I thought Doug Free would come in this year and tear it up

[TheDallasDon]

I have a hard time believing that he just got paid and mailed it in, or that he just sucks.

I thought he would come in this year and tear it up with T.Smith lighting a fire under him to get to the next level. Is it that the O-line has changed and he doesn't have Kosier next to him? Im not sure what's going on but I want him to step it up.

Does anyone have any inside info about him being injured or anything???

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Is this the weekly Doug Free lamentation thread?

Other than the sack, what were his other miscues?

 

[TheDallasDon]

Is this the weekly Doug Free lamentation thread?

Other than the sack, what were his other miscues?

Its not the sack its the passion that I don't see any more.......I think he may be injured


Edit: to make it clear I don't see him running down the field to make blocks like he did last year etc etc..........sacks are gonna happen but I don't see the same passion he had last year

 

[supercowboy8]

Its not the sack its the passion that I don't see any more.......I think he may be injured

I've heard he has a disc problem in his lower back, but the team hasn't came out and said anything.

 

[Cowboyz88]

I've heard he has a disc problem in his lower back, but the team hasn't came out and said anything.

If true, that's not good.

Disc problems have not been kind to Cowboys in the past.

 

[TheDallasDon]

I've heard he has a disc problem in his lower back, but the team hasn't came out and said anything.

I don't know anything about back injuries other then they are bad.......is it something that only surgery will fix??? Does it linger for the rest of his life??? Something that just need time to heal???

 

[cml750]

It would not surprise me to see him and Smith switching places next year.

 

[dadymat]

Edit: to make it clear I don't see him running down the field to make blocks like he did last year etc etc..........

lol.....you didnt think you were gonna see that every game from an o lineman did ya?

 

[cowboyz]

there's definately something wrong, he's playing with no strength.

 

[JoeCorrado]

It would not surprise me to see him and Smith switching places next year.

Same here. Left tackle is the tougher to play and while he is struggling a bit more I think it is more from who is facing each week than it is from him regressing.

Until Smith gets experience at this level, Free is the best left tackle on the team.

 

[Risen Star]

I don't think he's injured. I think fans just overrated him last year when he had help as a new starter on the line. And now that he's been paid and asked to ride solo to warrant the contract, his warts are showing.

 

[Risen Star]

It would not surprise me to see him and Smith switching places next year.

I'd say that's the plan.

 

[7footer]

I've heard he has a disc problem in his lower back, but the team hasn't came out and said anything.

As someone with first-hand knowledge of this ailment, I certainly hope that's not the case. I'd also be really surprised if he is allowed, or even able to play if he had a herniated disc causing nerve pain and loss of strength.

Free only allowed the one sack today but I saw him whiff on a few other blocks as well. He hasn't been playing well at all...I just hope he can turn it around.

 

[Mattb_25]

I don't think he's injured. I think fans just overrated him last year when he had help as a new starter on the line. And now that he's been paid and asked to ride solo to warrant the contract, his warts are showing.

He was definitely better last year. I was really impressed with his play last year, but I feel like I've got more upset with him this year in one game than I did all of last year.

 

[supercowboy8]

I don't know anything about back injuries other then they are bad.......is it something that only surgery will fix??? Does it linger for the rest of his life??? Something that just need time to heal???

I dunno since its just something I was told from a pretty reliable source.

I doubt its serious enough to need surgery since he is still playing. I think it is just a lingering disc problem, probably a stage one or level one disc, I heard lower back. IF true just takes time and rehab but needs lots of time off to heal so it will linger all year I'm sure.

Also having a new and different LG next to him all the time can't help. Koiser helped him out alot last year much like he is helping Smith this year.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I think it has more to do with recieving less help from TEs chipping or Rbs double teaming. He's put on an island like elite LTs, but he isn't elite. A move to RT, along with a better interior will improve his play

 

[supercowboy8]

I think it has more to do with recieving less help from TEs chipping or Rbs double teaming. He's put on an island like elite LTs, but he isn't elite. A move to RT, along with a better interior will improve his play

yep Free is just a real good pass protecting RT. Last year he played better because the LT next to him was alot better.

 

[shockandroll]

I dunno since its just something I was told from a pretty reliable source.

I doubt its serious enough to need surgery since he is still playing. I think it is just a lingering disc problem, probably a stage one or level one disc, I heard lower back. IF true just takes time and rehab but needs lots of time off to heal so it will linger all year I'm sure.

Also having a new and different LG next to him all the time can't help. Koiser helped him out alot last year much like he is helping Smith this year.

So reliable that you won't name the source huh? I have two herniated and one ruptured disc, he does not move like a guy with a back problem, imo. Based on my 20 years of dealing with this, I'd say it's unlikely to be a back issue. Thw twisting, bending, falling to the ground and fighting people off would cause serious problems if he had disc issues.

 

[cml750]

I dunno since its just something I was told from a pretty reliable source.

I doubt its serious enough to need surgery since he is still playing. I think it is just a lingering disc problem, probably a stage one or level one disc, I heard lower back. IF true just takes time and rehab but needs lots of time off to heal so it will linger all year I'm sure.

Also having a new and different LG next to him all the time can't help. Koiser helped him out alot last year much like he is helping Smith this year.

If he does have a disc problem, I can speak from experience(two back surgeries for ruptured disc) that he has a good chance of never being quite the same. I have never heard this before so I hope your info is wrong. Sciatic pain from lumbar disc injuries can be almost crippling.

 

[shockandroll]

I think it has more to do with recieving less help from TEs chipping or Rbs double teaming. He's put on an island like elite LTs, but he isn't elite. A move to RT, along with a better interior will improve his play

I think this is more accurate than disc issues. He's good but not great so he gets beat now and again. He's played against some really good pass rushers with an undersized and weak rookie LG. No wonder he's been beat a few times a game.

If the front office felt Free was an elite LT, they would not have spent the 9th pick on one to play RT, imo. They would have traded and drafted a good RT later. The plan is to move Smith to LT sooner than later and have Free be a very good RT who can move to LT should smith get injured, imo.