Priority #1: Free back to Right Tackle

CowboyMcCoy

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I'm one of those if-it's-not-broken-don't-fix-it kinda guys. When compared to last year, our current offensive line worries seem to tower over the year's prior.

Playing left tackle is a completely different beast than playing right tackle. If you argue with me there, you've lost before the argument started.

I understand Free came in and did a magnificent job at right tackle. But why put a player who, after not even a full year of starting, at a position which he's not suited for? We've been looking for a good, solid right tackle for a long time. There was the Petitti flop, then Colombo, now Free.

I think Colombo is through. But Free still has gas in the tank and I think he can be a pro bowl right tackle. But Heavens, no, if he has that much talent surely the Cowboys can make a hybrid left-tackle, swing-tackle, right-tackle. Why not try him out at center, too?

Free also gives you the ability to run to both sides. Now it seems we don't know where to run, hence all the JG screen passes.

Not to rue too awful much, but letting go of flow was a premature move and an immature decision by our staff.

Now we're in "need" of a position. That's a dirty word to me, because it puts you in a vulnerable position. We needed a WR, so we gave up x,y,z for Roy Williams or Joey Galloway. Let's not forget we're a football team just like anyone else. But everyone watches us a lot closer. If we create a weakness, it will be exploited 5 times more than any other team.

But that doesn't mean we have to be stupid. Flozell was a solid player, deaf in one ear. He made mistakes, but he also gave us a chance.

1-5 doesn't give you a chance.

Pulling a guy out of a playoff game in favor of Colombo, then turning around the next season and forcing Free to left tackle doesn't only do a disservice to the team, but to Free himself. I pity the fool who made this decision, because whether they know it or not that's what cost us the season on the offensive side of the ball.

Yes, our line had problems. But it would have worked a lot better than the mess we threw together this year.

Wow, just wow.
 
Has Free not performed well? I would think he is the one of the least of our problems and if not the least, certainly not priority # 1.
 
Chris in Arizona;3656762 said:
Has Free not performed well? I would think he is the one of the least of our problems and if not the least, certainly not priority # 1.

We need a bull on the left side and let Free dominate the right, imo. I'm not bashing Free here.
 
CowboyMcCoy;3656764 said:
We need a bull on the left side and let Free dominate the right, imo. I'm not bashing Free here.

The issue is the style of line we need for the style of play.

I think the big slow strong guys are suited for the titans or even Pitt. Throwing offenses like Dallas, should be more like an Alex Gibbs style.

Free is the only one who fits that bill currently. Goroude is ok. Davis, Columbo and Holland are fatbodies.
 
CowboyMcCoy;3656764 said:
We need a bull on the left side and let Free dominate the right, imo. I'm not bashing Free here.

If we want a top quality LT we'll have to likely address it through the draft.

Not sure who in college even projects as a top 10 LT pick next year.
 
Woods;3656773 said:
If we want a top quality LT we'll have to likely address it through the draft.

Not sure who in college even projects as a top 10 LT pick next year.

I'd be curious to find out myself.
 
tupperware;3656780 said:

Thanks, Tupp. Seriously. :)

Just by skimming that list, I'd like to take a look at Pouncey for guard...

From the provided link:

14. Mike Pouncey

College: Florida
Height/Weight: 6-5 3/8, 311

Pouncey played as a true freshman, starting four games as a defensive lineman. He has started the past two seasons at guard and was named to first team all SEC in 2009. His twin borther Maurkice was drafted in the first round by the Steelers this past April.
 
Woods;3656773 said:
If we want a top quality LT we'll have to likely address it through the draft.

Not sure who in college even projects as a top 10 LT pick next year.

That's kind of what I was thinking. I know we had that thread arguing about who we would take if we got a top 5 pick. I was wondering about the possibility of taking an LT and moving Free to the RT. Seemed to work in my head, but I don't know if there is anyone in the draft who is worthy.
 
I do think Free at LT should be evaluated by the next coaching staff.

However, I see him as part of the answer at one of the OT spots.

I really like the LT from Mississippi State ( Derek Sherrod). Bunting says that he's a 20-25 first round guy, but he will likely rise. He is a LT who is good in pass protection and can get to the second level on his run blocking. He's a good run blocker. He's athletic. He is exactly the type of LT you would want, and you could plug him in. Getting a player like Sherrod would allow you to move Free to RT if you wanted to do it.

I do think Dallas will draft in the top 10.

This team is going to be in semi-rebuilding mode next year, imo.

It can still win, because the NFL is a parity league.
 
chuffly;3656791 said:
Alright, this sounds like a plan. We draft George Costanza's son, move Free to RT, and we are back in the saddle!

Actually, I'm not a fan of Costanza. And the list made me sad that there doesn't seem to be a worthy prospect. I wonder what we could get and for whom in a trade.

Seems we'd should be desperate enough at this point to trade something for an o-lineman.
 
41gy#;3656797 said:
I do think Free at LT should be evaluated by the next coaching staff.

However, I see him as part of the answer at one of the OT spots.

I really like the LT from Mississippi State ( Derek Sherrod). Bunting says that he's a 20-25 first round guy, but he will likely rise. He is a LT who is good in pass protection and can get to the second level on his run blocking. He's a good run blocker. He's athletic. He is exactly the type of LT you would want, and you could plug him in. Getting a player like Sherrod would allow you to move Free to RT if you wanted to do it.

I do think Dallas will draft in the top 10.

This team is going to be in semi-rebuilding mode next year, imo.

It can still win, because the NFL is a parity league.

Good post, 41.

Also from the aforementioned link:

4. Derek Sherrod, OT

College: Mississippi State
Height/Weight: 6-5 1/8, 305

Sherrod played as a true freshman at right tackle in 2007 and started at left tackle the past two years. He has good athletic ability and size. Sherrod was highly recruited out of high school and will be a good NFL player.

 
free is not the problem and I think he is proving he can play left tackle.

With that being said, LT is sort of like QB. If you don't have an elite left tackle, you are always looking for one. Same thing with QB. IMO Free can be a good left tackle, but I don't know if he can be a great one.

With LT being one of the premium positions on the team it makes it even more important. I would expect a left tackle of high caliber would need to come in the draft and not in FA. If you can't find one in the draft, I say you keep Free at LT. Although if Dallas picks high like they may and a left tackle is there who looks the part, I have no problem taking him and moving Free to RT.
 
The Boys were spoiled as we had a pretty good LT for 12 years. Very few other teams had that kind of longevity out of their LT. Free is still inexperienced; he should get better. But there is no denying that he was playing RT better than he has been playing LT.
 
It would probably be easier to get an athletic RT higher in the draft, unless Young works out ?

But I really want to see how Costa, Bright and Brewster do, hopefully they get playing time/experience this year on the interior of the line. If they worked out we could focus on the D.
 
burmafrd;3656819 said:
The Boys were spoiled as we had a pretty good LT for 12 years. Very few other teams had that kind of longevity out of their LT. Free is still inexperienced; he should get better. But there is no denying that he was playing RT better than he has been playing LT.

He also had a more stable guard next to him last year in Bigg (who had a decent season) than the revolving door he's had next to him this year.
 
I don't think an elite LT is needed.

Just a good one.

And I think Free can be the guy.

Actually the RT should be the "mauler". Not the LT.

Free doesn't have the body type for a RT. Think Erik Williams. Now that's a RT.
 
MichaelWinicki;3656831 said:
I don't think an elite LT is needed.

Just a good one.

And I think Free can be the guy.

Actually the RT should be the "mauler". Not the LT.

Free doesn't have the body type for a RT. Think Erik Williams. Now that's a RT.

I don't agree. I think Free is better suited to play the right side. I understand the stereotypical stuff. But I see him as a right tackle in the NFL. He can maul you, but he won't do it every time. I think of Free as a finesse, quickness guy that can sometimes beat you with his strength and push.
 
burmafrd;3656819 said:
The Boys were spoiled as we had a pretty good LT for 12 years. Very few other teams had that kind of longevity out of their LT. Free is still inexperienced; he should get better. But there is no denying that he was playing RT better than he has been playing LT.

Which brings me back to the point of why did we release Flo. when we didn't have depth or quality at the position before we released him?
 

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