The biggest factor in the Dallas Cowboys' unexpected success this season has been the play of their young offensive line, and one key piece to that equation has been out for three straight games. Now, it appears right tackle Doug Free will miss a fourth straight game on Sunday as the Cowboys head to Lambeau to play the Packers for the right to play in the NFC Championship Game.
It would be nothing new for the Cowboys, who have inserted Jermy Parnell in for Free and would see Parnell make his seventh start this season if he needs to go again.
“It’s still going to be tough for Doug to play this week,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Monday on KRLD-FM. “He’s trying to get back but we’ll just have to see. We’re taking that week by week, but it’s an uphill battle for Doug to get back for this week.”
Remember the days when Free was a guy the Cowboys fan wanted gone and out on the street? It wasn't too long ago. Now, he's a key piece to the Cowboys' success. Parnell had his struggles on Sunday against a really stout Detroit defensive line, but overall has played well in relief of both Free and Ronald Leary this season.
“At times there was some push in the pocket,” Garrett said in his Monday press conference. “At times he didn’t block the guy who we wanted him to block. He fought well, battled well. As the game wore on, he probably played a little stronger.”
