cowboyjoe
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Who is Doug (The “Freak in college Nicknamed) Free with his Bio, Stats & History!
Doug Free was born January 15th, 1984 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, while playing at Lincoln High School in Manitowoc. Going onto to Northern Illinois University playing offensive tackle, then drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2007 NFL draft in the 4th round, pick number 122 in that 4th round.
Hometown:
Manitowoc, WI
High School:
Lincoln
Height / Weight:
6-7 / 315
Position:
OT
www.seedougfree.com
All-America Candidate
Outland Trophy Watch List
2006 Team Captain
Career: Two-time All-Mid-Am pick (2004-05). Heads into senior campaign with an active string of 36 consecutive starts (34 at LT and two at TE) and 156 knockdown blocks in 2,287 career snaps (2003-05). Serious 2007 National Football League draft material. All-America candidate with unique combination of athleticism, quick feet, and work ethic. Nicknamed by Northern Illinois teammates as "Doug Freak" for athleticism
05.0 speed, 29-inch vertical jump, and 565-pound squat lift. Compared to former Huskie Third-Team All-America OT and Indianapolis Colts (fourth-round pick in 2001 NFL draft) starter Ryan Diem. Rated by ESPN.com analyst Bill Curry as one of three best non-skill position players in the country, along with Boston College DE Mathias Kiwanuka and Minnesota C Greg Eslinger. "Even at 6-7, 302, he (Free) can get out and lead RB Garrett Wolfe downfield on screens. Coach Joe Novak says Free could play TE in the NFL." Anchored rock-solid Northern Illinois O-line that blocked for nation's No. 16 major-college rushing attack (206.7 yards-per-game average) and total offense (441.1 ypg.) last season and paved the way for 1,000-yard rushers such as All-America tailbacks Michael "The Burner" Turner and Garrett Wolfe.
Joe Novak: "No question, Doug has the talent to play on Sundays. Knock on wood, I believe he's going to be a first-round draft pick. Doug Free's a lot better athlete than Ryan Diem. He (Free) can run! You just don't see many offensive linemen that can run at that size like he can. What's impressive is he'll sit back in pass protection and then we'll throw the ball down the field and he''ll run downfield and block a safety. I mean, get downfield! You just don't see kids who can do that. He's special. Our kids call him `Doug Freak' because he runs so well."
2006 Preseason: Named to Outland Trophy Watch List. Honorable Mention All-America, First-Team All-MAC selection, and listed as league's "top NFL prospect" by Street & Smith's. First-Team All-America selection by Insiders' Football News. Listed as Third-Team All-America and First-Team All-MAC by Athlon Sports preseason publication. Tabbed First-Team All-MAC by Blue Ribbon College Football Digest. First-Team All-MAC and ranked as No. 8 offensive tackle in the nation by The Sporting News. Honorable mention All-America and rated as No. 6 offensive tackle in the nation by CollegeFootballNews.com.
Listed as the nation's No. 8 offensive tackle by Lindy's preseason publication in addition to being tabbed as the MAC's "Best Run Blocker" and the league's No. 2 NFL Draft candidate and a first-team all-conference pick. Tabbed as First-Team All-MAC, ranked as the No. 10 offensive tackle nationally, and No. 26 on 2007 NFL Draft List by Phil Steele's College Football Preview. Named on preseason Third-Team NationalChamps.Net All-America. Listed as fourth-best senior offensive tackle and No. 23 among senior prospects for 2007 NFL Draft by Mel Kiper. First-Team All-MAC by CBS SportsLine.
2005: Selected First-Team All-MAC by league coaches and CollegeFootballNews.com last fall. Rated No. 18 prospect in nation by CollegeFootballNews.com ("a frightening blend of strength and speed," according to the website). Ranked No. 1 (tie) in team blocking grades (91 percent), No. 2 in "flatback" blocks (13), and No. 3 in knockdown blocks (49). Won 12 starts at LT and played 806 snaps. Nominated for MAC All-Academic and CoSIDA District V All-Academic with 3.24 cumulative grade point average as Industrial Technology major. Earned several preseason accolades including beding tabbed as Honorable Mention All-America by Street & Smith's College Football, No. 45 OT in nation by Phil Steele's College Football Preview, plus at least six First-Team All-MAC units (Street & Smith's, CollegeFootballNews.com, Phil Steele's, CBS SportsLine.com College Football, The Sporting News, and Lindy's).
2004: Best all-around athlete on top-notch Northern Illinois O-line front that featured four All-MAC performers (2004). Named Third-Team CollegeSportsReport.com Sophomore All-America and coaches' Second-Team All-MAC. Earned second letter with 878 total snaps (806 on offense and 72 on placement kick unit) in 12 starts. Led O-line in blocking grades (91 percent) and flatback blocks (17), plus rated No. 2 in O-line snaps (806) and No. 4 in team knockdown blocks (67). Earned "plus" grades on 654 of 806 O-line plays. Went career-high 99 snaps (92 on offense) vs. Eastern Michigan (11-20-04). Tied for No. 37 in team tackles (one). Credited with stop vs. No. 22 (AP) Maryland (9-4-04).
2003: Named Third-Team Frosh All-America by The Sporting News. Blocked for one of only two 1-A offenses with 2,500-yard passer, 1,500-yard rusher, and 1,000-yard receiver. Won first letter with 12 starts (10 at LT and two at TE) and 603 overall snaps (595 on offense and eight on special teams). Earned "plus" grades on 477 plays at OT and wound up No. 3 in team knockdown blocks (40). Played season-high 87 snaps vs. Western Michigan (10-18-03). Opened year at No. 2 RT. Went from zero 1-A snaps to Frosh All-America in five months (2003).
2002: Red-shirted as true frosh. Began career at No. 3 LT.
Prep: Ranked as No. 9 college prospect in state by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (2002). Named team captain and Defensive Lineman of the Year, First-Team All-Fox Valley Conference on both offense and defense, First-Team Herald Times Reporter All-Area, and First-Team Milwaukee Journal Sentinel All-State on 7-3 playoff entry and league runner-up as a senior for coach John Dixon. Recorded 64 tackles, eight sacks, seven blocked kicks, six fumble-cause hits, five deflections, and two fumble recoveries at DT, plus made six receptions for 141 yards and one TD at TE (2001). Named First-Team All-FVC as a junior. Lettered in football (3). Honor Roll student.
Chart: Boasts second-best squat lift on roster with 500-pound effort. Produced 18 reps with 225 pounds, 29-inch vertical jump, 350-pound power clean, and 355-pound bench press in off-season conditioning program (2006).
An interview with Doug Free below;
Doug Free played at 240 pounds in high school.
When is the first time you remember thinking this guy could play professionally someday?: It probably was when he was a redshirt freshman at Northern. I had coached at the college level and happened to coach at UW-Platteville, where the Chicago Bears had trained. I had worked for the Bears as an athletic trainer during their summer training camps and minicamps. When I saw Doug, I saw a lot of the same characteristics in him that I saw in a lot of the offensive linemen the Bears had during their (first) Super Bowl year ? Kurt Becker, Mark Bortz or Tom Thayer ? those tall, long types of athletes who had a lot of athletic ability. We certainly recognized (his athletic ability) when he was here. He played at 240 (pounds) his senior year and wasn't as big in high school, but the one thing that set him apart was he could outrun anyone on our football team, including our backs and skill kids. He was very athletic, very light on his feet. He ran conditioning and sprints with our running backs because he was so much faster and more athletic than anyone on our offensive line or defensive line.
What game sticks out the most in your memory when you look back on his high school career?: There was a game against Sheboygan North where Doug was pretty dominant. He was primarily a defensive player in high school. I came to Manitowoc for Doug's senior year. Prior to that, he'd played only defense. When I came in, we ran a Wing-T offense and we moved Doug to tight end, and he ended up playing both ways. In that game, he had a touchdown on offense and he had an excellent game on defense. One play that sticks out in my mind was on a PAT. Doug went through his man, pushed his guy and blocked the kick. The kicker caught the kick, and Doug tackled the kicker. It's like that old saying, that you just tackle everybody and find out who has the ball afterward. He got his big hand up, blocked the kick and was able to catch the kicker.
FREE
How often do you keep in touch with him?: He's here today (March 15). Doug's a super young man. I have two young sons who are in the seventh and fifth grade. Doug's constantly bringing back gloves and shoes and T-shirts for them. He brought a backpack from a bowl they played in two years ago. It's not something he has to do. It's just the type of kid he is. Whenever he's in town, he comes back to school. He's in the pool for a workout right now. We talked less than an hour ago. We keep in contact pretty regularly.
When do you expect him to get selected in the draft?: I don't follow it that carefully. What I've heard is late second or early third (round), hopefully a first-day pick. At that position, when you get that far in the draft, things can happen and things can change. It all depends on how much teams need tackles. I've seen him (ranked) anywhere from fourth to seventh as far as tackles go, but those rankings are all arbitrary anyway.
Videos below;
http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/nfl-draft/2007-NFL-Draft-Doug-Free-2284 Videos
http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/nfl-d...g-Free-2284;_ylt=Allzhcz4H6k5i6Mt3kW7.2sA3pN4
Photos below;
http://www.mahalo.com/doug-free Photos
Draft Bio;
POSITIVES: Smart, alert lineman who stands out in pass protection. Displays a lot of quickness, recognizes blitzes and is an outstanding position blocker who makes effective use of angles. Stays square, keeps defenders in front of him and fights with his hands.
NEGATIVES: Not a dominant run blocker nor a true finisher. More of a finesse lineman than an outright mauler. Suffered a stress fracture in his foot early last season that hampered his play all year.
ANALYSIS: Formerly a tight end, Free has grown into a terrific offensive tackle. Offers a lot of upside for the next level yet may be incorrectly evaluated because of his injury last season. Possesses starting potential and is a bargain outside of the first round.
PROJECTION: Late Fourth Round
2007 NFL Draft Prospect Scouting Report:
At 6-6, Free is very tall for an offensive lineman, much less for any football player. He has bulked up quite a bit in the last year and has the frame to get even bigger. And bigger means better in the NFL. Free is still a solid prospect just as he is right now. He is a quick, agile tackle and he posted a 4.91 in the forty-yard dash at the combine. Free is also as experienced as any player in the draft, having started from day one as a freshman at Northern Illinois. Almost none of that experience, however, came against big-time competition. As such, it might take Free a bit longer than most to adjust to life at the next level. Free qualifies as a sleeper heading into the draft and he could turn out to be a solid contributor in a few years. Scouts compare him to former NIU tackle and current Colts' starter Ryan Diem. Look for Free to come off the board in round three.
Professional Career
Doug Free played his first NFL game late into the 2007 season against the Washington Commanders, in which he gave up one sack in the 27 - 6 loss.
Doug Free didn't play in the 2008 season.
On November 15th 2009, Marc Colombo suffered from a possible season ending injury, a broken fibula on the second drive against the Green Bay Packers. Doug Free filled in the void and did not give up a sack in the 17 - 7 loss. Wade Phillips said on his press conference the next day that Doug Free "played just fine." Then stated that Free will finish out the season starting at RT. Before the injury to Columbo, Doug Free played backup at LOT a few games before the Green Bay Packer game spelling Flozell Adams. Again another note worthwhile is that Free is 25 years old now, just when offensive linemen start coming into their own and getting their functional strength in the pro football league. An example of this would be Larry Allen who starting his impressive bench pressing stats with the Dallas Cowboys after he turned 26.
Thought some of you might want to know about Doug Free now that he is replacing Columbo; joe
Doug Free was born January 15th, 1984 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, while playing at Lincoln High School in Manitowoc. Going onto to Northern Illinois University playing offensive tackle, then drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2007 NFL draft in the 4th round, pick number 122 in that 4th round.
Hometown:
Manitowoc, WI
High School:
Lincoln
Height / Weight:
6-7 / 315
Position:
OT
www.seedougfree.com
All-America Candidate
Outland Trophy Watch List
2006 Team Captain
Career: Two-time All-Mid-Am pick (2004-05). Heads into senior campaign with an active string of 36 consecutive starts (34 at LT and two at TE) and 156 knockdown blocks in 2,287 career snaps (2003-05). Serious 2007 National Football League draft material. All-America candidate with unique combination of athleticism, quick feet, and work ethic. Nicknamed by Northern Illinois teammates as "Doug Freak" for athleticism
05.0 speed, 29-inch vertical jump, and 565-pound squat lift. Compared to former Huskie Third-Team All-America OT and Indianapolis Colts (fourth-round pick in 2001 NFL draft) starter Ryan Diem. Rated by ESPN.com analyst Bill Curry as one of three best non-skill position players in the country, along with Boston College DE Mathias Kiwanuka and Minnesota C Greg Eslinger. "Even at 6-7, 302, he (Free) can get out and lead RB Garrett Wolfe downfield on screens. Coach Joe Novak says Free could play TE in the NFL." Anchored rock-solid Northern Illinois O-line that blocked for nation's No. 16 major-college rushing attack (206.7 yards-per-game average) and total offense (441.1 ypg.) last season and paved the way for 1,000-yard rushers such as All-America tailbacks Michael "The Burner" Turner and Garrett Wolfe. Joe Novak: "No question, Doug has the talent to play on Sundays. Knock on wood, I believe he's going to be a first-round draft pick. Doug Free's a lot better athlete than Ryan Diem. He (Free) can run! You just don't see many offensive linemen that can run at that size like he can. What's impressive is he'll sit back in pass protection and then we'll throw the ball down the field and he''ll run downfield and block a safety. I mean, get downfield! You just don't see kids who can do that. He's special. Our kids call him `Doug Freak' because he runs so well."
2006 Preseason: Named to Outland Trophy Watch List. Honorable Mention All-America, First-Team All-MAC selection, and listed as league's "top NFL prospect" by Street & Smith's. First-Team All-America selection by Insiders' Football News. Listed as Third-Team All-America and First-Team All-MAC by Athlon Sports preseason publication. Tabbed First-Team All-MAC by Blue Ribbon College Football Digest. First-Team All-MAC and ranked as No. 8 offensive tackle in the nation by The Sporting News. Honorable mention All-America and rated as No. 6 offensive tackle in the nation by CollegeFootballNews.com.
Listed as the nation's No. 8 offensive tackle by Lindy's preseason publication in addition to being tabbed as the MAC's "Best Run Blocker" and the league's No. 2 NFL Draft candidate and a first-team all-conference pick. Tabbed as First-Team All-MAC, ranked as the No. 10 offensive tackle nationally, and No. 26 on 2007 NFL Draft List by Phil Steele's College Football Preview. Named on preseason Third-Team NationalChamps.Net All-America. Listed as fourth-best senior offensive tackle and No. 23 among senior prospects for 2007 NFL Draft by Mel Kiper. First-Team All-MAC by CBS SportsLine.
2005: Selected First-Team All-MAC by league coaches and CollegeFootballNews.com last fall. Rated No. 18 prospect in nation by CollegeFootballNews.com ("a frightening blend of strength and speed," according to the website). Ranked No. 1 (tie) in team blocking grades (91 percent), No. 2 in "flatback" blocks (13), and No. 3 in knockdown blocks (49). Won 12 starts at LT and played 806 snaps. Nominated for MAC All-Academic and CoSIDA District V All-Academic with 3.24 cumulative grade point average as Industrial Technology major. Earned several preseason accolades including beding tabbed as Honorable Mention All-America by Street & Smith's College Football, No. 45 OT in nation by Phil Steele's College Football Preview, plus at least six First-Team All-MAC units (Street & Smith's, CollegeFootballNews.com, Phil Steele's, CBS SportsLine.com College Football, The Sporting News, and Lindy's).
2004: Best all-around athlete on top-notch Northern Illinois O-line front that featured four All-MAC performers (2004). Named Third-Team CollegeSportsReport.com Sophomore All-America and coaches' Second-Team All-MAC. Earned second letter with 878 total snaps (806 on offense and 72 on placement kick unit) in 12 starts. Led O-line in blocking grades (91 percent) and flatback blocks (17), plus rated No. 2 in O-line snaps (806) and No. 4 in team knockdown blocks (67). Earned "plus" grades on 654 of 806 O-line plays. Went career-high 99 snaps (92 on offense) vs. Eastern Michigan (11-20-04). Tied for No. 37 in team tackles (one). Credited with stop vs. No. 22 (AP) Maryland (9-4-04).
2003: Named Third-Team Frosh All-America by The Sporting News. Blocked for one of only two 1-A offenses with 2,500-yard passer, 1,500-yard rusher, and 1,000-yard receiver. Won first letter with 12 starts (10 at LT and two at TE) and 603 overall snaps (595 on offense and eight on special teams). Earned "plus" grades on 477 plays at OT and wound up No. 3 in team knockdown blocks (40). Played season-high 87 snaps vs. Western Michigan (10-18-03). Opened year at No. 2 RT. Went from zero 1-A snaps to Frosh All-America in five months (2003).
2002: Red-shirted as true frosh. Began career at No. 3 LT.
Prep: Ranked as No. 9 college prospect in state by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (2002). Named team captain and Defensive Lineman of the Year, First-Team All-Fox Valley Conference on both offense and defense, First-Team Herald Times Reporter All-Area, and First-Team Milwaukee Journal Sentinel All-State on 7-3 playoff entry and league runner-up as a senior for coach John Dixon. Recorded 64 tackles, eight sacks, seven blocked kicks, six fumble-cause hits, five deflections, and two fumble recoveries at DT, plus made six receptions for 141 yards and one TD at TE (2001). Named First-Team All-FVC as a junior. Lettered in football (3). Honor Roll student.
Chart: Boasts second-best squat lift on roster with 500-pound effort. Produced 18 reps with 225 pounds, 29-inch vertical jump, 350-pound power clean, and 355-pound bench press in off-season conditioning program (2006).
An interview with Doug Free below;
Doug Free played at 240 pounds in high school.
When is the first time you remember thinking this guy could play professionally someday?: It probably was when he was a redshirt freshman at Northern. I had coached at the college level and happened to coach at UW-Platteville, where the Chicago Bears had trained. I had worked for the Bears as an athletic trainer during their summer training camps and minicamps. When I saw Doug, I saw a lot of the same characteristics in him that I saw in a lot of the offensive linemen the Bears had during their (first) Super Bowl year ? Kurt Becker, Mark Bortz or Tom Thayer ? those tall, long types of athletes who had a lot of athletic ability. We certainly recognized (his athletic ability) when he was here. He played at 240 (pounds) his senior year and wasn't as big in high school, but the one thing that set him apart was he could outrun anyone on our football team, including our backs and skill kids. He was very athletic, very light on his feet. He ran conditioning and sprints with our running backs because he was so much faster and more athletic than anyone on our offensive line or defensive line.
What game sticks out the most in your memory when you look back on his high school career?: There was a game against Sheboygan North where Doug was pretty dominant. He was primarily a defensive player in high school. I came to Manitowoc for Doug's senior year. Prior to that, he'd played only defense. When I came in, we ran a Wing-T offense and we moved Doug to tight end, and he ended up playing both ways. In that game, he had a touchdown on offense and he had an excellent game on defense. One play that sticks out in my mind was on a PAT. Doug went through his man, pushed his guy and blocked the kick. The kicker caught the kick, and Doug tackled the kicker. It's like that old saying, that you just tackle everybody and find out who has the ball afterward. He got his big hand up, blocked the kick and was able to catch the kicker.
FREE
How often do you keep in touch with him?: He's here today (March 15). Doug's a super young man. I have two young sons who are in the seventh and fifth grade. Doug's constantly bringing back gloves and shoes and T-shirts for them. He brought a backpack from a bowl they played in two years ago. It's not something he has to do. It's just the type of kid he is. Whenever he's in town, he comes back to school. He's in the pool for a workout right now. We talked less than an hour ago. We keep in contact pretty regularly.
When do you expect him to get selected in the draft?: I don't follow it that carefully. What I've heard is late second or early third (round), hopefully a first-day pick. At that position, when you get that far in the draft, things can happen and things can change. It all depends on how much teams need tackles. I've seen him (ranked) anywhere from fourth to seventh as far as tackles go, but those rankings are all arbitrary anyway.
Videos below;
http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/nfl-draft/2007-NFL-Draft-Doug-Free-2284 Videos
http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/nfl-d...g-Free-2284;_ylt=Allzhcz4H6k5i6Mt3kW7.2sA3pN4
Photos below;
http://www.mahalo.com/doug-free Photos
Draft Bio;
POSITIVES: Smart, alert lineman who stands out in pass protection. Displays a lot of quickness, recognizes blitzes and is an outstanding position blocker who makes effective use of angles. Stays square, keeps defenders in front of him and fights with his hands.
NEGATIVES: Not a dominant run blocker nor a true finisher. More of a finesse lineman than an outright mauler. Suffered a stress fracture in his foot early last season that hampered his play all year.
ANALYSIS: Formerly a tight end, Free has grown into a terrific offensive tackle. Offers a lot of upside for the next level yet may be incorrectly evaluated because of his injury last season. Possesses starting potential and is a bargain outside of the first round.
PROJECTION: Late Fourth Round
2007 NFL Draft Prospect Scouting Report:
At 6-6, Free is very tall for an offensive lineman, much less for any football player. He has bulked up quite a bit in the last year and has the frame to get even bigger. And bigger means better in the NFL. Free is still a solid prospect just as he is right now. He is a quick, agile tackle and he posted a 4.91 in the forty-yard dash at the combine. Free is also as experienced as any player in the draft, having started from day one as a freshman at Northern Illinois. Almost none of that experience, however, came against big-time competition. As such, it might take Free a bit longer than most to adjust to life at the next level. Free qualifies as a sleeper heading into the draft and he could turn out to be a solid contributor in a few years. Scouts compare him to former NIU tackle and current Colts' starter Ryan Diem. Look for Free to come off the board in round three.
Professional Career
Doug Free played his first NFL game late into the 2007 season against the Washington Commanders, in which he gave up one sack in the 27 - 6 loss.
Doug Free didn't play in the 2008 season.
On November 15th 2009, Marc Colombo suffered from a possible season ending injury, a broken fibula on the second drive against the Green Bay Packers. Doug Free filled in the void and did not give up a sack in the 17 - 7 loss. Wade Phillips said on his press conference the next day that Doug Free "played just fine." Then stated that Free will finish out the season starting at RT. Before the injury to Columbo, Doug Free played backup at LOT a few games before the Green Bay Packer game spelling Flozell Adams. Again another note worthwhile is that Free is 25 years old now, just when offensive linemen start coming into their own and getting their functional strength in the pro football league. An example of this would be Larry Allen who starting his impressive bench pressing stats with the Dallas Cowboys after he turned 26.
Thought some of you might want to know about Doug Free now that he is replacing Columbo; joe
