Steelers have to make choice for replacing ORT Colon

With starting offensive right tackle Willie Colon still lying in hospital recovering from a surgery on his Achilles tendon, the Pittsburgh Steelers may have to start and go through the 2010 NFL season without Colon. So the most important task for them now is to figure out a qualified tackle that can replace Colon at the position.

The Steelers do have a few choices. Free agent offensive tackle Flozell Adams is visiting the team and the former Dallas Cowboys tackle has a long-time experience as starter on the left side. If he is to be signed, the Steelers will be able to move offensive left tackle Max Starks to the right side as Starks used to start at right tackle in 2005 season and 2006 season. Besides, Jonathan Scott, Ramon Foster and Trai Essex are all available for promotion. Formerly starting both at left tackle and right tackle in Saints jersey, Scott is as experienced as Starks, and Essex is also likely to compete for the starting job because he started at right guard last season. Foster is a rookie but also has experience of starting at right tackle during his college football career.

Other possible candidates include third-year offensive tackle Tony Hillis and rookie tackle Chris Scott. But Hillis is in lack of real-game experience and Scott also suffered a foot injury recently and could miss most of his rookie season to recover from surgery.