Sizing up the Steelers’ options to replace Colon
Published: June 29th, 2010 | Tags: Brian Baldinger, Flozell Adams, Jason La Canfora, Jonathan Scott, Maurkice Pouncey, Max Starks, Pat Kirwan, Pittsburgh Steelers, Trai Essex, Willie Colon
The Steelers moved quickly after starting RT Willie Colon‘s injury Monday, visiting with veteran free-agent OT Flozell Adams the next day, agent Jordan Woy told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora.
Colon, whom his agent said will miss the 2010 season after doctors operate on his torn Achilles’ tendon, is considered the Steelers’ best lineman and will be difficult to replace. But the team has options.
NFL.com personnel guru Gil Brandt believes first-round draft pick Maurkice Pouncey has the versatility to slide outside and play tackle. NFL.com senior analyst Pat Kirwan suggested that the Steelers signing Adams and moving Max Starks to right tackle is the best alternative. NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger told me earlier that moving RG Trai Essex to Colon’s spot is the best option because of his previous experience at tackle.
While we’re on the subject, here’s a quick scouting report on Adams:
Baldinger: Adams knows how to play. He’s limited, because no one has the same legs after 12 years in the league, but he could be a good insurance policy. There are certain players that Adams would face that he could still dominate. He has problems with younger, quicker players who can really bend and move, they give him trouble. His biggest problems are on the backside of the running game and with his lateral movement. But the bigger, stand-up guys, he can still wire them up.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette beat writer Gerry Dulac suggested that the Steelers would “more than likely” replace Colon with Jonathan Scott, who started eight games with the Bills last season. The Steelers also have second-year pros Ramon Foster and Kraig Urbik on the roster.
Options, of course, are always good. But the Steelers’ line was under scrutiny before losing its strongest piece.