Keeping Parnell over Free

[BigStar]

I wish XWalker could come in to adjust some of this Free admiration. The whole scheme was adjusted to compensate for his lack of strength. Free only had to worry about the outside move in the passing game and lined up wider for that reason. This was done by adjusting how the RG would normally function in terms of his responsibilities (inside-out).

The staff (Cally) did a great job of creating a scheme to protect, and even improve the play of the line. However, this is not the "band aid" scheme to rely on simply to accommodate Free's weaknesses. Upgrade ASAP when possible; if not Parnell/Weems, continue using considerable resources (FA/draft) to replace him by 2015. Let this man go or become the swing tackle ASAP. The QB and OL are the most important positions on every team and this team is in good shape. Let's not get complacent and stay aggressive on upgrading!

 

[jday]

I keep reading that Dallas might want to keep Martin at guard and extend Free after this season, which might not be a terrible plan if Free plays well. Free's a young 30, considering he didn't play much right away.

However, Jermey Parnell is even younger (turns 28 in July), has even less wear and tear and might come cheaper. He was set to challenge Free for the starting job last year before that competition ended because injury allowed Free to lock down the job before Parnell got going. I don't think that means Dallas doesn't see Parnell as being just as good.

I like Free better than many on here, but I think long term that Parnell might be the better option. It's good to have a younger man waiting in the wings, but it's only good if you eventually turn to that younger player to replace the older, more expensive one.

I hope they can keep both for as long as possible, if both remain viable options at the position. Tackle is such a critical element to the offense that like corners on defense, you never can have enough...especially considering the injuries the Cowboys have had to contend with over the last few seasons.

 

[jrumann59]

Remember Parnell came into the league as DL not OL. While he does look the part he does not have the technical part of being an NFL OL down yet.

 

[gimmesix]

I hope they can keep both for as long as possible, if both remain viable options at the position. Tackle is such a critical element to the offense that like corners on defense, you never can have enough...especially considering the injuries the Cowboys have had to contend with over the last few seasons.

While I'm not against it, I'm not sure Dallas can financially keep both. I think Parnell is going to be looking to start somewhere, and Free, after his prove-it deal, is going to be looking to recoup some of his "losses."

I think it's going to come down to a choice and that Dallas can better afford Parnell if he knows he's going to be given every chance to be the starter. ... And if for some reason (since some believe he's not starter material), it doesn't work out, then Martin can move over to tackle.

 

[gimmesix]

Remember Parnell came into the league as DL not OL. While he does look the part he does not have the technical part of being an NFL OL down yet.

I think he had the technically part down in 2012. He just needed time on the field putting it into practice. The more playing time he gets, with the movement skills and strength he has, the better he will be.

 

[Direwolf63]

Parnell has been given every opportunity to win the starting job and he hasn't done it. He is at best a backup as evidenced over the past 3 years. Some guys are just career backups. And I think Parnell is one of those guys. That's not a knock on him. That's just the way it is.

Frees eventual long term replacement very likely isn't on the current roster.

 

[gimmesix]

I wish XWalker could come in to adjust some of this Free admiration. The whole scheme was adjusted to compensate for his lack of strength. Free only had to worry about the outside move in the passing game and lined up wider for that reason. This was done by adjusting how the RG would normally function in terms of his responsibilities (inside-out).

The staff (Cally) did a great job of creating a scheme to protect, and even improve the play of the line. However, this is not the "band aid" scheme to rely on simply to accommodate Free's weaknesses. Upgrade ASAP when possible; if not Parnell/Weems, continue using considerable resources (FA/draft) to replace him by 2015. Let this man go or become the swing tackle ASAP. The QB and OL are the most important positions on every team and this team is in good shape. Let's not get complacent and stay aggressive on upgrading!

Although XWalker and I agree on Parnell, I think Free's a better player than XWalker makes him out to be. And I'm not advocating that Parnell be kept instead of Free in 2015 because of what Free isn't, rather because of what Parnell can be ... a long-term replacement who is at least just as good.

 

[Alexander]

So, what make people believe that Parnell can play? The fact we have kept him around on scholarship?

 

[gimmesix]

Parnell has been given every opportunity to win the starting job and he hasn't done it.

You truly believe that he has? 2012 was his first season being given any actual playing time, when he and Free split the job. In 2013, Dallas cut Free's pay and expected to have him and Parnell compete for the job, but then Parnell got hurt and could only and Free played like the starter he can be, so Parnell was never in the mix for the job.

I think Parnell was ready to start last year, but circumstances prevented the opportunity from ever really materializing. That's not a knock on Parnell, like some people want to make it out to be, but rather praise for Free doing what he needed to do to secure the job.

 

[speedkilz88]

i believe Jerry sort of promised Free another contract, becaues he came back for much less. Provided he's still playing well. If Free has a good season he'll be back.

No way that is true.

49ers not likely to re-up Iupati. Know the Cowboys loved him. Good chance they would spend the money on Iupati move Martin to RT and reshuffle the guards IMO and not spend the money on Free.

They liked Iupati when they ran a man scheme. He's also likely to get way too much money in free agency.

 

[gimmesix]

So, what make people believe that Parnell can play? The fact we have kept him around on scholarship?

Maybe actually watching him when he played during the season and his play in the preseason? That same thing that helps us identify if anyone who hasn't been on the field much has the ability to play.

That doesn't mean there aren't any weaknesses that might be exposed if they are made a starter, but if we can't make judgments off what we see, then what are we supposed to make judgments off?

 

[Alexander]

Maybe actually watching him when he played during the season and his play in the preseason? That same thing that helps us identify if anyone who hasn't been on the field much has the ability to play.

That doesn't mean there aren't any weaknesses that might be exposed if they are made a starter, but if we can't make judgments off what we see, then what are we supposed to make judgments off?

There is a distinct reason we drafted Martin. And it was not because we had a lot of faith in what Parnell can do as Free's potential heir apparent..

 

[gimmesix]

There is a distinct reason we drafted Martin. And it was not because we had a lot of faith in what Parnell can do as Free's potential heir apparent..

I think we drafted Martin because we aren't that enamored with our starting guards. That's why Martin is being penciled in as a starting guard and why Dallas is talking about him staying at the position. I also think we drafted Martin because we couldn't get the trade we wanted to drop back and take Lawrence. Martin was the best option at that point ... and a better option at guard than we currently have.

Now, if Free moves on next year, it would be ridiculous to say that Martin couldn't end up starting at RT even if Dallas retains Parnell. I think it would be a question of whether a combo of Parnell and Martin is better than a combo of Martin and Bernadeau. If Dallas makes little effort to retain Parnell, then we'll know exactly how the Cowboys feel about him.

I do think Dallas could be comfortable letting Free go next year knowing that Martin can do the job if Parnell can't.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

There is a distinct reason we drafted Martin. And it was not because we had a lot of faith in what Parnell can do as Free's potential heir apparent..

Martin isn't taking anybodys spot on the roster we literally had no bodies at guard after releasing Dominguez. I guess he took Dominguez's spot?

He is going to take a starting job from a guard but Martins draft has nothing to do with the backup tackle spot unless you think they are going to make him the swing tackle too.

Parnell hurt his hamstring in July 2013 and didn't show much on TV. He played well in 2012. I can see saying we have no idea at where Parnell is because we haven't seen him play in awhile but inferring motivations so you can slam him seems pretty specious.

 

[jobberone]

The NFL offseason is the favorite season of Parnell fans. Every offseason for maybe the last 3 years the chatter rises about Parnell and how he should either be the RT or is going to make a run at RT.

Parnell will be 28 going into this season and has started a grand total of 2 out of a possible 64 games in his career.

I think it's time to accept facts -- he isn't a NFL starter and to project him as a starter is unrealistic.

For as long as he sticks with the team (and that may not be much longer) he'll always be player 50 or 51 on the roster.

Not sure what happened to Parnell last year although I know he got injured in TC and was never a threat afterwards to supplant Free.

 

[jday]

While I'm not against it, I'm not sure Dallas can financially keep both. I think Parnell is going to be looking to start somewhere, and Free, after his prove-it deal, is going to be looking to recoup some of his "losses."

I think it's going to come down to a choice and that Dallas can better afford Parnell if he knows he's going to be given every chance to be the starter. ... And if for some reason (since some believe he's not starter material), it doesn't work out, then Martin can move over to tackle.

Parnell only becomes a financial issue if he is given a significant chance to prove he's worth it. The only way that happens is if, God forbid, Smith or Free go down (or Parnell beats Free out straight up in training camp)...and those two have oddly had success in staying healthy...knock on wood.

 

[guag]

Makes no sense to spend first round currency on an average RT, which is how Martin projects.

Based on what, exactly? His short arms? I think given that he's made a name for himself at tackle, we should at least be open to the possibility that he can be a great RT. With that said however, I do like him at guard for this season at least.

 

[gimmesix]

Not sure what happened to Parnell last year although I know he got injured in TC and was never a threat afterwards to supplant Free.

I think Free's play while Parnell was injured. Tough to take a guy's job when he's already doing it well. Parnell's window closed quickly, but that doesn't mean he's any less able to be a starter.

There's a distinct difference in not beating out a guy who is playing well and being backup to a guy who is playing poorly.

 

[CooterBrown]

There's no such thing as a young 30 lol

I guess that is a matter of perspective.

 

[Supercowboy1986]

I wish XWalker could come in to adjust some of this Free admiration. The whole scheme was adjusted to compensate for his lack of strength. Free only had to worry about the outside move in the passing game and lined up wider for that reason. This was done by adjusting how the RG would normally function in terms of his responsibilities (inside-out).

The staff (Cally) did a great job of creating a scheme to protect, and even improve the play of the line. However, this is not the "band aid" scheme to rely on simply to accommodate Free's weaknesses. Upgrade ASAP when possible; if not Parnell/Weems, continue using considerable resources (FA/draft) to replace him by 2015. Let this man go or become the swing tackle ASAP. The QB and OL are the most important positions on every team and this team is in good shape. Let's not get complacent and stay aggressive on upgrading!

Couldn't have said it any better. Yes, free did the good teammate thing by taking a paycut and then had a bounce back year. I won't deny it and no one else should either. I completely agree despite free's bounce back year we should always evaluate him and everyone else for improvements.