ESPN MacMahon: Jerry: 'We've got a player in Doug Free'

[WoodysGirl]

Dec 22
3:41
PM CT


By Tim MacMahon


IRVING, Texas -- Right tackle Marc Colombo might be able to return for the playoffs. The Dallas Cowboys haven't missed him nearly as much as anticipated while he recovers from a broken fibula and ankle surgery.

That's no knock on Colombo. It's a compliment to his replacement, Doug Free.

The 6-6, 313-pound Free, a fourth-round pick in 2007, appears to have ended the Cowboys' drought of drafting a starting-quality offensive lineman.

The Cowboys haven't had to give Free an inordinate amount of help. He's not as powerful as Colombo, but he has good quickness for his size and does a solid job of sticking on blocks.

"Free is a great example of young players and how they progress when they get to play," owner/general manager Jerry Jones said on KRLD-FM. "There’s just no other way around it. You’ve got to get in games and let them play games and they get better right before your eyes.

"I’m glad, for not only where we are but for the future, that Doug has had this opportunity. As we look to our decisions in the offensive line, we know we’ve got a player in Doug Free."

 

[Vinnie2u]

One out of ten aint bad...

 

[CowboyWay]

So much for drafting LT in the first round next year.

 

[Cowboy from New York]

The big question will be can he play LEFT tackle.

 

[RS12]

I thought I noticed him playing the left side a few times this year. Thought one of those plays was MBIII TD run the other night.

 

[KingintheNorth]

"Free is a great example of young players and how they progress when they get to play," owner/general manager Jerry Jones said on KRLD-FM. "There’s just no other way around it. You’ve got to get in games and let them play games and they get better right before your eyes. "

Jason Williams and Michael Hamlin agree.

 

[NextGenBoys]

Good, lets have him start at LT next year. He's better against speed rushers anyway.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I thought I noticed him playing the left side a few times this year. Thought one of those plays was MBIII TD run the other night.

Think that's our unbalanced line look, though...

 

[dallascowboyfanboy]

One out of ten aint bad...

Erik Williams, Larry Allen, Mark Stepnoski, Flozell Adams were all drafted I think under Jerry.

 

[gimmesix]

The big question will be can he play LEFT tackle.

Should be better on the left side than the right because he'll face more speed rushers over there. The right tackle usually faces more of a power end than the left tackle.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

The big question will be can he play LEFT tackle.

no doubt in my mind

 

[T-RO]

I see an adequate player...maybe.

I can't envision Free being an above average lineman.

 

[Vinnie2u]

Erik Williams, Larry Allen, Mark Stepnoski, Flozell Adams were all drafted I think under Jerry.

I was talking about the last ten years... sorry

 

[gimmesix]

I see an adequate player...maybe.

I can't envision Free being an above average lineman.

He had a better game against the Saints than Flozell. Of course, that's not saying much.

Free has some work to do, but I don't know if we should be able to envision how he's going to turn out yet. He's a work in progress.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I see an adequate player...maybe.

I can't envision Free being an above average lineman.

then I question your football acumen

why can't Free succeed a LT?

dude has all the attributes

 

[Jon88]

Erik Williams, Larry Allen, Mark Stepnoski, Flozell Adams were all drafted I think under Jerry.

Stepnoski and Williams were drafted by Jimmy. Flozell and Allen fell right into our laps. The rest have sucked besides Gurode and Free. Not a good track recod.

 

[pgreptom]

Adequate? It's his first games ever as a NFL player. I see A LOT of potential.

I didn't want Adams resigned, and I surely don't know. I know we have Brewster too, is he going to stay a T? You still draft o-line heavy.. and definitely DE.

 

[gimmesix]

Adequate? It's his first games ever as a NFL player. I see A LOT of potential.

I didn't want Adams resigned, and I surely don't know. I know we have Brewster too, is he going to stay a T? You still draft o-line heavy.. and definitely DE.

I don't know if the long-term plan is for Brewster to stay as tackle. Dallas started him out there to not overload him, but he seems to be built more for guard.

It will be interesting to see where Dallas puts him next preseason, although it's likely to depend on what linemen the Cowboys draft. Holland and Preston will be free agents, so we'll need some interior backups (although we've also got Travis Bright on the PS).

 

[Yakuza Rich]

then I question your football acumen

why can't Free succeed a LT?

dude has all the attributes

It's the fans' tendency to be negative and second guessing everything. Free has been far better than Flozell this year.

The Skins and G-Men threw the kitchen sink at him. He outplayed Tuck, who is the G-Men's best defensive player by far (and probably their best player). And RT was the position they were concerned about since power moves were Free's biggest weakness.

But there are people who really don't want to believe that.

What Dallas needs to do is draft a center and a guard this year, hopefully get at least 2 years out of Colombo and that Brewster is a solid talent so he can be ready to take over in 2012. Gurode is a bit frustrating to watch, but can still go. However, we need somebody in case he gets injured as we can't afford to have Corey Procter starting. We'll need a big center as well so teams can't penetrate the middle and force Romo to throw over defenders.





YAKUZA

 

[kmd24]

I thought I noticed him playing the left side a few times this year. Thought one of those plays was MBIII TD run the other night.

It's not really LT on those plays, it's unbalanced line, so Adams and Kosier were lined up inside of Free.