(This is the first part of a multi-part series breaking down the Dallas Cowboys by position, identifying areas of need and possible solutions for those needs, based on my film work and notes taken throughout the season)
The first day of team activity after the lockout ended the Cowboys made a statement that they were getting younger and shedding contracts that no longer made sense (yes the argument can be made that many of the deals never made sense), and it started up front with the right tackle position as they cut Marc Columbo, who was a former first round pick by the Bears whose career had been derailed by injuries before he revived it with the Cowboys.Currently the Cowboys are only carrying three offensive tackles on the roster, with one of them being a purely project guy. This means that they must look to add an experienced veteran backup during free agency in case one of the starters goes down and their project tackle is not ready to step in.
With new offensive line coach Bill Callahan in the fold, look for the 'Boys to make a run at someone that he is familiar with, purely for depth
Here is a look at the offensive tackles currently on the Cowboys roster, and some changes/additions that may need to be made before training camp:
Tyron Smith (signed through 2014) - The biggest surprise of the 2011 season for not only the offensive line, but the Cowboys as a whole, was the emergence of rookie tackle Tyron Smith (who also happened to be the youngest player in the NFL). Smith was drafted No. 9 overall to play right tackle immediately and then move over to left tackle in a few years, but with the way he played this year, that move needs to happen yesterday.
When the Cowboys made him the first offensive lineman taken in the draft, I will admit I was less than pleased with the pick (Man I hate admitting I was wrong). My reasoning was that drafting the second best tackle on his team (Matt Kalil was the best) in the Top 10 is what you call "settling" and/or "reaching", that coupled with my perception that he lacked the work ethic that I looked for in a high first round pick (Gained 20 "bad" pounds before the draft), fueled my belief that he would be another career underachiever (much like Dez Bryant who I am right on so far). My other problem with him was that he had very little playing experience, starting only 24 games, and personally I like more experienced offensive linemen.
Good thing I can admit when I am wrong, and quickly. Early on in the preseason I started to realize that Smith could be the real deal; the team left him on an island in pass protection where he held his own and was excellent in run blocking where he regularly got to the second level. His dominance continued into the regular season where he often went up against the best pass rushers that teams had to offer and handled them with ease using his quickness, agility, and long arms to route them where he wanted them to go. Smith's only struggles (according to my eye) was dealing with stunts and when a defender used the same move on him over and over he would expect that and wait for it and then get beat when a new pass rush move was used.
Doug Free (signed through 2014) - After a breakout end to the 2009 season subbing in for an injured Columbo at right tackle. Free followed that up with a stellar 2010 season at left tackle holding some of the NFL's elite pass rushers to only 5 sacks all year (he faced Mario Williams, Julius Peppers, Dwight Freeney, Jared Allen, Packers and Giants(2) that year). He then signed a "team friendly" deal for a guy that appeared to be an up and coming left tackle, in hindsight it appears the team knew more than us and gave him a very good contract for a right tackle, which is where Free should be.
Free regressed badly this year, looking like he did not have the power (specifically in his lower body) or a quick enough first step to handle the big time pass rushers that litter the NFC East (he was credited for giving up 10 sacks). Not only did he struggle with sacks, he also had the most penalties on the team with 10 (5 holding and 5 false starts). Free needs to move back to the right side in 2012 where I believe he will be a Top 5 right tackle, and become a strength for this offensive line.So why did Free appear to take such a large step back, and why did he seem to not have the power? While this is a tough question to answer from the outside looking in, I honestly think that without being in the team's regular off season strength and conditioning program he came into the season weaker and slower than before and was unable to keep up. Why do I think this? From what I could tell from watching film is that his technique still looks sound, he was just routinely overpowered and/or beat to either the inside or outside....due to not being as strong or quick.
Jeremy Parnell (exclusive rights free agent) - Parnell is relatively new at not only football, but the offensive line. He spent the first three years at Ole Miss playing basketball before playing defensive end his senior year, he signed with the Saints as a free agent in 2009 before the Cowboys signed him off their practice squad in 2010.
Parnell reminds me of a young Jason Peters (not saying he will be that good) in terms of raw talent and athletic ability but needs to improve his strength and add some bulk, and remember it was 3-4 years before Peters became a starting tackle after spending most of his career as a very large and athletic tight end. The Cowboys have already invested two years in Parnell and I expect them to remain patient with him, he should be a solid swing tackle if he can add some weight/strength in the off season.
Off Season Needs/Options
With the Cowboys only needing to add a tackle for depth purposes, I expect them to bring in a mixture of rookie free agents, some young cheap players and maybe a guy or two that new offensive line coach Bill Callahan is familiar with from his Nebraska and/or Jet days.
One possibility is the Dolphins Lydon Murtha who was the #1 offensive tackle prospect coming out of high school, and who Callahan recruited and coached at Nebraska. The 6'7 Murtha was the primary backup to Jake Long before being placed on injured reserve with a toe injury, and from the one preseason game I saw him in performed well
2012 Outlook - I look for Tackle to be a strength of the Cowboys offensive line in 2012 with Free moving to Right Tackle and Smith making the transition to Left Tackle. If Parnell develops as I think he will, he should provide the team with a "swing tackle" that can easily play both spots, allowing the team to carry only 3 tackles. In the event that Parnell does not develop as quickly as I expect, then look for the team to pick up a veteran tackle that is familiar with Callahan and his style.
Be sure to check back in the next couple of days for the release of the Breakdown on the Guards & check the ReclinerQB Twitter account to get it the moment it goes live.
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