Another player that could make sense for the Eagles in free agency: Doug Free
by JimmyK on Feb 16, 2011 12:33 PM EST
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PrintHistorically, the right side of the Eagles' offensive line has been the hammer. When (or rather, if) they ran the ball, more often than not, they ran it behind Jon Runyan and Shawn Andrews, and before Andrews, Jermane Mayberry. The left side's primary job was to keep Donovan McNabb off his back.
The landscape of the Eagles' OL has since changed. The hammer is now the left side, as Jason Peters and Todd Herremans both excel in the run game, and when the Eagles absolutely need to run the ball, they're running left. Look no further than the 4 minute, bleed-the-clock drive against the Cowboys in which Peters and Herremans physically dominated the Cowboys' D line and effectively sealed the win:
Almost coincidentally (and I say "coincidentally" because the Eagles certainly didn't plan for this), the Eagles now have a left-handed QB in Michael Vick. However, in contrast to the Eagles teams of the aughts, the OL didn't do a good job protecting the QB's blind side last season. Both Winston Justice and Max Jean-Gilles are below average NFL starters, and while Mike McGlynn showed promise at times this season as the starting center, he also struggled at times. That's not the personnel you want to have protecting the blind side of your star player.
According to Jason La Canfora, the Dallas Cowboys are not expected to use the franchise tag on any of their players, which could be an enormous mistake. The Cowboys' best and most valuable offensive lineman by far, LT Doug Free, is set to become a free agent. Free isn't going to drive many NFL defensive linemen off the ball and open up holes in the run game, but he is very athletic, has extremely quick feet for a guy his size (6'6, 320), and excels in pass protection. Here's an example of Free's athleticism. Watch how quickly he gets downfield from his RT position and rides Sheldon Brown for literally 25 yards against the Eagles in the 2009 regular season finale:
Although Free played LT this past season, he has experience playing the right side, and would be an absolutely perfect fit on the Eagles OL protecting Michael Vick's blindside, now that the responsibilities of the left and right sides of the line are sort of flipped. The Eagles could then look to shed Justice's contract (salary of $2.7 million in 2011) and deal him for whatever they can get (probably little more than a late-round pick).
The more fun aspect of signing Free though would be the devastating effect it would have on the Cowboys' offense. It's no secret that, on the whole, the Cowboys' OL was awful in 2010, as their poor play contributed to their surprise 6-10 season. RT Marc Colombo was dinged up early and had a wretched season. He may be done in Dallas. Ditto that for Leonard Davis, who was benched at one point during 2010. LG Kyle Kosier battled injuries for most of 2010 and also had a down year. C Andre Gurode made the Pro Bowl again, but mainly because center is an extraordinarily weak position across the entire NFC. Hell, Shaun O'Hara of the Giants made the Pro Bowl at center despite missing half the season and playing poorly when he was actually able to go. And oh by the way, Gurode will be 32 in March, and the other 3 above-mentioned Cowboys offensive linemen will be 33 by the end of the 2011 season. As it is, the Cowboys will already have to work a minor miracle to fix their OL as it currently stands. Losing their best and only young offensive lineman (Free just turned 27 in January) would be an absolute disaster.
Jerry Jones probably should tag Free, and he still has some time to change his mind, but even if he doesn't, I'd have to imagine that re-signing Free will be a top priority for Jones. There's also a possibility that the new CBA will force Free to be a restricted free agent, which will basically keep him in Dallas. Whatever the case, Jerry Jones is rolling the dice bigtime by not tagging him... right now. If Free should become... you know... free, he'd be my #2 free agent target behind Nnamdi Asomugha.
Disclaimer - I swear I'm normally not an "Oh my God, we have to sign this player, and that player, and that player" type of guy. But there are just so many intriguing names out there this offseason that fit the Eagles' needs so perfectly, and they have the money to spend. It'll be a major disappointment if the new CBA isn't done soon and the Eagles don't have the chance to add serious talent to their roster.
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Good find Jimmy
Honestly at RT, I think this type of player would be bang on. Give Justice some competition for his job, never know it may make him better as well. I would rather do this type of deal, then draft a stud C or RG. This should leave plenty of room, draft picks and money for a CB, LB and Safety to complete the team. I would definitely be down with this move.
FLY #7 FLY !!!
Hey everybody look at 0:48ish and look at that nice pulling block by Harbor
Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...
Wild_Eagle!
Yes, Wild_Eagle's infamous reputation did help him get this award. But he shows that he walks the talk that he serves...with his keyboard. Wild_Eagle protects the motherland (BGN) from the evils of noobs, douche-bags, and other assholes. Although he may be crude and unnecessary, all great defenders draws the yellow flag from time to time.
He’s def coming around….. I expect big things from him next season…
FLY #7 FLY !!!
by BWestFactor on Feb 16, 2011 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
Well, honestly that's what I expect out of a TE blocking, he didn't
hit stick the fuck out of him, and he didn’t just get in his way… He ran into him, gave him a shock, stuck with it long enough for McCoy to get by..
That’s a perfect block by a TE, especially pulling. Love it.
Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...
Wild_Eagle!
Yes, Wild_Eagle's infamous reputation did help him get this award. But he shows that he walks the talk that he serves...with his keyboard. Wild_Eagle protects the motherland (BGN) from the evils of noobs, douche-bags, and other assholes. Although he may be crude and unnecessary, all great defenders draws the yellow flag from time to time.
That was Demarcus Ware too. He needs to get better though. He had more low points than high points last season.
He's a rookie, that last sentence pretty much
summed it up lol
Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...
Wild_Eagle!
Yes, Wild_Eagle's infamous reputation did help him get this award. But he shows that he walks the talk that he serves...with his keyboard. Wild_Eagle protects the motherland (BGN) from the evils of noobs, douche-bags, and other assholes. Although he may be crude and unnecessary, all great defenders draws the yellow flag from time to time.
Blasphemer!
Keep your grubby hands off my left tackle, JimmyK!
by One.Cool.Customer on Feb 16, 2011 1:05 PM EST reply actions
You have no idea who you are messin' with.
Beware.
"What a gorgeous dog. What do you feed him?"
Don't worry.. I've already been plotting...
Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...
Wild_Eagle!
Yes, Wild_Eagle's infamous reputation did help him get this award. But he shows that he walks the talk that he serves...with his keyboard. Wild_Eagle protects the motherland (BGN) from the evils of noobs, douche-bags, and other assholes. Although he may be crude and unnecessary, all great defenders draws the yellow flag from time to time.
Free is a decent player but I can’t imagine him being better than Justice (with his experience in our system) at this point.
Until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached, no free agents can be signed and no players can be traded.:3™
Then again Mudd is probably going to try and reboot a lot of stuff Castillo instilled. Either way I think Justice will be fine.
Until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached, no free agents can be signed and no players can be traded.:3™
Justice was horrible last year but Mudd has proven to take sub-par player and make them play well so I won’t be surprised if Justice remains the starting RT.
I wouldn’t say Justice was horrible but he obviously had some horrible games. Justice has the physical tools, I think Mudd will get a lot out of him.
Until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached, no free agents can be signed and no players can be traded.:3™
Let’s compare that to one of the best RT in the game…
Tyson Clabo – 16 starts – 0 false starts – 0 holds – 5 sacks.
Well dude....
If you compare 90% of players to the “one of the best” in the league, theyll look like shit. Justice is by no means great, but he did show improvement from 08-09. Maybe Mudd can help him fix some of his issues. I don’t think he’s the answer at RT, but by bringing in more depth at the position, it could certainly help him elevate his game. We can’t get an all-star at every position. C/RG and RCB and bigger needs right now, unless they put all their chips in Jacson at Center for the whole year and MGlynn at RG, then they can go after a stud RT, but…thats a lot of “IFs”.
FLY #7 FLY !!!
Not really. If you are good, then you are not far off from being very good. Justice is very far off. That’s just raw data. There is a lot more evidence than that showing how bad he was. Go look at the PFF game reviews or Lawlor’s game reviews. I certainly think he can play better.
holds
40% technique 60% getting away with it lol IMO and ill take 3 holds in 12 games any day from a “mediocre” RT. 7 sacks isnt terrible either with the way vick dances around the pocket. We have to remember the guy next to him (lets call him) revolving door generaly had piss poor play. it has to be harder on a tackle when you cant trust the guy next to you. We will see how it turns out next year but im ok with justice.
PHI "We Know Drama"
by DaaaBirdsDaBirds on Feb 16, 2011 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
The thing about those stats is, they represent what Justice did on 13 friggin plays. All year. Pretty sure he played A LOT more than 13 snaps. I dont think its fair to judge olinemen by counting stats.
Im not saying I have a better system, Im just saying that one isnt a good reason to say he sucks.
by philiafan14364 on Feb 16, 2011 6:59 PM EST up reply actions
Definitely better than Justice:
Here is what Free did in his first season at left tackle: He allowed just five sacks and seven quarterback hits, zero the last eight weeks of the season.
Also, keep in mind – Here is a list of the guys he had to face (off the top of my head): Trent Cole, Osi Umenyiora, Brian Orakpo, Julius Peppers, Dwight Freeney, Jared Allen, Will Smith, Aaron Kampman, Mario Williams, Cullen Jenkins, Kyle Vanden Bosch, etc.
He can play.
http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/
would definatly be an upgrade
how old is free and what type of money are we looking at ballpark… i mean football field? sorry if this was answered
PHI "We Know Drama"
by DaaaBirdsDaBirds on Feb 16, 2011 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
I would love him as an eagle
And I like him as anyone but a Cowgirl ….. The best part about this is they can’t afford him.
by Phourth_Horseman on Feb 16, 2011 5:25 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Of course ESPN Dallas is going to schlob his knob. Two things about Free’s stats that might be a tad misleading: 1) Jason Witten is a fantastic TE. 2) Dallas ran a much more conservative offense with Kitna under center.
He’s surely the best tackle in free agency but put down the kool-aid.
Until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached, no free agents can be signed and no players can be traded.:3™
If there’s one person on Earth that loves nothing more than to nitpick the living hell out of the Cowboys and their players, it’s me, and I’ll also note that I almost kinda feel like my knowledge of the Cowboys is right there with my knowledge of the Eagles. While I’d much rather Doug Free just not be a good player, he most certainly is.
http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/
Didn’t say he’s not a good player, I’m just saying you’re overrating him.
Until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached, no free agents can be signed and no players can be traded.:3™
Is the reason Jerry isn’t tagging him because of how high the top LTs are making in the league, he probably doesn’t want to be forced to pay Free that kindof salary.
In 2009 it was 10.7 million to frachise a tackle(source)
Also working in our favor is the fact that Peters has a low salary number this year of only 6 million(source), so we could afford to overpay a little for a good right tackle.
What about Davin Joseph?
He could be a player we could look at. Above average RG from the Bucs. He went down with injury but is still one of the better guards in the NFL. Plus he wouldn’t cost too much.
Also, I think we should take a look at Marcus Stroud. Yeah he’s old but he could be a great situational player. Plus we could use some depth at our D line. We are loaded with ends but not DLmen. Especially with Bunkley’s situation in the air.
by macjack09 on Feb 16, 2011 1:14 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I remember at the beginning of the season we gave Doug Free no credit. If we sign him, BGN will eat their words
If Revis has an Island, Asomugha should have a continent.
"beat the man in front of you, then attempt to seriously injure the quarterback."
"Reidtard" for president!!!!
Sending pics of your junk > dog killing > generally being a douche > sexual assault allegations > being on the Cowboys.
What impresses me the most about that drive
is Shady’s intelligence. Regarding staying bounds, securing the ball, exactly when to cut back… just textbook running, and he is only 22 years old.
I still believe that the Eagle’s will go after Jared Gaither. I think that he would be the perfect fit at RT as long as he doesn’t pull a Shawn Andrews.
Jason Peters: Heart of a Lion, Face of a Chipmunk.
by DickMuffin on Feb 16, 2011 2:49 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Gaither although is an incredible athlete has serious injury and work ethic issues. He also wants to play LT and get LT money. I’d say chances are slim of him coming here.
He got lazy because he was pissed about Oher taking over his spot. And he would be doing the same thing that he did in Baltimore when he was happy, protect the QB’s blindside. There’s no chance in hell that he gets a big contract either after going on IR last year. He will certainly come cheaper than Doug Free.
Jason Peters: Heart of a Lion, Face of a Chipmunk.
What about going after one of Gaither's teammates?
I think the Eagles should take a long look at Le’Ron McClain. He’s a free agent and basically the same player as Leonard Weaver. I think Weaver is done so it’s time to look elsewhere. I like Owen Schmitt and all, but there’s no debate about who the better fullback is. And he can catch! That would put one more weapon on offense and maybe free up Celek to run more routes next year. Plus our short yardage and red zone struggles will be resolved. One thing he would have to understand is that he will never have more than 5 carries a game(Hell for the year) and if he’s cool with that, then I say we make a play for him. Hell why not, we have the money.
I don’t know. I wouldn’t be so quick to give up on Justice. Atleast give him a year to work with Mudd and see if he improves. It’s hard to say who should go on O and D line this year because of the coaching changes. I say keep the same guys on both side of the ball, add a couple of rookies/rookie free agents and see how it pans out. Maybe Juan Castillo was holding these guys back. We all know Rory Segrest wasn’t worth shit.
Love this idea. Weakens the boys and makes us a real contender. I am not down on Justice as much as most however. Don’t forget he injured his knee and was playing with a brace half the season. Out three and started three with the brace and it was after the injury where he really sucked. Similar to Stew. Everyone forgets he was concussed missed a game, kinda played poorly for a few games, and he was just getting back into to the flow when he messed up his arm. I still believe we need to upgrade the postion to go bowl.
Remember you always evalute talent when 100%. I think we miss that fact alot on this forum..P
Free
Isn’t this the same guy we tore apart before the season? I mean if he performed that well, then sure. However shedding Justice’s contract seems like it would be a long shot considering we just signed him to an extension after 09-10. Say we sign Free and knowing Andy likes to take Tackles and turn them into guards, what is the chance they try and slide Justice over? Would it work?
"I will never have my best season," Brian Dawkins
"There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." Bruce Lee
"This fucking game is over!" Chuck Bednarik
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth" Mike Tyson
Haha, yes, it’s the guy some people tore apart. I tore apart the other 4 guys on their OL, but mostly left Free alone. By shedding Justice’s contract, I meant trade him, not make him take a pay cut. Justice doesn’t strike me as a guy I’d like at guard. I want my guards mean and nasty, guys that get a push in the run game and play until a second or 2 after the whistle – I just don’t see that in Winston.
http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/
Can't see Dallas not retaining him
Free is a good and underrated player though. Pro Football Focus charted him out as one of the better LTs in the league last year
He, Clabo, Gaither and Willie Colon are all possible upgrades at RT for big money, but I’d expect them all to stay with their current teams
yeah
Free graded out as a top 5 LT and was the best run blocking LT
by Archie Barberio on Feb 18, 2011 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
liking the Free love
but it aint happening
this is the first OL we have hit on in the draft in a long time, so he is going nowhere
we just need to give him a extension and pay the man
by Archie Barberio on Feb 18, 2011 3:54 PM EST reply actions
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