New York Jets: Willie Colon is fighting for his job

The New York Jets have gone through a lot of personnel change this offseason, and right guard Willie Colon doesn’t want to become part of that change.

More from New York Jets

Colon is entering his 10^th season in the NFL, and has 94 starts under his very large belt. With all the change in the offseason, Colon could have thought that it was a good time to hang up his cleats, but instead he’s now fighting for a roster spot.

“I never want to go home and sit on the couch and wonder, ‘Maybe I could have done this better. Maybe I could have prepared a little better;’ I never wanted that feeling,’’ Colon told Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post. “I want to feel like if anything ever happens [getting cut], it wasn’t due to my play, it was a decision that the front office made. I always want to feel like I gave it all I got.’’

“I was listening to something Kobe Bryant said that has stuck with me. He said to Cannizzaro, ‘The day I can’t get up and train and prepare to the best of my ability, when getting out of bed seems harder than going to the gym, that is the day I’ve got to hang it up.’ I believe that.’’

Breno Giacomini, who the Jets signed as a free agent from the Seattle Seahawks last offseason, became good friends with Colon. They both started on the right side of the offensive, which wasn’t a strong part of the team.

“Either they’re going to have to cut him or drag him off the field,’’ Giacomini told The Post. “You know some of those guys where you can see it in their eyes where they’re like, ‘You know what? I’ll be all right [retired].’ Willie’s not one of those guys. He’s a pit bull, man. This is what he loves to do.’’

Colon has started in all 32 games since the Jets signed him in 2013, but with the regime in town it has been Oday Aboushi is the starting right guard in OTA’s. Last season was a poor one for Colon, who had a team-high 12 penalties, seven of which were false starts.

“That’s just life in the NFL,’’ Colon said to Cannizzaro. “I’m not threatened by it by any means. If anything, I appreciate it. I feel blessed to be here — especially after last year. I’m looking forward to the competition.’’

It is clear that the right guard spot is going to be a battle in training camp, as the Jets look to get more production from the position in 2015.

Next: Who is the best Jets' first-round pick of all-time?

More from Empire Writes Back

Home/New York Jets