[CCBoy]

Originally Posted by burmafrd

Free got a lot of help at LT in 2010; and we have tried to do a lot of 3 step drops and the like the last two years. To lessen the load on the O line. SO frankly those claiming he was all that great at LT in 2010 I say not. He was very good most of the time, but also remember that we had Colombo at RT last year and maybe the D's felt they did not need to try and work hard at beating Free with a turnstyle on the other side. Not to mention that if the RT play had been better in 2010 maybe Free would have given up more sacks, since the guys rushing on the right would not have been getting a free lunch there.

This year there is no doubt he was not as good. Now some of that was probably the fact that Kosier was not next to him like he was in 2010. But that should NOT have made as much difference as there was this year.

I think Free played his best while at RT. Send him back there.

The point on Colombo and how teams attack a weakness are relevant. As is noting that there was a tendency to assist him with a chip block. This season there was a need to keep the extra blocker inside more.

The OP was actually a thought provoker for more reasons.

Best player available on smart teams is used just for that. Not as a last moment move to capture greatness. But consideration would need to be given to offensive tackle as well as other positional strengths.

The Giants kept on throwing in for their defensive line. And it has paid off.
New Orleans has a dominant offensive tackle and a pair of All Pros at guard.

Since much of the Dallas direction is already on the side of offense, it might merit building this to dominance and longer termed in view.

Game day rosters are of major importance throughout an entire season. Replacing Free with a stronger player at tackle, with Free moving inside, would serve in this matter as well. He could serve, while at guard, as the replacement player at tackle as well. A guard with swing tackle resonsibilities.
This would then make change along the Dallas line as stable as was seen this season on the Giant line.

This would still allow a free agent pickup. The favorite here, obviously is Carl Nicks. But an upgrade and actully young enough to project for a valid five years would be worth a move.

But if a player such as Kalil, from USC, could prove worth a move to acquire him. Early indicators are that he should be close if not at the top of offensive linemen in this draft. His pairing with Smith would seal that position for a decade. And at top levels. That would remove the need for top level drafting at the position for some years.

He is a dynamic player. With the early indicators showing that he might start in an 8-10 draft slot, it would be far from foolish to move up and secure the tackles spot for Tony Romo and his future replacement, right now.

Even if this meant that all other sources, to include free agency and draft picks went to the defensive side, it would still be a smart move. And leave ammo to make major dents at improving quality at defensive positions.

If one wants to implant top levels of unit quality and base strengths, this would forge a huge one.

I could live with the return of Kosier at RG, Dockery as a backup, and the rest of the youth inside for a building point.