Marc Colombo

[mbanx]

Does anybody here think our coaching staff can get anything out of this guy with a full offseason plus the time he has been here? I am not exactly sure what his problem was when he got into the league and proved to be a bust, but he was a high first rounder taken by Chicago I believe. I am also not sure what tackle position he plays, will he challenge Pettiti? I am hoping a new team might wake this guy up, of course I am hoping for alot of things for this team.

 

[JackMagist]

Does anybody here think our coaching staff can get anything out of this guy with a full offseason plus the time he has been here? I am not exactly sure what his problem was when he got into the league and proved to be a bust, but he was a high first rounder taken by Chicago I believe. I am also not sure what tackle position he plays, will he challenge Pettiti? I am hoping a new team might wake this guy up, of course I am hoping for alot of things for this team.

He had a leg injury. I believe something to do with his thigh and I seem to recall that there was some fallout from that injury which prevents him from getting back to full strength in that leg. I don't know if it has been or even can be fixed so that he can get back to full strength. Eskimo might be better able to shed some light on the situation if he is around. I'm not betting too heavy on him making an impact here.

 

[neosapien23]

He suffered a legitimate injury. He had nerve damage and a dislocated knee cap. His heart was never in question. He had the talent coming out of college, he was being brought in for the next year in mind. Colombo is a hard worker who had to rehab deligently just to be able to play again. It will be intresting to see what he can do.

 

[mbanx]

I found this at Scout.com so I guess people can draw their own conclusions but it does not sound good.

Looking for additional help on the offensive line, the Dallas Cowboys signed veteran tackle Marc Colombo to a one-year contract for the league minimum on Wednesday.

Colombo, who is a former first round draft pick (29th overall selection in 1999), is clearly a risky addition to the Cowboys after a series of injuries have forced him to miss significant time in recent years.

In fact, many felt his career might be over due to a severe left knee injury he suffered Nov. 18, 2002 against the St. Louis Rams. But, after intense rehab after two surgeries, Colombo appears to have a chance to regain the form of a first round draft pick.

"I had a knee injury. You never can tell with the knee, especially early on," he said after getting back on the field for the first time in almost two years. "The injury was a year-and-a-half injury and this was a little longer. All you can do is keep working and hope the best." The former Boston College standout has appeared in 18 career games in the NFL, including seven starts and also has blocked two career field goals.

Colombo played in the final eight games of the 2004 season with the Chicago Bears and was expected to compete for a backup role in 2005 before being released during the preseason.

Career at Glance
2004: Started year on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List while rehabilitating his injured left knee... Elevated to active roster in Week 10 and participated in eight games, starting two at LT... GAMES PLAYED-STARTED: 8-2

2003: Spent the entire season rehabilitating his injured left knee.

2002: Participated in the first 10 games of season, ascending to starting LT spot for his final five contests before missing the final 6 games due to his left knee injury.

COLLEGE: Allowed no sacks in 20 games started over his final 2 years of career at Boston College (1998-2001). Helped pave way for a 1,000-yard rusher in each of his 4 seasons. Played both RT and LT as a senior, earning All-Big East Conference first-team honors by The NFL Draft Report despite missing team's final 4 games with a knee injury. Part of O-line that generated 4,361 yards and featured 1,000-yard rusher William Green; started first 2 games at RT before moving to LT for 6 games. Initially moved into starting lineup as a junior, starting all 12 games at RT for NCAA's 21st-ranked rushing team (201.0 ypg) and Big East's third-ranked offense (414.9 total ypg) on an Oline that surrendered only 6 sacks. Played in 7 games as a sophomore, including the Insight.com Bowl. Participated in 6 games as a true freshman, mostly on special teams. Majored in sociology.

PERSONAL: Earned Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Brockton Enterprise and Taunton Gazette All- Scholastic honors at offensive tackle as a senior. Also registered 75 tackles and 5 sacks as a senior defensive lineman. Also excelled in basketball and baseball, earning Brockton Enterprise and Taunton Gazette All-Scholastic honors as a senior. Involved in community service activities at St. Basil's Church and Bridgewater State College. Son of Gayle Arrigni and Edward Colombo. Off the- field interests include playing the acoustic guitar.

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=112&p=...tedURL=http://cowboys.scout.com/2/461480.html

 

[cowboyjoe]

Thing I think we need to keep in mind, he did have nerve damage and knee cap dislocation, those are real serious, but what maybe a little hopeful is that Parcell said in the last 2 months with us, he just started lifting weights with his legs, until then, almost 2 years ago, he couldnt lift weights with his legs, so there is an outside chance. He does have the desire, and he is also good on blocking field goals, and punts. He excelled at that in limited pro time and college, since he is 6-8, if you put him, Flozell and Canty up the middle look out for blocked field goals this year..

 

[AbeBeta]

if Columbo even makes the roster next year it will be a huge success. really him being a backup next year is the best anyone can hope for. him being a starter is very unlikely.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think he falls into the "if he turns out to be a player we got lucky" catagory.

 

[FLcowboy]

Does anybody here think our coaching staff can get anything out of this guy with a full offseason plus the time he has been here? I am not exactly sure what his problem was when he got into the league and proved to be a bust, but he was a high first rounder taken by Chicago I believe. I am also not sure what tackle position he plays, will he challenge Pettiti? I am hoping a new team might wake this guy up, of course I am hoping for alot of things for this team.

He is one of only two first round tackles chosen in the last five years to not make it with the team that drafted him. I'd say his chances are slim that he will make it now, but, he has hope, and therefore, so do we.

 

[lspain1]

I think he falls into the "if he turns out to be a player we got lucky" catagory.

While we may be lucky, I think you have to take the seriousness of the injury into account. It was not laziness or lack of desire which cost him his position with the Bears. He is a low risk bet for the Cowboys to take a year long look at a young man that had some talent but got injured. If the injury has healed (a big 'if' I presume), Columbo has a shot at making the team.

A careful assessment of Columbo's chances will weigh on the decision whether the Cowboys look for a tackle in the draft. I think we will look in the FA market for a starter but Columbo might be considered as the future in competiton with Petitti.

 

[sago1]

Just little more to add on Colombo. Good prospect with no weaknesses cited in 02 profile except need increase his strength. He was cut in 05 preseason due to cap hit but Bears GM stated they wanted to keep him and give him another year to rehab but cap hit too much.

Cowboys signed Colombo to 2 year contract; Parcells told him it was long-term deal--not to worry about being ready in 05 but concentrate on 06; Parcells also said kid was very hard worker/lot of heart/comes from NJ. In lfirst week of Dec 05 Colombo told Dallas media he was ready to play; said flexibility work with Cowboys trainer had improved fluidity in his knee better then in Chicago.

It's been 3-1/2 years since his injury & real progress that Colombo now able lift weights with his knees. Continued work with his knees & participation in Cowboys offseason weight conditioning program might be interesting to follow. Odds would appear to be against him but, as Cowboys fan I'd sure like him to make it all the whole back to become quality starting RT; Pettiti could be his backup. Frankly, he and Pettiti sign like same guys; both desperately want to play football and prepared to do anything & work as hard as humanly possible to make it happen.

 

[DanTanna]

So who's better right NOW, Columbo or Pettiti?

 

[big dog cowboy]

While we may be lucky, I think you have to take the seriousness of the injury into account. It was not laziness or lack of desire which cost him his position with the Bears. He is a low risk bet for the Cowboys to take a year long look at a young man that had some talent but got injured. If the injury has healed (a big 'if' I presume), Columbo has a shot at making the team.

A careful assessment of Columbo's chances will weigh on the decision whether the Cowboys look for a tackle in the draft. I think we will look in the FA market for a starter but Columbo might be considered as the future in competiton with Petitti.

I do agree with your assessment.

 

[followthestar]

Good information and observations! Colombo is a very good, low-risk/high reward gamble. If he is able to recover his strength he could actually challenge Petitti in camp, and I imagine if I was Rob and watching this guy rehab and work out, I would be pushing myself even harder. Both of them will have to beat out the RT we will be drafting with an early pick, or become Flo's backup. But if Colombo ever starts for us it will just be gravy...

 

[Typhus]

The NFL's Marc Colombo with the Chopper College team at Daytona Beach

NFL lineman Marc Colombo and Apehanger Mike in Daytona Beach 2005

 

[ghst187]

6-8?!? that guy is huge!
Colombo needs to be a steal since we clearly missed on the Rivera signing...ha

 

[Eskimo]

Columbo suffered several ligamentous injuries when he dislocated his knee cap but I believe the fundamental issue holding up his comeback was that he suffered a "femoral nerve" injury. Now this is a very unusual nerve injury to suffer with a knee cap dislocation.

However, this nerve is vitally important because it innervates the iliacus muscle (one of the big hip flexors) and the quardriceps. The ability to hold one's ground against a charging DL without a profoundly strong quadriceps is minimal. You may remember the Bears-Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game last year when Ogbogu abused him with both speed and bullrushes.

Anyhow, such an injury in a fellow as tall as Columbo could very well take two or more years for complete recovery. The thing about nerve injuries is there is no way to strengthen the muscles at all until the nerve has reconnected so such efforts are futile.

He claims to have recently made major inroads in strengthening the leg which is not altogether surprising.

Usually when injuries take this long to recover, the prognosis for full recovery is quite poor, but the proof is in the pudding - this is where a dedicated sports med staff comes in to evaluate the injury and see how far this individual has come and how far he has left to go.

I am really rooting for the kid because this is my field of interest and I love these kinds of stories where guys are just determined and persistent and make a great comeback.

Anyhow, if he can't perform by next TC he will likely be cut and it will not have been a major expense. I think it was a worthwhile gamble signing him to lock up his rights for next year. Lord knows we've got no quality depth on the OL.