Douglas Free. You're up son! (Todd Archer)

[Bleu Star]

Doug Free gets his chance
10:56 AM Mon, Nov 16, 2009 | Permalink |
Todd Archer/Reporter

The Cowboys selected Doug Free in the fourth round of the 2007 draft with the idea of him developing into Flozell Adams' replacement at left tackle.

With Marc Colombo out with a broken fibula, Free will now get the first extended playing time fo his career at right tackle. He took over Sunday and without really studying it I didn't really notice him good or bad on Sunday. That's not necessarily a bad thing.

At 6-6, 313 pounds Free is a good athlete and when we last saw him practice live in training camp he improved as time went on. The Cowboys have drafted offensive lineman after offensive lineman in recent years without success. Free will have a chance to end that streak.

But I wonder if the Cowboys look outside the building for some help. And this is where I have a problem with Wade Phillips' decision to not have a lot of players in for workouts during the year.

Last week, they brought in Paul McQuistan for a look after he was cut by Oakland. He has been their one and only workout guy. Had the Cowboys worked out players before Colombo's injury, they would have a better idea of not only who's available but who's healthy.

Could Philadelphia-ex Jon Runyan be an option? He is out there and supposedly healthy after microfracture surgery on his knee in the off-season. With seven games to go, he might be a veteran worth a look as an insurance policy for Free.

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/archives/2009/11/doug-free-gets-his-chance.html

 

[SLATEmosphere]

I did see Free do pretty good at RT. Not really sure if he's a LT in the NFL.

 

[Big Dakota]

I'm not against bringing some old vet in but i really want to find out about Free. Be nice to know we have a starter waiting in the wings with Flo turning 35 in the spring and always banged up or so it seems.

 

[2much2soon]

I don't know about Runyan specifically, but the iggles have been known to cut guys loose that still had tread on their tires. At least enough to get through half a season
Brian Dawkins. Derrick Burgess. Buckhalter (yeah, I know), are a few that come to mind.

 

[craig71]

I think Washington will be after Free early and often(blitzes,stunts,delays,twists),I would think that they will keep a tight end on his side to help.It will be interesting to see how he does in extended live action.

Craig

 

[Big Dakota]

Wade mentioned in his pressor we have confidence in our backups and didn't think we needed to add someone from the outside on the roster.

 

[Bleu Star]

I don't know about Runyan specifically, but the iggles have been known to cut guys loose that still had tread on their tires. At least enough to get through half a season
Brian Dawkins. Derrick Burgess. Buckhalter (yeah, I know), are a few that come to mind.

Terrell Owens. (I have to poke a little)

 

[Bleu Star]

I'm not against bringing some old vet in but i really want to find out about Free. Be nice to know we have a starter waiting in the wings with Flo turning 35 in the spring and always banged up or so it seems.

Wade mentioned in his pressor we have confidence in our backups and didn't think we needed to add someone from the outside on the roster.

One thing is for sure, We'll no doubt find out what we have in Free by the end of the week.

 

[burmafrd]

one thing BP did a lot of that I liked was churn the roster. Bringing in lots of guys for tryouts. Not only did you know what was available in case of injury, but you might find a player=which is how we got Colombo in the first place; Chicago gave up on him and BP gave him time to recover.

 

[CF74]

Personally I'm more concerned about Flo. Maybe we should slide Bigg over to LT and insert Holland at rg. I know that's to many positions to move around but Flo is getting worse by the game..

 

[dbair1967]

one thing BP did a lot of that I liked was churn the roster. Bringing in lots of guys for tryouts. Not only did you know what was available in case of injury, but you might find a player=which is how we got Colombo in the first place; Chicago gave up on him and BP gave him time to recover.

The roster now is vastly more talented than it was when BP was here, there isnt much to churn now.

Lesser talented teams always have a handful of gusy who can easily be replaced. This is one of the more talented rosters in the league now.

 

[iceberg]

Wade mentioned in his pressor we have confidence in our backups and didn't think we needed to add someone from the outside on the roster.

we didn't lose colombo to a broken leg either.

that said, still not sure we make a quick panic move.

 

[Bleu Star]

The roster now is vastly more talented than it was when BP was here, there isnt much to churn now.

Lesser talented teams always have a handful of gusy who can easily be replaced. This is one of the more talented rosters in the league now.

I agree. Although depth is now a concern with Columbo out and Flo being Flo. Hopefully we do take a good long look at Runyan even if it's just for the sake of depth.

 

[big dog cowboy]

JMO but we need to sign someone regardless of how we feel about Free.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Maybe we should slide Bigg over to LT

Don't even think about it. His position is guard not tackle. He proved that in Arizona.

 

[burmafrd]

dbair, I have one word for you: PROCTOR.

 

[CF74]

Don't even think about it. His position is guard not tackle. He proved that in Arizona.

It's already been done, twice I believe. Yeah he was bad in Arizona but he's in better shape these days. Temporary solution till we draft a LT in the 1st two rounds.

 

[Bleu Star]

dbair, I have one word for you: PROCTOR.

uke:

 

[Big Dakota]

we didn't lose colombo to a broken leg either.

that said, still not sure we make a quick panic move.

:laugh1: Outside of Free, MAYBE, not sure why they should have any confidence and any backups we have.

 

[AdamJT13]

Don't even think about it. His position is guard not tackle. He proved that in Arizona.

Davis was a Pro Bowl alternate all but one season in Arizona. He didn't live up to his draft status, but he still was a good left tackle. He's just better at guard.