I'm going to try to readdress this to make my point without using Marc Colombo, because this really isn't about Colombo for me.
I simply do not want to go into the preseason counting on an unproven rookie tackle being everything we hope he can be, and if that fails then having an unproven first-year player being the primary fallback.
I want a veteran option as the fourth tackle, just in case. Someone who has proven he can at least stand in there and provide some protection for our quarterback.
I think some people see Smith as infallible when history has clearly shown he might fail. And some people just seem to be crossing their fingers on Young, when there are reasons no one wanted him until the sixth round and he could easily live down to those reasons.
Now, if you want to believe Smith won't fail, then at least recognize the odds are against Young succeeding. And if we need a good example of what that means let's just go back to that Washington game once again, only replace Colombo with an injured Smith and Barron with Young as the revolving door that has to step in for the starter.
I think we're buying fool's gold if we do this. Just like we did at the safety position when so many thought we were OK because we had Mike Hamlin as the fallback if Alan Ball faltered. People thought on limited evidence that Hamlin could hold his own on the field, but he proved why he was passed on for so many rounds.
The only reason I want to keep Colombo are because I think it will be difficult to find a quality veteran to come in knowing he's not being given a last chance to start. If we can do that, I'm fine with cutting Colombo, but I'm not fine with cutting him without a better plan in place than starting Smith and backing him up with Young. There's way too much hope involved in such a plan and not enough evidence.
No doubt Colombo's on his last legs, but his last legs are better than no legs at all.
