San Diego Chargers Top Free Agent Targets
Aug 7, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys tackle Doug Free (68) and guard Zack Martin (70) warm-up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
OT Doug Free or Jeremy Parnell, Dallas Cowboys
The big problem for the Dallas Cowboys and their Pro-Bowl caliber offensive line is at the right tackle position. The insane thing about the Cowboys is that both of their right tackles, Doug Free and Jeremy Parnell, are outstanding at their positions and future free agents in 2015.Whether or not Dallas keeps Free or Parnell, the Chargers should take the opportunity to take either of them, however Free would have the advantage due to his weight (325 versus Parnell’s 315) and his leadership experience.
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According to ESPN reporter Todd Archer, “To me, Free is a must-keep. He is better than people think and the leader of the room. Free is 31 but tackles can play longer. I’m not sure he will see a huge payday in the $6 million average per-year range.”
With that stated, the Chargers should take a chance on Free (or Parnell). The Chargers desperately need an offensive tackle and I don’t think that there are many free agent tackles with the skill level that Free possesses. Free or Parnell would give the Bolts a solid blocker in the run game for either Branden Oliver or Danny Woodhead to run through next season.
In 2014, starting QB Philip Rivers was sacked 37 times on the season (ranked 16th). That may not seem that bad of a stat when compared with other teams. However, when looking closer, one can see how bad the Chargers offensive line truly was this season.
In the entire 2014 campaign, the Bolts allowed Philip Rivers to get knocked down an average of 4.875 times per game. In their last four games, the Bolts allowed seven QB hits or more three times. Not to mention, the Chargers gave up a horrendous 6.0625 tackles for loss per game and seven or more tackles for loss seven times.
Tony Romo was actually well protected in Dallas last season as DeMarco Murray broke records under Free and Parnell’s tutelage. I believe that either of these tackles could provide similar performances for the Chargers running game in 2015.
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