Willie Colon will have a hard time avoiding one of his broadcasting concerns.
Colon was officially added to SNY’s Jets broadcasting team on Monday morning and will be part of the network’s new pregame show — with Mike Westhoff, Ray Lucas, Jeane Coakley and Jonas Schwartz — and regular postgame coverage.
“The hardest part of it is being vulnerable in front of New York, and preparing to understand that some people will love what you have to say, while others will hate everything that’s coming out of your mouth,” Colon, who played with the Jets from 2013-’15 told The Post. “I have to be analytical of guys that I am close with and a lot of them I’ve played with.
“I have a job to do, but it’s going to be talking about people I know at a personal level. That’s always a hard dynamic. If they love you, they’ll ride with you and understand you have a job to do and have their best interests at heart.”
That criticism might have to come in waves in his first season. The Jets are predicted to be one of, if not the worst, team in football this season after tearing down the roster from last season’s 5-11 debacle. The moves could be an attempt to tank and set themselves up to draft one of the top quarterbacks in next April’s draft. Colon said he believes the players can still keep the fans from a revolt.
“The goal should be … to be honest there’s not a lot of talent on the team,” On the defensive side there’s a lot to be excited about, but on the offensive side we don’t really have a No. 1 or No. 2 receiver or a quarterback for the future. The offensive line can be steady.
“Overall, for me personally, I just want to see them go out there and compete. It doesn’t matter what type of talent they have on the field or what’s going on. I think Jets fans will be more willing to stay loyal and fight for the Jets and be on their side if it’s a flat out battle on the field. New York and the NFL world knows where the Jets are at, but you have more respect for a team that will give you everything they got.”
Colon had done some work with SNY even in his playing days and last season when he was not on an NFL roster, but had not officially retired. Impressed with his work, SNY made it a priority to hire the former offensive lineman for this season as it increases their Jets coverage. Colon will be doing a weekly podcast with Schwartz and the network will also be airing an all-access program for the first time.
“Even when I was with the Jets they opened the opportunity for me,” Colon said. “It let me figure this is what I want to do and how I want to approach it. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and for me going forward I am realizing this is a big passion of mine. It’s not easy being an athlete coming off the field when your whole identity is inside of a helmet now your identity is in front of a camera talking about sports and showing my personality and giving my input and opinion on news and hot-button issues. For me to have an opportunity I am just humbled.“