DMN Blog: OL Colombo eyeing wildcard return *Merged*

[Idgit]

Columbo is already at RT and Free isn't strong or quick enough for LT and Flo can't pull so he couldn't be a G.

I don't agree with you, Yeags, in your assessment of Free at all. I think he's been as good as Colombo, and he's playing out of his true position. He's quick enough to play LT, and his feet are good enough. I do worry about his ability to keep the bullrush off of Romo's blindside, but that's basically a tradeoff with our current problems keeping the speedrush at bay.

Free's an OT starter in this league, and should continue to get better. I wouldn't jeopardize anything by juggling two OL positions going into the end of the season--that'd be insane--but we've basically got three starting tackles for two positions, which is a nice problem to have.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Free has played well but Columbo is better so yes he should start.

I disagree. I don't think he can possibly be ready that fast. This guy already had knee injuries or something. And Free is playing well right now.

 

[Yeagermeister]

I don't agree with you, Yeags, in your assessment of Free at all. I think he's been as good as Colombo, and he's playing out of his true position. He's quick enough to play LT, and his feet are good enough. I do worry about his ability to keep the bullrush off of Romo's blindside, but that's basically a tradeoff with our current problems keeping the speedrush at bay.

Free's an OT starter in this league, and should continue to get better. I wouldn't jeopardize anything by juggling two OL positions going into the end of the season--that'd be insane--but we've basically got three starting tackles for two positions, which is a nice problem to have.

I didn't mean switch them now. I was talking about in the offseason.

I disagree. I don't think he can possibly be ready that fast. This guy already had knee injuries or something. And Free is playing well right now.

If Columbo is 100% put him back in. If not stay with Free.

 

[STSINAZ]

put free in on passing downs to replace flozell

 

[Yeagermeister]

put free in on passing downs to replace flozell

That would be a dead give away......what am I saying we don't fool anyone anyway lol

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Free has done well but I can't wait to have Columbo back.

 

[Eskimo]

Free is already better than Flo and Columbo.

If we can't find a future pro bowl LT in the draft, I would move Free to LT in the offseason. We could let Flo and Columbo battle it out at RT, but I think our best option is actually to move Bigg over there. He doesn't get low enough in short yardage situations and that is why we have had some trouble running behind him is that he creates a big pileup at the line of scrimmage. I would then look for the best guard/center in the draft and see if I can find good value in the first round or trade down early into the second round as this position is often not highly coveted. My OL next year then would be one of two possibilities:

Find franchise LT in the draft:
Rookie Kosier Gurode Bigg Free

Find great young guard in the draft:
Free Kosier Gurode rookie Bigg

Find great young center in the draft:
Free Kosier Rookie Gurode Bigg

 

[burmafrd]

Free has the footwork but he is vulnerable to the bull rush which is more common.

 

[Zman5]

Columbo is already at RT and Free isn't strong or quick enough for LT and Flo can't pull so he couldn't be a G.

Flo started 10 games as a RG in his rookie year. I actually think he can play guard better than tackle right now. He is too slow to be a tackle but he is still very powerful and can still be a very good guard.

 

[dallascowboyfanboy]

On Romo's perfectly thrown bomb to Austin, Free played LT and helped out double teaming the Saint who beat Kosier and blocked the DL with his back allowing Romo enough time and space to throw the ball.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Were getting the #2 seed though...

 

[MONT17]

Doug Free's play, shows why McQuistan was a waste of time all of these years!

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Free is already better than Flo and Columbo.

If we can't find a future pro bowl LT in the draft, I would move Free to LT in the offseason. We could let Flo and Columbo battle it out at RT, but I think our best option is actually to move Bigg over there. He doesn't get low enough in short yardage situations and that is why we have had some trouble running behind him is that he creates a big pileup at the line of scrimmage. I would then look for the best guard/center in the draft and see if I can find good value in the first round or trade down early into the second round as this position is often not highly coveted. My OL next year then would be one of two possibilities:

Find franchise LT in the draft:
Rookie Kosier Gurode Bigg Free

Find great young guard in the draft:
Free Kosier Gurode rookie Bigg

Find great young center in the draft:
Free Kosier Rookie Gurode Bigg

Don't forget, they really like Brewster.

 

[adamc91115]

Gotta put Columbo back in if he's completely healthy. You shouldn't lose your starting job due to injury.

Plus, we could really use his attitude back on the o-line.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Flo started 10 games as a RG in his rookie year. I actually think he can play guard better than tackle right now. He is too slow to be a tackle but he is still very powerful and can still be a very good guard.

That was how many years and knee injuries ago? There is no way Flo could pull and get out in front of the rb and make a block. Bigg isn't that good at it but he'd be better than Flo.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Gotta put Columbo back in if he's completely healthy. You shouldn't lose your starting job due to injury.

Plus, we could really use his attitude back on the o-line.

 

[DandyDon1722]

How big would this be! I also think Free has proven himself enough that we can honestly say we have some depth on the line.

Star Telegram - DECEMBER 21, 2009

Colombo may be back.

Marc Columbo was obviously thrilled while watching his teammates defeat New Orleans on Saturday, but there is another benefit for the injured offensive tackle.

Columbo, who sustained a broken fibula in his left leg during the Green Bay game in November, was expected to miss the season. But he said Monday that he was going to start participating in drills.

"The win was huge," Columbo said, "because it gives me a chance to play again."

Columbo is counting on the Cowboys making the playoffs. He said it is unlikely he will play against Philadelphia in the last week of the regular season, but that he might be ready for the first playoff game.

-- Jan Hubbard

 

[BoysFanInAustin]

Is anyone cautious of starting an o-lineman who has been out for almost 2 months back into the frey against a team like the Eagles in the wildcard round who love to blitz?

 

[EPL0c0]

Is anyone cautious of starting an o-lineman who has been out for almost 2 months back into the frey against a team like the Eagles in the wildcard round who love to blitz?

He should only come in if Free gets hurt. It'll be nice to have him there as a quality depth through the rest of this season should Dallas need it. There's really no need to rush him back IMO.

 

[Eskimo]

Is anyone cautious of starting an o-lineman who has been out for almost 2 months back into the frey against a team like the Eagles in the wildcard round who love to blitz?

He will come back as the swing tackle backing up Free/Flo IMO.

Free has outplayed Columbo by a wide margin so there is no reason to put Free back on the bench when Columbo comes back. It is still good news because McQ is the backup right now for Free/Flo. I suspect that if one of them went down they would move Bigg to tackle and bring in Holland or Procter to play guard.