Position Series: Free Leads Tackle Makeover

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Garcia - Position Series: Free Leads Tackle Makeover


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Position Series: Free Leads Tackle Makeover​

Joseph Garcia​

DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer​

(Editor's Note: This is the last of the 12-part series in which DallasCowboys.com has analyzed the Cowboys position-by-position as they begin final preparations for the July 24 start to training camp. Today will feature the offensive tackles.)​

IRVING, Texas - With the Cowboys on the precipice of training camp, the framework of the offensive line - specifically left tackle - remains one of the biggest questions.​

One of the biggest, literally and figuratively, stories to come out of Valley Ranch this offseason was the release of five-time Pro Bowler Flozell "Hotel" Adams.​

Adams, a second-round draft pick in 1998 from Michigan State, has been the only starting left tackle Tony Romo has ever known. Needless to say, there will most likely be an adjustment period. You don't just replace a 6-7, 338-pound offensive tackle with 12 years of experience without a single hitch.​

Nevertheless, that was a challenge the Cowboys were prepared to face when they released Adams on April 1. Moreover, that is what training camp and preseason games are for, to make the necessary adjustments before the season opener on Sept. 12.​

Looking at the roster, the Cowboys currently have eight tackles on board, including three rookies. Offensive line coach Hudson Houck has said the best two tackles will play, but veteran right tackle Marc Colombo, who is healthy again, and Doug Free, who has worked with the first team at Adam's old spot, are expected to start.​

Another name somewhere on the contenders list is Alex Barron. The 6-7, 315-pound Barron was acquired from the St. Louis Rams in a May trade for linebacker Bobby Carpenter. The former first-round draft choice, 19th overall in 2005, started 74 of 76 games in his career for the Rams. He also brings versatility, as Barron has played considerable time at both right (43 starts) and left tackle (31).​

Big Issue: Who will replace Flozell Adams?​

The decision to part ways with Adams was made with Doug Free in mind to succeed him. Free played well when he started the final seven regular-season games at right tackle when Colombo was injured last year. Free apparently gave the Cowboys enough confidence to let go of Adams and move on with Free as the primary candidate for the job.​

Free, a fourth-round draft pick in 2007, has quick feet and a good reach, which is something Adams seemed to struggle with toward the end of his time in Dallas. At times last season, Adams had to hold and trip his way in order to protect Romo from pass rushers (just ask Justin Tuck). Assuming Kyle Kosier starts at left guard, he and Free arguably have the most important job on the entire team - to protect franchise quarterback Tony Romo's blind side.​

The Cowboys like Free quite a bit. However, if things do not go exactly according to plan, they've presumably covered all bases with the trade for Barron.​

Best Position Battle: The closest there is to one is Free versus Barron. If training camp was a race, Free would have the inside track and a head start. It might take a Usain Bolt-type performance in camp for Barron to overtake him as the starter at left tackle.​

Barron's experience makes him an ideal fit as the swing tackle that backs up both sides. Free held the job last year before Colombo got hurt.​

Rookie Watch: The Cowboys have three rookies, including sixth-round draft pick Sam Young from Notre Dame. Will Barker and Mike Tepper, the two other rookies, signed as undrafted free agents.​

Barker and Tepper may have a long shot to make the team. However, Sam Young most likely will.​

Young, who recently came to terms on his rookie contract, made strides in the offseason program and could be part of the future of the Cowboys' offensive line. He lined up primarily at right tackle throughout offseason workouts and will most likely do the same at training camp as well.​

At Notre Dame, Young played both right and left tackle. He started as a freshman and played all 50 games during his four years for the Irish.​

Don't Forget About . . . : Second-year veteran Robert Brewster. Unfortunately, Brewster did not have an opportunity to compete last year due to a torn pectoral muscle suffered before training camp.​

Brewster, drafted in the third round (75th overall) in 2009, did not miss a game in four years at Ball State, where he earned All-Mid American Conference honors his final two years. If he stays healthy and has a good training camp, the 6-4, 320-pound Brewster could materialize into a solid backup with an opportunity for promotion in the future.​

However, if he does not show enough in camp, the Cowboys may look toward guys like Young, Tepper or Barker, who are all listed as taller than Brewster. The team wants to establish competition at every position. Brewster has reshaped his body, and he possibly has the best feet of the bunch, making him a player to keep on the radar watch.​

Roster Breakdown:​

Marc Colombo: Entering his ninth season in the NFL, he is once again healthy after suffering a high ankle sprain/fractured fibula last November. Look for the 6-8 mauler to resume his duties as the starting right tackle.​

Doug Free: Free has the edge at left tackle heading into camp. It's up to Alex Barron to put some pressure on him.​

Alex Barron: Athletic and versatile, he will most likely be the primary backup for both left and right tackles.​

Robert Brewster: Should be close behind Barron as far as where the tackles rank. With a good camp, he could win a backup spot somewhere along the line.​

Sam Young: Seemingly the favorite so far amongst rookie tackles to make the team.​

Mike Tepper: If not for a gruesome accident during his red shirt freshman season (2005) at the University of California, in which his leg was severely broken, the 6-5, 320-pound lineman most likely would have been higher on many team's draft boards.​

Will Barker: The 6-7, 315-pound rookie started 49 games during his career at the University of Virginia, the second-highest total in school history. He never missed a start in four seasons.​

 

[baj1dallas]

why is Free the only guy who's size they don't include?

 

[burmafrd]

poor writing and editing.

 

[28 Joker]

I would be willing to bet that some in the Cowboys' organization liked Scandrick better than Jenkins before last year. Evidently, Scandrick had enough support to drag the competition out into the season. That was a big mistake, and the Giants took advantage of an unsettled Dallas secondary. I bet Mike Jenkins' supporters in the organization made that known. I would have liked to be a fly on the wall for sure.

The media sure liked Scandrick better, as evidenced by this one quote from a prominent Dallas media person:

""It's amazing that Wade Phillips is choosing to start Mike Jenkins over Scandrick".

That was the attitude of most in the Dallas media on that battle, and make no mistake about it, Jenkins won that long battle fair and square and won big.

Some fans and Dallas media stated that Mike Jenkins' "1st round draft status" would "win him the job". I heard that Scandrick will not start, because he's the ultimate in the slot. I know I read that from some fans for sure. In other words, Jenkins was going to start because of Scandrick's ability in the slot, not because of Jenkins' elite athletic ability.

The Dallas media was, for sure, pro Scandrick. They went with the underdog, and some openly rooted for Scandrick at times. If you read some of their stuff, you would have thought Jenkins played bad in 2008 and Scandrick was the second coming of Champ Bailey.

I remember defending Jenkins hotly on this forum in 2008 and before the 2009 season. I stated that Jenkins was the better player in 2008, his rookie year. Jenkins should have continued to start in 2008, not Henry. Pacrat playing over Jenkins after getting suspended was a joke.

Now, I'm hearing how Doug Free is going to win the LT job. "It's his to lose" I keep reading and hearing. Alex Barron is going to be the swing tackle if all goes as planned. I'm sure many in the organization are high on Doug Free, too. Adams is obviously gone. Are those "people" right this time, because "they" were not right on the two young CBs? Jenkins is simply a blue-chip player, a superior player.

Now, Doug Free may be good at LT. He has skills for sure, but is he going to be better than Barron? Who is the best LT for the job? What lineup on the offensive line makes Dallas better on the field? Barron is flying low on the radar, and he is being way under-estimated. He has the experience, and Stephen Jackson did his best running to his side of the field last year.

The Dallas media wanted to see the competition at RCB; furthermore, they would have roasted Wade Phillips and Jerry Jones if Jenkins was penciled in as the "projected starter" at RCB, like Free has been projected at LT. However, Free is getting a "FREE PASS" at LT, imo.

How many real starts does Doug Free have at LT? ZERO. I don't hear the cries for an "open competition" at LT. After all, Barron was traded for Bobby Carpenter. Could it be that the Rams are not a smart organization? Who trades a young, athletic OT for a ILB who avoids contact and isn't physical?

It's hard for me to understand how the organization and coaches could allow the RCB competition to go into the season before realizing who the better player was at CB, but yet, every indication coming out of Dallas and Valley Ranch makes Free the front-runner (by a mile) for the LT job.

I wish the Cowboys would approach LT like they did RCB, but this time, choose the best player before the season starts.

Perhaps, that will unfold. We shall see.

Doug Free has zero starts at LT in a real live game. Shouldn't this be a heated competition to protect Tony Romo?

Alex Barron is being taken way too lightly by the media and many fans for sure, imo.

Time will tell if I'm right, again.

I do know this. The Philadelphia Eagles list Free/Barron as co-starters on the Cowboys depth chart. Matt Mosley has stated that every team in the NFC East expects Barron to eventually be the guy.

Yet, "the battle" at LT appears to be a "no brainer" in favor of Free.

We'll see. If I'm wrong. I'll come on here and admit it. I've said it before.

However, if Barron indeed becomes the left tackle, I'm going to let you know.



Houck stated that "the best tackles will play".

We shall see.

If that is the case, Colombo's suspect pass blocking will be on the bench, too. Doug Free needs to play but not at LT, imso.

I'm tired of the excuses on Marc Colombo in the media. He lined up and played against the Eagles. The coaches put him out there when Free was playing really well. I was told before the playoffs that, "he's ready to go". Now, I'm being told, "he's 100% now". I don't think the wildcard game was a good game for Colombo. Then, the next week, he gives up 6 QB pressures and 2 sacks and 2 hits to Ray Edwards.

Some of those jailbreaks by Colombo led to hits on Tony Romo. Furthermore, Colombo has a propensity to false start at home, expecially. Colombo is a good run blocker, but his pass blocking is suspect, at best, right now. Moreover, that is why Adams is gone. Colombo is going to have to prove that he isn't the player we saw after he came back.

All I know is this:

I've seen two playoff losses by the Cowboys where both starting offensive tackles wore down or got abused. One is gone, and one is still here.