Willie

Colon

Colon was a two-year starter at Hofstra with position flexibility. He’s the first drafted player since No. 1 pick Mario Williams to sign his rookie contract. The Steelers are deep on the line, so he’ll have a year or two to learn.

Colon underwent surgery Tuesday. He also missed all of 2010 coming off Achilles’ surgery. The 28-year-old was in the first season of a five-year, $29 million contract signed after the lockout was lifted. It’s fair to wonder if the Steelers will move on in 2012. It’s time to find long-term answers at both tackle spots.

The Steelers reported no significant injuries in the postgame Sunday, so this comes as a surprise. Caplan hears that the injury is to Colon’s triceps and adds that the Steelers may have to consider re-signing Flozell Adams. Colon was signed to a five-year, $29 million contract in late July.

Colon was due a $4.5 million base salary in 2012, but $3.8 million of it will now be pro-rated over the next four years as a bonus. Colon was a candidate for release after tearing his triceps in Week 1 last season and missing all of 2010 with a torn Achilles. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported earlier on Tuesday that Colon is “recovered and is ready to return to play.” The Steelers still have a long way to go if they are hoping to clear enough cap space to re-sign or franchise tag restricted free agent Mike Wallace.

“We fully expect him to,” said Tomlin. “I probably had more concerns about him being the right tackle than I did him being at left tackle, just because of his college experience.” The Steelers are counting on Willie Colon to solidify right tackle while returning from a torn triceps muscle.

Colon is due $4.5 million in 2012 after tearing his triceps in Week 1 last season. He missed all of 2010 with a torn Achilles’ tendon. It’s unclear if the Steelers are planning to ask Colon to take a pay-cut, but the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported in January he would be back.

Colon missed all of 2010 with a torn Achilles’, and all but Week 1 in 2011 with a torn right triceps. We suppose the silver lining is that he’ll be long removed from the Achilles’ injury by 2012. A 14-game starter at right tackle as a rookie, Gilbert was graded by Pro Football Focus as the Steelers’ top pass protector. He’s had limited left-tackle experience dating back to college.

A right tackle his first six NFL seasons, Colon began camp by “flattening” ILB Lawrence Timmons in practice. “Oh my God. He’s a dog, man,” C Maurkice Pouncey said. “He’s a big dude in there, man -- a monster in there.” Listed at 315 pounds, Colon says he weighs 345 now, and it sounds like he’s very comfortable playing at the increased weight. The Steelers’ offensive line is trending up.

Pittsburgh’s incumbent right tackle (when healthy), Colon has long been rumored as a candidate to kick inside because he’s 6-foot-3, 315. “I’ve made the transition to left guard,” he confirmed. “I like it. It’s just a matter of learning the verbiage.” The Steelers’ starting O-Line likely projects, from left to right, as Mike Adams, Colon, Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, and Marcus Gilbert.