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DC.com | Questions Diminishing About New LT Free
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Rowan Kavner
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
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OXNARD, Calif. - Injuries on the offensive line have quelled most of the early talk surrounding new starting left tackle Doug Free. So has his consistency in preseason.
Free was the only addition to the starting offense for the 2010 season after the Cowboys released veteran tackle Flozell Adams. Free, a 6-6, 320-pound former right tackle, has to fill the shoes of a 338-pound, five-time Pro Bowler at left tackle.
But injuries to starting right tackle Marc Colombo and starting left guard Kyle Kosier shifted the focus from Free to their replacements: guard Montrae Holland, tackle Robert Brewster and newly acquired tackle Alex Barron. The eyes were no longer glued on Free during the first few preseason games.
Whether the media decides to spotlight the left tackle position or the other members of the offensive line doesn't matter to Free. He's going to compete the same way regardless.
"I could care less either way," Free said. "I'm just out there playing football. You could talk about left, you could talk about the right, you could talk about whatever."
Moving around the line isn't new for Free, who played primarily left tackle in college. Thus far in the preseason, the coaches haven't seen anything to detract from their original optimism in their young offensive lineman.
The coaches displayed confidence in Free, who started seven games at right tackle for an injured Colombo last season, by letting go of Adams and not signing another left tackle in the draft. Trading for Barron was more about bolstering the line's depth. Offensive line coach Hudson Houck isn't concerned about rotating Free to Romo's blind side.
"He went from not being a player to playing a little bit at the right side, then playing a little bit at the left side," said offensive line coach Hudson Houck. "It's been a great stepping stone for him, and I think this is just another challenge in his progress to be a very good football player."
Team owner Jerry Jones said he is looking forward to what Free will do against defensive end Mario Williams as the Cowboys travel to Houston this weekend. Jones said Free has progressed continuously throughout camp matching up against one of the best in the business.
"Any time he is challenged to compete, it's good," Jones said. "That isn't chopped liver he's been going against with DeMarcus Ware, so he's had a pretty good go at it every day out here. I know he respects Mario Williams, so we'll see how that goes."
Free said it should be fun facing a player as talented as Williams. He knows he has a challenge against the Texans, but he said his work with the first team in training camp has him adequately prepared for an NFL season.
"Getting a chance to run with the ones the whole camp, getting a lot of reps out there and working with the guys has definitely helped with confidence," Free said.
Different players prepare in various ways. Some athletes watch film on the players they idolize. That's not how Free operates, though.
He said he'll watch himself to tweak and judge his own technique, but he doesn't care how other tackles perform on tape.
"You don't want to try to patent yourself after somebody," Free said. "I think everybody out there has got their own style. You've got to figure out what works for you and go with it."
Free has shown a determination and athleticism at tackle unlike most offensive lineman. He was nicknamed "Doug Freak" at Northern Illinois because of his athletic ability. He even played some tight end in college.
His speed, quickness and grit were on full display last season against Philadelphia as he ran downfield about 40 yards to block for running back Felix Jones, who bolted in for an eventual 49-yard rushing touchdown on the play.
Former offensive lineman Nate Newton knew immediately last season the Cowboys had a legitimate player in Free.
"The dude had feet," Newton said. "He had legs. A lot of dudes can be strong and powerful and have upper-body, but the dude had feet. He could dance, and that's what I look for. As you see, that's his greatest asset right now."
Newton said an offensive tackle should be treated the same way a defensive back would regarding their feet and hips. He said a player can learn technique and acquire the proper strength, but an offensive lineman with quick footwork is difficult to find.
He said he won't be surprised if he sees growing pains with Free, who begins his first full season as a starting left tackle in his fourth year in the NFL. But since last season, Newton has already seen maturation in the Cowboys' former fourth-round draft pick.
"He'll have a not-so-good game," Newton said. "But he's got the basic tools - long arms, he bends his knees, he can get off the snap count real well, his pass sets. He's got the basic tools. You can have the greatest coach in the world, but if you don't have the athletes it won't do you a **** bit of good."
Source
Rowan Kavner
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
OXNARD, Calif. - Injuries on the offensive line have quelled most of the early talk surrounding new starting left tackle Doug Free. So has his consistency in preseason.
Free was the only addition to the starting offense for the 2010 season after the Cowboys released veteran tackle Flozell Adams. Free, a 6-6, 320-pound former right tackle, has to fill the shoes of a 338-pound, five-time Pro Bowler at left tackle.
But injuries to starting right tackle Marc Colombo and starting left guard Kyle Kosier shifted the focus from Free to their replacements: guard Montrae Holland, tackle Robert Brewster and newly acquired tackle Alex Barron. The eyes were no longer glued on Free during the first few preseason games.
Whether the media decides to spotlight the left tackle position or the other members of the offensive line doesn't matter to Free. He's going to compete the same way regardless.
"I could care less either way," Free said. "I'm just out there playing football. You could talk about left, you could talk about the right, you could talk about whatever."
Moving around the line isn't new for Free, who played primarily left tackle in college. Thus far in the preseason, the coaches haven't seen anything to detract from their original optimism in their young offensive lineman.
The coaches displayed confidence in Free, who started seven games at right tackle for an injured Colombo last season, by letting go of Adams and not signing another left tackle in the draft. Trading for Barron was more about bolstering the line's depth. Offensive line coach Hudson Houck isn't concerned about rotating Free to Romo's blind side.
"He went from not being a player to playing a little bit at the right side, then playing a little bit at the left side," said offensive line coach Hudson Houck. "It's been a great stepping stone for him, and I think this is just another challenge in his progress to be a very good football player."
Team owner Jerry Jones said he is looking forward to what Free will do against defensive end Mario Williams as the Cowboys travel to Houston this weekend. Jones said Free has progressed continuously throughout camp matching up against one of the best in the business.
"Any time he is challenged to compete, it's good," Jones said. "That isn't chopped liver he's been going against with DeMarcus Ware, so he's had a pretty good go at it every day out here. I know he respects Mario Williams, so we'll see how that goes."
Free said it should be fun facing a player as talented as Williams. He knows he has a challenge against the Texans, but he said his work with the first team in training camp has him adequately prepared for an NFL season.
"Getting a chance to run with the ones the whole camp, getting a lot of reps out there and working with the guys has definitely helped with confidence," Free said.
Different players prepare in various ways. Some athletes watch film on the players they idolize. That's not how Free operates, though.
He said he'll watch himself to tweak and judge his own technique, but he doesn't care how other tackles perform on tape.
"You don't want to try to patent yourself after somebody," Free said. "I think everybody out there has got their own style. You've got to figure out what works for you and go with it."
Free has shown a determination and athleticism at tackle unlike most offensive lineman. He was nicknamed "Doug Freak" at Northern Illinois because of his athletic ability. He even played some tight end in college.
His speed, quickness and grit were on full display last season against Philadelphia as he ran downfield about 40 yards to block for running back Felix Jones, who bolted in for an eventual 49-yard rushing touchdown on the play.
Former offensive lineman Nate Newton knew immediately last season the Cowboys had a legitimate player in Free.
"The dude had feet," Newton said. "He had legs. A lot of dudes can be strong and powerful and have upper-body, but the dude had feet. He could dance, and that's what I look for. As you see, that's his greatest asset right now."
Newton said an offensive tackle should be treated the same way a defensive back would regarding their feet and hips. He said a player can learn technique and acquire the proper strength, but an offensive lineman with quick footwork is difficult to find.
He said he won't be surprised if he sees growing pains with Free, who begins his first full season as a starting left tackle in his fourth year in the NFL. But since last season, Newton has already seen maturation in the Cowboys' former fourth-round draft pick.
"He'll have a not-so-good game," Newton said. "But he's got the basic tools - long arms, he bends his knees, he can get off the snap count real well, his pass sets. He's got the basic tools. You can have the greatest coach in the world, but if you don't have the athletes it won't do you a **** bit of good."