Some perspective on Free

[gimmesix]

Yes, I know there are several threads already on the subject, but I feel Free has been somewhat unfairly maligned on here.

Some think just anyone can replace Free, while others just want to point out his flaws in order to support that.

First, he does have flaws. He is far from perfect and he is replaceable even if that's not as easy to do as some believe.

Dallas ran 1,006 offensive plays last year and Free played in all 16 games. (I'm not sure if he missed any snaps.

Of those plays, Dallas ran the ball 499 for an average of 4.8 yards and had the league's leading rusher. This was accomplished with Free helping lead the way.

The Cowboys passed the ball 325 times, with Dak Prescott only throwing 4 interceptions (during the regular season) partially because of the time in the pocket Free helped create. Free did give up eight sacks, but that's 1 sack for every 40.6 pass plays.

Dallas finished the season fifth in total offense, second in rushing offense and fifth in scoring offense.

If Free was the scrub many believe him to be, there's no way Dallas could accomplish any of that with him in the lineup. He's a starting-caliber lineman who is upgradeable, but there's a reason that he's starting and why Dallas doesn't plan to change that this year unless he chooses to retire. There are reasons Dallas kept Free over Jermey Parnell.

I hate defending Free because I have said in other threads that I would prefer the team keep Leary, cut Free and let Collins and Green compete for Free's job. However, the reason I want that is because it helps the line get younger to the point where it could be together for several years and because I do believe Collins could possibly be a better tackle than Free. I believe Green, if can stay healthy, has shown that he might be as well. (And if all else fails, Collins has shown enough at guard that Dallas could flip Martin out to tackle if needed.)

The fact is there are 64 starting tackles in this league and Free, like it or not, has a place among him. He is good enough for that, and good enough to help this team have the offensive success that it has had. Some want to make it seem like the team is succeeding despite Doug Free, but he is a part of that success. And that's why the team isn't in a hurry to make a change.

Fans tend to see only the flaws, and yes, there are plenty of flaws, instead of looking at the majority of the plays where Free did his job and at times excelled at it.

 

[waldoputty]

Many here point out Belicheat's way is the best way.
If Belicheat was making the decision with Free, what do you think would have happened to Free?

 

[big dog cowboy]

(credit to @bkight13)

 

[Idgit]

Yes, I know there are several threads already on the subject, but I feel Free has been somewhat unfairly maligned on here.

Some think just anyone can replace Free, while others just want to point out his flaws in order to support that.

First, he does have flaws. He is far from perfect and he is replaceable even if that's not as easy to do as some believe.

Dallas ran 1,006 offensive plays last year and Free played in all 16 games. (I'm not sure if he missed any snaps.

Of those plays, Dallas ran the ball 499 for an average of 4.8 yards and had the league's leading rusher. This was accomplished with Free helping lead the way.

The Cowboys passed the ball 325 times, with Dak Prescott only throwing 4 interceptions (during the regular season) partially because of the time in the pocket Free helped create. Free did give up eight sacks, but that's 1 sack for every 40.6 pass plays.

Dallas finished the season fifth in total offense, second in rushing offense and fifth in scoring offense.

If Free was the scrub many believe him to be, there's no way Dallas could accomplish any of that with him in the lineup. He's a starting-caliber lineman who is upgradeable, but there's a reason that he's starting and why Dallas doesn't plan to change that this year unless he chooses to retire. There are reasons Dallas kept Free over Jermey Parnell.

I hate defending Free because I have said in other threads that I would prefer the team keep Leary, cut Free and let Collins and Green compete for Free's job. However, the reason I want that is because it helps the line get younger to the point where it could be together for several years and because I do believe Collins could possibly be a better tackle than Free. I believe Green, if can stay healthy, has shown that he might be as well. (And if all else fails, Collins has shown enough at guard that Dallas could flip Martin out to tackle if needed.)

The fact is there are 64 starting tackles in this league and Free, like it or not, has a place among him. He is good enough for that, and good enough to help this team have the offensive success that it has had. Some want to make it seem like the team is succeeding despite Doug Free, but he is a part of that success. And that's why the team isn't in a hurry to make a change.

Fans tend to see only the flaws, and yes, there are plenty of flaws, instead of looking at the majority of the plays where Free did his job and at times excelled at it.

This is exactly right. Free has a spot here because of all the snaps where he does his job, despite the fact he occasionally gets beat.

 

[SDCowboy]

This is exactly right. Free has a spot here because of all the snaps where he does his job, despite the fact he occasionally gets beat.

It's not just getting beat, though. It's the drive killing penalties.

 

[Idgit]

It's not just getting beat, though. It's the drive killing penalties.

The point is, despite the negative plays, the offense is very effective with Free in the lineup.

 

[SDCowboy]

The point is, despite the negative plays, the offense is very effective with Free in the lineup.

While true, I don't think it's unreasonable to want to get better at his spot, just because the line is still effective with him in there.

 

[waldoputty]

The point is, despite the negative plays, the offense is very effective with Free in the lineup.

actually the offense works despite Free because everyone else are so good.

 

[waldoputty]

While true, I don't think it's unreasonable to want to get better at his spot, just because the line is still effective with him in there.

considering he was the 3rd worst OT in pressures and sacks.
and i think that includes LT also he is probably the worst RT.
his man beat him on the 1st move that resulted in 3 out of 4 of Dak's fumbles last year - to be exact 37.5% of Dak's turnovers in 2016 was Free.

 

[gimmesix]

It's not just getting beat, though. It's the drive killing penalties.

In those 1,006 offensive plays, Free had 8 penalties (9 total, but one was offsetting), according to nflpenalties.com: 5 holding, 3 false starts and 1 face mask. Tyron Smith had 6 (and one declined), including 5 holds.

 

[Doc50]

The point is, despite the negative plays, the offense is very effective with Free in the lineup.

.......and the other OL guys consider him to be their leader; a lot of respect there.

 

[gimmesix]

actually the offense works despite Free because everyone else are so good.

You can believe that if you want, but if Free was getting beat all the time like you seem to think, the offense wouldn't work, and frankly, he would have been replaced. Instead, Free is good on most plays, great on some and stinks on a few.

It is the few stinkers that everyone remembers, though, as if they happen on every play.

 

[SDCowboy]

In those 1,006 offensive plays, Free had 8 penalties (9 total, but one was offsetting), according to nflpenalties.com: 5 holding, 3 false starts and 1 face mask. Tyron Smith had 6 (and one declined), including 5 holds.

I'm not trying to say he's the only cause of penalties, because he's far from it, but penalties have been an issue.

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

considering he was the 3rd worst OT in pressures and sacks.
and i think that includes LT also he is probably the worst RT.
his man beat him on the 1st move that resulted in 3 out of 4 of Dak's fumbles last year - to be exact 37.5% of Dak's turnovers in 2016 was Free.

We've seen these stats on every thread that talks about Free. What they don't show is his run blocking ability - and considering that we run more than we pass, that's a considerable factor.

I'm not saying the guy wouldn't be replaceable, I've argued that if the Wisconsin kid is still on the board at 28 we should consider taking him. But I've seen the FA list of tackles and there's one, maybe two that would be a clear upgrade. That could get expensive and we have too many other needs.

 

[waving monkey]

Many here point out Belicheat's way is the best way.
If Belicheat was making the decision with Free, what do you think would have happened to Free?

that depends

 

[big dog cowboy]

We've seen these stats on every thread that talks about Free. What they don't show is his run blocking ability - and considering that we run more than we pass, that's a considerable factor.

2016 the Cowboys had 16 more rushing attemps than passing attemps. I wouldn't call 1 per game "considerable factor" but I get your point.

 

[gimmesix]

While true, I don't think it's unreasonable to want to get better at his spot, just because the line is still effective with him in there.

I don't think it's unreasonable, and hope that I made it clear in my OP. I think it's more difficult than some believe.

I think, for example, if we kept Leary that Collins could turn out to be a better RT than Free. He seems to have good feet to handle the quickness and enough strength. However, it would likely take him time to get the footwork and technique down that is needed at the position. Also, tackles are on an island more than interior blockers, so any flaws he has would become exposed and good DEs would work to exploit those flaws.

I saw things in Green that make me think he could be better than Free, but teams also haven't had the chance to study him as much as Free so any flaws he has also would be diagnosed and attacked. Plus, there is simply the fact that he can't stay healthy.

So while we want to be better, there are questions whether either of these players would make us better. I still think it's worth the risk if it means we keep Leary because I believe he's a better guard than Free is a tackle.

 

[SDCowboy]

I don't think it's unreasonable, and hope that I made it clear in my OP. I think it's more difficult than some believe.

I think, for example, if we kept Leary that Collins could turn out to be a better RT than Free. He seems to have good feet to handle the quickness and enough strength. However, it would likely take him time to get the footwork and technique down that is needed at the position. Also, tackles are on an island more than interior blockers, so any flaws he has would become exposed and good DEs would work to exploit those flaws.

I saw things in Green that make me think he could be better than Free, but teams also haven't had the chance to study him as much as Free so any flaws he has also would be diagnosed and attacked. Plus, there is simply the fact that he can't stay healthy.

So while we want to be better, there are questions whether either of these players would make us better. I still think it's worth the risk if it means we keep Leary because I believe he's a better guard than Free is a tackle.

Fair enough.

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

2016 the Cowboys had 16 more rushing attemps than passing attemps. I wouldn't call 1 per game "considerable factor" but I get your point.

Even if they were even, it's half the offensive snaps. That's considerable in my book.

 

[RandyOh]

Its fair to say that we all want Frees replacement sooner then later. But unless he retires, then we don't actually have a hole at RT. Every team has a Doug Free or 2 on their line. Hell the Giants went to the playoffs with what looked like an entire Oline of Doug Free level of serviceable starters on their line. sure they got bounced in the wild card round but you get my point. Between Free, Green, Cleary, and possibly a day 3 OT pick, we should be able to keep RT patched up for the season. Not to mention this years OT class is horrible. 2018 draft would be the year to look for his replacement early in the draft. Much better class.