Former Steelers Willie Colon was with the Steelers for six season before he was released during the 2013 offseason. But, you can tell that he still thinks highly of the organization he once played for.
A cap casualty as well as a interior lineman who fought the injury bug season in and season out, Colon has been living season by season with the New York Jets since he signed his first contract with them in 2013.
Interestingly enough, while with the Jets, Colon has started every single game going large in part injury free. Colon had not played a full season with the Steelers since 2009.
So what’s all the hub bub with Colon? Colon became vocal with criticism about his current QB, Geno Smith.
Earlier in June while on Sirius XM NFL Radio, Colon had some pretty harsh things to say about Smith.
"[Geno] was thrown into the fire and he was forced to cook. Everybody knows in this league, to be a quarterback, which is the No. 1 position on the field, it’s a maturation period you have to go through. And it takes the mental, the physical, and everything to go along with it, to be the best, or even be in the top 10.Now, Geno, with that said, has made his mistakes. He’s said some things where you look at him like, ‘What are you talking about?’ But I think that’s all about his maturation period. And I think right now, like Cromartie just mentioned, we bought the Porsche. We’ve given him the keys. He can’t crash it. Bottom line. He can’t crash it. We need him to be on top of his game. And we’re doing everything we can as an offensive line to make him comfortable back there."
Oct 13, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker
Jason Worilds(93) sacks New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
On the surface, I think a lot of Jets fans might look at Colon as taking shots at their starting QB. But you have to remember who he played with before he started defending the line of scrimmage for Smith.
For six years he had the privilege of blocking for Ben Roethlisberger – a top 5 quarterback for at least the last 7 seasons – since Colon was a rookie in 2006.
Roethlisberger has exhibited all the qualities Colon says it takes to be a top QB in the league. Leadership, poise, maturity.
Almost from day one of stepping in for an injured Tommy Maddox, Roethlisberger has shown what it takes to be a great quarterback on the field.
So while Colon’s criticisms of Smith may have come off as harsh, I think the former 4th rounder knows what he’s talking about. He’s also made amends with Smith, and both players want to move on from the ‘misunderstanding.’
It’s ok Willie, hopefully you’ll get back on a playoff bound team one of these days. As for Smith, I think he’s about to return that Porsche back to the garage all busted up with some flat tires.
Next: Quiet Offseason Secures The Future For Steelers
More from Still Curtain
- Mel Kiper Jr. makes predictable pick for Steelers in first NFL mock draft
- Steelers news: Brian Flores odds to land HC job, no projected compensatory picks, and more
- Why Jordan Addison to the Steelers is a good idea
- 4 reasons Steelers would have been embarrassed in the NFL playoffs
- The easiest cut the Pittsburgh Steelers will make in 2023