ESPND: Doug Free, Jermey Parnell still splitting time

[WoodysGirl]

May 21
5:12
PM CT

IRVING, Texas -- Something noticeable on the first day of the OTAs on Tuesday was the rotation at right tackle between Doug Free and Jermey Parnell.

Offensive line coach Bill Callahan said Free's mindset is good, despite the fact that Free accepted a 50 percent pay cut in his base salary and he's competing with Parnell.

"He knows that I love him and I want him here and I care about him," Callahan said of Free. "There is no after effect that needs to be said because we we're working here all along. I think there will be really good competition between both tackles."

Speaking about Parnell, Callahan said "I see a lot of growth. I see a lot of maturation relative to his understanding of the game. His techniques are improving. I like to see him continue that progress and be a more consistent player down in and down out."

Read more: http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowbo...t-right-tackle

[dmq]

RT is our biggest weakness IMHO.

[Future]

I can't imagine a scenario where, if Parnell has shown any improvement, he is not the starter.

Free should be out of Dallas as it is.

[ravidubey]

Our management continues to snicker to themselves quietly.

[Wood]

Just don't want another scenario of them both playing during season. This unit needs some cohesion.

[Angus]

Cowboys "fans" have a short memory. The same guy they wish the team had gotten rid of is the same guy that excelled at right tackle several years ago under another assistant coach - but not at once. During the latter part of the last season he began adapting to the different footwork favored by Callahan and played well. There is a good chance he will again become a right tackle worth every penny and more of what he is getting and that the "fans" who wished to see him gone will thank their lucky stars that the Front Office paid no attention to them.

[EGG]

Originally Posted by ravidubey

Our management continues to snicker to themselves quietly.

Well at least somebody in the Cowboy Nation has had something to snicker about for the past 15yrs,,, though I suspect the laughter is more a sign of lunacy than mirth.

[burmafrd]

Originally Posted by Angus

Cowboys "fans" have a short memory. The same guy they wish the team had gotten rid of is the same guy that excelled at right tackle several years ago under another assistant coach - but not at once. During the latter part of the last season he began adapting to the different footwork favored by Callahan and played well. There is a good chance he will again become a right tackle worth every penny and more of what he is getting and that the "fans" who wished to see him gone will thank their lucky stars that the Front Office paid no attention to them.

when a guy has stunk up the place for almost two full years those thinking that he will come back are more likely drinking Kool Aid

[rpatricc]

Originally Posted by burmafrd

when a guy has stunk up the place for almost two full years those thinking that he will come back are more likely drinking Kool Aid

I have been watching the all-22 videos of the last 4-5 games of the season pretty closely, multiple times. Free played alot better than he did early in the year. However, whether it was him adjusting to Callahan's footwork or his fear of losing his job, it is clear to me that Parnell should be given every opportunity to start. He is just as athletic as Free, and importantly, has a much stronger punch and anchor. Unlike Free, who even in these 4 games (and routinely in the earlier 12) got bullrushed into the QB, Parnell rarely, if ever, does. Where Parnell struggles is in adjusting to stunts and run blocking on the second level, but I imagine these will improve with reps (given his overall inexperience in football). During the preseason, I thought that RT was the weak link of this team. But now, I am cautiously optimistic that we will be fine at the position, especially if Parnell wins the job. My big fear (knock on wood) is if Tyron Smith ever gets hurt. Neither Free or Parnell can handle that job. But I suppose you can say that for any starting LT in the league.

[MichaelWinicki]

Originally Posted by Wood

Just don't want another scenario of them both playing during season. This unit needs some cohesion.

Tom Landry use to alternate guards every other play. It didn't destroy cohesion.

I think cohesion is a little overrated.

The best 3 game stretch for the RT position came last season when the position was shared.

If that's what it takes to get decent, consistent play out of the position, then I'm all for it.

[TheCount]

I don't mind them rotating if it's the best solution, but I'm really hard pressed to think of another team that rotates a tackle every other series.

Clearly, we're not doing this despite one of them being head and shoulders above the other in terms of talent. It's basically a stop gap situation, I suspect RT will be addressed next year via draft.

[Hoofbite]

Originally Posted by Angus

Cowboys "fans" have a short memory. The same guy they wish the team had gotten rid of is the same guy that excelled at right tackle several years ago under another assistant coach - but not at once. During the latter part of the last season he began adapting to the different footwork favored by Callahan and played well. There is a good chance he will again become a right tackle worth every penny and more of what he is getting and that the "fans" who wished to see him gone will thank their lucky stars that the Front Office paid no attention to them.

What fan base would be tolerant of multiple years of poor play?

[dogberry]

I think someone said that Houston experimented with rotating tackles.

Don't have a link.

Appreciate MW's memory of Landry and guards.

[jnday]

Originally Posted by Angus

Cowboys "fans" have a short memory. The same guy they wish the team had gotten rid of is the same guy that excelled at right tackle several years ago under another assistant coach - but not at once. During the latter part of the last season he began adapting to the different footwork favored by Callahan and played well. There is a good chance he will again become a right tackle worth every penny and more of what he is getting and that the "fans" who wished to see him gone will thank their lucky stars that the Front Office paid no attention to them.

Free played well for a very short time, but it was long enough for defenders to figure out his weaknesses. He was never that great to begin with. He was just an improvement on a wore-out Columbo.

[jterrell]

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

Tom Landry use to alternate guards every other play. It didn't destroy cohesion.

I think cohesion is a little overrated.

The best 3 game stretch for the RT position came last season when the position was shared.

If that's what it takes to get decent, consistent play out of the position, then I'm all for it.

considering the options:
1. hold out hope based on the final 3 games
2. panic and jump off a cliff

it is pretty easy to choose option 1.

so i'll wait and see on RT. there is hope even if it is only a 3 game glimmer.

i do believe fans allow the media to fool them into tangents that exist in small windows. the last month our receiving corps and play on defense were all-world awful. Especially the final 2 games where we needed a win to save the season.