Kudos To Doug Free

[CowboyMcCoy]

If he didn't take the pay cut for the team, we wouldn't be in such a great position to pick up guys like Waters. What he did was truly a team move. And I think he deserves a Thank You and some credit from our fan base.

 

[hra8700]

Ummm...he took a pay cut because if he didnt he would have been cut.

 

[xwalker]

They didn't give him a choice. They said take a pay reduction from 7M to 3.5M or we're going to cut you.

I would give him props for maintaining a good attitude. He was reported to be helpful to the young players during TC.

 

[Questfor6]

I agree, this guy has clearly rejuvenated himself so far this preseason and playing MUCH, MUCH better as well. I'm glad we didn't jump the gun and bring Clabo or Winston and let him walk to add to the dead money pile.

 

[Direwolf63]

He was awful last year and rightfully took a lot of crap for it.
Since he's been a Cowboy, he's moved from RT to LT to RT to RG to RT. Not easy for anybody.

Free's best year was when he was playing beside Kyle Kosier. Hopefully Waters can get Free to improve his play in a similar manner.

Many still want him gone. But he's a Cowboy and he's the best option at RT. So let's all hope he is a lot better this year. For Romo's-and everybodyelse's-sake.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

If he didn't take the pay cut for the team, we wouldn't be in such a great position to pick up guys like Waters. What he did was truly a team move. And I think he deserves a Thank You and some credit from our fan base.

Not really, he reduced his base salary to the amount that cutting him and keeping him would cost the same, which imo was still more than he would've made if released (not to mention a chance to compete for starting reps which means more $$$ next year)..

Give it a few weeks and I wouldn't be opposed to thanking him for bouncing back and giving us solid play though.

 

[dallasdave]

I agree, this guy has clearly rejuvenated himself so far this preseason and playing MUCH, MUCH better as well. I'm glad we didn't jump the gun and bring Clabo or Winston and let him walk to add to the dead money pile.

Good point

 

[dargonking999]

I'd actually give him props for taking the pay cut, not talking about it, not complaining about it, going out in TC and earning his spot, improving his place, and trying to become the player they gave the contact to in the first place. He could have just said F-it, and sat on the bench behind parnell making his money,, but he stepped up his game, and that deserves the thank you. cause the pay cut, was his best option giving the trash he rolled out there the last few years.

 

[Doomsday101]

They didn't give him a choice. They said take a pay reduction from 7M to 3.5M or we're going to cut you.

I would give him props for maintaining a good attitude. He was reported to be helpful to the young players during TC.

I agree, he maintained a good attitude and got to work and has shown much improvement in his game. He could have pouted but he didn't. I hope Free can redeem himself in the eyes of his teammates and the fans.

 

[Echo9]

They didn't give him a choice. They said take a pay reduction from 7M to 3.5M or we're going to cut you.

I would give him props for maintaining a good attitude. He was reported to be helpful to the young players during TC.

I'd also give him some credit for seeming to return to the form that garnered him the larger contract to begin with. Of course, it's only pre-season so we can't really tell, but the signs are there at least. He may very well turn out to be a bargain this year.

 

[FiveRings]

No, if Romo takes a pay cut, that would be impressive. Free had an ultimatum, pay cut or unemployment

 

[Zordon]

CM, you're better than this.

 

[OhSnap]

He very easily could have retired and started a business and be having a great summer but the dude want's to play football and he's smart enough not to leave 3.5 mill on the table. I'm not so sure the guy wouldn't have taken less just to prove himself all over again.

 

[17yearsandcounting]

Yeah, thanks for being unintentionally terrible last season, Doug. That ended up really working out great for the team.

 

[d_dub88]

You can't give a guy props for being a disappointment the year before and having to take a pay cut.

 

[egn22]

its a business, and these guys leave this stuff up to their agents. i'll thank him if he really truly brings it this year and helps our O-Line become a dominant force.
i'm not thanking him for doing his job. he's got over a million reasons to be happy that he's getting paid what he's making to be average at what he does.

 

[dallasdave]

Hey, Free took the pay cut and is playing better football . Free is not crying about making less money, people talking crap about him, getting moved around the line, he is just trying to play good football and that is a good thing.

 

[conner01]

Hey, Free took the pay cut and is playing better football . Free is not crying about making less money, people talking crap about him, getting moved around the line, he is just trying to play good football and that is a good thing.

that a good point. the pay cut was really not a great big sacrafice for him. had he been cut he certainly would'nt have gotten more money. but they way he handled it was very professional. he went to work and has shown improvement. he moved to guard to try and help the team. i give him credit more for the way he has handled the off season than the pay cut, i hope he has a very good season and returns to form. we need him to play at a high level this year

 

[AsthmaField]

Free also continued the improvement he showed in the last half of last season and carried it forward into 2013.

The new system gave him fits, but now that he's been in it for a year he is playing 5000% better.

Kudos to him for his improvement and Kudos to the team for sticking with him, offering the pay cut and letting him get his feet back under him.

Overall it was a win-win situation for the franchise and Free.

 

[Deep_South]

Doug, if you're out there, being a starter on the Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys is the best way to get everyone to forget about this stuff.