Choose your weapon: Willie Colon or Ramon Foster?

[Hawaii 5-0]

Choose your weapon: Colon or Ramon Foster

January 1st, 2013
Mark Kaboly | Tribune-Review



Steelers guard Ramon Foster is an unrestricted free agent.

The Steelers will have to make a decision whether or not they plan to sign unrestricted free agent guard Ramon Foster during the offseason.

Make no mistake about it, if Foster returns next year, Willie Colon won’t.

The Steelers would have to pay Foster starter’s money and assure him a starting spot for him not to test the free agent market in March, and to do that, they would likely have to release Colon — who has three years left on his 5-year, $29 million deal that he signed before training camp in 2011.

The decision just may come down to dependability.

Foster has started 30 consecutive games and 42 of the Steelers past 44 games including Super Bowl XLV despite getting shoved to the bench in each of the past three years — first by Trai Essex then Doug Legursky and finally David DeCastro.

Meanwhile, Colon has landed on injured reserve in each of the past three seasons with three different injuries (Achilles, triceps, knee). Colon has played only 11 of the Steelers’ 52 games in three years. However, when Colon was healthy this year, he was dominant and the run game flourished.

A decision needs to be made.

“I hope I am (with the Steelers) but i guess if the opportunity arises …” Foster said. “I am definitely open to whatever.”

Bottom line is Foster wants to be a starter and he wants paid, and he’s shown that he is deserving of both. And if you watched the NFL this year, many of teams would love to have a guy like Foster on their offensive line and especially for an affordable price.

How much would it cost to get a deal done with Foster?

Well, Buffalo signed Kraig Urbik, a former Steelers’ draft pick who Foster beat out in training camp in 2010, a couple week ago to a 4-year, $13.3 million with a $3.5 million signing bonus. That would probably enough to lock up Foster.

But in the end, Foster’s versatility may end up hurting him more than it helps him.

He can play both guard spots and both tackle spots as well. He was forced to play right tackle in the season finale against Cleveland. How many starting offensive line in the league of any note do you see flopping from position to position?

Mike Tomlin always boasts “the more you can do.”

Yeah, the more you can do, the less you get paid.

Foster hopes that’s not the case.

http://blog.triblive.com/steel-mill/...lon-or-foster/

[fer522]

I hope the steelers keep Foster.Colon may be the better player but he can't stay healthy AND he's making too much money

[teegre]

Originally Posted by fer522

I hope the steelers keep Foster.Colon may be the better player but he can't stay healthy AND he's making too much money

Yep.


The Colon has played in 11 games out of 48... and has blocked great... except for those false starts & holds.

Foster has played 31 games out of 32... and blocked well... with nary a penalty.

I'll take Foster's consistency.

[lloydwoodson]

Willie Colon plays 22% of games for 6 million/year???

He has to go. Good player but I've never seen anyone hurt more.

[teegre]

Originally Posted by lloydwoodson

Willie Colon plays 22% of games for 6 million/year???

He has to go. Good player but I've never seen anyone hurt more.

That is like $500,000 per holding penalty.

[Justp94]

Priority: Sign Foster, Cut Colon.
Worst case scenario: Foster goes elsewhere, we end up keeping Colon and we have to waste a draft pick on another Guard in the mid-high rounds.

[Quackjack]

Gonna miss the Colon, but he is to much dough...

[kan_t]

Foster. He may not be as good as Colon but he is still a decent starting guard. Hard to pick Colon over him when you factor durability in.

[harrison'samonster]

got to agree with everybody else. I'll miss Colon, too bad he can't stay healthy

[steelfury02]

like em both, both with their upsides and faults - but yea, a lot of pressing needs - and, while I love Colon's dedication and commitment to the team, even when injured, along with his attitude - I'd say the team's needs will mean he is gone. I think that will be the reason more so than the injuries/penalties. The guy just hasn't seen the field enough and there has just been too many "he's got potential" moments over the years - never really got over the hump here - thought this would have been his year - but alas.

I hope he finishes his career out with at least a solid organization - he at least deserves that. Love to have him back in the Burgh in some form or fashion someday - who knows - line coach of the future?