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

[67CowboysFan]

"There have been a lot of questions about how Doug Free has played at right tackle, replacing the injured Marc Colombo now for the past five games. Well, when Wade Phillips was asked that question out at The Ranch after Wednesday’s practice, the Cowboys head coach said, “Free graded out the best of all the offensive linemen in the last game.” Can tell you this, if not for Free, Tony Romo never would have hit Miles Austin on that 49-yard touchdown pass the first drive of the New Orleans game. The Cowboys came up with a new wrinkle, lining up Free to the left as if the third tight end, next to Flozell Adams, with Jason Witten actually lining up right, next to Leonard Davis. And when the Saints got pressure on Romo, it was Free peeling back to knock off the guy so Romo could get off the pass. If he hadn’t, Romo would have been sacked for sure."

http://www.ktbb.com/cowboys/2009/12/23/mick-shots-down-the-stretch-run-they-go/

 

[dmq]

"There have been a lot of questions about how Doug Free has played at right tackle, replacing the injured Marc Colombo now for the past five games. Well, when Wade Phillips was asked that question out at The Ranch after Wednesday’s practice, the Cowboys head coach said, “Free graded out the best of all the offensive linemen in the last game.” Can tell you this, if not for Free, Tony Romo never would have hit Miles Austin on that 49-yard touchdown pass the first drive of the New Orleans game. The Cowboys came up with a new wrinkle, lining up Free to the left as if the third tight end, next to Flozell Adams, with Jason Witten actually lining up right, next to Leonard Davis. And when the Saints got pressure on Romo, it was Free peeling back to knock off the guy so Romo could get off the pass. If he hadn’t, Romo would have been sacked for sure."

http://www.ktbb.com/cowboys/2009/12/23/mick-shots-down-the-stretch-run-they-go/

Very impressive. Maybe Columbo will stay at RT and LT will be Free's next season. Initially we heard some very good things about Free during TC, but didn't Nate Newton trash him and our other backup Offensive Linemen later on during camp? Either way, I never hear Free's name mentioned during the game. So, I know he is doing a great job.

 

[Eskimo]

It is good to see that the coaches have taken note of how well Free has been playing. Hopefully that means they have the confidence to move him over to LT next year and kick Flo out the door (preferably traded for a mid-round pick as LTs are always in demand).

This will free us having to trade up in the draft as LT prospects often go off the draft board in the top 15 picks which probably would have meant our 1st and 2nd rounders to get at OT who would probably have to be groomed for at least a year anyways - another year of Romo being battered by Flo's man and another year of drive killing penalties.

I would really like us to try and draft a really good young Center with out first round pick and move Gurode back to Guard. I think he would thrive back there and he wouldn't have to make the line calls, or worry about making shotgun snaps. I think he has matured to the point where his concentration is better and he has the power and the ability to get out on LBs. He is a good enough athlete to pull. He has the power to hold the point of attack.

This then let's us move Bigg to his most natural position - RT. I think he goes to several Pro Bowls at that position if given the chance. If you drew a picture of the prototypical RT, he is probably what you would come up with. I think he struggles getting his pad level low enough going against shorter DTs who can get under him in short yardage situations - something he doesn't have to worry about as much at RT. He also won't face as many speed rushers out there and can get more consistent help from TEs in pass protection. It is also a bit of a myth that he struggled in pass protection at LT - he was not any worse than Flo was at the same time - Adam has sacks allowed numbers to back this up and Flo was pretty good about four years ago

I'm still pushing for a revamped OL next year:

Free Kosier FA/rookie Gurode Bigg

Now that could be a great powerful, athletic OL.

 

[Nirvana]

It is good to see that the coaches have taken note of how well Free has been playing. Hopefully that means they have the confidence to move him over to LT next year and kick Flo out the door (preferably traded for a mid-round pick as LTs are always in demand).

This will free us having to trade up in the draft as LT prospects often go off the draft board in the top 15 picks which probably would have meant our 1st and 2nd rounders to get at OT who would probably have to be groomed for at least a year anyways - another year of Romo being battered by Flo's man and another year of drive killing penalties.

I would really like us to try and draft a really good young Center with out first round pick and move Gurode back to Guard. I think he would thrive back there and he wouldn't have to make the line calls, or worry about making shotgun snaps. I think he has matured to the point where his concentration is better and he has the power and the ability to get out on LBs. He is a good enough athlete to pull. He has the power to hold the point of attack.

This then let's us move Bigg to his most natural position - RT. I think he goes to several Pro Bowls at that position if given the chance. If you drew a picture of the prototypical RT, he is probably what you would come up with. I think he struggles getting his pad level low enough going against shorter DTs who can get under him in short yardage situations - something he doesn't have to worry about as much at RT. He also won't face as many speed rushers out there and can get more consistent help from TEs in pass protection. It is also a bit of a myth that he struggled in pass protection at LT - he was not any worse than Flo was at the same time - Adam has sacks allowed numbers to back this up and Flo was pretty good about four years ago

I'm still pushing for a revamped OL next year:

Free Kosier FA/rookie Gurode Bigg

Now that could be a great powerful, athletic OL.

I like Free replacing Flo, but why drop Colombo?

Gurode has been consistent at center. When was the last bad snap?

Free - Kosier - Gurode - Bigg - Colombo works for me.

 

[Eskimo]

I like Free replacing Flo, but why drop Colombo?

Gurode has been consistent at center. When was the last bad snap?

Free - Kosier - Gurode - Bigg - Colombo works for me.

That could be okay but:

1. I think Gurode struggles a bit with line calls and snaps. OTOH, his strength is in blocking the player right in front of him and not necessarily in firing out on LBs in the second level. He has the ideal power and lateral movement that you want at guard. I know he had trouble there before but he is mature now and from the lessons he has learned at center, I think he would be a dynamite guard again, too. He is a pretty good center, so it isn't a huge biggie to leave him here.

2. Columbo takes a lot of penalties, isn't very athletic and isn't a great pass protector. I guess I'm just not a huge fan when I think there is a better in-house solution in Bigg. Why not make this position stronger? Then Columbo can probably be traded.

3. I'd really like a guy in Bigg's guard spot who is better at pulling and hitting moving targets at the second level as Bigg just whiffs too much doing this. Sure he is great at drive blocking once he latches onto a guy but I think he is a bit tall for some of the things you want a guard to do.

4. I think with Romo being a shorter QB, you are almost making his vision down the field compromised by having Bigg blocking right in front of him. It isn't as big a deal at the tackle spot having the extra height/width

Your idea is not unreasonable as it does get rid of the weakest link (Flo) and makes the least other changes. I think more is fundamentally wrong than just Flo in the current lineup and think moving the pieces around a little bit and adding a great center will make the group more effective. One slightly less radical plan would be:

Free Kosier Gurode FA/rookie Bigg

I'd really like to dump Columbo and I'd really like to move Bigg to what I think is his natural position (it should have been Flo's natural position too but he was the best player we had all these years on OL).

 

[kiheikiwi]

If, and I say IF, the coach's think Free can be moved over this offseason - what do we think about taking the top guard Iupati with our 1st. pick. Don't like the idea of moving Gurode out of center. And pick up the center from Hawaii later in the draft, Estes ?

 

[BAT]

Has Kosier ever played Center? When he first came to the Cowboys he was lauded as a guy who could play anywhere on the line. If he could play Center and Tackle, he would be a great utility player, like John Gesek: very good starter at OG, but his talent was his ability to play any position on the OL in a pinch.

 

[Eskimo]

Has Kosier ever played Center? When he first came to the Cowboys he was lauded as a guy who could play anywhere on the line. If he could play Center and Tackle, he would be a great utility player, like John Gesek: very good starter at OG, but his talent was his ability to play any position on the OL in a pinch.

I think Kosier can play anywhere but Center - maybe he could play there in a pinch but I don't think it is his position of choice.

 

[Eskimo]

If, and I say IF, the coach's think Free can be moved over this offseason - what do we think about taking the top guard Iupati with our 1st. pick. Don't like the idea of moving Gurode out of center. And pick up the center from Hawaii later in the draft, Estes ?

I'd be happy with adding a good guard to the mix as I don't think Bigg really belongs there and handcuffs alot of things we would like to do because of his troubles making blocks in space (running at high speeds).

I don't know enough about college football to comment on specific players. I do think Houck is good at this and should be used here. He has tons of experience and has coached probably more than 15 Pro Bowlers.

 

[BAT]

I think Kosier can play anywhere but Center - maybe he could play there in a pinch but I don't think it is his position of choice.

That's too bad. Isn't he the one who supposed to be helping Gurode w/the line calls? If so, then he has all the mental aspects of the position down. Its only the technical stuff (hiking/punching one handed) he has to master.

 

[ZeroClub]

I've been on the "free Free"" bandwagon since training camp.

Looks like he's going to be an important part of this team's future.

 

[Eskimo]

I've been on the "free Free"" bandwagon since training camp.

Looks like he's going to be an important part of this team's future.

He looks like our future at LT - we've really lucked out because it is hard to find big guys, with long arms and good footwork. Some guys who seem to have all of the tools have been horrible failures in the NFL.

Speaking of failures, it is a shame Jacob Rogers was such a bust with his shoulder and knee problems. He was a prototypical LT with amazing feet. I remember watching him and thinking he was something special. It's a darn shame about his lack of durability. This was a classic Parcells mistake as all of the scouts warned him about his issues - bad shoulders - but Parcells wouldn't listen because he was a "son of a coach".

 

[BAT]

He looks like our future at LT - we've really lucked out because it is hard to find big guys, with long arms and good footwork. Some guys who seem to have all of the tools have been horrible failures in the NFL.

Speaking of failures, it is a shame Jacob Rogers was such a bust with his shoulder and knee problems. He was a prototypical LT with amazing feet. I remember watching him and thinking he was something special. It's a darn shame about his lack of durability. This was a classic Parcells mistake as all of the scouts warned him about his issues - bad shoulders - but Parcells wouldn't listen because he was a "son of a coach".

There was also a LOT of talk about Jacobs being soft. Almost the same kind of stuff that was said about Carpenter.

 

[Eskimo]

There was also a LOT of talk about Jacobs being soft. Almost the same kind of stuff that was said about Carpenter.

I think the issues with Rogers and Carpenter are different.

I've said it before but I think Rogers had weak cartilage and connective tissue which isn't conducive to playing in the NFL and it is amazing he made it as far as he did. I don't think it is so much that he was "soft" as that he was born injury prone.

Barber just is exceptionally unphysical for a LB. He is definitely "soft".

 

[BAT]

I think the issues with Rogers and Carpenter are different.

I've said it before but I think Rogers had weak cartilage and connective tissue which isn't conducive to playing in the NFL and it is amazing he made it as far as he did. I don't think it is so much that he was "soft" as that he was born injury prone.

Barber just is exceptionally unphysical for a LB. He is definitely "soft".

Jacobs was definitely injury prone, but was still characterized as soft. Which I found surprising b/c he played w/injuries a lot. But he was considered soft b/c of his play (ie Barbie), especially against the run or against power rushers. He was technically proficient and a decent athlete but was not physical or strong enough. Many scouts warned about his lack of power and physicality and upside, even though it was an extremely weak draft (2004) for left tackles, Rogers still slid to the 2nd round (was considered second only to Gallery, who was a top 10 pick).

 

[Randy White]

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.

So Jimmah Jenius is a prophet for " finding " Step and Big E, but the Jerrahtor is just lucky that Flo and Larry " fell " to our laps..

Huh, would you mind telling me who " the prophet " drafted when he was in charge of the Dullphins that made ANY difference on the offensive line ?

 

[Randy White]

I don't see Free as a LT, he's better suited for the RT position.

The opposite. He gets overpowered at the RT position from time to time, but he's shown excellent quickness in pass blocking. That's the key for a LT.

 

[Rudy]

Oh, so this is why we played choice, austin, ogletree, and our other young talent right? Oh no, we just let them rot on the bench for years.

Jerry's a hack.

 

[Zaxor]

I think he will make a better LT than RT.

 

[Sarge]

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.

Yep - it's too early to tell exactly what type of player he is going to be, but thus far, he's been a pleasant surprise.