Wade Phillips: Doug Free is team's best offensive lineman so far

Bonecrusher#31

Bonecrusher#31

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Wade Phillips: Doug Free is team's best offensive lineman so far
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 28, 2010 11:35 AM ET


The conventional wisdom all offseason: The Cowboys offensive line was solid, except for that big question mark at left tackle, Doug Free.

The reality of the first three games: The aging Cowboys offensive line has issues. Except for their young one guy, Doug Free.

"We had confidence, but I'm not sure you'd say, 'Hey, he might be in the Pro Bowl' or something. But he might be. He's a good player," coach Wade Phillips said on Monday.

Phillips added that Free has been the team's best offensive lineman despite facing Julius Peppers and Mario Williams. He's given up no sacks and only one tackle. (Tony Romo has only been sacked once overall.) Free gets help, but not as much as you think, according to ESPNDallas' Calvin Watkins.

You criticize the Cowboys for not developing younger, better depth elsewhere on the line. But the decision to dump Flozell Adams for Free looks like a wise move.
 
LAZARUS_LOGAN

LAZARUS_LOGAN

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sbk92 said:
We got NFL.com's drive of the week for our first TD.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-drive...81ae2c91/Drive-of-the-week-Boys-back-on-track

Watch the video. Pay attention to Free. You'll see how non franchise LTish he is. He's getting help. He completely whiffs on one play. He's not, no matter how the Cowboy nation tries to sell it, playing at a Pro Bowl level. That's laughable.
Keep reading...


Like I said you really try hard. I saw Free whiff ONE TIME. WOW! I mean no other LTs ever whiff one time in a game, just like no defender ever whiffs on a tackle in a game. ONE TIME is all you can provide and you are trying to build your case on that?

As for him getting help. I only saw Free get help but ONE TIME and from Bennett. And so what? That's how THAT particular play was designed. Interesting as to how you do not point out how Free for the majority of the time in this video handled Williams one on one successfully, and so much so, they moved Williams to the other side against Colombo. Did you see when Austin made the catch and fought to an almost TD at the 2:53 mark? Willoiams was on Colombo and almost sacked Romo.



One whiff and one time help. You have to come better than that.
 
M

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sbk92 said:
This is like being the hottest chick on The View.
Keep reading...

elizabeth-hasselbeck.jpg


Not bad.

Not bad at all.
 
Plymkr

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I saw Free whiff a couple of times on there. One bad one was when it looked like he was doubling with Kosier, then went back to Mario on the outside. Otherwise, I see a guy who went up against a #1 DE who is better then most and handle him pretty well, Dallas got the W and Romo's back was clean.

Thank you Doug Free. He will continue to get better.

I do think though, being named the best OL for Dallas right now is a high hook to put your hat on. But, I will take Free as a good starting block to a revamped O-line hopefully next season. If someone else comes along that is better? Great. There will be great depth at tackle again.
 
sbk92

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LAZARUS_LOGAN said:
Like I said you really try hard. I saw Free whiff ONE TIME. WOW! I mean no other LTs ever whiff one time in a game, just like no defender ever whiffs on a tackle in a game. ONE TIME is all you can provide and you are trying to build your case on that?

As for him getting help. I only saw Free get help but ONE TIME and from Bennett. And so what? That's how THAT particular play was designed. Interesting as to how you do not point out how Free for the majority of the time in this video handled Williams one on one successfully, and so much so, they moved Williams to the other side against Colombo. Did you see when Austin made the catch and fought to an almost TD at the 2:53 mark? Willoiams was on Colombo and almost sacked Romo.



One whiff and one time help. You have to come better than that.
Keep reading...

You either can't count, can't see, or can't pass 2nd grade.
 
Plymkr

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Cythim said:
How would he perform at RT if we ever get a stud to play LT?
Keep reading...

Probably solid. Like he did last year. Dallas doesn't need a LT, only for depth. Dallas needs to focus on G and C., possibly RT
 
Sheik

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I'm holding out hope that we can acquire a stud at LT and move free to RT.

I've been pleasantly surprised with his play at LT, I was expecting complete failure. He deserves props for holding up and playing pretty well.
 
Plymkr

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Oh boy..

Free was a LT in College, so it's almost his natural position. Free is doing well at LT. And Played well last year at RT. He is a good player.
 
C

Cr122

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I'm satisfied with Free, even if he does get moved to right tackle.

And I'm satisfied if he stays at left tackle. He's doing fine, no bitches from me.
 
dbair1967

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Free the LT for the enxt 5-8 years I suspect, barring injury.

He's good, and IMO definitely shows probowl potential.
 
C

Cr122

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dbair1967 said:
Free the LT for the enxt 5-8 years I suspect, barring injury.

He's good, and IMO definitely shows probowl potential.
Keep reading...

We didn't cut Flo and put Free at left tackle for nothing, so yeah I see him as our starter for at least the next few years.

Unless, we draft another left tackle and move Free over when Colombo is done.
 
sbk92

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LAZARUS_LOGAN said:
Then how many times did he have help?
Keep reading...

Play 1 - Felix run, no help.
Play 2 - Pass to Roy, no help.
Play 3 - Pass to Roy, beaten like a rented mule. A complete whiff that could have gotten the QB killed if he didn't step up and slide right in the pocket.
Play 4 - Pass to Witten, help from Bennett. Probably because he got beaten so badly the play before.
Play 5 - Pass to Bryant, no help.
Play 6 - Pass to Barber, help from Gronkowski chipping.
Play 7 - Pass to Roy, no help.
Play 8 - Pass to Austin, help from Choice.
Play 9 - Barber TD run, no help.

9 play drive. Maybe two of those plays I would call quality. A few had the action rolled to the right and away from Free, so he was a non factor. He got help 3 times and completely whiffed once.

He's been okay. Mediocre. Dime a dozen. Whogivesashat.

What he hasn't been and what he never will be is Pro Bowl worthy.

Cowboys fans have been beaten down for so long with these home grown offensive line bums over the years that the first one who just doesn't suck is suddenly worthy of league recognition at the end of the year.

I don't buy it. And neither does anyone outside of the organization watching him play.
 
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