Free to stay at Guard

CrazyCowboy

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Cowboys keeping Doug Free at guard
by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com
Looks like the Cowboys will keep Doug Free at right guard, reports the Dallas Morning News. Free played the position for the first time in his career Saturday against Cincinnati.
Coach Jason Garrett told the paper that the Cowboys started thinking about moving Free from tackle to guard before training camp. “It was one of the things we considered and certainly one of the things we considered when we restructured Doug Free’s contract back in the spring,” Garrett said. “He has the traits to move inside. We thought that might be an option.”
 

Jwoo52

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I just don't know about this.. You move Free from LT to RT and he played horribly.. Now he had a year under his belt and showed signs of improvement.. Now the move him again.. Free is no Larry Allen.. Just saying
 

TheCount

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I think height is my main concern with Free, but Kyle Long is also just over 6'6". Should be interesting, gotta say I didn't think the team had the testicular fortitude to try something so out of the box. I kinda like it.

My main concern is not Free, however. It's Parnell.
 

Jwoo52

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I'm warming up to the idea.

I can to it just depends on who his replacement is.. Right now I don't see enough depth at the Tackles for this, but then again there is not really depth at the Guard spot either. So who knows how well this will work we will just have to wait and see.
 

Idgit

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I'm warming up to the idea.

Me, too. I didn't think he had the body to do it. I still don't like what it does to our OT depth, but maybe there's an option out there for that. It's easier to swallow given how frustrating the OG injuries have been. We've got three guys who just can't stay on the field there.
 

CowboyStar88

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I just don't know about this.. You move Free from LT to RT and he played horribly.. Now he had a year under his belt and showed signs of improvement.. Now the move him again.. Free is no Larry Allen.. Just saying

You are forgetting a huge part of the problem. He was having a hard time with BC scheme and was not either understanding the technique or didnt buy into it until towards the end of the season.
 

Jwoo52

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You are forgetting a huge part of the problem. He was having a hard time with BC scheme and was not either understanding the technique or didnt buy into it until towards the end of the season.

This is very true.. Either way I hope it will help us in the running game and keeping Romo off his butt so that he has time to hook up with the receivers so we can get those Red Zone scores we have lacked as of late.
 

MichaelWinicki

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Should be interesting, gotta say I didn't think the team had the testicular fortitude to try something so out of the box. I kinda like it.

That point needs to be emphasized... A LOT!

Moving Free to guard was a "Belichick" kinda move. Wade Phillips would never have considered anything like that.
 

5Stars

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This is getting very interesting. These Coaches are not fooling around, they are thinking. Looking for the right combination to the puzzle.

:D
 

cowboys1985

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I'm very cold on the idea. I can't see how Free at G and Parnell at RT is a better option than Free at RT and Mack at G. But what do I know?
 

Jwoo52

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That point needs to be emphasized... A LOT!

Moving Free to guard was a "Belichick" kinda move. Wade Phillips would never have considered anything like that.

I agree more balls could be something the Cowboys could use.. it seems like we play it safe so much. I would like to see our current staff make more moves of this kind. It could help us get more potential out of our player who are underperforming at their current positions.
 

Jwoo52

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I'm very cold on the idea. I can't see how Free at G and Parnell at RT is a better option than Free at RT and Mack at G. But what do I know?

I am with you on this thought I do not know how Parnell will do at RT.. With all the speed on the ends in the NFL these days this could prove to be a bad move.. But then again who knows..
 

Bullflop

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Color me skeptical . . . just when Free was performing up to snuff, we move him? We're pushing our luck again.
Seems to me we'd have learned by now to leave good enough alone. Maybe our galant leaders know something we don't, though. We'll see what they do to replace Free at tackle. I can't believe it'll ultimately be Parnell . . .
 

Echo9

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Me, too. I didn't think he had the body to do it. I still don't like what it does to our OT depth, but maybe there's an option out there for that. It's easier to swallow given how frustrating the OG injuries have been. We've got three guys who just can't stay on the field there.

I'm pretty surprised by the move if it's permanent. Not because I don't think he can play there, but because I don't trust Parnell and I don't see ANY back up tackles on the team. If Parnell is now our starting RT, them who is the swing?

On the lighter side, it shores up our Guard spot. I think Bern was capable, but has proven that he gets dinged way to easily. Apparently he missed practice today for one reason or another. So if we can't trust Bern to play every week, then we need another starter. With Livings all but gone, I guess Free is the guy.

Disclaimer: The Following is an unlikely conspiracy theory level bit of speculation
What if they are making this statement as part of a posturing move to bring down the asking price of a vet guard after week one?
 
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