What was missed in the near Romo injury

[Galian Beast]

Is that Doug Free continues to look like a liability in pass pro.

This guy is the biggest red flag on our offense. Looking back the replay you see Ezekiel Elliott visibly upset, but if you watch the whole play develop, it wasn't Zeke who got beat out, he actually had a great block. It was Free who got beat completely around the end and allows the rusher to circle completely around to Romo.

On what is a stellar offensive line, this guy is a major blight. Wish we had moved Collins to Right Tackle and kept Leary in there at Left Guard. Maybe that wasn't feasible, but I wish we had been able to get Free out of the starting lineup.

 

[UTmodisette]

You are greatly underestimating Free's ability. Yes his weakness is pass protection, but for a right tackle I would say he is average-above average at it. It's not like he is getting beat on every snap. Plus his run blocking is great, Zeke was dominating running to his side early on.

 

[Gameover]

I guess you don't have Twitter?

Romo was out the pocket, he needs to have better awareness.

I love we'll ignore that Free totally kicked Bennett's butt also.

And on the sack, the rusher was clearly had his hands in Free's helmet.

Speaking of non calls: anybody see the obvious hold on Wilson's TD pass to Lockett? How did they miss that!

 

[Gameover]

What happened to Thorton? He can't beat out McClain? I guess they plan to use him like they did the guy that signed with Tampa? Not Butler

 

[LatinMind]

Is that Doug Free continues to look like a liability in pass pro.

This guy is the biggest red flag on our offense. Looking back the replay you see Ezekiel Elliott visibly upset, but if you watch the whole play develop, it wasn't Zeke who got beat out, he actually had a great block. It was Free who got beat completely around the end and allows the rusher to circle completely around to Romo.

On what is a stellar offensive line, this guy is a major blight. Wish we had moved Collins to Right Tackle and kept Leary in there at Left Guard. Maybe that wasn't feasible, but I wish we had been able to get Free out of the starting lineup.

you expect this ol to block forever? romo has to get rid of the ball.

 

[Galian Beast]

you expect this ol to block forever? romo has to get rid of the ball.

At no point did Doug Free block this man.

 

[Typhus]

At no point did Doug Free block this man.

I'm sure Doug Free is esp aware of that point, and I'm not defending Free, but we are spoiled as Cowboys fans in the since, that we never see Tyron getting beat.
Free is what you see,, a decent RT, that will get beat on occasion, that's why this team actively pursues blocking TEs, but you have to be able to catch the ball too.
That falls back into the 2nd round bust conspiracy scenario...lol
Greens currently the swing, but theres at least a chance that he could be a potential upgrade there, or somewhere on this OL if at some point during the season a full shuffle was in order due to an injury.
Best case scenario is that Green remains the swing for a while,,, most teams wish they had the depth to have a real swing tackle.

 

[hendog]

Avril had his hand in free's face mask and his head pushed way back. Bad missed call.

 

[Cowboysfan917]

Free is the weakest link on the line and can be very average BUT

Romo's playing style, holding the ball and making things happen, creates these injurY situations. It is a double edged sword. In this situation, some QBs throw it away. Romo, Rodgers, Cutler, Luck all hold onto it. Those guys all land on the injury report frequently because of it

 

[Cowboysfan917]

I feel this is why Chaz Green has been given so many opportunities this preseason just in case a switch needs to be made

 

[JDSmith]

Free was an absolute turnstile on that play. He looked as if he barely even got his hands on the defender. He's clearly our weak link in pass protection and he's not getting any younger. I was really hoping Chaz Green would step up this camp to at least challenge him, but it appears Chaz just isn't there yet.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

you expect this ol to block forever? romo has to get rid of the ball.

And for that to happen people have to be open....

 

[JDSmith]

you expect this ol to block forever? romo has to get rid of the ball.

Free barely even touched the DE, he just got in his way enough to make him run a little further - at full speed. In order to hold a block you have to actually BLOCK someone. Had Free blocked his guy at all Romo would have had time to slide.

 

[Bullflop]

Free barely even touched the DE, he just got in his way enough to make him run a little further - at full speed. In order to hold a block you have to actually BLOCK someone. Had Free blocked his guy at all Romo would have had time to slide.

Free's pass blocking vulnerability is definitely a concern to me and I'm pretty sure it is to the staff as well. I'm hoping a reasonably capable pass blocking OT can and will be found soon, possibly when the final cuts are made or via trade. His whiffs are gradually becoming more frequent as time passes. I'm not especially confident Green is likely to remedy the situation either, to be totally candid. Hopefully, a solution might be found closer to sooner than much later.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Free barely even touched the DE, he just got in his way enough to make him run a little further - at full speed. In order to hold a block you have to actually BLOCK someone. Had Free blocked his guy at all Romo would have had time to slide.

How about Romo just learn to throw the ball away instead of running for two yards and risking injury?

 

[superonyx]

I'm sure Doug Free is esp aware of that point, and I'm not defending Free, but we are spoiled as Cowboys fans in the since, that we never see Tyron getting beat.
Free is what you see,, a decent RT, that will get beat on occasion, that's why this team actively pursues blocking TEs, but you have to be able to catch the ball too.
That falls back into the 2nd round bust conspiracy scenario...lol
Greens currently the swing, but theres at least a chance that he could be a potential upgrade there, or somewhere on this OL if at some point during the season a full shuffle was in order due to an injury.
Best case scenario is that Green remains the swing for a while,,, most teams wish they had the depth to have a real swing tackle.

The old whipping boy Doug Free is back I see.
Can we at least not pretend that Chas Green has not been terrible.
People are upset that Free directed his man outside on a play and they will overlooking the many many plays we have seen from Chas Green where he has been beaten like a rented mule or flagged.

If Chas Green replaces Free this year then crap has really gotten bad.

 

[Sydla]

Is that Doug Free continues to look like a liability in pass pro.

This guy is the biggest red flag on our offense. Looking back the replay you see Ezekiel Elliott visibly upset, but if you watch the whole play develop, it wasn't Zeke who got beat out, he actually had a great block. It was Free who got beat completely around the end and allows the rusher to circle completely around to Romo.

On what is a stellar offensive line, this guy is a major blight. Wish we had moved Collins to Right Tackle and kept Leary in there at Left Guard. Maybe that wasn't feasible, but I wish we had been able to get Free out of the starting lineup.

No OL is going to hold a block that long. Once Romo scrambled even good OL are going to lose contact with rushers.

 

[CowboyStar88]

From my point of view Free looked terrible last night. He seemed to get beat often IMO. Speed Rush or inside move. Just didn't appear to have any power. Not sure if his technique was off or not. He was also flagged for a holding call.

Green looked much better than the last 2 games, he's starting to round into the player I watched I. FLA (Gator fan here). It wouldn't surprise me at some point if Green moves into the starting lineup if Free struggles. He isn't a spring chicken anymore.

 

[rwalters31]

You are greatly underestimating Free's ability. Yes his weakness is pass protection, but for a right tackle I would say he is average-above average at it. It's not like he is getting beat on every snap. Plus his run blocking is great, Zeke was dominating running to his side early on.

Romo has shown me that he has loss his es-capability. He was slow footed last year when he got hurt and he was slow at getting to ground last night. He will be a very good pocket passer this year but will get hurt when he has to move to avoid a pass rush.

 

[Sydla]

Avril had his hand in free's face mask and his head pushed way back. Bad missed call.

Yep