C
Cr122
Guest
Fraley: Cowboys' Doug Free lauded for his work vs. DeMarcus Ware
11:33 PM CDT on Thursday, July 29, 2010
Column by GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News | gfraley@dallasnews.com
Gerry Fraley
Archive | Bio | E-mail
SAN ANTONIO – Who better to ask the pressing question of the Cowboys' training camp than All-Pro outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware?
So how is Doug Free looking?
"Doug is a really good player," Ware said after Thursday's practice at the Alamodome. "I'm really confident in him. He'll be ready."
Ware should know about Free's fitness to take over at offensive left tackle. Free's work against Ware, the superb pass-rusher, has ranked among the top camp highlights for the Cowboys.
Free and Ware have faced each other 10 times in one-on-one passing drills. Free leads, 8-2, with bonus points for getting an over-eager Ware to jump offside twice. Free had one false start in the matchup.
Free has shown his quickness by being able to ride Ware to the outside of the pocket. When Ware tried an inside move, Free used his hands to steer him away from the pocket.
"I've seen him against Ware, and he's been pretty good," offensive line coach Hudson Houck said. "He's had some good days."
Free has also faced outside linebacker Anthony Spencer by chance in team drills, with similar results. Free vs. Ware was by design. The Cowboys wanted to see that matchup in as many sessions as possible to get a quick read on Free's play.
"He was confident coming in, and he's done well," coach Wade Phillips said. "His pass protection has been strong. Going against the guys he's going against, he's done a good job. You don't get much better than the guys he's been going against."
Free's performance in preseason games will be significant. Newcomer Alex Barron has performed well enough to be considered a competitor. That said, Free's showing against Ware has given the Cowboys a good idea who will be the starter on opening night at Washington.
"They're not going to just give you the spot," Free said. "There isn't a vote of 'We like this guy, he'll play.' You earn what you get. The position is open, and I have a chance. But I have to work at it."
Free would replace Flozell Adams, who allowed eight sacks last season and Thursday signed with the Steelers. If Free is at least as good on pass protection as Adams, not an unrealistic expectation, the Cowboys' offense will be better. Free allows the offense to expand the running game.
With Adams increasingly immobile, the Cowboys gave up on toss and tackle-pull plays to the left. Opponents knew they did not have to account for those plays, Phillips said.
Free moves much better than Adams and may have been the club's best run blocker last season. The Cowboys averaged 119 yards rushing in Free's seven starts at right tackle. When asked about Free the pass blocker, Ware pointedly added that "he's really good on the run."
With Free, the toss and tackle-pull options to the left side return to the playbook. That gives opposing defenses more to consider.
"It doesn't matter if they pencil you in," Free said. "If you don't play well and don't practice well, you're not going to start. Nothing is set in stone until the first game, and even then things could change. You always have to prove yourself."
On opening night, Free will deal with a pair of good pass-rushers in Andre Carter and Brian Orakpo, who both had 11 sacks last season. Week 2 brings Julius Peppers , Chicago's $91.5-million addition. After the challenges of this training camp, that almost seems like a break.
• • •
11:33 PM CDT on Thursday, July 29, 2010
Column by GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News | gfraley@dallasnews.com
Gerry Fraley
Archive | Bio | E-mail
SAN ANTONIO – Who better to ask the pressing question of the Cowboys' training camp than All-Pro outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware?
So how is Doug Free looking?
"Doug is a really good player," Ware said after Thursday's practice at the Alamodome. "I'm really confident in him. He'll be ready."
Ware should know about Free's fitness to take over at offensive left tackle. Free's work against Ware, the superb pass-rusher, has ranked among the top camp highlights for the Cowboys.
Free and Ware have faced each other 10 times in one-on-one passing drills. Free leads, 8-2, with bonus points for getting an over-eager Ware to jump offside twice. Free had one false start in the matchup.
Free has shown his quickness by being able to ride Ware to the outside of the pocket. When Ware tried an inside move, Free used his hands to steer him away from the pocket.
"I've seen him against Ware, and he's been pretty good," offensive line coach Hudson Houck said. "He's had some good days."
Free has also faced outside linebacker Anthony Spencer by chance in team drills, with similar results. Free vs. Ware was by design. The Cowboys wanted to see that matchup in as many sessions as possible to get a quick read on Free's play.
"He was confident coming in, and he's done well," coach Wade Phillips said. "His pass protection has been strong. Going against the guys he's going against, he's done a good job. You don't get much better than the guys he's been going against."
Free's performance in preseason games will be significant. Newcomer Alex Barron has performed well enough to be considered a competitor. That said, Free's showing against Ware has given the Cowboys a good idea who will be the starter on opening night at Washington.
"They're not going to just give you the spot," Free said. "There isn't a vote of 'We like this guy, he'll play.' You earn what you get. The position is open, and I have a chance. But I have to work at it."
Free would replace Flozell Adams, who allowed eight sacks last season and Thursday signed with the Steelers. If Free is at least as good on pass protection as Adams, not an unrealistic expectation, the Cowboys' offense will be better. Free allows the offense to expand the running game.
With Adams increasingly immobile, the Cowboys gave up on toss and tackle-pull plays to the left. Opponents knew they did not have to account for those plays, Phillips said.
Free moves much better than Adams and may have been the club's best run blocker last season. The Cowboys averaged 119 yards rushing in Free's seven starts at right tackle. When asked about Free the pass blocker, Ware pointedly added that "he's really good on the run."
With Free, the toss and tackle-pull options to the left side return to the playbook. That gives opposing defenses more to consider.
"It doesn't matter if they pencil you in," Free said. "If you don't play well and don't practice well, you're not going to start. Nothing is set in stone until the first game, and even then things could change. You always have to prove yourself."
On opening night, Free will deal with a pair of good pass-rushers in Andre Carter and Brian Orakpo, who both had 11 sacks last season. Week 2 brings Julius Peppers , Chicago's $91.5-million addition. After the challenges of this training camp, that almost seems like a break.
• • •