Colon looking good at guard, New attitude, New Philosophy

I know it is early in the of-season where we are looking for anything thing to talk about and over analyze to death but i thought I would start a thread about how Willie Colon is doing at the position switch. I will confess I have never been a huge Colon fan, I thought he earn the turnstile nickname that many fans gave him and really under Arains and the zone blocking scheme he looked lost more times than not. So me starting a thread about him seems like a very odd thing for me. So lets dive right into it.

So the video I have watched that was posted on the Steeler's website looked very encouraging. Lets temper that by saying it is all in shorts and no real hitting and guys are trying to stay healthy but I liked what I saw. In one clip he was teamed with Pouncey during a double team drill and they worked well with Colon keeping his head up and looking around. That was one of the things that was lacking in the previous offensive line scheme. the guards weren't chipping in on the dbl team block and then sliding into the second level for another block or sealing off the lane and keeping a delayed blitz away from Ben.IF you go back and watch film on Kemo you will see just how bad some of the blocking was. He would throw all his weight from one side of his body to the other trying to double tam and it would leave him off balance and unable to move up field. On passing plays this would have the effect of stretching the Oline out and opening gaps for a delayed blitzer to have a shot at Ben. the smaller faster LB/Safety were able to shoot the gap before Kemo could regain his footing and make a play at stopping him. So to see Colon in camp keeping his head up and looking for additional blocks is encouraging.

Next Coach K has said that Willie has made the move to guard and bought into the idea so this is not a half baked lets try it and see kind of experiment. He has switched position and according Kugler he is doing the work, looking a film, talking to who he needs to talk to in order to learn the position. That is something I personally love to hear when guys are putting in the extra film study work voluntarily, when they are showing that desire to improve their play by whatever means necessary is a good thing. I think too many times over the last few years the O-Linemen have bought into this "oh we aren't expected to be very good" or "we can't block anyone" media label they have gotten and I am not saying they buy into it all the way but it did seem to have the effect of them not having an edge, that we will enforce our will upon you mentality. I think if Colon really clicks along with Pouncey and Decastro and whoever ends up at tackle we could see that mentality, that edge to get after defenses again.

Lastily I like to hear that Willie likes the new offense and is excited about it. That goes a long way towards helping a player improve and learn a new system.

 

Re: Colon looking good at guard, New attitude, New Philosoph

good news ,no doubt,but the line has a long way to go yet. we do however have the talent in place to be a very very good line by the time the games start counting. with this schedule they have to fastrack. no slouches this whole year. i'm waiting to see willie on the move side to side also. switching off was one thing we have improved at under kuglar, so i'm expecting the samething with the new guys. even the clock in ben's head will have to change of when he may have to leave the pocket. less tightend help will also be a big change. the timing for the rb's will be different from what they are used to. alot changes when you change linemen. speed will be a biggy compared to max,kemo and foster. most guys have not played much with colon. these rb's have really never run behind him at any position.

another thing that should come into play from better line play is bens turnovers. more time in the pocket without the pocket collapsing in on him should help picks and fumbles. ben has thrown 100 picks and has 54 fumbles (losing 26 of them) during his career. alot of those are a direct result of the O-line. this has to help that.

 

Re: Colon looking good at guard, New attitude, New Philosoph

coming off back to back injuries he said he is just happy to have a chance, he cant get picky about where he plays

 

Re: Colon looking good at guard, New attitude, New Philosoph

He's in shape, working hard, and at a position that will maximize his talents. If he doesn't get hurt again, this could easily be the best he's ever played.

I wonder if anyone has ever had two consecutive seasons on IR, followed by a season projected to be their best ever?

 

Re: Colon looking good at guard, New attitude, New Philosoph

Colon is going to be better at LG than he ever was at RT and this is a guy you heard things like "one of the top players at his position." I truly believe that he could be an All Pro as a guard. I am not just saying that, I truly mean it.

 

Re: Colon looking good at guard, New attitude, New Philosoph

i wish they would have moved him when big red left. he'd really be a beast by now.

 

Re: Colon looking good at guard, New attitude, New Philosoph

If he turns out to be as good as some expect him to be, plus if Adams and Decastro pan out as expected, we could have the best Oline in the league. Probably won't happen this season, but 2-3 years from now, Ben could make himself a sandwich back there before throwing it.

 

Re: Colon looking good at guard, New attitude, New Philosoph

I think we could have one of, in not the best, interior OLine in the game this year. Having a rookie and a 2nd year guy start at Tackle doesn't give me a lot of confidence in the ends, but still the middle should be very, very good.

Why do I say this?

1. Pouncey has been and will be multiple times in his career and All Pro.
2. DeCastro has the ability to be an immediate All Pro.
3. Colon, I think is going to surprise people this year. Putting him at a position where he is covered and doesn't have to worry so much about the speed rush, should make him awesome.

I think teams will all have to attack us on the outside, it is the only place they should get through.

Also of note, even if we don't start Adams it isn't like Essex or Scott are going to be All Pros....

 

Re: Colon looking good at guard, New attitude, New Philosoph

fi we can establish a good run game with the middle 3 they can use that to help the outside rush. i expect these 3 will be very active in our inside run game. get either guard out there in space pulling with pouncey and the screen game could also takeoff. with the ball in rainey's hands and a couple of lead blockers like these guys and watchout. this will be fun to watch. this will also slow down that outside rush during the game. play action then sucks those safeties up and bombs away.

 

Re: Colon looking good at guard, New attitude, New Philosoph

I like the move. He's always been considered a nasty OL that works great in the phone booth. He played well outside but is better suited inside. He may struggle the 1st half of the season but I truly believe by playoff time we'll have the best interior line in the nfl. Last year, and the last few years we ran right and up the middle maybe twice as much as we did to the left. this will change with Colon on the left side and with DeCastro able to pull left from the RG position.

I fully expect us to return to power football and a dominate rushing attack that will take the pressure off our OTs and by mid season we'll open up the playbook with the passing attack and come playoof season Everyone in the Media including sapp will be singing praises to our OL and complete offense that no-one will be able to stop.

Yep, I see another SuperBowl Trophy in our trophy case.

Cajun-

 

Re: Colon looking good at guard, New attitude, New Philosoph

Like the move as well, but then again I know many homers that have been calling for it for a long time. Some times fans do know or maybe sense what should be done.
Me thinks