Free Agents projections

[RackofRibs]

Everyone needs to stop talking about signing spencer back. He's done. I'd only be ok with the cowboys offering him or selvie the vet minimum. Everyone keeps talking about the big names like Hardy (He'll be a panther) or Suh but realistically neither will be a cowboy. The one UFA I want them to bring in and sign is Brandon Graham of the Eagles to play LDE. He's gotten better every year racking up pressures, sacks and FF all while being Trent Coles backup. A lot of people seem to think he's playing out of position in philly and would be better as a DE in a 4-3 defense too.

Will McClay, bring him in! pls

 

[Idgit]

Talkin Cowboys from Mickey. Free came into the locker room one day and Freddo was surrounded by the media. Free stood there glaring arms folded, and finally walked away.

Freddo met with the media every Weds at least.

Real leaders don't hide.

Just for the record, I heard that story, too (but I thought it was Steve Dennis telling it), but had a very different interoperation of it. The way I remember it, Frederick didn't realize there was a moratorium on talking to the press, and Free was the veteran leader there expressing his non-verbal displeasure. The context was that Free was the heart of this current OL in some important ways. The fact that Frederick is now the vocal leader of that group was then a testament to how Frederick has earned his stripes, too, in the position group and evidence of the fact that it's a close-knit group of guys who respect each other for what each brings to the table. I don't remember any suggestion that the young players were disrespecting the veterans in any way--which makes more sense to me, too, when you see how that unit gets along.

 

[Idgit]

Side note: if we can't upgrade Tyler Clutts' roster spot after two seasons, well, something is wrong. Give me a guy in the 6th round or below who's a moderate threat to catch a football now and then and who can block DBs in space hard enough that they stay hit and let's call it a day.

 

[The Realist]

Just for the record, I heard that story, too (but I thought it was Steve Dennis telling it), but had a very different interoperation of it. The way I remember it, Frederick didn't realize there was a moratorium on talking to the press, and Free was the veteran leader their expressing his non-verbal displeasure. The context was that Free was the heart of this current OL in some important ways. The fact that Frederick is now the vocal leader of that group was then a testament to how Frederick has earned his stripes, too, in the position group and evidence of the fact that it's a close-knit group of guys who respect each other for what each brings to the table. I don't remember any suggestion that the young players were disrespecting the veterans in any way--which makes more sense to me, too, when you see how that unit gets along.

Whatever the case may be, I think it's safe to assume at some point Fred/Mart learned of this no media rule and chose not to adhere.

If they ain't followin, you ain't leadin.

 

[Idgit]

Whatever the case may be, I think it's safe to assume at some point Fred/Mart learned of this no media rule and chose not to adhere.

If they ain't followin, you ain't leadin.

I'm not so sure. It might be that Free was enforcing the standing rule on principle, but that the position group as a whole decided to change it afterward--for whatever reason. The point of that story, I think, was that he *was* a leader of that unit rather than that he was not.

And for Frederick's part, he always says Doug Free is the veteran leader and heart of that OL group when he's asked that question. He's the vocal one. Leary is the enforcer. Zack Martin is the rookie whiz-kid. Tyron Smith is the athlete and the anchor of the unit as the LT.

 

[The Realist]

I'm not so sure. It might be that Free was enforcing the standing rule on principle, but that the position group as a whole decided to change it afterward--for whatever reason. The point of that story, I think, was that he *was* a leader of that unit rather than that he was not.

And for Frederick's part, he always says Doug Free is the veteran leader and heart of that OL group when he's asked that question. He's the vocal one. Leary is the enforcer. Zack Martin is the rookie whiz-kid. Tyron Smith is the athlete and the anchor of the unit as the LT.

It's hard for the position group as a whole to decide something "after" when Frederick had already made his decision. How could Free have issue with something Frederick supposedly didn't know.

Whether it was Mickey or Steve I recall it being said that when you looked for a leader at Wisconsin or Notre Dame you went to our 2 interior OL.

As a matter of courtesy they have to refer Free as the leader based on age and experience, but he isn't.

 

[Idgit]

It's hard for the position group as a whole to decide something "after" when Frederick had already made his decision. How could Free have issue with something Frederick supposedly didn't know.

Whether it was Mickey or Steve I recall it being said that when you looked for a leader at Wisconsin or Notre Dame you went to our 2 interior OL.

As a matter of courtesy they have to refer Free as the leader based on age and experience, but he isn't.

Well, I'm just relating my own recollection from that conversation. I think the story was more that Frederick was a rookie who didn't understand the code, whereas now he's the vocal leader of the unit. I didn't (and don't) think that story was intended to be any slight to Doug Free.

 

[Brooksey]

So stop Hitchens growth? Hitchens IMO was playing better then McClain at the end of the yr. I like McClain and i love Carter. But i think Hitchens will be starting in 2015. And one guy it be Carter or mcClain will not be a cowboy because of that. Im willing to be if they have to choose between the two its McClain who isnt brought back.

So who's going to start when Lee, Carter or McClain goes down? It's Hitchens for McClain and Lee and Wilbur for Carter. Hitchens is our 4th starter and will see significant time. Hitchens was playing better then a hurt McClain, a mentally challenged McClain. A concussion, flue and house fire can do that to a guy. When healthy Rolando is the one of the best LB's in football. I saw it this year, we will be bringing him and Carter back, IMO.

 

[LatinMind]

He was a practice squad/developmental guy for two years, then had two years with a grand total of two starts. In reality this is his third year in the league. If you applied this standard to Ron Leary, he was horrible coming into the 2013 season because he was a practice squad player the year before.

I still think the team resigns Parnell and lets Free walk, it will be funny to see the reaction here if that happens.

He was gven a chance to overtake Free in 2012 you know the yr Free was horrible. And even after being that horrible, he still couldnt take his job. Leary was horrible coming into 2013? His Rookie yr was 2012 which he was inactive every week. 2013 he got the start and never looked back. People just need to get over the fact that Parnell will never be better then Free.

 

[LatinMind]

So who's going to start when Lee, Carter or McClain goes down? It's Hitchens for McClain and Lee and Wilbur for Carter. Hitchens is our 4th starter and will see significant time. Hitchens was playing better then a hurt McClain, a mentally challenged McClain. A concussion, flue and house fire can do that to a guy. When healthy Rolando is the one of the best LB's in football. I saw it this year, we will be bringing him and Carter back, IMO.

Rolando is nowhere near the top LBers in football. He's decent but he just cant or wont play thru any injury.

 

[LatinMind]

I honestly wanted to listen to what the entire post said, but I was completely hung up on you calling Free the heart of the OL. Are you just trying to get a response, or do you really believe this? The Beard and Tyron can both take that title easily, and after next year Martin could be leader of this group. Leary brings attitude to this OL, and Free and Parnell play their roll well ... Saying he's the heart is a HUGE stretch...

Some of you it seems just dont listen to players on this team when they talk to media. Those that do know what i mean by the heart of the OL. All the OL look up to Free and see him as a mentor. They've all said this. They call him the guy that holds it all together.

 

[xwalker]

Sacks picked up and the running game slowed down without him.

Think we are seeing the best of Parnell. The guy has been in the NFL for 5 seasons. He isnt getting any better then what you see now. He will be 29 when the season starts. People on this forum act like the guy is like 24/25 yrs old. Hes no spring chicken.

Wilber is not a FA. I dont think Dallas will offer Carter enough and McClain is turning out to be just a mystery. This is nothing new for him either. Its these kinds of things that got him shipped out of Oakland. Its like he was the only one all yr who couldnt or wouldnt play thru a injury. I think he finished maybe 5 games all yr.

Omitting the game that Romo was out:
Rushing Yards when Parnell started: 157/game (4.94 avg)
Rushing Yards when Free started: 148/game (4.58 avg)


Team Sacks (Regular Season):
Parnell starting:
9 in 5 games Parnell
1.8 sacks per game

Free starting:
21 in 11 games
1.9 sacks per game

 

[xwalker]

Some of you it seems just dont listen to players on this team when they talk to media. Those that do know what i mean by the heart of the OL. All the OL look up to Free and see him as a mentor. They've all said this. They call him the guy that holds it all together.

I listen to the Cowboys Flagship station throughout the day, everyday. They get the majority of player interviews and even had a weekly show with Fred.

Yes Fred, Martin and Parnell have said that Free was their mentor.

No, they didn't say that Free "holds it all together".

I never heard Tyron or Leary make any reference to Free in regards to being a Mentor.

 

[Nightman]

Omitting the game that Romo was out:
Rushing Yards when Parnell started: 157/game (4.94 avg)
Rushing Yards when Free started: 148/game (4.58 avg)


Team Sacks (Regular Season):
Parnell starting:
9 in 5 games Parnell
1.8 sacks per game

Free starting:
21 in 11 games
1.9 sacks per game

Both guys have underwhelmed, but they know the system. That is why they should sign whoever is cheaper out the 2, resign Weems who is a ERFA for 600K and draft a potential replacement/ backup.

 

[Nightman]

Everyone needs to stop talking about signing spencer back. He's done. I'd only be ok with the cowboys offering him or selvie the vet minimum. Everyone keeps talking about the big names like Hardy (He'll be a panther) or Suh but realistically neither will be a cowboy. The one UFA I want them to bring in and sign is Brandon Graham of the Eagles to play LDE. He's gotten better every year racking up pressures, sacks and FF all while being Trent Coles backup. A lot of people seem to think he's playing out of position in philly and would be better as a DE in a 4-3 defense too.

Will McClay, bring him in! pls

I didn't see Spencer as 'done' at all at the end of the season. He looked like he was getting better as the year went on. No one wants to give him big money, but we need some depth at SDE and he can handle the run pretty well.

 

[xwalker]

Both guys have underwhelmed, but they know the system. That is why they should sign whoever is cheaper out the 2, resign Weems who is a ERFA for 600K and draft a potential replacement/ backup.

They didn't underwhelm, IMO. I thought both were middle of the pack NFL starters. Both played above the level of almost all rookie OTs in any year, including the ones drafted very high.

Yes, they have to re-sign one of them. I think Weems is in the lead to become the backup, but he has to prove something in training camp. Tony Hills is a free agent and I wouldn't want to see him in a game, but he was the top backup in the 7 games that Parnell started this season. They might want to re-sign him to bring to training camp just in case Weems or somebody else does not win the job.

 

[Nightman]

They didn't underwhelm, IMO. I thought both were middle of the pack NFL starters. Both played above the level of almost all rookie OTs in any year, including the ones drafted very high.

Yes, they have to re-sign one of them. I think Weems is in the lead to become the backup, but he has to prove something in training camp. Tony Hills is a free agent and I wouldn't want to see him in a game, but he was the top backup in the 7 games that Parnell started this season. They might want to re-sign him to bring to training camp just in case Weems or somebody else does not win the job.

I'm talking more in comparison to the rest of the OL, but both Free and Parnell have been given a chance to lock down the job and have failed to do so. Like I said, I would take either one back as the starter, but not for a lot of money.

 

[Kaiser]

Yes Fred, Martin and Parnell have said that Free was their mentor.

I'm sure Free is the leader of the group but the other four starters are 23, 24 or 25 years old while Free is 31 with 8 years of NFL experience. By all account Free is a good guy and good leader, but some of that has to be simple age and experience.

 

[Kaiser]

He was gven a chance to overtake Free in 2012 you know the yr Free was horrible. And even after being that horrible, he still couldnt take his job. Leary was horrible coming into 2013? His Rookie yr was 2012 which he was inactive every week. 2013 he got the start and never looked back. People just need to get over the fact that Parnell will never be better then Free.

This topic is tiresome. 2012 was the equivalent of Parnell's rookie season and Free was a five year veteran at that point. What you are counting as Parnell's first two years in the league were NFL teams taking a 270 lb power forward from basketball that didn't play College OR High School Football, bulking him up in the weight room and explaining which end of the football was pointy and which was smooth.

Your Petcatification of Free doesn't mean Parnell is "horrible". And for your comments on Leary, you need to reread the thread.

 

[Kaiser]

I'm talking more in comparison to the rest of the OL, but both Free and Parnell have been given a chance to lock down the job and have failed to do so. Like I said, I would take either one back as the starter, but not for a lot of money.

I have a different take. Free is the better play and did "lock down the job" but he was injured for 40% of this year's starts. Parnell isn't as good a player overall (but is probably slightly better is run blocking) but he has more upside, is cheaper and showed improvement as the year went on. I agree with the comments here that OLineman have to learn by playing, and with only two starts coming into this season - Parnell had a lot of learning to do.