Free Agents 2008: Offensive Linemen

by Brandon Worley on Feb 24, 2008 6:32 PM CST in Dallas Cowboys News

The abridged list of offensive linemen expected to become free agents:

Flozell Adams (Age 32), Tackle - Dallas; 6-7, 340
Chris Terry (Age 32), Tackle - Kansas City; 6-5, 295
Kwame Harris (Age 25), Tackle - San Francisco; 6-7, 322
Alan Faneca (Age 31), Guard - Pittsburgh; 6-5, 307
Jacob Bell (Age 26), Guard - Tennessee; 6-4, 295
Jake Scott (Age 26), Guard - Indianapolis; 6-5, 295
Rex Hadnot (Age 25), Guard - Miami; 6-2, 325
Casey Wiegmann (Age 34), Center - Kansas City; 6-2, 285
Jeremy Newberry (Age 31), Center - Oakland; 6-5, 315
John Wade (Age 32), Center - Tampa Bay; 6-5, 299
Brett Romberg (Age 28), Center - St. Louis; 6-2, 298

The only major move the Cowboys will make in this area would be to re-sign Flozell Adams but it is looking to be unlikely that is going to happen. Flozell is undoubtedly the top left tackle entering free agency and he has the chance to score a huge contract from another team. Dallas just does not have the cap room to give Adams the big contract he might be seeking and the Cowboys are also sitting on some untested talent in Doug Free, James Marten and Pat McQuistan (who has perhaps the worst profile picture ever) and at some point the Cowboys have to see what they have. Jerry Jones has acknowledged the issue at hand when talking to the DMN blog:

But Jerry was adamant about this: At some point, young tackles like James Marten and Pat McQuistan and Doug Free need to be thrown to the wolves. For better or worse, this may be that time.
"One of the dilemmas is how do you see it, and get him on the field and see a Romo?" Jones said. "How do you do that? How do get to see a McQuistan, how do you get to see those guys, and how long do they sit over there, when they may have been able to play better than the people that had been playing?"

It is going to be tough getting Flozell back next year yet the Cowboys may be in position to move on, albeit a bit uncomfortably. Throwing an untested lineman in at left tackle is always a shaky proposition especially heading into a supposed championship season. If Flozell does depart the Cowboys could look to find a tackle later in free agency but that is very unlikely with several hopefuls waiting in the wings. Another possibility that has shown up in some mock drafts is the Cowboys drafting a lineman early in the draft. One thing remains clear though; if the Cowboys fail to resign Flozell Adams any replacement is going to be an obvious step backwards from a proven all-pro veteran.

Besides, if Flozell leaves, who will step up with the false start penalties we have all grown so used to?

Hat tip to deke for first posting the DMN story in his diary.

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Comments

I wont miss Flozell

one bit. Time for the young guys to prove themselves.

The Beast of the East is back!!!!

by Cowboys81 on Feb 24, 2008 7:06 PM CST reply actions

More false starts you ask?

Colombo and Kosier seem to have bogged down some good drives last year. Expect more, but pray for less.

by goodjobtimmyheresabluestar (46717) on Feb 24, 2008 7:14 PM CST reply actions

except for Flo, the FA tackles are horrible

Like I said before, unless Free is the next coming of Tony Boselli, our offense won't be as good without Flo because Romo will be running from DEs instead of throwing from a clean pocket, thanks to Flo shutting down the best pass rushers in the league.

I'll really miss the big guy.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Feb 24, 2008 7:15 PM CST reply actions

were not going with a FA

LT if Flozell is not resigned Terry. Were going in house. That't the reason you draft young guys like Mcquistan, Free and Martin. We have to use the money on other more important positions where we don't have the luxury of depth. We will be fine without Flozell. Sure there will be some growing pains, but that's part of the process.

The Beast of the East is back!!!!

by Cowboys81 on Feb 24, 2008 7:24 PM CST up reply actions

I hope but not optimistic in Free being as good

as Flo. I really think thats a lot to ask of a 4th rd draft pick. IMO, he needs one more year of seasoning.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Feb 24, 2008 7:28 PM CST up reply actions

I'm sure many would

but he's going to have to do it with two full off seasons. He was a true LT in college which will help. It's not like were asking him to play a position he never played before.

The Beast of the East is back!!!!

by Cowboys81 on Feb 24, 2008 7:41 PM CST up reply actions

Notice to Terry: Let it go man...repost

ok...doing this just for you Terry...

It's a complete waste of time to prove my point....But this is most fiscally responsible move possible. We have "3" capable OT's on the been bench,all making less than 3 of Flo's "game checks", that were specifically drafted for this very move to happen...It's going to happen now..relax..enjoy..and kick back, as I show you there is hope beyond Flo...You contend that we most replace Flo with a Pro Bowl caliber LT, not just a young kid, but a Pro Bowler....Not going to happen here guy...so for your amusement..I have a quiz for you...:

Name me the Starting LT on these teams that is considered a quality Pro Bowl LT ? :

Better question, Can name the starting LT on any of these teams ?

without looking it up, I'll give you a blue star and a lolipop.

In parenthisis is the scoring ranking of each team.

1)Indy(3) - rookie 2nd rd. LT
4)GB(4) - Name LT?
5)SD(5) - 2nd year starter QB
6)Jacksonville(6) - 1st year starter QB
7)Arizona(7) - back up QB, no run game
8)Pittsburgh(9) - Name LT?
9)Houston(12) - Matt Schuab, O Line sucks.
10)New Orleans(12) - Name LT?
11)NYG(14) - Eli- post season mirage
12)Minn(15) - QB sucks
13)Detroit(16) - journeyman QB, no run game
14)Philly(17) - seen twice this year..Name LT?
15)Chicago(18) - no QB or RB or WR

ALL of these teams average 21 points or better... And you won't find many Pro Bowl LT's playing at any of these teams.

Now tell me that we can't replace an aging, expensive LT, on a team that has Pro bowl players at QB, RB, WR, TE, and two other Pro Bowl OLineman.....that is 6 Pro Bowlers on offense..If we can't score with them....Jason Garrett must be fired !!!!
you can stop the whining.. we'll do fine..relax.

True Cowboys diehard since 1975.

by BoyzRback07 on Feb 25, 2008 1:20 AM CST up reply actions

how do you know we have 3 capable tackles

when none of them have ever played before?? You don't know that and neither do I, thats my point. Adams is a sure thing, you know what you're getting with him. However, you can only hope and pray with those other guys.

I'm not saying we need to replace Flo with another pro bowler, but if our offense is going to continue being among the best in the league, and last year it was top 3, we need to have a LT that is going to play as well as Flo, bottom line. Whether he gets elected to the pro bowl is irrelevent.

If we lose Flo, my only optimism about that position is that Houck is known for being a great OL coach and hopefully he can coach up Free or McQuistan to play at that level.

I will have my doubts though until I actually see it happen.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Feb 25, 2008 7:43 AM CST up reply actions

we don't know

but we have to find out just like any other position you draft for. All three OT's could suck your right, but without given them a chance we will never know.

The Beast of the East is back!!!!

by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 9:17 AM CST up reply actions

and thats exactly why I'm worried about the

situation as LT is the most important position on offense other than QB.

If we lose Flo and either Free or McQ don't play well, our offense will suffer and as a result our chances of matching last season's offensive production will not be good.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Feb 25, 2008 9:37 AM CST up reply actions

And that's where Red Ball & HH will have to...

... earn their money.

I hate the idea too, Terry... but there's too many other personnel issues to deal with financially right now and we do have to find out how good these guys possible replacement can be.

Indy's Tony Ugoh had some growing pains early in the season, but he got better as the season progressed.

And it helps that Romo has a quick release. If the King can draft another RB weapon and Garrett can add a few more wrinkles to the playbook, it could give Free or McQ time to get used to REAL TIME/REAL GAME playing speed.

Plus, Houck is a very good teacher, who emphasizes technique and fundamentals... which is just what these youngsters need.

One concern that I do have on offense is not having a speedy WR like Terry Glenn. That's why I'd love for us to draft someone like Eddie Royal -- who can also play special teams as a return man... and is explosive with the ball.

www.xanga.com/five11nation

by kcbrett5 on Feb 25, 2008 10:28 AM CST up reply actions

well said silver.....exactly my thoughts...

True Cowboys diehard since 1975.

by BoyzRback07 on Feb 25, 2008 10:56 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed

I don't think any of us would rather play Free than Flo, all things being equal, but the youth movement has to start somewhere, and we're carrying up to 3 players that could play on our roster (though I am officially concerned that moving Bigg will be Jerry's answer).

There is a very good chance that the offense will suffer, but hopefully it won't come playoff time. There will be growing pains, no matter who steps in. This is where the true worth of our scouts and coaches will be tested.

by grapejoos on Feb 25, 2008 12:28 PM CST up reply actions

Re: McQuistan's profile pic

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

But props to him for chasing down Archuleta.

by goodjobtimmyheresabluestar (46717) on Feb 24, 2008 7:16 PM CST reply actions

Re: McQuistan's profile pic

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

But props to him for chasing down Archuleta.

by goodjobtimmyheresabluestar (46717) on Feb 24, 2008 7:16 PM CST reply actions

We are Screwed

rotoworld.com is reporting that Jerry Jones mentioned moving Leonard Davis to left tackle if we cant get Flo back.

Screwed
Screwed
Screwed
Screwed

by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Feb 24, 2008 10:04 PM CST reply actions

never happen

they also talked about moving Colombo to LT. Don't worry it won't happen. It wouldn't make sense distrupting two positions when all you need to do is change one.

The Beast of the East is back!!!!

by Cowboys81 on Feb 24, 2008 10:08 PM CST up reply actions

Sooner or Later...

You're going to be throwing an unproven commodity at that position... Flozell is old. Even if you bring him back, you're still going to have to replace him eventually, and Free, Marten, whoever will no be more proven at that point...

Let Flozell go. Get one of these kids in there and see what you've got.

by N41D on Feb 24, 2008 11:59 PM CST reply actions

I agree

You'll never get in a traffic jam,while going the extra mile. -Roger staubach

by TrueBlue24 on Feb 25, 2008 6:30 PM CST up reply actions

I'm banking on Doug Free

In limited time over the preseason last year he looked excellent. Hopefully he's been a regular in the weightroom and doesn't have partial hearing loss in his right ear, ala Flozell.

Is it me or does Dallas have the two most frustrating perenial probowlers in the league: Roy Williams and Flozell?

Pat McQuistan is surpasses Chris Kaman of the LA Clippers as ugliest professional athlete.

by jmangell0830 on Feb 25, 2008 6:11 PM CST reply actions