No, I don’t think the friendships of players go into these decisions. A player may suggest a coach check out a friend he played with in college–and that may result in a hire. But football is a business, not an old boys club. Too much money is at stake for organizations to gamble on hiring pals unless their play makes it worthwhile.

Colon is considered one of the better linemen in the game. Personally, I’ve always thought he was highly overrated. But Max showed up significantly overweight coming off his injury, and apparently that was his undoing. I hope that was his undoing because he was the alternate to Ryan Clark as our union rep, and the NFLPA is going to be looking into cuts of any union reps to make sure there were no retaliations. The Steelers are pretty union-friendly, so I imagine they can show good reason for letting him go. A neck injury is tricky for an o-lineman.

We don’t know yet if Colon is staying. But if he is, it will be because they think he should be there–and because they can agree to terms. They know if he’s overweight, and would know from his doctors how the ACL has progressed.

We may pick up someone like Matt Light. I was against getting Flozell, but the team was thrilled with the work he did last season, so you never know. I am hoping we’re going to sign some free agent talent to the line and/or the secondary.

I like most of your posts as well but, I cannot see a valid reason why we would cut one tackle who has a serious injury to sign another who has a serious injury, just to make the kept tackle change positions. I did not say I knew for sure that he was Ben’s best man, please read again, I said I think I read that Ben was his, I think….

Colon is a good player…at RT (we don’t know about LT). Good, not one of the best. And as for what shape Colon is in….how are you sure? Up until yesterday, most of us thought that Max was in fine shape and recovered well from his injury.

I probably shouldn’t have said power move but, I have a hard time believing this big change did not have some input from Ben. If not….why not just cut Flo loose? Willie plays RT. I hope we can sign Willie on the cheap, maybe for around 2-3M a year, being that he is a risk. Achilles injuries are nothing to mess with, especially when you are essentually a 300 lb ballerina.

I would actually rather just get Scott back at LT and make a little offer to Richard Marshall. But, that is putting a lot of faith in Pounce’s buddy, Gilbert, to develop quickly. But, I’m sure you think Pounce being friends with Gilbert didn’t influence our pristine front office either.

I’ve liked a lot of your posts, but if you think Art Rooney, Kevin Colbert, and Mike Tomlin are making multi-million-dollar personnel decisions to so Ben can keep his homeboys around him, you’re out of your bloody mind. Colon was not his best man, and Ben had to make some serious lifestyle changes to keep his own job. He may tell his coaches he’d like a tall receiver, but he’s not making any power moves.

If they keep Colon, it’s because he’s considered one of the better players at his position in the league, he’s young, and he’s in good shape. And it will be because Kugler thinks he’s the man for the job. Kugler has been a great addition to the coaching staff; he knows what he’s doing.

The Steelers didn’t have the money to resign Willie and keep Flo and Max. The only problem is that Willie is also coming off a tricky injury and didn’t play all of last year as well. Hopefully we don’t give Colon a huge contract.

GO STEELERS!!

Jared Gaither is still available and would be a great option.

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Hey Einstein… they drafted a DE, and they also took an OT in the second round.

And dirtyharry1971′s opportunity for wisdom, insight & clarity passed him way too quickly!!!

Well max thanks for helping us win 2 superbowls. With his injuries and the steelers needing to shave his high salary. It was the right move. I hope anyways….. I am just hoping Gilbert pans out. We definitely need more stability on the line even with Big Ben always hanging on the ball too long.(which I dont have a problem with). If I had to start the line today it would be Adams, Kemo, Pounce, Colon, Gilbert/Foster. Kemo better step up his protection skills, after costing us 6 in the SB or he’ll be on the chopping block. Still po’d about that. I know kugs will get the best out of them. Good luck Max….. Ready for the season. HERE WE GO STEELERS! HERE WE GO! In the Rooneys we trust……………

….mmmkay

Definitely something that needs to be worked on.

[IMG]http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/001/083/059/107344337_crop_650x440.jpg?1291648600[IMG]

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Somebody loves snouts!

He grew up 45 min from Tampa, No State Tax here
(C’mon Man!)