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Livin' On The Edge
Depth, Free Are OT Priorities
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: This is the fifth in an 11-part series analyzing every position on the Cowboys' roster, providing a quick look back before addressing the needs of each spot on the field and how it can be improved heading into the 2011 season. Today we examine the offensive tackles.)
Pressing Matters: The Cowboys have two: Doug Free's potential unrestricted free agency, and the position's overall depth.
More on the depth later. First, Free. The 27-year-old had a solid first season as a starter and made a strong case for being the franchise's long-term left tackle replacement for Flozell Adams. He also has proven capable of playing the right side if needed.
Under the NFL's old Collective Bargaining Agreement, Free's four accrued seasons would qualify for unrestricted free agency. Under the uncapped rules, he would be a restricted free agent. Teams aren't sure what the new parameters will be, but this much is certain: the Cowboys want to keep Free around.
2010 Evaluation: Although Free led the team with 11 penalties, he was an adequate run blocker and handled a gauntlet of formidable pass rushers: Brian Orakpo, Julius Peppers, Trent Cole, Osi Umenyiora and Dwight Freeney, just to name a few.
Marc Colombo completed his fifth consecutive season as the starting right tackle, returning from an injury-plagued 2009 campaign. The 32-year-old again played through some bumps and bruises, however, after missing the season opener while recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery.
Alex Barron, the veteran swing tackle, was the only backup tackle who got significant playing time. He struggled in his lone start for Colombo, committing a last-play holding penalty that negated the offense's winning touchdown.
Need More From ... : In what looked like a shift toward the future, the Cowboys sat Barron and activated rookie Sam Young for the final two games, a reward for the sixth-rounder's apparent progress in practice.
The Cowboys need young players, particularly draft picks like Young, to legitimately challenge for jobs in order to establish Jason Garrett's desired competitive environment. Young might not be ready in 2011, but the Cowboys see positive traits: size, toughness and work ethic.
Upgrades Needed: The Cowboys had the ninth-fewest sacks per pass attempt in 2010, even though protection was an issue at times. The run production increased dramatically in the final eight games (3.6- to 4.6-yard average).
Still, with Free a free agent and Colombo entering his mid-30s, it's clear that more depth across the entire line is necessary. Young's development is a start, but it wouldn't be surprising if the Cowboys targeted an offensive tackle high in April's draft if there's good value.
Then again, as former long-time Cowboys scouting executive and current NFL.com Gil Brandt told us during Super Bowl week, teams have a better chance of unearthing offensive line prospects late than impact defensive linemen.
Position Analysis:
Doug Free - Restricted or unrestricted, Free might be their most important free agent.
Marc Colombo - Two years left on his contract. Injuries have taken a toll on his career; he's a leader and a tough-minded asset when healthy.
Sam Young - Not a high pick, but Cowboys have hopes he can develop into a solid player.
Alex Barron - Free agent, and possibly not in the team's 2011 plans.
Jermey Parnell - Former basketball player is a good athlete, but didn't play offensive line in one year of college. A work in progress.
Robert Brewster - 2009 third-round pick has battled injuries and his weight; spent season on the practice squad.
Depth, Free Are OT Priorities
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: This is the fifth in an 11-part series analyzing every position on the Cowboys' roster, providing a quick look back before addressing the needs of each spot on the field and how it can be improved heading into the 2011 season. Today we examine the offensive tackles.)
Pressing Matters: The Cowboys have two: Doug Free's potential unrestricted free agency, and the position's overall depth.
More on the depth later. First, Free. The 27-year-old had a solid first season as a starter and made a strong case for being the franchise's long-term left tackle replacement for Flozell Adams. He also has proven capable of playing the right side if needed.
Under the NFL's old Collective Bargaining Agreement, Free's four accrued seasons would qualify for unrestricted free agency. Under the uncapped rules, he would be a restricted free agent. Teams aren't sure what the new parameters will be, but this much is certain: the Cowboys want to keep Free around.
2010 Evaluation: Although Free led the team with 11 penalties, he was an adequate run blocker and handled a gauntlet of formidable pass rushers: Brian Orakpo, Julius Peppers, Trent Cole, Osi Umenyiora and Dwight Freeney, just to name a few.
Marc Colombo completed his fifth consecutive season as the starting right tackle, returning from an injury-plagued 2009 campaign. The 32-year-old again played through some bumps and bruises, however, after missing the season opener while recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery.
Alex Barron, the veteran swing tackle, was the only backup tackle who got significant playing time. He struggled in his lone start for Colombo, committing a last-play holding penalty that negated the offense's winning touchdown.
Need More From ... : In what looked like a shift toward the future, the Cowboys sat Barron and activated rookie Sam Young for the final two games, a reward for the sixth-rounder's apparent progress in practice.
The Cowboys need young players, particularly draft picks like Young, to legitimately challenge for jobs in order to establish Jason Garrett's desired competitive environment. Young might not be ready in 2011, but the Cowboys see positive traits: size, toughness and work ethic.
Upgrades Needed: The Cowboys had the ninth-fewest sacks per pass attempt in 2010, even though protection was an issue at times. The run production increased dramatically in the final eight games (3.6- to 4.6-yard average).
Still, with Free a free agent and Colombo entering his mid-30s, it's clear that more depth across the entire line is necessary. Young's development is a start, but it wouldn't be surprising if the Cowboys targeted an offensive tackle high in April's draft if there's good value.
Then again, as former long-time Cowboys scouting executive and current NFL.com Gil Brandt told us during Super Bowl week, teams have a better chance of unearthing offensive line prospects late than impact defensive linemen.
Position Analysis:
Doug Free - Restricted or unrestricted, Free might be their most important free agent.
Marc Colombo - Two years left on his contract. Injuries have taken a toll on his career; he's a leader and a tough-minded asset when healthy.
Sam Young - Not a high pick, but Cowboys have hopes he can develop into a solid player.
Alex Barron - Free agent, and possibly not in the team's 2011 plans.
Jermey Parnell - Former basketball player is a good athlete, but didn't play offensive line in one year of college. A work in progress.
Robert Brewster - 2009 third-round pick has battled injuries and his weight; spent season on the practice squad.