Five Cowboys who failed to meet expectations: No. 1

[jobberone]

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/20...ons-no-1.html/

After the Cowboys failed to make the playoffs for the third consecutive season, management has spent time evaluating the roster. They’ll instantly recognize players who surpassed expectations and others who didn’t meet them. We’ll examine the top five players in both categories:


No. 1: Doug Free, Right Tackle

Doug Free is the most well-compensated player on the Cowboys’ offensive line. Right now, an argument can be made that he is its worst performer. Moved from the left to the right bookend before the season when Tyron Smith was tasked with protecting quarterback Tony Romo’s blindside, the sixth-year tackle was given an easier job.


Yet he failed miserably. The Cowboys rushing attack, which was atrocious, gained almost a yard more running to the left side than it did to the right. But Free performed even worse in pass protection. He conceded seven sacks – the most on the team. He was also tied for the most penalties in the NFL.


Free’s play was so bad that the Cowboys were forced to act. In the final four games they made Free give up some of his snaps to Jermey Parnell, an undrafted player who was seen as a project.