DMN Blog: Colombo not without blame

[TheSport78]

I have argued about free over taking Columbo's spot. I thought columbo despite his heart and physciallity, is not as atheltic anymore (not that he ever was overly athletic). he has lost a lot of lateral mobility and thus struggled against more athletic pass rushers. He also got a lot of help from the TEs in pass blocking. Adams despite everything was more so able to take on blockers one on one, mainly because he has a little better technique and he is so big that once he gets his hands on you, you are done. plus he was mostly able to force pass rushers wide and buy romo time.

we gave up 37 sacks this season and we have one of the most mobile QBs in the league famous for his escability. 37 ranks about middle of NFL. that's bad. adams gave up 8. I am not sure how many columbo gave up. But I thought our pass blocking and over all offensive tempo was better with Free.

free played very well in the toughest time of the year and I chastised the coaches for letting columbo start against the eagles, at the time the most important game for dallas in 12 years. why mess with something that was obviously working so well specially that free played outstandingly the week before against the same eagles.

time to let adams and columbo go into the sunset. I think drafting a LT is more critical than the FS spot. Yes I like to get more from the FS spot but our defense was very good. what is obviously holding this team back the the OL play.

I think we can get one more solid year out of Flozell. Bringing in two new starters at the tackle position may not be the best thing for a team that has a window at winning a championship right now. I agree that Colombo needs to go because Free showed that he can be a solid starter in the league. Start Flozell and Free in 2010, then move on with Flozell in 2011, and decide whether Free will stay at RT or move to LT while starting a 2010 draft pick at RT (Bruce Campbell, Vladimir Ducasse, etc).

 

[casmith07]

Historically, whenever the Cowboys offensive line has aged poorly, the team has gone south quickly.

Hopefully we head this off at the pass before it runs away from us.

 

[burmafrd]

With the exception of the Hotel, we do not need to move quickly. All the other starters are good for 2-3 more years at least. Getting guys now and next year and giving them a couple of years to get ready is the best way to go.

 

[TheSport78]

With the exception of the Hotel, we do not need to move quickly. All the other starters are good for 2-3 more years at least. Getting guys now and next year and giving them a couple of years to get ready is the best way to go.

It's amazing how Flozell goes unappreciated sometimes. Yes, he has his false start penalties and gets lazy at times, but he's still a top 15 LT in the league. Colombo on the other hand is not. He's the biggest uncertainty going into the offseason, and should be replaced before Flozell.

Also, Kosier is in a contract year and likely will not be re-signed after 2010. We need to prepare to replace Kosier and Colombo before Flozell in my opinion.

 

[burmafrd]

To me the Hotel clearly started to slip this year- those tripping penalties and things like that he had not done before so HE knew he was at the stage where he needed to do that to protect his QB.

Colombo has been very consistent with us for 4 years until the broken leg, which should be fine. There is no reason to worry about him for a couple of years. We need to get at least a guard and tackle this year to groom, and if we can get a center/guard guy like Pouncey, then we are in really good shape plus THAT allows us to finally get rid of the proctologist.

 

[gimmesix]

I predict that Free beats out Colombo in training camp and we draft tackle in the first round.

I'd be surprised. Colombo played well up to the Green Bay game. I don't think there will be an open competition for his spot.

Free most likely will be a backup for one more season then take over for Adams. The only way Free gets a starting role next year is by injury or if for some reason, which I can't see, we decide to get rid of Adams.

 

[TheSport78]

To me the Hotel clearly started to slip this year- those tripping penalties and things like that he had not done before so HE knew he was at the stage where he needed to do that to protect his QB.

Colombo has been very consistent with us for 4 years until the broken leg, which should be fine. There is no reason to worry about him for a couple of years. We need to get at least a guard and tackle this year to groom, and if we can get a center/guard guy like Pouncey, then we are in really good shape plus THAT allows us to finally get rid of the proctologist.

Flozell did have an average year, but who was he going against when he did those tripping penalties? Justin Tuck is a pretty dang good player. I don't think there's another player better we could slide into LT at this point.

Each year Colombo gets older, and defensive ends get younger, stronger and faster. It was evident in the playoffs that Colombo should NOT have been playing. I was in the "Free camp" when they announced Colombo would start against Philly. You just don't mess with something that isn't broken. A bad call by the coaching staff. Colombo actually had a horrible game against Philly, but it was overshadowed by Romo's pocket presence. Then, Colombo was exposed in Minnesota and he basically cost us the playoff game (Ray Edwards 3 sacks?). Colombo has been consistent for us, but none of us know where he is medically for next year, or if he will return to form? Other than the ACL tear in 2005, Flozell has been pretty lucky with injuries, so that shouldn't be a problem with him.

 

[gimmesix]

Historically, whenever the Cowboys offensive line has aged poorly, the team has gone south quickly.

Hopefully we head this off at the pass before it runs away from us.

I think the Cowboys see the need to be prepared for when it happens, but identifying when it happens is more difficult.

There are times it's easy to see the signs of age (with Adams, especially). But then he'll turn around and shut down a top DE, making it hard to put him out to pasture.

While there are a lot of legitimate gripes about our offensive line, the truth is that it was solid in all but a handful of games last season, that makes it tough to head off.

 

[28 Joker]

He's probably the single biggest reason we didnt advance to the conference championship. He gets a pass (perhaps rightfully so) due to his injury, however.

I've brought up his unusual amount of penalties numerous times before. In either 07 or 08 (can't remember which one) he actually led the team in false starts, but no one had a clue, because Madden always harped on Flozell.

I believe he had a real big false start on Dallas' last drive in the 2007 Giants Divisional Playoff Game. That 5 yards put Dallas outside the redzone if I remember correctly.

I remember his false starts. He gets many of them in Dallas.

 

[28 Joker]

I think many of us feel that if Flo did not get hurt in that game, Free would have probably replaced Columbo. I don't know if Columbo was just not 100%, just rusty or if he was just that inferior to Edwards but I really think Free would have went in for him later in the game if Flo had not gotten injured.

Captain Hook would have hooked him fast. ... Real fast...

Ray Edwards chased Romo into other hits when he wasn't decking him on his own.

40% of the starters on this offensive line need to be replaced as starters, imo.

Colombo & Kosier

Adams' replacement needs to be heating up in the bullpen and ready to go.

Colombo and Kosier have been solid, but not spectacular.

Dallas can and should upgrade both spots, imo.

When you get beat like that in the playoffs, you look at your weakness that cost you the game and you make changes.

Ray Edwards happened. The injury happened.

Dallas waited a year too late to make some changes on its defense.

If you saw the look on Jerry Jones' face in that Vikings playoff game, you might think some heads will roll. He looked really mad.

The Coaches are still here. It's RT and RG that should be upgraded, imo.

Kosier is solid, but he isn't great. He can be replaced. Dallas got a bargain with him, but it's time to get better at LG, imo.

Let's see what this kid Brewster has and draft another G/T in this draft.

Doug Free needs to start at one of the tackles, imo.

You get younger and more athletic with Free at RT.

Maybe he plays LT.

 

[jobberone]

I feel the same way. Colombo was horrific in that Minnesota game and was merely average before his injury. Free should be competing for a starting tackle position, be it on the left or the right. All three should be evaluated and the best two should start. If Free is rated as one of the top 2 he should start.

That is simply not true. My evidence is a 4.8 ypc average and over 2000 yards rushing. Also throw in 4200 yards passing. Romo wasn't sacked that much last year (34) either. I can't find the sacks given up by Colombo right now but it was less than Flo who was average compared to the league. Plus he passes my eyeball test which is pretty good after all these years. Colombo, when healthy, is an above average RT.

 

[burmafrd]

The broken leg has healed just fine from all accounts. There is no basis for thinking otherwise except for those looking desperately for a reason to replace him. The offensive line as a whole did poorly vs the Vikes. Trying to put even most of the blame on Colombo is merely an excuse on some to get rid of him. He is indeed an above average Right Tackle. And those so eager to get rid of him also need to remember how badly the Cowboys have done in developing tackles and O linemen in particular for more then 10 years. Gurode and Free have been the ONLY TWO that we have drafted and have become even GOOD since drafting the Hotel in 98. ONE tackle in more then 10 years. So it would be VERY stupid to toss Colombo until we have at least ONE more proven tackle.

 

[TheSport78]

The broken leg has healed just fine from all accounts. There is no basis for thinking otherwise except for those looking desperately for a reason to replace him. The offensive line as a whole did poorly vs the Vikes. Trying to put even most of the blame on Colombo is merely an excuse on some to get rid of him. He is indeed an above average Right Tackle. And those so eager to get rid of him also need to remember how badly the Cowboys have done in developing tackles and O linemen in particular for more then 10 years. Gurode and Free have been the ONLY TWO that we have drafted and have become even GOOD since drafting the Hotel in 98. ONE tackle in more then 10 years. So it would be VERY stupid to toss Colombo until we have at least ONE more proven tackle.

The bottom line for me is we need to get younger on the OL and the place to start is Free over Colombo. I'm willing to bet we're the only team in the league to have all five starters over 30.

 

[Jon88]

I definitely think Free will compete with Colombo for the starting RT spot. Free played lights out IMO. There's no way we let him ride the bench behind Adams if he can start and do a better job at RT. I think we'll draft a tackle in round 1. In 2011 I think both he and Free will then compete for Flo's spot and the loser get's the RT job.

 

[burmafrd]

So what if all 5 are over 30? Some people seem to have this delusion that the moment you turn 30 you start to go downhill. Sorry to pee on your wheaties but that is NOT true. Interior linemen can play extremely well into their mid to LATE 30's. Tackles can play extremely well until they are 34-35. Only the Hotel will have to be replaced in the next year or so. The others should do quite well for another 3-4 years and maybe more. So the point is to in the next 2 years get a tackle ready to replace the Hotel, and get a guard and center on the team to get them ready in a few years to step in. And get rid of the Proctologist.

 

[jobberone]

The bottom line for me is we need to get younger on the OL and the place to start is Free over Colombo. I'm willing to bet we're the only team in the league to have all five starters over 30.

So you either think his play is subpar over the year or after the injury which I believe. And you think Free is a better RT.

 

[TheSport78]

So what if all 5 are over 30? Some people seem to have this delusion that the moment you turn 30 you start to go downhill. Sorry to pee on your wheaties but that is NOT true. Interior linemen can play extremely well into their mid to LATE 30's. Tackles can play extremely well until they are 34-35. Only the Hotel will have to be replaced in the next year or so. The others should do quite well for another 3-4 years and maybe more. So the point is to in the next 2 years get a tackle ready to replace the Hotel, and get a guard and center on the team to get them ready in a few years to step in. And get rid of the Proctologist.

Flozell and Colombo have shown decline in their play, and they are 34 and 31 respectively. Great organizations know when to cut loose with certain players. The NFL has become a passing league, and Dallas does not have the OL to protect the passer on a consistent basis. We have the perfect OL for the old school Steelers; run, run, run, but our OC has a totally different philosophy. Flozell is on the decline but we can get one more year out of him, Kosier is just "good" at everything but will get overmatched by above-average defensive lines, Gurode is solid but has mental lapses as well. Davis is solid as well. Colombo has been solid for us but I do not believe he has the quickness and footwork to keep up with great pass rushers in this league. Ask any GM in the league and they'll say Dallas needs to get more ATHLETIC at the offensive tackle position or we will once again become exposed in the playoffs.

 

[TheSport78]

So you either think his play is subpar over the year or after the injury which I believe. And you think Free is a better RT.

No, I do think Colombo has been solid for us but he is not in his prime anymore. Would you rather play a declining Colombo or a rising star in Free? We need to get our 5 best OL on the field IMO.

 

[burmafrd]

So you know what GM's are thinking. HA.

You say Colombo is declining. I say he is not. What is more that most of the numbers also say he is not. So what if he is 31? Whoop de doo.

You say we ought to panic and get desperate. That is stupid. Draft some good O linemen this year and next and prepare them to step up. The ONLY priority is replacing the Hotel.

 

[TheSport78]

So you know what GM's are thinking. HA.

You say Colombo is declining. I say he is not. What is more that most of the numbers also say he is not. So what if he is 31? Whoop de doo.

You say we ought to panic and get desperate. That is stupid. Draft some good O linemen this year and next and prepare them to step up. The ONLY priority is replacing the Hotel.

So let me get this straight, you would rather replace the left tackle position on the team over the right tackle position? We can both agree that Adams or Colombo will never get any better; they've reached their peak, correct? So you would rather plug in Free or a rookie at LT, after Free started half a season at RT? It makes no sense that you want to replace a more difficult position.

Bottom line:

-Flozell is still a better LT than Free at this point (no evidence Free is better)
-Free has more upside over Colombo at the RT position because there is EVIDENCE Free can play the position very solidly.