NBC: Doug Free had ankle surgery

[jobberone]

Doug Free had ankle surgery
Posted by Josh Alper on January 14, 2014, 7:10 AM EST

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Right tackle Doug Free took a pay cut last offseason in order to remain with the Cowboys and turned in a rebound season after a dreadful 2012 campaign.

Free cut his penalties way down and was a more effective blocker than he’d been in the previous couple of seasons, giving the Cowboys a consistent output at both tackle spots for the first time in a few years. Now the Cowboys will have to hope that offseason ankle surgery doesn’t take anything away from Free’s future performance.

Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com reports that Free had a cleanup procedure on his right ankle shortly after the season. He’s expected to be ready for offseason work and is set to make $3.5 million for the second straight season, a number he earned in 2013 and one that should keep him around for the final year of his contract with the Cowboys.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/14/doug-free-had-ankle-surgery/

 

[TwoCentPlain]

If I'm reading this correctly, 2014 is Free's last year under contract. Is that true?

 

[big dog cowboy]

If I'm reading this correctly, 2014 is Free's last year under contract. Is that true?

That is the way I take it. Another reason we need to look at OL not just all defense in FA and in the draft.

 

[jobberone]

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/9282852/doug-free-takes-pay-cut-stay-dallas-cowboys-source

2014 is Free's last year on the new two year contract renegotiated last year.

 

[jobberone]

At 3.5 million per year first year guaranteed.

 

[Future]

Even though he played decent enough last year, I still think tackle should be a priority in the draft, especially with 6 or 7 good ones coming out.

 

[conner01]

we need to fix the dline first, then worry about other spots. we are'nt watching the playoffs because of the oline. we are watching because of the dline

 

[TheFinisher]

Good opportunity to grab a quality tackle in round 2 or 3 and groom him behind Free in his contract year. I think with the way the OL played this year you'd like to keep that continuity and let them grow together.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

That is the way I take it. Another reason we need to look at OL not just all defense in FA and in the draft.

Yeah, for me, I think the best value in the 1st round and most probable chance at hitting on an All-Pro at 16 or 17 is an OT. And it is definitely a position of need with both free and Smith FAs. And Parnell might be cut soon. I would definitely consider Auburn OT Robinson and AL OT Kuandjio if they were there. The top DL players just don't have that All-Pro feeling for me and I think the DL available in the 2nd and 3rd rounds might be almost as good. There seems to be a substantial difference between the top-tier OTs and the 2nd tier OL in this draft. Not so much for the DL in my opinion.

 

[Dwight]

If all the good DTs and DEs are gone and a good Offensive Tackle drops to Dallas pick, Jerry should draft the OT.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

i say wait to 2015 to mess with OT in the draft. let free roll out his last year.

i dont want to take anything away from all that the D needs in 2014

 

[xwalker]

Yeah, for me, I think the best value in the 1st round and most probable chance at hitting on an All-Pro at 16 or 17 is an OT. And it is definitely a position of need with both free and Smith FAs. And Parnell might be cut soon. I would definitely consider Auburn OT Robinson and AL OT Kuandjio if they were there. The top DL players just don't have that All-Pro feeling for me and I think the DL available in the 2nd and 3rd rounds might be almost as good. There seems to be a substantial difference between the top-tier OTs and the 2nd tier OL in this draft. Not so much for the DL in my opinion.

If Kouandjio (6-5, 310) were available, he could probably play OG in 2014. He appears to be really strong and at 6-5 is not out of the normal range for OGs. If they drafted a guy like Lewan, I don't think Guard would be an option.

 

[Zordon]

if the cowboys want to get serious about getting a run game, they have upgrade the RT position soon. free is simply too weak to be dominate in the run game.

 

[jterrell]

Various:
No, Free is not a FA in 2015.
He is set to be released based upon his salary again rising to 8M.

Dallas couldn't tear up the previous contract because it didn't want to eat accelerated Bonus money.
It was a contract restructuring.

http://overthecap.com/cap.php?Name=Doug Free&Position=RT&Team=Cowboys

Free could be restructured again obviously.

As to knocks on Free. Get out of here with that nonsense. He was a top 10 RT the first half the season then slipped mightily as it wore on.
Now that he's had ankle surgery it isn't that hard to assume he was playing on a bad ankle at the end.

If Dallas can find a good young RT at a good value great but replacing Free isn't a high priority in 2014 imho.

 

[Seven]

we need to fix the dline first, then worry about other spots. we are'nt watching the playoffs because of the oline. we are watching because of the dline

We need to talk.

Love,
Tony.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Various:
No, Free is not a FA in 2015.
He is set to be released based upon his salary again rising to 8M.

Dallas couldn't tear up the previous contract because it didn't want to eat accelerated Bonus money.
It was a contract restructuring.

http://overthecap.com/cap.php?Name=Doug Free&Position=RT&Team=Cowboys

Free could be restructured again obviously.

As to knocks on Free. Get out of here with that nonsense. He was a top 10 RT the first half the season then slipped mightily as it wore on.
Now that he's had ankle surgery it isn't that hard to assume he was playing on a bad ankle at the end.

If Dallas can find a good young RT at a good value great but replacing Free isn't a high priority in 2014 imho.

Thanks for the info. I was wondering why overthecap had him on contract for 2015. However, for all intents and purposes, Free is a FA after 2014 because he probably isn't taking a paycut and the Cowboys most likely can't afford to pay him with signing Dez and Smith a priority. Replacing Free is definitely a priority in 2015. And backup OT is a priority for 2014 if Parnell is cut unless you are willing to roll with Weems as the backup. We got lucky with Free and Smith playing the whole year. There also is some question as to how good Free actually was. I think he was decent but Robinson and Kuandjio would be most likely an immediate upgrade. And Free could move inside to gurad as we found out this past camp. I'd feel more comfortable with Robinson or Kuandjio starting 2015 after a year of experience.

 

[casmith07]

Here's your new RT.

 

[bodi]

Various:
No, Free is not a FA in 2015.
He is set to be released based upon his salary again rising to 8M.

Dallas couldn't tear up the previous contract because it didn't want to eat accelerated Bonus money.
It was a contract restructuring.

http://overthecap.com/cap.php?Name=Doug Free&Position=RT&Team=Cowboys

Free could be restructured again obviously.

As to knocks on Free. Get out of here with that nonsense. He was a top 10 RT the first half the season then slipped mightily as it wore on.
Now that he's had ankle surgery it isn't that hard to assume he was playing on a bad ankle at the end.

If Dallas can find a good young RT at a good value great but replacing Free isn't a high priority in 2014 imho.

http://www.rotoworld.com/teams/contracts/nfl/dal/cowboys

5/16/2013: Signed a two-year, $7 million contract.
The deal contains $3.5 million guaranteed --Free's full first-year earnings.
2014: $3.5 million,
2015: Free Agent

 

[bodi]

I'd look at .Lewan he might be there

 

[AbeBeta]

Even though he played decent enough last year, I still think tackle should be a priority in the draft, especially with 6 or 7 good ones coming out.

One that can play some G to start will have a huge impact on depth