sunday

**BlitzburghRockCity** · 12-22-2006, 06:18 AM

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06356/748186-66.stm

Friday, December 22, 2006

By Colin Dunlap, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Rookie offensive right tackle Willie Colon will not just dress for his first NFL game Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.

He'll go one better. He'll start.

He was named the starter by coach Bill Cowher yesterday.

Colon will play in place of Max Starks, who had knee surgery earlier in the week.

"Certainly, he is excited about the opportunity," Cowher said of Colon, a 6-foot-3, 315-pound Hofstra product from the Bronx, N.Y., who beat out second-year man Trai Essex for the starting job.

Cowher said if the Steelers reach the playoffs, Starks should be available.

"His surgery went well. Max is doing fine," Cowher said. "It was performed by Dr. [Jim] Bradley and Max got through it well."

**Captcoolhand** · 12-22-2006, 06:33 AM

I like when they put new players in to play. They come in with more hunger and urgency. Unlike some of the players out there does.
I'll be looking forwad to see how he does

**BlitzburghRockCity** · 12-22-2006, 08:29 AM

Willie is going to be excited at getting his first start, I hope he does well. I'd look for Tuman and/or Miller to help out on that side alot. Also using a back to chip a pass rusher as well to his side if needed.

House of Steel · 12-22-2006, 09:38 AM

I think Colon may make a name for himself and knowingly, we are going up against one of our hated rivals. I hope he stuffs the Ravens good.

**Captcoolhand** · 12-22-2006, 03:30 PM

You don't think they're making him an excuse for a lose

**AZ_Steeler** · 12-22-2006, 07:42 PM

This is good! Capt said it best too, these new players come out with a hunger!!! Look out 9-7 here come the Steelers!!

**steelcurtain09** · 12-23-2006, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by Captcoolhand

You don't think they're making him an excuse for a lose

hey on the ratbirds offense they r in the same situation

they have an OT makin his first start so the Steelers have no excuse for usin Colon as an excuse for losin

**SteelCityMan786** · 12-23-2006, 11:59 AM

It will be interesting alright.

**BlitzburghRockCity** · 12-23-2006, 12:09 PM

No excuse for a loss, this team is rolling right now...if the coaches feel Colon gives us a better chance then Essex does then we'll have to wait and see if their judgemetn is correct.

**DIESELMAN** · 12-28-2006, 10:32 PM

Cowher said of Colon, “He did okay at times.”

“I thought it went pretty good,” Colon said. “I was able to be effective for the most part. There were a couple of slip-ups here and there but that’s going to happen on your first start. It would’ve been better if we won.”

Colon said he cramped up and “kind of gassed out a little bit” in the fourth quarter, but agreed that his second-quarter work on pass-rusher Terrell Suggs was his highlight.

“He was getting upset,” Colon said. “He tried to hit me a couple plays and I just tried to show up. I just played him inside out all the way through. A lot of those guys like the inside move and I took it away and gave him a one-way option and he was getting frustrated and that happened.”

Suggs hit Colon late after one play and drew a 15-yard personal foul.

“I was blessed to get this Baltimore game,” Colon said. “I got to feel how the O-line communicates, how Ben is when he’s back there; a lot of little things that were involved that I learned on Sunday. Now I need a lot more film work, a lot more meetings and work on technique.”

By Jim Wexell
SteelCityInsider.com
Posted Dec 27, 2006

Pretty good for a 4th rd pick going up against Suggs like that and getting into his head.