The case for the Dallas Cowboys to keep Marc Colombo

The Dallas Cowboys hired a new coach this week. Here is the case for keeping former offensive line coach Marc Colombo on new coach Mike McCarthy’s staff.

Newly hired head coach Mike McCarthy is filling in his coaching staff for the Dallas Cowboys. He started first with his coordinators choosing former San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan as his defensive coordinator, Kellen Moore as the offensive coordinator and John Fassel as the special teams coordinator.

Another former San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula has signed on as the defensive line coach. It seems the Cowboys are making changes in areas that needed change.

The Dallas defense and special teams regressed last season so it makes sense to bring in new coaches for those position units. Just like it made sense to keep Moore who coordinated the number one offense by combined passing and rushing yards.

It also makes sense to keep Marc Colombo as offensive line coach. The Cowboys offensive line found their identity again when Colombo replaced former o-line coach Paul Alexander who was fired midseason in 2018.

Wide receiver Amari Cooper is often credited for the turnaround from three wins and four losses to ten wins and six losses in the 2018 season. The change to Colombo coincided with the trade for Cooper and was likely as big a reason for the Cowboys finishing the season winning seven of their last eight games.

In 2019, Colombo was able to lead the Cowboys offensive line to finish with some impressive numbers. According to Football Outsiders, the Cowboys offensive line was near the top in nearly all their offensive line metrics.

• Second in adjusted line yards
• Sixth in running back yards
• Second in power rank
• First in stuffed rank
• First in second level rank
• Second in pass protection
• Second in sacks allowed
• Second in adjusted sack rate
• Second overall

Pro Football Focus graded the Cowboys offensive line high-ranking fourth overall. The unit received the third best run blocking grade and the fifth best pass blocking grade.

Pro Football Focus also highlighted the progression that right tackle La’el Collins made this season. Coincidentally, Colombo played the same position when he was a Chicago Bears first round draft pick and later a Dallas Cowboy.

There is speculation that McCarthy is interested in former Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin for the offensive line coach role. But is change necessary here?

The Dallas offensive line was a consistent unit last season and helped the team have two 1,000 yard receivers, one 1,000 yard rusher and nearly a 5,000 yard passer. While change is necessary in the Dallas coaching ranks, Colombo certainly showed enough to earn the role.