Talking Cowboys – Trade gives Dallas “Free” Insurance

Rumors dominate this time of year for NFL teams, however, not much has been said about the Dallas Cowboys as it has been one of the quieter off seasons in recent memory.

With uncertainty within the offensive line the Cowboys sent former first round pick/bust Bobby Carpenter to the St. Louis Rams for former first round pick/swing tackle Alex Barron.

The trade helps give the Cowboys depth at offensive tackle.

Dallas has penciled in Doug Free as the starting left tackle, however, if he shows he can not stop the elite pass rushers then the Cowboys have a who has started 74 games at tackle for his career in Barron.

Free filled in nicely for the injured Marc Colombo at the right tackle the last part of the season., although, when given the chance on the left side when recently released Flozell Adams was injured, Free looked incapable of blocking Jared Allen in the divisional playoff game against the Vikings.

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Carpenter will be replaced by rookie line backer Sean Lee.

Lee, drafted in the second round of this year’s draft will be serviceable when Bradie James or Keith Brooking are not in the game, and in some passing situations. Lee is also a tackling machine as he posted 324 (154 solo) in just 44 at Penn State, also known as, “ Linebacker U.”

Carpenter, the last first round pick made by former coach Bill Parcells, just never made a complete transition to inside linebacker of the Cowboys 3-4 defense. He will not have to worry about that in St. Louis who run a more conventional 4-3 defensive scheme and expect Carpenter to play one of the outside linebacker positions.

Other Cowboy notes:

With the addition of Barron the Cowboys now have three of the top 20 picks from the 2005 draft class: DeMarcus Ware (11th), Barron (19th), and Marcus Spears (20th) respectively.

By: Andy Townsend
ProFootball-fans.com Dallas Cowboys Correspondent