PFF: Free had his best game of the year

[Phoenix]

According to Pro Football Focus, Free graded out to his best game of the season so far:

Left tackle Doug Free (+4.3) had his best game of the year against the Eagles. Free’s performance is a perfect example of how to play LT in the NFL. He allowed just one pressure in 42 dropbacks (+1.5 rating in pass protection) but was at this best in the ground game (+2.4), beating up especially on backup DRE Daryl Tapp.


...love these "Re-Focused" reports. They have a lot of information in them...

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2010/12/15/re-focused-week-14-eagles-at-cowboys/

 

[MonsterD]

I can't imagine how bad it would be without him. I hope we get him some help next season, be scary to see how he performs with good players aside him.

 

[percyhoward]

The Cowboys struggled to run the ball in a traditional fashion but were able to find big plays thanks to a reverse and Jon Kitna‘s ability to scramble.

As happens on a weekly basis.

 

[TheCount]

lol, Trent Cole and Daryl Tapp eh? Glad he's getting better, we may not need a LT in the draft afterall.

 

[Chuck 54]

Well, he needed a bounce-back game after what Freeney did to him.

It won't happen, but I would have loved to have a top left tackle coming out of college this year that we could draft, moving Free back to RT...I think we'd be set for a long, long time then.

 

[Ashwynn]

Good to hear, I am pulling for Free. Hopefully hes the long term answer there and we can quit worrying about that position. Now on to the other 4 Oline spots.

 

[baj1dallas]

Well, he needed a bounce-back game after what Freeney did to him.

It won't happen, but I would have loved to have a top left tackle coming out of college this year that we could draft, moving Free back to RT...I think we'd be set for a long, long time then.

I dunno about that. I don't see Free as a great RT. I think he's more suited to the left. Just because Freeney got past him, doesn't mean he'll be good eventually. Nobody completely shuts Freeney down.

 

[Seven]

According to Pro Football Focus, Free graded out to his best game of the season so far:

Left tackle Doug Free (+4.3) had his best game of the year against the Eagles. Free’s performance is a perfect example of how to play LT in the NFL. He allowed just one pressure in 42 dropbacks (+1.5 rating in pass protection) but was at this best in the ground game (+2.4), beating up especially on backup DRE Daryl Tapp.


...love these "Re-Focused" reports. They have a lot of information in them...

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2010/12/15/re-focused-week-14-eagles-at-cowboys/

Yeah......grab the guy by the pads and drag his *** to the ground. :laugh2:

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

lol, Trent Cole and Daryl Tapp eh? Glad he's getting better, we may not need a LT in the draft afterall.

Trent Cole is is sick

We got enough problems, no need to invent any

 

[Yakuza Rich]

lol, Trent Cole and Daryl Tapp eh? Glad he's getting better, we may not need a LT in the draft afterall.

I never thought we needed one. But we need a RT (as the article shows) and if we draft somebody in the top 10, which it looked like at one point we would, you usually don't draft projected RT's in the top 10.

We have bigger issues on defense, sadly enough.




YR

 

[Cover 2]

lol, Trent Cole and Daryl Tapp eh? Glad he's getting better, we may not need a LT in the draft afterall.

Trent Cole made the pro bowl last year I believe.

 

[TheCount]

Trent Cole is is sick

We got enough problems, no need to invent any

He's good, wouldn't say sick. Didn't say anything about it being a problem, just funny that they choose to highlight Tapp as being the one he did especially well against.

I never thought we needed one. But we need a RT (as the article shows) and if we draft somebody in the top 10, which it looked like at one point we would, you usually don't draft projected RT's in the top 10.

We have bigger issues on defense, sadly enough.




YR

Yeah, I certainly wouldn't draft a RT as a Top 10 prospect either. I think we can get a guy in the 2nd round if that's the route we go, if not lower. If we end up trading down in the 1st, it certainly becomes more likely.

 

[Chuck 54]

I dunno about that. I don't see Free as a great RT. I think he's more suited to the left. Just because Freeney got past him, doesn't mean he'll be good eventually. Nobody completely shuts Freeney down.

I think it's documented with stats that our running game was very good with Free at RT. He's a good run blocker with mobility to get to the second level, and his pass protection skills would be excellent for a RT.

Again, I said ideally I'd switch him back to RT if there was a first round franchise LT coming out like the 3 from last season. I don't see that happening. I think we'll go DL in round one and OG in free agency and the draft, possibly even a RT type.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

At this point I dont beliebe in just throwing young guys into the fire but I really hope we see Sam Young get at least 1 game.

If he shows a little something it would really make the off-season that much easier. It would feel less like a overhaul

 

[Future]

Free is going to be the exact opposite of Flo. He'll be good against the speed guys like Cole, but against more powerful players he's going to struggle unless he really beefs up.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Free has been great for us. I knew he'd be special by how much Tony Sparano liked him. He's left handed, smart, and athletic - you can't ask for much more from a LT.

 

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

Free has had a solid year.

 

[dbair1967]

Yeah, I certainly wouldn't draft a RT as a Top 10 prospect either. I think we can get a guy in the 2nd round if that's the route we go, if not lower. If we end up trading down in the 1st, it certainly becomes more likely.

If we're picking at 10, and a RT is clearly the best player available (and we clearly have a need there) then there's nothing wrong with selecting the guy there.

Two years after we drafted him, I bet almost every team in football would have traded a top-10 pick for Erik Williams, who was a RT.

 

[CATCH17]

lol, Trent Cole and Daryl Tapp eh? Glad he's getting better, we may not need a LT in the draft afterall.

I think you can still get a better player but he is good bang for your buck.


He's not very impressive once he locks on to a player. He doesn't do much with them..

But he can keep players between him and the ball.

 

[TheCount]

If we're picking at 10, and a RT is clearly the best player available (and we clearly have a need there) then there's nothing wrong with selecting the guy there.

Two years after we drafted him, I bet almost every team in football would have traded a top-10 pick for Erik Williams, who was a RT.

I don't think you take a guy in the top 10 who projects purely as a RT. If it's a guy that has potential to play LT and he ends up at RT that's one thing, but getting a guy with the intention of him being a RT that high is dangerous. If he flops, where does he go?

Maybe a team would or wouldn't have given us a first for Williams, but he was drafted in the 3rd round. It's easier to give that pick up when you have the proof in front of your eyes but you can't draft with 20/20 hindsight.

I think you can still get a better player but he is good bang for your buck.


He's not very impressive once he locks on to a player. He doesn't do much with them..

But he can keep players between him and the ball.

We knew going in that he was a finesse blocker so I'm okay with that and willing to make that sacrifice at LT personally.