sbk92
2
- Messages
- 12,134
- Reaction score
- 6
Roster Rundown
Free Wins Confidence In First Year Starting
Josh Ellis
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Name: Doug Free
Position: Left Tackle
Height/Weight: 6-6/320
Experience: Four Seasons
College: Northern Illinois
Key stat: Free's five sacks allowed were three fewer than his predecessor Flozell Adams gave up in 2009.
Contract Status: Set to expire March 4.
2010 Impact: In his first full season as a starter, it was clear Free would have a chance to prove himself in the first three games of the season, facing top-line rushers Brian Orakpo, Julius Peppers and Mario Williams in consecutive games. After being stonewalled by Free in the opener, the Redskins moved Orakpo to rush from the other side. Led by Free's performance the next two weeks, the Cowboys would hold the Bears and Texans without a sack of Tony Romo. Those three performances were typical of the team's new bookend protector, as he was their most consistent pass blocker, and continued to show the ability to wall off defenders in the running game. He had just one rough go of things as the season played out, Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney getting the better of him in Week 13. On the whole, though, Free was as good as the Cowboys could've hoped.
Where He Fits: Among all the Cowboys' free agents, their left tackle must be the first priority for a contract extension. As a former fourth rounder with only a season and a half of playing experience, they should be able to lock him up for a number of years without breaking the bank as some teams have in making deals with their most important pass protector. The relative bargain he could come at also gives the Cowboys flexibility in free agency or the draft. If they feel the need to bring in another premier left tackle and let go of Marc Colombo, Free could be moved to the right side, where he proved effective in 2009.
Writers' Analysis:
Josh Ellis: Whenever the Cowboys are ready to make a long-term agreement with Free, I could see him commanding something like $7 million a year, which, while awfully healthy, is not as costly as a lot of good left tackles. I don't think you can put him among the top 10 left tackles in the league, but the thing is Free still has room to improve given the fact he didn't play at all in his first two-and-a-half seasons. More playing time and reps with the first team should allow him to continue growing, and he could eventually reach the top tier of guys at his position.
Nick Eatman: One of the biggest stories of last year's offseason, Doug Free proved he could handle the job at left tackle. I know he exceeded my own expectations at the position. In hindsight, cutting Flozell Adams might not have been the best move, but it's hard to argue the decision when you think about Free's performance. The Cowboys don't have many guys that they've drafted in the middle rounds and developed into starters, but Free looks like he's going to be the exception. I can see him in a Cowboys uniform for many years to come.
Free Wins Confidence In First Year Starting
Josh Ellis
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Name: Doug Free
Position: Left Tackle
Height/Weight: 6-6/320
Experience: Four Seasons
College: Northern Illinois
Key stat: Free's five sacks allowed were three fewer than his predecessor Flozell Adams gave up in 2009.
Contract Status: Set to expire March 4.
2010 Impact: In his first full season as a starter, it was clear Free would have a chance to prove himself in the first three games of the season, facing top-line rushers Brian Orakpo, Julius Peppers and Mario Williams in consecutive games. After being stonewalled by Free in the opener, the Redskins moved Orakpo to rush from the other side. Led by Free's performance the next two weeks, the Cowboys would hold the Bears and Texans without a sack of Tony Romo. Those three performances were typical of the team's new bookend protector, as he was their most consistent pass blocker, and continued to show the ability to wall off defenders in the running game. He had just one rough go of things as the season played out, Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney getting the better of him in Week 13. On the whole, though, Free was as good as the Cowboys could've hoped.
Where He Fits: Among all the Cowboys' free agents, their left tackle must be the first priority for a contract extension. As a former fourth rounder with only a season and a half of playing experience, they should be able to lock him up for a number of years without breaking the bank as some teams have in making deals with their most important pass protector. The relative bargain he could come at also gives the Cowboys flexibility in free agency or the draft. If they feel the need to bring in another premier left tackle and let go of Marc Colombo, Free could be moved to the right side, where he proved effective in 2009.
Writers' Analysis:
Josh Ellis: Whenever the Cowboys are ready to make a long-term agreement with Free, I could see him commanding something like $7 million a year, which, while awfully healthy, is not as costly as a lot of good left tackles. I don't think you can put him among the top 10 left tackles in the league, but the thing is Free still has room to improve given the fact he didn't play at all in his first two-and-a-half seasons. More playing time and reps with the first team should allow him to continue growing, and he could eventually reach the top tier of guys at his position.
Nick Eatman: One of the biggest stories of last year's offseason, Doug Free proved he could handle the job at left tackle. I know he exceeded my own expectations at the position. In hindsight, cutting Flozell Adams might not have been the best move, but it's hard to argue the decision when you think about Free's performance. The Cowboys don't have many guys that they've drafted in the middle rounds and developed into starters, but Free looks like he's going to be the exception. I can see him in a Cowboys uniform for many years to come.