ESPN: Cowboys right tackle Doug Free has tough matchup in Green Bay's Julius Peppers

[Alexander]

Peppers still plays?

He had a very good game against the Giants.

 

[dallasdave]

I'll see your "tad" and raise you a smidge.

Free is the biggest question mark and worry I have by far among the entire offense. He could cost us this game if he struggles like he has been lately.

 

[haleyrules]

Free should be able to control Peppers after all Julius IS 147 yrs old!!

 

[SportsGuru80]

Chip his *** and keep it moving...

 

[Idgit]

If I'm the Packers, I rush both Peppers and Matthews from the same side of the formation - over Doug Free.

Good idea. There's no way Free blocks both Peppers and Matthews.

 

[lukin2006]

I'm sure he will be provided help if needed. We have 3 pro-bowl lineman and a very good left guard, in today's NFL it's unrealistic to expect greatness from all 5 in the group...let's hope the rest has done him some good.

 

[Sportsdude360]

A tad concerned about Free. Hope he's well and plays well. I don't know who we can put in his place right now if not.

La'el Collins gets my vote.

 

[TheKey]

there's a double negative here buddy- will Free struggle in the playoffs or not?

His sentence is perfectly fine. That's not a double negative it's two separate parts of the sentence.

There are no more players left in the playoffs - All the remaining players in the playoffs

That he won't struggle against - he will not have an easy time with any of them

 

[jobberone]

La'el Collins gets my vote.

Apparently he can't play RT as well as Free or he'd be on the field doing so. I firmly believe they will put the best they can on the field. Maybe they'll resign Leary and give him the snaps necessary to win the job next offseason.

 

[bark]

Agree with all that have mentioned pounding this group with the run. Nothing seems to tire a d line as quickly and free is an excellent run blocker.
Also, hard to believe we only have tony , wit, and LP left from that 2007 squad.

 

[Bullflop]

Apparently he can't play RT as well as Free or he'd be on the field doing so. I firmly believe they will put the best they can on the field. Maybe they'll resign Leary and give him the snaps necessary to win the job next offseason.

I can't help but wonder if Cleary might possibly be a candidate to make that adjustment in the offseason. I know it's difficult to make that transition but if he's able to handle it, it might be worth a try. He'd probably have to get a bit stronger, though. Perhaps drafting a promising RT might solidify that position as well. One thing's for sure -- Free can only last for so long . . . the time is at hand to find his successor.

 

[BigStar]

I can't help but wonder if Cleary might possibly be a candidate to make that adjustment in the offseason. I know it's difficult to make that transition but if he's able to handle it, it might be worth a try. He'd probably have to get a bit stronger, though. Perhaps drafting a promising RT might solidify that position as well. One thing's for sure -- Free can only last for so long . . . the time is at hand to find his successor.

That is my wish too, draft one in top 3 rds if it fits, etc. Chaz Green is just too injury prone to rely on. Agree with other posters, provide a chip/help and he shouldn't cause too many problems. But we have needed an upgrade there though he is a serviceable starter just, bad at pass protection. I hear Collins doesn't look good @ RT, but this coaching staff makes me wonder sometimes (very hesitant to replace players or shake things up). Irving over Crawford is this year's example, etc.

 

[jobberone]

I can't help but wonder if Cleary might possibly be a candidate to make that adjustment in the offseason. I know it's difficult to make that transition but if he's able to handle it, it might be worth a try. He'd probably have to get a bit stronger, though. Perhaps drafting a promising RT might solidify that position as well. One thing's for sure -- Free can only last for so long . . . the time is at hand to find his successor.

I think he's in the mix somewhere at tackle. Depends on how he graded out and what they see. It wouldn't surprise me to see them take a tackle high but we have draft position likely limiting that to R2-4. My guess is R1 goes to a DL esp DE or edge rusher but you never know what is going to fall that far to you. They can move some from a low R1 pick but not likely to go too far.

 

[jobberone]

That is my wish too, draft one in top 3 rds if it fits, etc. Chaz Green is just too injury prone to rely on. Agree with other posters, provide a chip/help and he shouldn't cause too many problems. But we have needed an upgrade there though he is a serviceable starter just, bad at pass protection. I hear Collins doesn't look good @ RT, but this coaching staff makes me wonder sometimes (very hesitant to replace players or shake things up). Irving over Crawford is this year's example, etc.

Might be a position for a FA acquisition.

 

[BigStar]

Might be a position for a FA acquisition.

Head didn't even go there, we would have the cap room. Good point.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

Run at Peppers. Free is much more effective run blocking, so is the rest of the OL. If we do what we do best, run the ball, we control the TOP, limit turnovers and keep Rogers off the field. Linehan just needs to be kept in check when he goes pass happy especially early in the game.

I like that idea, run at Peppers, bury him over and over again and wear him out.

 

[willia451]

We shredded these guys for 200 rushing yards and 30 points the last time we played. But the meme of the week is THEY'RE SO MUCH BETTER NOW.

Might as well get used to it. The Cowboys hate is strong.

But........its not as bad as I've seen it in the past. The new faces of the franchise Dak and Zeke are very likable young men. And what these two rookies have accomplished this season has been nothing less than sensational.

Still. Going to have to win it all to get the nod.

Then everyone will just start talking about if the Cowboys can do it again about 10 minutes after we have won the SB. LOL!!!

 

[jobberone]

Head didn't even go there, we would have the cap room. Good point.

Have to be a guy good enough to pick up but who didn't stay with his old team. Not many of those floating around at T. They usually get paid. The draft is the way to go but we have so many needs on D.

 

[BigStar]

Have to be a guy good enough to pick up but who didn't stay with his old team. Not many of those floating around at T. They usually get paid. The draft is the way to go but we have so many needs on D.

Yeah I agree, I read through the thread and agree that DE/LB/CB would take precedent and is rare that a "great talent" would be there in FA but I think a mid range RT with better pass blocking would be ideal; albeit for Dak more than Zeke. Probably be in Free's salary range, but would be willing to cut bait considering his instability. Free's no slouch, but has way too many "whaaa" moments for me and doesn't have Flo's talent to compensate; the enigma that was Flozell Adams.