Cowboys offensive line coach Hudson Houck told reporters at Valley Ranch on Wednesday that third-year player Doug Free will make his first start at right tackle Sunday against the Redskins. Free replaced the injured Marc Colombo in Sunday's game against the Packers and he'll likely get a chance to start the rest of the season. Colombo, who had surgery to repair ligaments in his ankle earlier this week and has a fracture in his left fibula, is still holding out hope that he could return for the playoffs.

Both Houck and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett expressed confidence in Colombo on Wednesday.

"The exciting part of it is you've got another guy ready to go," Houck said. "He steps in. He got his turn. And we don't miss a beat."

Well, I don't think it's quite fair to Colombo to say the team won't miss a beat with Free. Colombo's considered one of the toughest players on the team and he's the emotional leader of the offensive line. Without him, the Cowboys will have to help Free in blocking schemes with tight ends and running backs.

"He's been with us for three years now and really taken the right approach," Garrett said. "He's improved as a player. We're excited about what he did the other day in the game against Green Bay and we're excited to see him play this week."

But let's be honest about something. There was a point this season where the Cowboys were so frustrated with left tackle Flozell Adams that they wanted to send him a message by yanking him from the starting lineup. At that point, they determined that Free wouldn't be up to the task. I realize that it might be a little easier to protect Free on the right side, but let's not act like the guy has become a completely different player in the past month.