The draft and "smart money"

[Verdict]

I am interested in hearing other poster's informed comments on the advisability of resigning Columbo versus taking an offensive right tackle with our first pick. I am not sure how the organization views Columbo, but I think he is a mid-tier type free agent. He is a serviceable starter, but not a dominant player at his position at least at the present time. I think giving him Gurode type money would be a mistake.

I am thinking that in an average year that we could draft one of the top two rated right tackles in the draft slot we have now. That would be at a significant discount to Gurode type numbers.

The down side is that would force your hand a little with that first pick.

 

[smarta5150]

I dont want OL in the 1st.

I'd rather keep Columbo and address a Guard in FA.

 

[theogt]

I wouldn't have a problem giving him Gurode's contract. It's relatively inexpensive and Colombo's more than serviceable. In fact, he's only going to get better.

I don't want a 1st round pick on RT -- that's just stupid.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

if we don't re-sign Columbo, I'd rather move McQ over to RT than take a OT high in the draft, he's already a year ahead of any rookie, and has all the tools to be pretty good, and wouldn't have to worry so much about protecting the QB there, as opposed to if he starts at LT

 

[Verdict]

I wouldn't have a problem giving him Gurode's contract. It's relatively inexpensive and Colombo's more than serviceable. In fact, he's only going to get better.

I don't want a 1st round pick on RT -- that's just stupid.

Jammal Brown looked like a good first round pick from where I stand.

Side note: Don't you think that it would be more polite to say that you disagree with something rather than calling it "stupid", Oh Eloquent One.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I am interested in hearing other poster's informed comments on the advisability of resigning Columbo versus taking an offensive right tackle with our first pick. I am not sure how the organization views Columbo, but I think he is a mid-tier type free agent. He is a serviceable starter, but not a dominant player at his position at least at the present time. I think giving him Gurode type money would be a mistake.

I am thinking that in an average year that we could draft one of the top two rated right tackles in the draft slot we have now. That would be at a significant discount to Gurode type numbers.

The down side is that would force your hand a little with that first pick.

Not only that, Colombo is a semi-prove commodity. He's shown that he can play right tackle at an above average rate in the NFL for one season. Plus, since he's only 28 and should get stronger in the next couple of seasons, he could very well improve.

I'm all for the drafting and building through the draft. But quality offensive tackles are important to have and don't grow on trees. So letting Colombo walk, unless he's asking for outrageous money, just isn't very wise because there's less of a guarantee you're going to find a quality OT in the first round.



YAKUZA

 

[mmillman]

you want to rely on a rookie that may or may not pan out to protect a fragile qb on a team that could make a deep run? Check out all of the first round picks at tackle over the last 10 years. Then take the ones left and research how they did in their rookie seasons and you won't have many left.

 

[gimmesix]

I am interested in hearing other poster's informed comments on the advisability of resigning Columbo versus taking an offensive right tackle with our first pick. I am not sure how the organization views Columbo, but I think he is a mid-tier type free agent. He is a serviceable starter, but not a dominant player at his position at least at the present time. I think giving him Gurode type money would be a mistake.

I am thinking that in an average year that we could draft one of the top two rated right tackles in the draft slot we have now. That would be at a significant discount to Gurode type numbers.

The down side is that would force your hand a little with that first pick.

Let's see ... how much success have we had finding a right tackle since Erik Williams went downhill. Early draft pick like Solomon Page, anyone? Maybe an aging vet like Ryan Young or Jason Fabini? How about a later-round draft pick like Rob Petitti?

IMO, we've found a pretty good one and shouldn't take the risk of failing to adequately replace him in the draft or free agency.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I would re-sign Colombo for sure. But if we don't re-sign him, I bet it's because we're lowballing him in expectations that McQ could play over there for a year.

Still, as much as I like McQ, I'd get Colombo back in the fold. Seems like he wouldn't be too expensive, unless he or his agent's eyes have just gotten way too big.

 

[sago1]

I'm just afraid Jerry is low-balling him. He's got a habit of doing that but then eventually comes back to reality and gets us the player we need. We got Colombo dirt cheap cause of his injury and had the patience to allow him the time to recover. He then beat out any of our other RT candidates (not that hard) plus he's shown he's a hard worker, fully motivated, has a nasty streak and will work his tail off in the weight room & should get better in his 2nd season. I don't want set a record to sign him but, unless another team has already contacted his agent with numbers that exceed anything Cowboys offering him, believe it's better for Colombo and the Cowboys that he still here. I don't want a new RG & new RT in same year & I doubt we will be able fill both in FA & what kind of luck can we have filling both positions in the draft. And I sure hate rely on McQuistan as our starting RT since he's never played in the NFL. Besides whose his backup and Adams' if either go down. .

 

[Verdict]

I am all for Columbo being resigned, but at what price? Over time Gurode numbers might seem like a bargain, but right now that sort of money sounds pretty steep to me. Our line last year was serviceable, but I wouldn't call it dominant. I would like to see him resigned at a bargain basement price but I don't see that happening. I think that we will either overpay for him, or he will be gone and someone else will overpay for him.

 

[burmafrd]

Its REAL EASY to say get someone else. Now I am calling you out: give some names. And remember as regards the draft what happened to SURE THINGS like Robert Gallery and Tony Mandarich; also Leonard Davis was a #2 overall pick.

 

[Tobal]

I'm just afraid Jerry is low-balling him. He's got a habit of doing that but then eventually comes back to reality and gets us the player we need. We got Colombo dirt cheap cause of his injury and had the patience to allow him the time to recover. He then beat out any of our other RT candidates (not that hard) plus he's shown he's a hard worker, fully motivated, has a nasty streak and will work his tail off in the weight room & should get better in his 2nd season. I don't want set a record to sign him but, unless another team has already contacted his agent with numbers that exceed anything Cowboys offering him, believe it's better for Colombo and the Cowboys that he still here. I don't want a new RG & new RT in same year & I doubt we will be able fill both in FA & what kind of luck can we have filling both positions in the draft. And I sure hate rely on McQuistan as our starting RT since he's never played in the NFL. Besides whose his backup and Adams' if either go down. .

How do we know Jerry has a habit of low-balling? I'd argue the opposite

 

[Verdict]

Its REAL EASY to say get someone else. Now I am calling you out: give some names. And remember as regards the draft what happened to SURE THINGS like Robert Gallery and Tony Mandarich; also Leonard Davis was a #2 overall pick.

The premise is that we should not overpay for average talent, and the draft would be a possible method of filling a hole in your roster. I would rather draft a young player and take a few knocks than overpay for a free agent lineman and take those same knocks. The money being thrown around today, handcuffs you tomorrow. There is an opportunity cost to giving out huge contracts in free agency.

Regarding Colombo, Jerry has shown the desire to resign his own free agents to deals that appear somewhat lucrative to the player. I am not sure they will pan out, or prove to be wise decisions, but at least he has had the opportunity to evaluate them well since they are already on the roster. I think he wants to sign Colombo, but the fact Colombo hasn't resigned with us seems to indicate he is wanting far over what the cowboys brass thinks he is worth.

From the looks of things, the fact we let Davis get out of town without inking a deal indicates it looks like the draft might be where we have to look to fill these holes.