Veteran RT Doug Free Spent Offseason Leading from the Sidelines

Cowboys right tackle Doug Free spent the offseason on the sidelines at Valley Ranch, as he recovered from offseason surgery to clean up bone spurs in the foot/ankle area, but his status as the veteran leader of the team’s young offensive line was never more apparent.

Unable to lead on the field, from his usual post at right tackle, he led from the sidelines and, certainly, in the offensive line meeting room.

“It is strange, definitely different,” Free told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram during the team’s mandatory minicamp a couple weeks ago. “I’m not used to being out there without having the helmet on and stuff. But I’m doing what I can do and helping the young guys as much as I can and trying to make this team better.”

Doug Free anticipates being ready to go when the team reconvenes next, on July 28 in Oxnard, CA, for the opening of training camp 2015.  

“I’ve done the mental preparation as best I can and also the physical stuff what I can do,” Free said. “I’m keeping up with it and just planning on getting to training camp a little fresher maybe than some other people.”