Flozell Adams vs. Doug Free

[MichaelWinicki]

There's no way Colombo is a LT. He would be a giant liability. He's the prototype RT who has 2-3 years left. Free is more suited to play LT. He's much more athletic and has more upside.

Correct.

Colombo isn't mobile enough for LT.

 

[TheSport78]

Correct.

Colombo isn't mobile enough for LT.

No doubt. Our best case scenario is that Free steps in at LT next season, Colombo steps back in at RT next year while grooming Brewster to take over for Colombo in 2011. I would still spend a high draft pick on a OL prospect who can play guard and tackle. Anthony Davis anyone? I would love this OL:

Doug Free, Anthony Davis, Andre Gurode, Leonard Davis, Robert Brewster

 

[Bigdog]

No doubt. Our best case scenario is that Free steps in at LT next season, Colombo steps back in at RT next year while grooming Brewster to take over for Colombo in 2011. I would still spend a high draft pick on a OL prospect who can play guard and tackle. Anthony Davis anyone? I would love this OL:

Doug Free, Anthony Davis, Andre Gurode, Leonard Davis, Robert Brewster

me too but Anthony Davis might be playing his way out of our reach at 32.

 

[poost]

me too but Anthony Davis might be playing his way out of our reach at 32.

I see what you did there.

 

[TheSport78]

me too but Anthony Davis might be playing his way out of our reach at 32.

Haha in that case I HOPE we can't get him....at #32

 

[MichaelWinicki]

No doubt. Our best case scenario is that Free steps in at LT next season, Colombo steps back in at RT next year while grooming Brewster to take over for Colombo in 2011. I would still spend a high draft pick on a OL prospect who can play guard and tackle. Anthony Davis anyone? I would love this OL:

Doug Free, Anthony Davis, Andre Gurode, Leonard Davis, Robert Brewster

I'm more concerned about the age/depth thing for the Oline than I am anywhere else on the team.

I think Jerrah has the same concerns.

This is the first year in a long time where we'll see an olineman grapped in the first round. And there could be another drafted before the end of round 3.

 

[Eddie]

I'm ready for new blood at LT. Thanx for the memories Flo. But time to go.

 

[T-RO]

I see it as an issue of bodies. We've got 6 NFL caliber lineman as it stands now.

You don't under any circumstances want to subtract one.

 

[zrinkill]

Robert Brewster may have a thing or two to say about this position.

 

[eightysiX]

Robert Brewster may have a thing or two to say about this position.

i hope he does. I also agree that Free is the "Textbook" LT, but i just dont think he will be of the elite ones. It would really be nice to do what we have to do to get a top notch LT. I could only imagine how much of a vast improvement this team could be with a consistent oline.

 

[gimmesix]

I was thinking about his size and strength, but I really don't know their ability to play both sides. Apparently, according to theogt, Free plays LT and RT, so we shall see.

By the way, I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

I think Colombo is too limited in athletic ability to play left tackle. He's a big, strong mauler who might have too much trouble with the quick ends he'd face. Colombo succeeds by beating up on the ends he faces, so he's better off if they can't run around him. He's got great technique that helps him make up for his athletic deficiences, but is better off at right tackle.

The reason many believe Free would make a better left tackle is his strength is his speed. He has quick feet to match up with speed rushers while lacking the overall strength to handle the power he faces at right tackle as well.

Putting your faster guy at left tackle and your stronger guy at right is usually the way to go because most teams put their speed end on the "weak side" of the line away from where the tight end usually lines up.

 

[big dog cowboy]

This is the first year in a long time where we'll see an olineman grapped in the first round. And there could be another drafted before the end of round 3.

ray:

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I see it as an issue of bodies. We've got 6 NFL caliber lineman as it stands now.

You don't under any circumstances want to subtract one.

Sure you do.

Guys get old & feeble.

Look at the Commanders and their tackle situation. They let two guys get old and injury prone without transitioning them off of the team.

Flozell is at the end of the line. Given his salary he's not someone you can put on the bench (next season).

His roster spot is in serious jeopardy. A high-round draft pick next season will dislodge him.

But again, I wouldn't be surprised to hear him announce his retirement this offseason.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

ray:

Look at it this way...

What positions WON'T be considered as ones that merit 1st round consideration come April:

QB
RB
TE
FB
WR (Jerrah has already said that no 1st round receivers)
C
G (you don't draft pure guards or centers in the 1st round unless they're "All World")
K (just joking )
NT
OLB
CB
P

What's left?

OT
DE
Safety
ILB

DE is a possibility depending on what happens with Spears.

Safety? I don't think Hamlin gets released. Sensy gets resigned and there's Hamlin waiting in the wings.

ILB? Nah.

I see OT or DE.

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

I don't understand the people saying they don't think Free would be good at LT. This is what everybody has said about him "He has quick feet and good athleticism, but strong guys can bull rush him." If that is the only knock, then LT will be perfect, because RDEs are almost exclusively speed guys and since his quick feet are his strength he should be able to handle them without having to worry about big LDEs pushing him around.

I personally think he'll be able to play LT and do fine. He can't be any worse than Flozell at this point. Flozell has been plain bad this year. Every hold is nearly as bad as giving up a sack, and he's done his share of both this year.

 

[Pabst]

I may be a little late to the party here, but since next year is, as of right now, an uncapped year, the Cowboys could cut him with no consequences. Excluding the money he made from his signing bonus, of course.

Now, if the league gets a new CBA done, that all changes, depending on its language. Personally, I don't see it happening based on the work, or lack thereof, that has been done so far.

I don't know that I would miss Flo either. While he is certainly a talented player, you can tell that Father time has caught up to him; he no longer has the quick feet to deal with quick outside rushers. I almost wonder if he could slide inside to guard. Furthermore, I've been wondering lately just how much yardage Flo has cost the team in penalties over the years. I'm not going to do the math on it, but if someone wants a challenge, go for it.

 

[jamesdojr]

Free is a better LT than a RT. He's much more athletic than he is strong. LTs usually handle the fast ends. RTs usually handle the strong ends. I would have no qualms putting Free in at LT and giving him a shot. He's done a good job at RT. If Free can get motivated and get a lot stronger this offseason, this guy could potentially be a beast at LT. Dallas could really be in an outstanding situation at LT. I'm real excited about this guy. Only 25 years old too.

______________________________

The thing is you're flying under the assumption that Free is suited to play LT as well as he is RT. I love Free, but I don't think this is the case. If anything, I'd say Columbo would be a LT candidate.

 

[jobberone]

Absolutely correct.

His lack of strength hurts him more as a RT.

That's the rumor. He is obviously a swing tackle right now subbing at RT. He will likely inherit the LT position when Flozell leaves us.

Right now Flo is the best LT on the team. Everybody who thinks otherwise isn't paying attention. And he's much better than serviceable at LT. He actually plays at a high level. There haven't ever been that many LTs who play virtually mistake free. The expectations at LT are unreasonable for the few vocal minority here.

 

[fan62]

Remember too- Romo has taken a beating for the last three years, and he is not getting any younger. At some point, he is going to lose some of that mobility. I think our line is too old and too slow to keep Romo healthy in the next few years. We need to start getting some younger OL.

Guess who graded out best on the OL against the Saints? It was Doug Free.

I hope we do draft or somehow acquire some younger OL, in the off season. I feel this is where we need to upgrade the most next year.

 

[TheSport78]

Remember too- Romo has taken a beating for the last three years, and he is not getting any younger. At some point, he is going to lose some of that mobility. I think our line is too old and too slow to keep Romo healthy in the next few years. We need to start getting some younger OL.

Guess who graded out best on the OL against the Saints? It was Doug Free.

I hope we do draft or somehow acquire some younger OL, in the off season. I feel this is where we need to upgrade the most next year.

I think we could get a couple more solid years out of Gurode and Davis. Colombo is a hit or miss right now because we really don't know how he's going to play coming back from the injuries. Flozell will probably be released in the offseason. Kosier is solid for us but we should draft an OT/OG prospect who can eventually take over for Kosier.