gimmesix
Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life
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There are a few reasons why I believe Leary will be the one replaced in the starting lineup by Collins, if Free is healthy.
First is the fact that Leary is only under contract for this season (although Dallas could retain his rights as a restricted free agent next season). Dallas takes a cap hit if it cuts or trades Free, but not if it cuts or trades Leary. ... Of course, I don't believe Dallas would cut either at this point.
Second is what Collins brings to the line. His power seems to be similar to Leary's, but his movement skills are superior. That allows him to get out to the second level, pull and trap better than Leary, which should further improve the running game. (Not to say Leary isn't a great point-of-attack run blocker or doesn't do OK on the second level.)
More important might be what he can do on the interior as a pass blocker. Leary's primary deficiency as a player is that he doesn't have great quickness. If he's in position, he's not going to get pushed around, but DTs can beat him with quick moves, stunts or counters. It doesn't help that Travis Frederick's weakest area also is lateral quickness. Collins can protect against that weakness, which helps Frederick play up to his strengths with players with superior movement skills on either side of him. The combination would form a formidable wall in the middle and Tony Romo should be able to only have to worry about pressure from the outside.
Collins obviously also would upgrade the RT spot because his strength and movement skills are superior to Free's, but forming an interior pocket that is almost impenetrable might be of more value. The day will come when Free needs to be replaced, but we might just decide that the interior formed by Collins, Frederick and Martin is better left undisturbed ... especially if Green can prove to be an adequate long-term replacement at RT.
First is the fact that Leary is only under contract for this season (although Dallas could retain his rights as a restricted free agent next season). Dallas takes a cap hit if it cuts or trades Free, but not if it cuts or trades Leary. ... Of course, I don't believe Dallas would cut either at this point.
Second is what Collins brings to the line. His power seems to be similar to Leary's, but his movement skills are superior. That allows him to get out to the second level, pull and trap better than Leary, which should further improve the running game. (Not to say Leary isn't a great point-of-attack run blocker or doesn't do OK on the second level.)
More important might be what he can do on the interior as a pass blocker. Leary's primary deficiency as a player is that he doesn't have great quickness. If he's in position, he's not going to get pushed around, but DTs can beat him with quick moves, stunts or counters. It doesn't help that Travis Frederick's weakest area also is lateral quickness. Collins can protect against that weakness, which helps Frederick play up to his strengths with players with superior movement skills on either side of him. The combination would form a formidable wall in the middle and Tony Romo should be able to only have to worry about pressure from the outside.
Collins obviously also would upgrade the RT spot because his strength and movement skills are superior to Free's, but forming an interior pocket that is almost impenetrable might be of more value. The day will come when Free needs to be replaced, but we might just decide that the interior formed by Collins, Frederick and Martin is better left undisturbed ... especially if Green can prove to be an adequate long-term replacement at RT.
