Well Free is responsible for more than 75% of Dak's fumbles and close to 40% of Dak's turnovers.
I would certainly rather try a new person - and I remember Cleary at least looking decent in 1 game.
I have not watched a game and not thought Free was going to cause a problem in 2016.
I've stated my preference several times in other threads for keeping Leary, cutting Free and letting Collins and Green compete to play tackle, but it just isn't going to happen.
The Cowboys front office likes Free. The fact that despite his flaws we have arguably the best line in the league gives them no incentive to make a change. However, this is the last year of Free's contract and he will be 34 in 2018, so maybe the team will seek a young replacement then. (Green showed signs of being able to do it but has yet to prove that he can stay healthy.)
All the handwringing over Free is just wasted effort at this point. That's why I prefer to concentrate on areas where the team either has to do something (cornerback, receiver) or where the team definitely needs to do something because it has to be a priority (defensive end).
The primary reason I entered this thread was to dispute Free being responsible for Romo's injuries, because that just isn't true. It also isn't true that he's responsible for a majority of Dak's fumbles. He's a so-so lineman that the Cowboys seem to be satisfied with as a starter.
