Barron over Columbo?

[Nightshade]

We've heard alot from those of you fortunate enough to go to training camp about the progress of Doug Free. By all reports he's been pretty solid. I'm not too surprised on that because he did so well at RT and by all accounts he's actually a better LT. He's been improving steadily and more snaps should accelarate his progress.

On the other hand a big issue towards the end of the season last year was Columbo's return from injury. The confusion of starting him in the playoffs really effected the outcome of the season.

How is Columbo looking in camp so far and since Barron has been looking good at LT, has Barron been getting many reps at RT? Who looks better?

I doubt Columbo would ever agree to be a swing tackle even if Barron is better but I'd like to know how Columbo is doing.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Barron isn't even being considered as the starting RT because he'd get manhandled there. He has only average strength and he's more of teh quick feet, long arms type OL'man, which is why he is a much better fit at LT. RT usually handles the stronger, bulkier rushers and Barron just doesn't seem to have the upper or lower body strength to handle that.

Columbo will be fine, he was playing injured in the playoffs last year. Wade admitted it was a mistake to put him in there. He'll be healthy and back to his old strong, fiery self this year im sure.

 

[speedkilz88]

I don't think Colombo could ever be the swing tackle. He does move well enough anymore to play the left side.

 

[CCBoy]

One 'bad' game coming back from injury just doesn't make Colombo a bad tackle. He was 'iffy' on the left side, but is very physical on the right. He brings a very defineable attitude to the line and is still well able to handle to strong side traffic. Having both Alex Barron and Doug Free provides experienced as well as solid dept on the outside of the line. Kosier, Gurode, Davis, and Holland provides the same in the interior.

 

[T-RO]

There have been stretches where Columbo has graded out as the Cowboys best O-lineman.

Barron was traded for Barbie Carpenter.

Do the math.

 

[speedkilz88]

This is Columbo:



This is Colombo:

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

Colombo is my favorite lineman. I love a lineman who is just nasty like he is.

 

[Nightshade]

Then Free must be extremely quick and extemely powerful to do as well as he did on the right side substittuting for Colombo last year.

Thanks for the insight.

 

[JBell]

I don't think Colombo could ever be the swing tackle. He does move well enough anymore to play the left side.

And that's a problem how?

If Free got knicked up you would just slide Barron over to LT and Colombo goes to RT.

 

[JBell]

There have been stretches where Columbo has graded out as the Cowboys best O-lineman.

Barron was traded for Barbie Carpenter.

Do the math.

Don't knock Barron because of who he was traded for. He's a talented dude.

Let's not forget Colombo was considered a bust before he got here.

 

[CCBoy]

Barron isn't even being considered as the starting RT because he'd get manhandled there. He has only average strength and he's more of teh quick feet, long arms type OL'man, which is why he is a much better fit at LT. RT usually handles the stronger, bulkier rushers and Barron just doesn't seem to have the upper or lower body strength to handle that.

Columbo will be fine, he was playing injured in the playoffs last year. Wade admitted it was a mistake to put him in there. He'll be healthy and back to his old strong, fiery self this year im sure.

The hammer fell on that post. I think that the 'rook,' Young is the closest to game ready on the right side...similar to DCFanatic's comment.

Good view...

 

[Apluz]

The reason why Alex Barron is the swing tackle is because he has experience playing both spots so it is a possibility. That said I think our future could see Free back at RT and Barron moved to LT if he keeps playing well and the coaches have confidence in him.

This year Colombo would have to suck during the regular season before any move was made and I just don't see it happening. Colombo should have a few more solid season left in him barring injury.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Barron isn't even being considered as the starting RT because he'd get manhandled there. He has only average strength and he's more of teh quick feet, long arms type OL'man, which is why he is a much better fit at LT. RT usually handles the stronger, bulkier rushers and Barron just doesn't seem to have the upper or lower body strength to handle that.

Not sure where this came from. Barron is supposed to be the best physical specimen for playing the offensive line. (which is why he was a first round pick)

It was noted that if Barron plays to the best of his ability, he could easily be the best player on the offensive line. Unseating even Doug Free at LT.

 

[Stautner]

Don't knock Barron because of who he was traded for. He's a talented dude.

Let's not forget Colombo was considered a bust before he got here.

Barron was deemed expendable with a team that is so bad it can't afford to let quality players go. I know he has some basic talent, but let's not get overly excited. There is a reason the Rams felt they didn't need him, and it wasn't because Carpenter was just too great a talent to let pass.

As for Colombo, he was considered a bust before Dallas only because of injuries.

 

[InmanRoshi]

I heard Nate Newton on San Antonio radio, and he's been watching all the offensive line drills closely in camp. He's not exactly hopping on the Barron bandwagon. He says he relies on his long arms too much and doesn't use his feet enough to keep him in position, and that puts him in bad position against a counter move and he has to resort to grabbing and holding. He had a problem with holds as well as false starts in St. Louis. He says Free is significantly better, because he uses his feet to slide step the way a basketball defender would.

I like Barron as a backup swing tackle in that I don't think he's going to singlehandedly sabotage the entire offense if he's asked to fill in. At the same time, I wouldn't consider him an asset to the offense either

 

[YosemiteSam]

Barron was deemed expendable with a team that is so bad it can't afford to let quality players go. I know he has some basic talent, but let's not get overly excited. There is a reason the Rams felt they didn't need him, and it wasn't because Carpenter was just too great a talent to let pass.

As for Colombo, he was considered a bust before Dallas only because of injuries.

The Rams traded him because he was lazy. If he changes his ways, he can be better than both Colombo and Free. He has that type of physical make up and talent.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

It seems Brewster has been doing well at RT.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

One thing to remember w/ Alex Barron. Contract year. Yea hes lazy and under-performs, but he still wants to get paid

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

I heard Nate Newton on San Antonio radio, and he's been watching all the offensive line drills closely in camp. He's not exactly hopping on the Barron bandwagon. He says he relies on his long arms too much and doesn't use his feet enough to keep him in position, and that puts him in bad position against a counter move and he has to resort to grabbing and holding. He had a problem with holds as well as false starts in St. Louis. He says Free is significantly better, because he uses his feet to slide step the way a basketball defender would.

I like Barron as a backup swing tackle in that I don't think he's going to singlehandedly sabotage the entire offense if he's asked to fill in. At the same time, I wouldn't consider him an asset to the offense either

Good to hear about Free. Just curious IR (or anyone), did Nate feel that Free would slide to RT and Barron to LT if Colombo went down? I had heard that was a possibility a few weeks ago, but not much about it since then.

 

[Stautner]

The Rams traded him because he was lazy. If he changes his ways, he can be better than both Colombo and Free. He has that type of physical make up and talent.

As I recall he also dropped a little in the draft because he was deemed lazy. Lazy in college, and lazy in 5 years in the NFL. You are right that he might be a pretty good player if he changes, but after all these years proving his laziness do we really expect that kind of change? It doesn't seem to make much sense to get excited about the guy given this kind of history. Unless he shows something different on the field I'm not going to.