Doug Free life and biography

Doug Free is an American football offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football at Northern Illinois University and high school for Lincoln High School in Manitowoc, Wisconsin .

PRO: The Cowboys drafted Doug Free in the fourth round (122nd overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft with the hopes of him developing into a key player on the offensive line. He spent the past three seasons learning from some of the best in the NFL, including 12-year veteran Flozell Adams and former first round draft picks Marc Colombo and Leonard Davis, but will head into the 2010 training camp looking to solidify his role as the starting left tackle for years to come. Free made seven starts at right tackle in 2009 in place of an injured Colombo and proved he was ready, and with the offseason release of Adams, Free will be looking to assume the starting role at left tackle.

2009:
# Earned the first seven starts of his career, filling in at right tackle in place of Colombo while seeing time in all 16 games. o The Cowboys finished second in the NFL (second in the NFC) in total offense, averaging 399.4 yards-per-game.
# Dallas' passing game finished sixth in the NFL (second in the NFC) with 267.9 yards-per-game.
# The rushing offense ranked seventh in the NFL (third in the NFC), gaining 2,103 yards on the season, 131.4 yards-per-game.
# Dallas gained 6,390 total yards of offense to mark the most in a season in team history and the first 6,000-plus yard season in team history.
# Played only on special teams in the season opener at Tampa Bay (9/13).
# Against Atlanta (10/25) played on special teams and relieved Adams in the fourth quarter at left tackle.
# Filled in at right tackle when Colombo suffered a broken left fibula and high ankle sprain on the second offensive series of the game at Green Bay (11/15). The line was still able to help Romo complete 24 passes for 251 yards with one touchdown and one interception while allowing five sacks.
# Earned his first career start against Washington (11/22), as the line allowed only one sack of Romo on 27 passing attempts as he threw for 158 yards and the running game was able to grind out 153 yards.
# The offense amassed 494 yards of total offense (195 rushing, 309 passing) against Oakland (11/26) to mark the fifth time to reach 400 yards this season, which tied the second-highest figure in a season in club history. The offense was able to record 10 plays of 20-or-more yards and had eight plays of 25-or-more yards.
# The line allowed only two sacks of Romo at the N.Y. Giants (12/6), as he established career-bests in attempts (55) - second in team history - completions (41) - team record - and passing yards (392) for a completion percentage of 74.5 with three touchdowns. The team totaled 424 yards of offense marking the sixth game of the season with 400-or-more yards, which tied the most games of 400-or-more yards in a season in club history (1979, 1981, 1983 and 2007).
# The offensive line helped the offense rack up 439 total yards at previously undefeated New Orleans (12/19) to mark the seventh game of 400-or-more yards this season, which is the most in a season in club history. The team had 195 yards of total offense in the first quarter and 156 passing yards as they jumped out to an early 14-0 lead on the Saints. The offense scored touchdowns on its first two possessions for the first time since against Seattle (11/27/08). The line also helped pave the way for Cowboys running backs to gain 145 yards on the ground, including two rushing touchdowns by Marion Barber.
# In the win to clinch a playoff berth at Washington (12/27), the line allowed time for Romo to complete 25-of-38 passes for 286 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The offense totaled 393 yards giving them 5,916 through 15 games for the most in team history through 15 games. The line also controlled the clock for 35:02 as the team converted seven-of-13 on third down.
# Helped the club win its 17th NFC East Division title while paving the way for 179 rushing yards and 311 passing yards for 474 total yards of offense - upping their single-season club high of 400-yard games to eight against Philadelphia (1/3/10). The offense gained 6,390 total yards on the season to establish a single-season club record and mark the first time the club has topped 6,000 yards in a season.
# Colombo returned to the starting line-up against Philadelphia (1/9/10) in the NFC Wild Card Game, but Free made his postseason debut on special teams.
# Took over for an injured Adams in the second quarter at Minnesota (1/17/10), and, as part of the offensive line, allowed time for Romo to complete 22-of-35 for 198 yards with one interception while allowing six sacks - tying the third-most yielded in a playoff game in club history. Also blocked for a running game that gained 92 yards on 25 attempts and controlled the clock for 30:34.

2008:
# Played in all four preseason games, earning the starting nod in the final game at left tackle.
# Was inactive for the first 13 weeks of the season before being active but not playing against the N.Y. Giants (12/14).
# Was again active but did not play against Baltimore (12/20) and at Philadelphia (12/28).

2007:
# Started at left tackle for Adams in the first preseason game against the Colts.
# Suffered a knee sprain during the Indianapolis game and missed the rest of the preseason rehabbing.
# Inactive for the first 15 games of the season.
# Made his NFL debut at Washington (12/30) at right tackle during the fourth quarter.
# Was inactive in the Divisional Playoff Game against the N.Y. Giants (1/13/08).

COLLEGE
# Started all 49 games at Northern Illinois and was a semifinalist for the Draddy Award - which recognizes academic success, football performance, and exemplary community service.
# Earned first-team All-Mid American Conference and Academic All-MAC honors as a senior, was a member of the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award Watch List and earned CBSSportsLine.com 'Halfway All-American' honors.
# Started 13 games for the Huskies, helping them go 7-6 and play in the Poinsettia Bowl against Texas Christian as a senior.
# Started 12 games at left tackle and earned first-team All-Mid American Conference honors. Helped the team gain 206.7 rushing yards-per-game, which ranked 16th in the nation, and 441.1 total yards-per-game.
# Was also nominated for MAC All-Academic honors and CoSIDA District V All-Academic honors after earning a 3.24 grade point average in industrial technology.
# Earned Sophomore All-American third-team honors from College Sports Report and was named second-team All-Mid American Conference by the league's coaches. o Started 12 games at left tackle, helping the team gain 438.8 total yards-per-game. Played a season-high 99 snaps against Eastern Michigan.
# Following his redshirt season, was named to the Freshman All-America third-team by The Sporting News. Started all 12 games, including the first two at right tackle, the next nine at left tackle, and the last game at tight end.

PERSONAL
# Douglas Free lettered three times in football at Lincoln High School in Manitowoc, Wisc., where he was an honor roll student.
# Was a team captain as a senior and was named defensive lineman of the year. Also earned first-team All-Fox Valley Conference honors on offense and defense, first-team Herald Times Reporter all-area honors, and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel all-state honors.
# As a defensive tackle in 2002, led the team to a 7-3 record and a playoff berth, recording 64 tackles, eight sacks, seven blocked kicks, six forced fumbles, five pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries.
# Also had six receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown as a tight end.

COMMUNITY
# 2007 Dallas Cowboys Rookie Club.
# 2008 Poker for Pets for SPCA of Texas.
# 2009 Dallas Cowboys Komen Race For the Cure Corporate Race Team.
# 2009 Chopsticks for Cowboys benefitting the Rich Behm Family Trust.
# 2010 Dairy Max / Fuel Up to Play 60 Event.
# Annual team Holiday Hospital Visits.
# Salvation Army Angel Tree Christmas Program.
# Kickoff Luncheon and Dallas Cowboys Family Cookbook benefitting Happy Hill Farm.
# Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas.

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