List of Potential Free Agents

[xwalker]

Callahan was the expert last year with the addition of Martin And the commitment to the run (Linehan/Garret). The other 2 .... our QB got destroyed. Parnell is a starting RT but I'd rather have Free based on his continuity with the other 4.

The OL was good in 2013. The improvements in Bernadeau and Free from 2012 to 2013 were all about coaching. It took a season for Callahan to implement his techniques, but there was a big improvement from 2012 to 2013.

They had a lot of inexperience in both 2013 and 2014. With Leary, Fred, Martin and Parnell.

 

[xwalker]

Why does this response not surprise me?

My belief regarding Washington is based more on age than anything else. That's where Parnell's biggest, most undeniable advantage comes from. They would look at that age and state that Parnell is their right tackle of the present and future (right or wrong). Free is closer to the end than the beginning and my thinking is that Dallas would retain him while drafting his eventual successor.

Regardless, does it not make sense that Callahan would be the top expert on Free and Parnell?

 

[Stash]

Regardless, does it not make sense that Callahan would be the top expert on Free and Parnell?

To a large extent? Sure.

But let's be honest, there are a myriad of factors beyond that.

 

[HellCrowe]

The OL was good in 2013. The improvements in Bernadeau and Free from 2012 to 2013 were all about coaching. It took a season for Callahan to implement his techniques, but there was a big improvement from 2012 to 2013.

They had a lot of inexperience in both 2013 and 2014. With Leary, Fred, Martin and Parnell.

I admit he is a good OL coach and he helped but if he wants Parnell it may just because he has familiarity with him. Our expert of an OL coach last season named Free the starter not Parnell. Only reason Parnell played is because of the injury. Free is older but he preformed better than someone "3" years younger than him. Parnell at his Prime couldn't beat out Free who is probably at the end of his Prime.

I do think we find a good cap friendly contact for Free and also bring along another tackle via FA, draft, or one of our own.

 

[xwalker]

I admit he is a good OL coach and he helped but if he wants Parnell it may just because he has familiarity with him. Our expert of an OL coach last season named Free the starter not Parnell. Only reason Parnell played is because of the injury. Free is older but he preformed better than someone "3" years younger than him. Parnell at his Prime couldn't beat out Free who is probably at the end of his Prime.

I do think we find a good cap friendly contact for Free and also bring along another tackle via FA, draft, or one of our own.

That is not good logic. They played Free because he was under contract and had drastically more experience than Parnell.

Both of those things have now changed. Neither are under contract and Parnell has more experience than he had going into 2014.

The logic of who to sign is not the same as the logic of who to start. Jeff Heath started over Wilcox in 2013 but that didn't mean they intended to start Heath in 2014.

Teams are not going to start a player with 1 career start over a player with 80 career starts if they are about equal in ability or even if the in-experienced player is slightly better in practice. Coaches like to stick with experienced veterans unless the less experienced player is drastically better. Also, Callahan wanted to bench Free in 2012 and replace him with Parnell but the front office said to stick with Free and his 7M salary. The compromise was to rotate Free and Parnell in the final 4 games that season. They were prepared to let Free go prior to 2013 if he didn't take a pay cut because they had Parnell. They kept Free with the pay cut, in part because they would not have a backup if Parnell was the starter.

 

[xwalker]

To a large extent? Sure.

But let's be honest, there are a myriad of factors beyond that.

Yes, there are other factors like who gets paid what, but in general, the person with the very best knowledge of the 2 players (Free and Parnell) is Callahan.

 

[Stash]

Yes, there are other factors like who gets paid what, but in general, the person with the very best knowledge of the 2 players (Free and Parnell) is Callahan.

But that's not the only factor involved. If the Commanders offer Parnell more money, I'm letting him go without blinking, Bill Callahan can say whatever he wants otherwise.

Free's steadiness, leadership, and veteran presence are key elements to his importance. And I firmly believe that he has a stronger desire to stay in Dallas than Parnell does. I expect Parnell will go where the best money comes from.

 

[HellCrowe]

That is not good logic. They played Free because he was under contract and had drastically more experience than Parnell.

Both of those things have now changed. Neither are under contract and Parnell has more experience than he had going into 2014.

The logic of who to sign is not the same as the logic of who to start. Jeff Heath started over Wilcox in 2013 but that didn't mean they intended to start Heath in 2014.

Teams are not going to start a player with 1 career start over a player with 80 career starts if they are about equal in ability or even if the in-experienced player is slightly better in practice. Coaches like to stick with experienced veterans unless the less experienced player is drastically better. Also, Callahan wanted to bench Free in 2012 and replace him with Parnell but the front office said to stick with Free and his 7M salary. The compromise was to rotate Free and Parnell in the final 4 games that season. They were prepared to let Free go prior to 2013 if he didn't take a pay cut because they had Parnell. They kept Free with the pay cut, in part because they would not have a backup if Parnell was the starter.

Let me get one thing straight. Parnell or Free this free agency and I'd be happy. But oh what a year can do. A 27 year old now 28 with the athletic ability to be a starter anywhere else is finally ready to start and Free from being cut to starting and playing well in 2014.

I agree that we should sign for future production and not past but my reasoning in keeping Free over Parnell stems from the productivity of the offensive line as a whole when Free is in there. Sure you can point out that it was the end of the season and the whole line wasn't playing as well but I was hoping and wanting Parnell to come in and run with it. It wasn't the case. It hasn't been the case even when Free was close to being cut the past 3 years and not performing.

Now that both are free agents and one is entering his prime (BTW he is turning 29) we have to look at what worked/ what comes cheaper. Free an "older" vet who has continuity with the other 4 or Parnell a younger athletic player who will probably get more money due to his age and Callahan will overpay for his service. One thing for sure, they both aren't young bucks and we need to get someone to groom. Whether it be Free or Parnell next season, we need to get younger at RT.

 

[xwalker]

Let me get one thing straight. Parnell or Free this free agency and I'd be happy. But oh what a year can do. A 27 year old now 28 with the athletic ability to be a starter anywhere else is finally ready to start and Free from being cut to starting and playing well in 2014.

I agree that we should sign for future production and not past but my reasoning in keeping Free over Parnell stems from the productivity of the offensive line as a whole when Free is in there. Sure you can point out that it was the end of the season and the whole line wasn't playing as well but I was hoping and wanting Parnell to come in and run with it. It wasn't the case. It hasn't been the case even when Free was close to being cut the past 3 years and not performing.

Now that both are free agents and one is entering his prime (BTW he is turning 29) we have to look at what worked/ what comes cheaper. Free an "older" vet who has continuity with the other 4 or Parnell a younger athletic player who will probably get more money due to his age and Callahan will overpay for his service. One thing for sure, they both aren't young bucks and we need to get someone to groom. Whether it be Free or Parnell next season, we need to get younger at RT.

I'm not sure where you got he idea that Parnell didn't cut it. The teams gave up less sacks and had a higher rushing average in the games Parnell started.

The film (all-22) also shows that Parnell played well relative to Free.

The Cowboys have the ability to make a deal with one of them before other teams can negotiate with them. If they offer Parnell about 3M per season I don't see him passing on it.