When the Giants hired Jason Garrett as their new offensive coordinator, it was only right that his offensive line coach Marc Colombo came with him.
The Dallas Cowboys have had one of the most productive offensive lines in the game for a few years now, and Colombo played a big part in making that the case. Of course, having players like La'el Collins, Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and others over the years will make it easier on a coach.
But Colombo finds himself with another solid, young bunch in New York. And some of the franchise's best linemen to ever suit up in the blue and white believe he can get the most out of the team this season.
"That respect will happen right away," Chris Snee told the New York Post's Paul Schwartz. "He'll demand that respect and he'll get it. I do expect this group to get much better. There's so many coaches and so many guys trying to change the way the game is played, as far as the offensive line goes. But to me, you can't replace physicality, that requirement. That will be demanded by Marc and he'll get it.''
Snee knew Colombo back during his Boston College days. The 6-foot-8 Colombo was an upper-classman who was tasked with showing Snee around during his official visit (Snee would end up playing his college ball with the Eagles).
"He was actually one of the first guys I saw at BC," Snee explained. "He scared the s--t out of me. Just the size of him and his demeanor."
That demeanor is something Snee's old teammate Shaun O'Hara believes will go a long way with these Giants.
"He's got the Boston accent, he's got his gruffness, it's a good fit from a culture standpoint, from a philosophy standpoint, and he'll be good with those guys," he said.
The Giants spent their fourth overall pick on their left tackle of the future in Andrew Thomas as well as a third-rounder on Matt Peart, someone who is raw but could be starting opposite Thomas in a couple of years with the right guidance. There's also Kevin Zeitler, a savvy veteran whose presence paid dividends in his first year with the team last season, and Will Hernandez coming into his third year in the league.
Add Nate Solder and a couple of center options in Jon Halapio and Spencer Pulley, and Colombo has a good foundation to work with. He has a tough task of finding results in the immediate, but also making sure he is a great teacher to the younger players, especially Thomas who was drafted to protect Daniel Jones' blindside for years to come.
But it's a task he's handled before in Dallas, and look how that's turned out. Snee says Colombo is ready for this next challenge, one that many have tried before him but didn't accomplish.
"We spoke about college linemen when we hung out and guys on the current roster," Snee said. "I shared my thoughts and he shared his. You just sensed the passion that he wants to make this unit what we had back in our heyday."