DMN Blog: Colombo not without blame

[DallasEast]

My problem is that you're not a baseball player playing some non-contact sport. Your teammate is a sitting duck right behind you. If you're not 100% ready to come back you can expose your teammates to injury risk because you want to contribute to the playoff run. Your replacement was playing fine so there was no need to rush anything here.

There was one play that made me cringe - right after Romo threw a pass, Edwards picked him up and drove him right down into the astroturf. I personally thought it was roughing the passer but it wasn't called. It's not just your *** on the line out there - if you can't protect your QB you shouldn't be out there pretending that you're fine.

It's easiest for me to think of this from a doctor's perspective. If I'm injured and loaded up on drugs, I shouldn't be making complex medical decisions and doing procedures - it isn't fair to my patient who I'm exposing to injury even if my intentions are good.

You should blame the coaches for who plays.

 

[Eskimo]

You should blame the coaches for who plays.

The coaches often leave it up to the player and training staff. The training staff have their limitations in determining readiness to return to play.

Most of the time from a complex ankle fracture, you're probably talking about 3 months to be back in playing shape so I do suspect things were rushed too much here.

But there needs to be some trust that the player let's you know if he's not ready to be out there.

 

[DeaconBlues]

The coaches often leave it up to the player and training staff. The training staff have their limitations in determining readiness to return to play.

Most of the time from a complex ankle fracture, you're probably talking about 3 months to be back in playing shape so I do suspect things were rushed too much here.

But there needs to be some trust that the player let's you know if he's not ready to be out there.

What player is going to take himself out of an opportunity to go in the playoffs? And what doctor is going to veto a player from playing, unless the player is likely facing an even more severe re-injury.

Look at Freeney in the SB. There was no way either his word or a doctor's word should have been taken, that he was alright to play. He was effective for maybe a quarter and a half.

 

[gimmesix]

He said he was fine.

The trainers said he was fine.

The coaches said he was fine and gave him back his starting position.

There should have been no "toughing it out" here because Free was playing good and the team was on a roll. If he was toughing it out, he shouldn''t be trusted again because there was no need for him to do it and he put his QB in jeopardy by letting Edwards (and Parker in the game before) go around him like a pylon.

Believing you are ready to go and able to help your team and doing so are two different things.

Athletes play hurt, and are allowed to do so, because it's hard to tell how they are going to do. There have been some amazing performances by hurt athletes who were toughing it out and some lousy ones. Colombo turned in a lousy one.

The Cowboys played him because his rehab from injury was completed, and because they believed a healthy Colombo was their best alternative, as I'm sure he did. I don't think any athlete plays (well, there might be some) if he thinks his performance might hurt his team.

 

[Eskimo]

Believing you are ready to go and able to help your team and doing so are two different things.

Athletes play hurt, and are allowed to do so, because it's hard to tell how they are going to do. There have been some amazing performances by hurt athletes who were toughing it out and some lousy ones. Colombo turned in a lousy one.

The Cowboys played him because his rehab from injury was completed, and because they believed a healthy Colombo was their best alternative, as I'm sure he did. I don't think any athlete plays (well, there might be some) if he thinks his performance might hurt his team.

It was pretty obvious against the Eagles that his game just wasn't there yet. Jaqua Parker whipped him quite a few times in that game but Romo got rid of the ball before he could make an impact play. I think the team shook it off since the overall offensive performance was so good.

I do understand wanting to get out there in the playoffs but this is a team game and he was hurting us badly out there.

 

[jobberone]

The entire OL had a bad day although Colombo sucked the most.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Either he was fine and was terrible or he was lying and putting his teammates' health in jeopardy. Edwards absolutely planted Romo into the turf on a couple of those speed rushes where Colombo didn't get a hand on him (that was before Flo went out of the game).

Or he thought that he was well enough in his progression to play and was wrong. He did play adequately albeit against inferior competition the week before. You seem to insist on some malice on Marc's part and thats jus tnot fair.

 

[jobberone]

Or he thought that he was well enough in his progression to play and was wrong. He did play adequately albeit against inferior competition the week before. You seem to insist on some malice on Marc's part and thats jus tnot fair.

I don't think Colombo did it with malice and forethought either. I think he just got his arse handed to him. Again, the entire OL was a problem even though Colombo was the worse. And I'm not basing their performance off of just sacks given up.

 

[Eskimo]

Or he thought that he was well enough in his progression to play and was wrong. He did play adequately albeit against inferior competition the week before. You seem to insist on some malice on Marc's part and thats jus tnot fair.

It's not so much malice but a matter of recognition of one's limitations when recovering from a major injury. You have a resposibility to your teammates' well-being in a very direct sense as an OL. If you can't move your feet well and your backup has been tearing it up, you need to let the coaches know that you're not quite ready yet.

 

[Galian Beast]

Our offense gets over the hump with youthful talented offensive linemen.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

My guess is Free is the heir to the LT position.

I don't know if he is... I think the future LT isn't on the team yet. Free is a very good RT.

 

[TheSport78]

I don't know if he is... I think the future LT isn't on the team yet. Free is a very good RT.

I have a feeling the Cowboys will give Doug Free every opportunity to win the LT spot at some point.

 

[Galian Beast]

Free, Brewster, Mike Iupati if we can get him. A free agent tackle, and Gurode for the time being.

 

[jobberone]

Free, Brewster, Mike Iupati if we can get him. A free agent tackle, and Gurode for the time being.

So you're firing Bigg as well.

 

[Galian Beast]

So you're firing Bigg as well.

I am. He is dominant, but he isn't consistent, and he definitely isn't the future.

Although for this year I might actually move him to left tackle, because there isn't much in free agency.

Davis - Brewster/Kosier - Gurode - Iupati - Free

I really like that line.

 

[Galian Beast]

Dont know how if i really want davis on romo's blindside though.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Although for this year I might actually move him to left tackle, because there isn't much in free agency.

Wrong answer. He has been there and done that and the Cards ran him out of town because of it. I'd rather go with Flo at LT any time. Also Brewster likely won't be ready to play this season. 2011 is much more possible.

 

[jobberone]

I am. He is dominant, but he isn't consistent, and he definitely isn't the future.

Although for this year I might actually move him to left tackle, because there isn't much in free agency.

Davis - Brewster/Kosier - Gurode - Iupati - Free

I really like that line.

Just to be nice let's say I disagree with your wholesale changes particularly of two OL who have never played one down in the NFL with one coming off an injury and the other unlikely to even be drafted by us. And I'm not even getting into the idea of putting Bigg at a position he clearly dislikes and has had trouble performing well at.

I doubt we see any changes in the OL this year and for good reasons.

 

[theogt]

Just to be nice

Don't be nice. That was about as worst case scenario as you can get. You could throw darts at a board and get a better lineup than that.

 

[CF74]

Wrong answer. He has been there and done that and the Cards ran him out of town because of it. I'd rather go with Flo at LT any time. Also Brewster likely won't be ready to play this season. 2011 is much more possible.

True but Bigg was out of shape and unmotivated at the time because the Cards were losers back then. Still the guy is to slow to play tackle but he can play in a pinch if need be...