The Cowboys had a glaring weakness on the offensive line last season and that weakness is now a Pittsburgh Steeler. Former Cowboys left tackle Flozell Adams signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this week, a few months after the Dallas Cowboys released him to free agency.

Adams was a staple on the Cowboys line for years, opening holes for Emmitt Smith and protecting Tony Romo’s blindside. But last year Adams seemed to lose a step with plenty of false start penalties, personal fouls, and he also gave up eight sacks.

This season he will be replaced by Doug Free, a lineman who replaced Marc Columbo in the right side of the line last year after Colombo went down with a fractured fibula. Free was seamless in his transition and played well in the seven games that Marc missed.

But the left side is a different animal. Adams was a big guy with a 36 inch reach and was just nasty. I’m not sure if Free has the same mean streak as Adams, but he’s quick and has about the same reach as Flozell.

Early in training camp Free has been matched against defensive star DeMarcus Ware. Doug has held his own against Wade and even stood Ware up once. If Dough is able to keep this type of intensity up I think the Cowboys will be ok on the left side.

However his early test will come against the Redskins as he’ll face Andre Carter and Brian Orakpo as the Redskins switch to a 3-4 defense. Next he’ll go up against former Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers as the Cowboys face the Bears and their new prized defensive star.

If Free is able to hold the line and keep Tony upright in the first two weeks of the season then I think that Jerry and his crew can rest easy. Yes Doug will give up a sack or two on Tony and he’s going to get beat on a few plays, every offensive lineman does. How he responds is going to be the truest judge of his play this season.

-JH

E-mail Jason at jhenry83@gmail.com

Follow Jason on twitter @THenProject