Miami Dolphins Q&A With Football Outsiders : Marc Columbo

[DKphin]

Remind me again why TS wanted to keep this guy?

Marc Colombo was brought in to anchor the right side of Miami's offensive line. The former Dallas Cowboys right tackle is, as you described, a "declining and increasingly injury-prone player." So far this preseason, he has appeared to be a revolving door, letting anyone, especially speed rushers, get clear shots at quarterback Chad Henne. Has Colombo always had difficulty with speed rushers, and was his decline this evident in Dallas (given they released him for a reason)?
I think your assessment of Colombo's preseason is accurate. I went back and watched the Dolphins' third preseason game (vs. Tampa Bay), and his overall performance -- especially early on -- was borderline comical (not to Dolphins fans, of course). Because I'm no offensive line expert, I posed your question to Ben Muth (our resident offensive line guru) and Sean McCormick (the author of the Dolphins' chapter). They both agree that Colombo got worse as last season went on, and that this preseason looks like a simple continuation of the downward trend; to an extent that can't be explained away by last year's nagging ankle injury.

http://www.thephinsider.com/2011/9/8/2411822/miami-dolphins-q-a-with-football-outsiders

 

[BenchFiedler]

Unless Columbo is "lights out" in practice, it will be interesting to see the starting lineup on Monday night - I would like to see Garner somewhere in that line...

 

[hoops]

dudes terrible...just a matter of time

 

[spiketex]

Colombo has started poorly but he has performed at a high level in the past. If it's a case where his fitness is off and learning to jell with his O line teammates, then this is correctable. However, if he has just lost it through age and skill deterioration, then this cannot be hidden and he should go. Sparano needs to understand that his stud tackle from 5 years ago is not what he was, but if he can recapture the old form, this can work. (Hey, I'm an optimist).

 

[NCFINFAN13]

Columbo and Cook suck! They should never have been brought in.

 

[SRM]

Can't believe he's still starting..

 

[DeathStar]

He is gonna be burned so many times on Monday...

 

[earthwake]

Matador style, baby. "O-LAY!"

 

[Swantoon]

I can't decide who is worse an over the hill and injured Columbo or Wade Smith in his prime. Either way Dolphin fans get to know what truly horrible o line play is all about.

 

[dolphone]

I can't decide who is worse an over the hill and injured Columbo or Wade Smith in his prime. Either way Dolphin fans get to know what truly horrible o line play is all about.

And then complain that we keep drafting OL.