Free Agents projections

[Nightman]

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.

We are still talking about our 5th best OLman. Just pick one and move on. Too much time here has been wasted trying to build up and tear down Free and Parnell. Both are serviceable and with Martin locked in next to them, they don't have to be great. If the opputunity comes up in the draft, then try to draft a replacement.

 

[xwalker]

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 disagree about locking down a job. They were both good when they played. Obviously, you can't have an All-Pro at all positions, but they were probably above average in comparison to all NFL players that started games at RT this season.

 

[xwalker]

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.

DeMarcus Lawrence said on Brad Sham's weekly even radio show that they call Jermey Parnell the enforcer.

 

[Nightman]

I disagree about locking down a job. They were both good when they played. Obviously, you can't have an All-Pro at all positions, but they were probably above average in comparison to all NFL players that started games at RT this season.

Thats the problem though, there is an All Pro at every other position on the OL(almost).

 

[coult44]

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.

Thwy will most likely have to call him in NY, Minny, or San Diego next year...

 

[AdamJT13]

Notice we almost never ran right?

We ran behind the right tackle the second most times in the league, at the second-highest rate in the league (percentage of all runs), and had the fourth-highest YPC and third-highest ALY when running behind the right tackle.

 

[Nightman]

We ran behind the right tackle the second most times in the league, at the second-highest rate in the league (percentage of all runs), and had the fourth-highest YPC and third-highest ALY when running behind the right tackle.

Martin was a much bigger factor in the success of the run game then any improvement from Free.

I just think Free is very average and replaceable.

 

[Cebrin]

We ran behind the right tackle the second most times in the league, at the second-highest rate in the league (percentage of all runs), and had the fourth-highest YPC and third-highest ALY when running behind the right tackle.

You missed the rest of the conversation that this pertained too.

 

[AdamJT13]

You missed the rest of the conversation that this pertained too.

In the two playoff games, we ran 19 times to the right (5.47 YPC), 18 times to the left (4.67 YPC) and 10 times up the middle (3.20 YPC).

 

[Cebrin]

In the two playoff games, we ran 19 times to the right (5.47 YPC), 18 times to the left (4.67 YPC) and 10 times up the middle (3.20 YPC).

That's suprising. Was it 100% by design or was it Murray breaking right after the hole collapses? Also, what's the game to game ratio? Where do you get these stats?

 

[Alexander]

Would like to see up improve the punter position.... Seem to recall there was some competition in camp but we kept Jones

This is important. I am not saying draft a player, but at least make him a little nervous with a quality undrafted free agent signing.

 

[Alexander]

At training camp we had Cody Mandel a rookie from Alabama. He punted very well during preseason, but for some reason they kept Jones. Maybe he was a much better holder for Bailey.

That was a factor, but it was not like Mandell went anywhere else and did much.

There are little things that ST coaches look for and perhaps he did not have it.

But you have a strong point, I think they do not want to mess with the holder relationship.

 

[AdamJT13]

That's suprising. Was it 100% by design or was it Murray breaking right after the hole collapses? Also, what's the game to game ratio? Where do you get these stats?

http://www.pro-football-reference.com

They just use what the NFL has on the play-by-play. How directional runs get recorded are up to the official statistician at the stadium. I'm sure the method for doing so varies from one stadium to another, sort of like how things such as tackles, assists and passes defended vary widely from one stadium to another.

 

[Alexander]

SMH. The guy was a basketball player. The only tackle he's played is what the Cowboys have taught him.

And that makes you want to hand over the right tackle spot uncontested?

I hate to point out the obvious, but Zach Martin built his All Pro rep out of playing alongside Doug Free.

As soon as Parnell came on, he looked worse.

 

[Cebrin]

http://www.pro-football-reference.com

They just use what the NFL has on the play-by-play. How directional runs get recorded are up to the official statistician at the stadium. I'm sure the method for doing so varies from one stadium to another, sort of like how things such as tackles, assists and passes defended vary widely from one stadium to another.

And what a 'catch' is. Thanks.

 

[Nightman]

And that makes you want to hand over the right tackle spot uncontested?

I hate to point out the obvious, but Zach Martin built his All Pro rep out of playing alongside Doug Free.

As soon as Parnell came on, he looked worse.

Most rookies hit the wall around Week 12. Playing against Suh will make a lot of OGs look bad.

 

[Nation]

Calling Free the Heart of the OL is preposterous. He is easily the worst lineman we have. Sign whoever is cheaper between him and Parnell

The team calls Free the heart of the OL. I don't think anyone thinks Free is the best player on the line, but he is "the guy" emotionally of that positional group.

 

[RackofRibs]

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.

Yea, I'd be fine if he came back for depth only but not as a starter. They need to focus on signing a pass rusher before they try and workout a deal for either of them. Couple years ago they made signing Spencer a priority iirc and guys like Avril and Bennet were snatched up for much less

 

[ConstantReboot]

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.

Hitchens wasn't playing better than McClain. When McClain is in there runningbacks fall backwards. He changes the complexity of the defense. Although Hitchens was pretty good for a rookie, his impact wasn't strongly felt as McClain's.

 

[mahoneybill]

That was a factor, but it was not like Mandell went anywhere else and did much.

There are little things that ST coaches look for and perhaps he did not have it.

But you have a strong point, I think they do not want to mess with the holder relationship.

I think the holding part is 60 + % of the equation, that coupled with coverage on punts being 30 % and the remaining 10 being distance.