Dallas, TX
The Dallas Cowboys have a big kicker problem and they need to fix it fast
The Dallas Cowboys have a kicker downside. On daily basis once we recap the practices right here at BTB there may be all the time some word about how the kickers struggled. Points have performed sizzling potato between rookie UDFA Jonathan Garibay and veteran Lirim Hajrullahu, however finally neither has proven motive to belief them in an precise NFL recreation with all the things on the road.
That is all of the doing (or somewhat the not doing) of the Dallas Cowboys entrance workplace. We’ve got spoken earlier than about this, however in case you forgot the Cowboys actually employed the worst further level kicker within the NFL final yr. That isn’t hyperbole or a press release made for dramatic impact. It’s an goal truth.
You’ll assume that this may have led to a reevaluation of how the Cowboys consider the kicker place. They’ve seemingly by no means actually evaluated anybody within the John Fassel period. Shortly after he joined the staff’s employees as particular groups coordinator he introduced in his kicker from the Los Angeles Rams in Zuerlein and caught by him till it was not doable.
However right here we sit. Double-digit practices into coaching camp. And a place that’s chargeable for scoring factors is a degree of weak point.
The Dallas Cowboys have no person responsible however themselves for his or her kicker downside
The Cowboys determined to launch Greg Zuerlein over the offseason which put them out there for a brand new kicker. They reportedly thought of bringing Zuerlein again earlier than he wound up with the New York Jets which says loads about all of this, however we’ve already re-litigated that topic.
Dallas didn’t herald any veteran free agent kicker earlier than the 2022 NFL Draft and didn’t spend any draft choose on one both. It wasn’t till they signed UDFA Jonathan Garibay that they even had one other kicker as an choice.
That was on April thirtieth. They clearly deliberate on Garibay figuring out since they didn’t signal herald any competitors till two months later (information of Lirim Hajrullahu’s return broke on July 1st), and sadly issues proceed to go poorly for the rookie.
As Cowboys’ kicker competitors continues, Lirim Hajrullahu continues to separate himself. He was 7-of-9 (made six of ultimate seven). Undrafted rookie Jonathan Garibay: 4-of-9. He missed three of ultimate 4, the final of which was this one from 49. pic.twitter.com/tb5Y116TRQ
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 6, 2022
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott hypes followers for 39-yard Jonathan Garibay FG try. And the miss deflates them. Garibay has missed 4 straight FGs. He’s 4-of-11 for at the moment. Lirim Hajrullahu is 8-for-11. Camp competitors been a runaway. pic.twitter.com/iefHQy7fP5
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 6, 2022
It has been honest to offer Garibay time to point out himself within the NFL, however whereas we’re not even to the primary preseason recreation of the yr, it seems like now we have seen sufficient. These usually are not abnormal misses right here, they’re excessive misses that don’t appear to be the symptom of one thing that may be fastened earlier than the common season begins subsequent month.
However to repair this subject requires getting off of the proverbial sofa. The Cowboys can solely repair this factor in the event that they repair this factor, which implies they must, properly, repair this factor. Complacency is not (nor ought to it ever be) the reply.
Sadly the Cowboys are talking like all is properly and the wind in Oxnard is responsible for all the present struggles. Fortunately there shall be no wind in any NFL video games that the Cowboys will play on this season!
Perhaps the preseason will supply extra hope for Garibaby and/or Hajrullahu, however it’s price mentioning that there shall be some doubtlessly false guarantees proven throughout the first outing as the sport will happen within the excessive altitudes of Denver. Jerry Jones is wanting ahead to that motion as he famous that he’s significantly taken with seeing them make 32-yard further factors since that’s the place he actually needs consistency.
“I do know we’re challenged there in opposition to the wind on the market,” Jones mentioned. “I’d prefer to see them within the calmness of the stadium hitting these 32 yarders which occurs to be the additional level. Let’s get that down. That’s the place I need consistency proper there.”
This isn’t only a damaged philosophy. That is irresponsible team-building. The Dallas Cowboys performed in 9 video games (counting the playoffs) that had been determined by one possession final season. Everyone knows how shut video games could be within the NFL, why play with fireplace like this?
