Post by prossman on Nov 17, 2009 8:14:46 GMT -7
StrTgraM:Cowboys seek a replacement for injured Colombo
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LINK
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
chill@star-telegram.comc
IRVING — Offensive line depth has been the biggest on-field concern since training camp.
Now the Dallas Cowboys preseason fears have become a reality with right tackle Marc Colombo out at least six weeks and possibly the season with a high ankle sprain and fractured left fibula.
Colombo, who suffered the injury in the 17-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, underwent surgery on Monday to repair torn ligaments in the ankle.
There is a chance he could return for the season final and possibly the playoffs if the Cowboys get that far. The question in the interim is what will the Cowboys do to replace him at right tackle?
Coach Wade Phillips said anything is possible and that he will start tinkering with lineup adjustments when they return to practice on Wednesday with the goal of doing what’s best for the team.
Third-year veteran Doug Free filled in for Colombo against the Packers. But he is largely unproven and has seen little playing time since being drafted in the seventh round out of Northern Illinois in 2007. Pat McQuistan is also an option, but he has even less experience than Free, despite being in his fourth year with the team.
The Cowboys could move Pro Bowl guard Leonard Davis to right tackle and insert backup Montrae Holland or Cory Procter at Leonard’s right guard spot. But that would require moving two players and impacting the offensive line chemistry even further.
"We haven’t decided exactly what we are going to do," Phillips said. "We have been working Free. We have been working McQuistan. We had been working Holland. We have some lineman we think can play. They are going to have to step up."
Phillips said Free, who has been the third tackle all season, played OK against the Packers although he had a holding penalty late in the game. He said the coaches will have to decide what’s best for the team going forward, which is why moving Davis and using Holland or Procter is an option. Davis is capable and experienced. He played tackle in Arizona before coming to Dallas in 2007. Holland has been inactive all season, but he has 48 career starts at guard, including two with the Cowboys last season. Procter started 11 games last season at left guard.
"We’ve got until Wednesday to start working on it," Phillips said. "And we may even work during the week and see how they do."
Clarence E. Hill Jr. 817-390-7760
__________________
start free and if he cant handle make adjustments! Prossman
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LINK
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
chill@star-telegram.comc
IRVING — Offensive line depth has been the biggest on-field concern since training camp.
Now the Dallas Cowboys preseason fears have become a reality with right tackle Marc Colombo out at least six weeks and possibly the season with a high ankle sprain and fractured left fibula.
Colombo, who suffered the injury in the 17-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, underwent surgery on Monday to repair torn ligaments in the ankle.
There is a chance he could return for the season final and possibly the playoffs if the Cowboys get that far. The question in the interim is what will the Cowboys do to replace him at right tackle?
Coach Wade Phillips said anything is possible and that he will start tinkering with lineup adjustments when they return to practice on Wednesday with the goal of doing what’s best for the team.
Third-year veteran Doug Free filled in for Colombo against the Packers. But he is largely unproven and has seen little playing time since being drafted in the seventh round out of Northern Illinois in 2007. Pat McQuistan is also an option, but he has even less experience than Free, despite being in his fourth year with the team.
The Cowboys could move Pro Bowl guard Leonard Davis to right tackle and insert backup Montrae Holland or Cory Procter at Leonard’s right guard spot. But that would require moving two players and impacting the offensive line chemistry even further.
"We haven’t decided exactly what we are going to do," Phillips said. "We have been working Free. We have been working McQuistan. We had been working Holland. We have some lineman we think can play. They are going to have to step up."
Phillips said Free, who has been the third tackle all season, played OK against the Packers although he had a holding penalty late in the game. He said the coaches will have to decide what’s best for the team going forward, which is why moving Davis and using Holland or Procter is an option. Davis is capable and experienced. He played tackle in Arizona before coming to Dallas in 2007. Holland has been inactive all season, but he has 48 career starts at guard, including two with the Cowboys last season. Procter started 11 games last season at left guard.
"We’ve got until Wednesday to start working on it," Phillips said. "And we may even work during the week and see how they do."
Clarence E. Hill Jr. 817-390-7760
__________________
start free and if he cant handle make adjustments! Prossman