Are the Cowboys gambling with Free?

[Cythim]

Free is good but no way is he worth $10 million next season, especially when a tender would cost less than $5 million. Obviously the kid and his agent think he is worth more than the Cowboys do otherwise an extension would have been signed already. The problem with not having him signed is that he might be an unrestricted free agent once this CBA crap plays out and we would not be able to place the tender on him. No one will give up a first and third for Free, and if they do that will put us in a great position. Our three interior linemen are still good enough and we will be in position to get new bookends to solidify they line.

 

[Cythim]

Free's job is easier because teams will occupy him and allow him to do his job while destroying the rest of the line. How often did Free go against the top DLs/LBs compared to Columbo? Orakpo naturally lines up on the right side (offensive left) for the Redskins but was constantly rushing against our RTs in both games. Teams exploit the weakness to get to the QB as fast as possible.

 

[NoShame]

Ah, so you got nothing. He passes the eye ball test for every Cowboys fan. Grades out tremendously and perhaps the best run blocking LT in the league yet he needs to be replaced right away because he isnt the best at his position and its embarrassing to not have the best at every position.

I admire the schtick Skip Bayless

I disagree with all of this...

Free does just a decent a job. No way will we get two 1s for him, nor will we get a first and a third... Shit, I'd tender him the 2nd and pray someone bites.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

keep Free and get yourself a right tackle. No reason to go into the season having to replace 5 linemen as opposed to just 4.

 

[dbair1967]

Not a single team will have interest in him if he's given that tag. Watch and see.

Mission accomplished then, because we dont need to be letting him go.

 

[sbk92]

Well I don't agree that our interior is fine and we could just get new tackles. I think we need 5 new linemen. Hopefully within two years.

Gurode, Davis and Kosier have all seen better days. They are in decline.

 

[Cythim]

Well I don't agree that our interior is fine and we could just get new tackles. I think we need 5 new linemen. Hopefully within two years.

Gurode, Davis and Kosier have all seen better days. They are in decline.

I agree, but I think RT is our most pressing need and losing Free would make LT our most pressing need. The interior line was good enough in 2009 with Free and Adams but it all seemed to fall apart in that playoff game against Minnesota. They might not be able to play like they did in 2009 but I fully believe they are better than what we saw in 2010.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Davis is unsalvageable. Gurode can be salvaged if they move him to guard. Free stays at LT. So all we need to do is find another C, OG and RT. That should be easy to do. OGs are a dime a dozen, just move a short OT inside. C is a bit trickier as they need to be both good athlete and good technician and smart.

Every year the draft is loaded with OK left tackles candidates and great RT candidates.