Who is our backup tackle?

[AMERICAS_FAN]

With all the OL woes in 2011, I think Dallas got extremely lucky not to lose either of their tackles long term. While flipping Free and Smith for 2012 and beyond is the right move, that does not solve Dallas' depth problems at tackle.

So I think it would be wise for Dallas to target this in free agency with a modestly priced, older veteran, on a 1 or 2 year short-term plan, and also target a T in day 2 of the draft to develop and maybe help fill that role several years later.

What do you think?

 

[JoeCorrado]

Plenty of players in the draft coming out who have experience as a starting Tackle in college, who project as a better guard in the NFL. Doesn't mean they could not slide over a spot in a pinch. Free and Smith are interchangeable if needs be,

We take one of those versatile college guys with experience in both tackle and guard for the flexibility. We have so little depth at tackle, drafting smart at the guard spot- with an eye towards versatility is key. See my 2nd round pick in the mock.

Also, I am sure we will look at the FA market, June cuts, and UDFA opportunities to add some competition for depth there.

 

[Stash]

It was a major concern I had as well, and one I'd often bring up when the team was foolishly keeping two kickers.

They were fortunate not to have injury at that spot or the season would have gone south even faster than it did.

I think they'll like what they have in Parnell and feel he may develop into that player, though I'm not sure how effective he would be on the right side at his size.

I would still like to see them take a look at a more right tackle type at some point.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

It was a major concern I had as well, and one I'd often bring up when the team was foolishly keeping two kickers.

They were fortunate not to have injury at that spot or the season would have gone south even faster than it did.

I think they'll like what they have in Parnell and feel he may develop into that player, though I'm not sure how effective he would be on the right side at his size.

I would still like to see them take a look at a more right tackle type at some point.

I think they'll bring Holland back as a backup OG, and look to free agency for a modestly proced veteran OT to backup that position as a swing-tackle. I also think they'll draft an OT in later rounds to groom for the future. I don't think they need to draft OGs to groom because they basically have those young Gs in place already.

 

[jblaze2004]

I think they have parnell as the back up and doug free the back up LT if Smith goes down.

If smith goes down
free moves to LT and parnell is the RT

if free goes down
parnell fills his spot at RT

 

[reddyuta]

we know nothing about Parnell.can he even play against regular starters? we need to make sure he can before settling on him as a backup,we need to get better at even the backup OL spots.

 

[Wolfpack]

we know nothing about Parnell.can he even play against regular starters? we need to make sure he can before settling on him as a backup,we need to get better at even the backup OL spots.

Nah...just roll the dice....ya gotta love that these are the same folks who thought Alan Ball was a lock to start at FS.

 

[JoeCorrado]

Nah...just roll the dice....ya gotta love that these are the same folks who thought Alan Ball was a lock to start at FS.

If Costa flops at center, we can just plug him in at tackle... right?

 

[Risen Star]

Yep. I wouldn't be opposed to a T at any point in the draft. We can always shift Free inside or that new T inside.

I could easily see a T being the BPA at 14.

 

[Risen Star]

we know nothing about Parnell.can he even play against regular starters? we need to make sure he can before settling on him as a backup,we need to get better at even the backup OL spots.

I actually like him as a developmental player. Someone worthy to stick around for awhile at the bottom of the roster. But I think he's LT only.

We really don't have a true RT on the roster. People will say Free but they're wrong. He's a natural LT who just isn't very good. He played "well" at RT because he was helped out a ton.