Colombo returned to action just seven weeks after suffering his two injuries in Green Bay.

IRVING, Texas - If the Chargers can cut LaDainian Tomlinson and the Eagles can cut Brian Westbrook, then no one really seems safe anymore.

And don't forget, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones loves Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman as much as any of his former players, and yet he still put them on the waiver wire as well.

So to think that a guy like Flozell Adams couldn't get released is absurd. It's certainly a possibility and if that's what this organization feels is the best option for both the short- and long-term, then best believe that's what will happen.

However, if the Cowboys decide to part ways with their longest-tenured player on the roster, and the only link back to the Aikman-Emmitt-Irvin days, it's going to put some added pressure on a position that will suddenly have a lot of question marks.

That's one of the reasons why I find this so amusing to think Flozell Adams is being mentioned as a possible cut for this year.

As of right now, the Cowboys have not announced anything - either way - about the offensive tackle position. Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones have done a lot of interviews in the last few months - at places like the Pro Bowl, Super Bowl, Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, and even last week at some of the pre-fight events at Cowboys Stadium. In all of that, nothing was ever said that Adams would be gone.

However, Jerry did somewhat sidestep the question at the combine when asked about Adams' future. Apparently, Jones gave a long pause before giving an answer that at least suggested the Cowboys is considering making a move.

"If we could have a season like that out of him this year it would be great," Jones said last month in Indianapolis. "I was very pleased with his season. Certainly that's the question mark. That's when you have a decision to make right there - can you get another year like that out of him?"

Just like with any decision we make in our lives, it usually comes down to a backup plan. You don't usually quit your job unless you've got another one lined up. You don't sell your car without having another in place. And if we end up dropping our cell phone 10 times and have to buy a new one, that usually takes place that night or the next day.

And when it comes to cutting a five-time Pro Bowl left tackle who still seems to be playing at a high level, you have to determine the consequences if this team is Flo-less in 2010.

As it stands right now, that scenario would be filled with question marks.

Let's start with the other penciled-in starter in Marc Colombo. Actually, I ran into Colombo at the Pacquiao-Clottey fight on Saturday. Of course I did; if there's one guy on this team that would be into a good-ol' fistfight, it would certainly be Colombo.

But he talked about his continued rehab for the broken leg and high-ankle sprain he suffered last year in mid-season. Sure he was able to play in the two playoff games, but even Colombo admits he rushed himself to get back to play to try to help the team. That's the way he is. So the doctors told him it would take about six months to fully recover and he made it back in seven weeks. That's Colombo.

But as the Cowboys get into the off-season, they still have to figure out where he stands health-wise. Obviously, he will be expected to be at 100 percent by the start of training camp and probably long before that. But at 31, Colombo has already had his share of injuries. Now you won't find anyone on this team that's any tougher to play through the pain, but it may not be the best idea to assume he'll go through an entire season without an injury.

Next is Doug Free, who started those seven games when Colombo was injured. While Free played well, you have to account the expectations placed on him. Because Tony Romo stayed upright for the most part while Free was in there, we were all a bit surprised.

And there were games when the assistant coaches said Free graded out better than all of the linemen. So it became more than just expectations. Clearly, Free is a good player and he's a guy that has a future as a starter. Is the future right now? If so, it's still a risk. Sure, Free played well last year but counting on him for the entire season would qualify as a risky move.

After that, the Cowboys still don't know what they have in Pat McQuistan. Although he's been around for four seasons and you would like to think if he's going to do anything or flash the promise, he would've already done it. Robert Brewster didn't even get to have that red-shirt year of learning because he tore a pectoral muscle just before training camp. So, the raw, unpolished rookie the Cowboys were expecting to have last year, will probably be raw and unpolished again this season.

And even if the Cowboys go out and draft a lineman, let's say even with the 27th pick in the draft, which would be Jerry Jones' first offensive tackle selected in the first round and the team's first since 1981, that player still may not be ready to be thrown into the fire right away.

So the point obviously goes back to Adams. In any other year, saving money and cutting corners is the way of an NFL life. But not in this uncapped year. So saving a few bucks shouldn't be a high priority, especially if you're sacrificing so much.

Who knows if the Cowboys are ready to cut ties with Adams just yet? Jerry sounded pretty unsure last month if Adams can have another season like the last one, or the year before, or the previous 10.

But any question mark that Adams might be for his 13th season, the Cowboys would have just as many, if not more, if they decide to end his stint at just 12.