..interest from other teams.
It's just that he's not a bargain at this point given the salary demands being mentioned and the fact that the number of years he wants maybe scaring teams off.
Columbo is definitely in the second or third tier of FA out there.
He's not an absolute gem of a player and we have a tendency as fans to see even average play from a player at RT as being a godsend.
And even one year of stability as necessitating a knee-jerk reaction of wanting to sign him for more than he's worth.
Dallas doesn't want to do that.
At this point, I think he's what Dallas would want, because they don't have a high draft pick involved with his coming here and so far, Dallas has gotten their way with what they offered to do and paid minimally.
On the other hand, making a big contract mistake if this suddenly flat-lines and Columbo's knee doesn't hold up, that's another crisis waiting to happen.
Dallas will avoid that.
So I think the way to do this is to give him his 3 year deal but the 3rd year should be voidable by the player should he meet certain incentives in the contract.
Also, if he makes the incentives, part of those are the bonuses that would equal what he's presently asking for the first two years.
Then Dallas can decide if he's made them, he'll get his new contract offer and it will be a wopper at that time.
Or if not, Columbo can re-enter the FA market two years from now with higher demands than now and will get it and more.
It's a win-win deal.
I think that the team and the player should both be rewarded and protected based on appropriate results.
Nothing wrong with that.
We'd all like to see Columbo be a sweet deal for a team in need of the position being filled by somebody with something to prove.
I think what the word is that Dallas already has a reasonable offer in place given the risk-reward and that any team who will exceed it has shifted the deal to the risk side and not the reward side of the equation.
Just take one look at the history with Rodgers, Al Johnson, Peterman and others like Rivera who either had injury histories or now have them once here.
Where are they today...?
Gone or quickly fading out of the future plans of the team like with Rivera.
And leaving a debris field behind with blown draft choices and cap busts galore.
The percentages are not in Dallas' favor with Columbo.
Clearly. As much as Columbo and his agent would like to think otherwise.
As hard as it is being a fan and wanting progress at RT..the team is just as committed to not making another mistake.
If Columbo doesn't quickly step in and make the needed adjustments to his offer, I think Dallas has no choice but to pull the trigger on whatever other option it must do..
..either pursue another FA that will fit at G and move Davis to ROT or make a trade for one with some team that has somebody it will let go for similar or even higher monies than Columbo, but has a track record and a health history better than Marc's.
I think Columbo will and should get this done quickly.
If I was him, if Davis was going to be on my left and drawing attention from the defense, that's got to make my life much easier and the pressure on the body week in and week out a blessing.
Over the next couple of years, if he stays healthy and hungry, he should be able to learn alot and increase his value so that the next contract will be double what he's thinking he's worth now.
But he has to pay his dues to get there.
The consensus is definitely that Marc Columbo hasn't done that yet.
Dallas should give him the chance and Columbo should seize the opportunity Dallas has ready for him.
To me, it's a no-brainer.
In Dallas, all he has to do is just play again as well as last year and hopefully improve some.
If he goes elsewhere, he runs the risk of being viewed as a player who is suspect and evaled as to whatever deal he got as being too much possibly.
I'd also consider that the trainers and coaches in Dallas, especially Tony Sparano, have had a lot to do with Columbo's success in the last 18 months.
More is going to be needed from the doctors, trainers and coaches. Dallas has it already in place and knows the player and how to help him progress.
Going elsewhere means starting over and possibly a worst situation that could cause a regression in his progress.
Now what is that worth to Columbo in the way of money vs. his possible future..?
Sign Marc.
Here's the pen.
Now go hit the weight room and your new Best Friend Leonard Davis will call you shortly to ask you what's going on with the OL and what's Sparano really like.
:starspin
RedBaLL ExPreSS
