Content available exclusively for subscribers
New Jersey – Willie Colon played for the Jets under a one-year contract in 2013.
Unfortunately, in the Jets’ season finale at Miami, he suffered a torn biceps muscle.
The injury will require surgery.
It’s unclear whether he will be back with the Jets.
But one positive sign for Colon, even though he’s not under contract, he’s still making appearances on behalf of the organization.
A press release was sent out today that he and Austin Howard, will be appearing at a Jets hosted event during Super Bowl Week, involving the Jets Cooking School.
Now this doesn’t mean Colon is definitely coming back, but it does show you the bond he has created with the organization.
The Bronx-native quickly became a favorite in the building and with the media. He won “The Good Guy” award from the beat writers for his cooperation this year.
But aside from that, the played his butt off for the Jets this year.
He was described to me before the season by a league source as a “terrific run blocker and a mauler.”
The source was dead-on.
He was a true road-grader all year.
Colon plays the game with a tremendous amount of power. And something happened early in the second half of the Jets’ final game that is illustrative of this.
On the first run of the second half, Colon was called for holding nose tackle Paul Soliai. It was a bad call.
“That isn’t a hold, that is a first class take down,” Greg Gumbel said at the time.
It was an amazing display of strength.
Soliai is 6-4, 340 pound nose tackle from American Somoa who is an absolute powerhouse.
“Throwing down Paul Soliai is no easy task,” said Dan Dierdorf.
I wonder if he suffered the injury on this play. I will research that.
This was just one play. But honestly, he was tossing people around all year.
This was a heck of a signing by the Jets.
And I know that he has a long injury history, but he made it through this entire season. He didn’t come out of the Miami game.
The Jets should absolutely re-sign him.
The rehab for a torn bicep is generally four months.
So he should be good to go May/June.
Give him another one-year deal.
But give him a contract.
This guy was a major asset to the Jets in 2013 – on and off the field. He turned out to be a leader on a team that needs more.
And think about it – do you think it’s a good idea for the Jets to start developing Brian Winters, and another young guard, like Will Campbell, at the other spot. While both guys have a lot of potential, that probably isn’t the way to go.
Colon and Austin Howard consistently got a lot of push on the right side in the running game. They should keep that tandem together. Colon and Howard have developed some nice chemistry.
I think they will.
And it don’t think it will cost them a lot.
January 21, 2014
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Wednesday.